Record lathes / upgrades and improvements

[Brianp]

So, as I said I spent a couple of hours at the lathe yesterday and generated a few "improvement points" - thought you guys might be able to help me. The lathe is a Record DML 24X (green, if that makes any difference).

1) Tool rest - the current rest seems very high, even at it's lowest setting. Is it a possibility to get a different tool rest to fit these? Are they a "standard item?"

2) I was reading about upgrades including more speeds (I have 3) and swivel head - is this a model number mixup, or has anyone heard of these upgrades on a DML 24X?

3) sooner or later I'll have to think about sharpening...

There are many more questions but I don't want to wear out my welcome!

 

[CHJ]

.......3) sooner or later I'll have to think about sharpening...
....!

Then make this very much sooner rather than later, forget about any changes to your lathe, other than sorting out a badly positioned tool post for your needs.

If you have been turning for more than 30 minutes with HSS tools then they are far from sharp and you are only going to have a load of problems and could even lead to a bad catch and an accident.

When you have had a few months practise and obtained some sharpening experience then you can start to think about any limitations your machine has and a need to spend time and/or money on it or a replacement.

 

[Deejay]

Afternoon Brian

Does the spigot on the bottom of the toolrest 'bottom' before the the rest is fully engaged?

In other words, when the rest is as low as it will go, is there some of the spigot showing above the banjo?

If so, you can cut/grind it down (the spigot) to lower the rest. Don't overdo it though, or you could end up with a spigot that is too short to allow the clamp to hold it.

I don't think Record do the four speed conversion kit any more. They will probably supply spares to do it.

If you register on the Record site, you can drop them an email.

I'd think about it for a while. The cost of the spares might be better used towards an upgrade.

Just spotted Chas's reply. He's right about sharpening being more important.

Cheers

Dave

 

[paulm]

How high is the top of the toolrest, relative to the centre of the drive spindle, when set as low as it will go Brian ?

Also, does it look like a Record original, matching paint/labels etc ?

As Chas said re sharpening, little and often is needed, probably every ten to fifteen minutes or so of turning seasoned hardwoods I'm guessing, though never actually timed it ! Gives some rough idea anyway, in contrast to once or twice during a day's turning at the opposite end of the scale ! A bit of experience will tell you when to resharpen as you will tell the difference in ease of cutting and type of shavings being produced.

Cheers, Paul

 

[Brianp]

Great, thank you all for the thoughts and comments!

Yeah, I was guessing that some of today's issues (turning an apple and less happy than yesterday's goblet) were sharpness related. I'll be an age deciphering the pros and cons of everything - bench grinder vs wet grinder, one with a sanding belt or 2 wheels! Any advice on that is welcome too - I was thinking a cheapish bench grinder and a white wheel? Seems to be the way to go for a beginner. Never had or used one before, though!

Paul, the toolrest seems to be just below the centre, just by a couple of mm or so. It's fine when there's diameter on the work but getting into a narrower piece or hollowing out a goblet the gouge is quite flat. It's a 2nd hand set so it might be a rest to suit a larger record lathe. Seems to be same colour / branding.

Deejay, you're probably right about the upgrades vs modifications argument. <Must Contain Enthusiasm>

 

[CHJ]

..... Any advice on that is welcome too - I was thinking a cheapish bench grinder and a white wheel? Seems to be the way to go for a beginner. Never had or used one before, though!
...

This was my first attempt at basic sharpening in 2005 and is still going strong with some updates to jigs

the above thread has another link that may be of use

 

[paulm]

The rest sounds about right Brian, you might sometimes want it a bit lower, maybe it's from a bigger record lathe, in which case it probably won't hurt to hacksaw a half inch or so off the bottom, but you would need to reassure yourself that you would still be able to grip it at around centre height if needed.

You could try a Robert Sorby after market toolrest perhaps instead, from ToolPost or similar, if you don't fancy the effort or trauma of altering the original.

Haven't heard of people having problems with the toolrest height before though, so might be tempted to persevere with it as is for the time being, but it's a good few years since I had a DML or other record lathe so perhaps a current owner could comment on theirs first ?

Cheers, Paul