Some advice would be great :)

UKworkshop.co.uk

Help Support UKworkshop.co.uk:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Struan

Established Member
Joined
25 Jan 2009
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
Location
UK
Hi everyone.
I'm just about to get myself started in the world of wood turning, i'm very excited about all the projects i might take on, but also very clueless about it all, and very short on cash, so have turned to a well known auction site to purchase my first lathe.
I've lost a few to higher bidders and am now looking at the one that can be found via the link below. However, i have contacted the seller and he is unsure as to wether it will be suitable for turning bowls. Is there anyone out there that knows more about this and would be able to advise me?
Thankyou in advance

Struan (with a spinning head but no spinning wood as yet :( )
 
It doesn't apper to like me putting a link on here, sorry to any moderators :)

It's currently advertised on ebay and it's tagged a a draper wood turning lathe
 
Hello,and welcome to the forum :D

Yes,the lathe will be able to be used for turning bowls - the size you will be able to turn is limited by the distance between the lathe centre and the bed bars (guessing about 12" diameter);as it is supplied with a faceplate,you can use this for mounting a blank - a chuck makes it easier but isn't essential.
The chisel set shown are carbon steel - perfectly useable,but will need regular re-sharpening.

Todays top tip - get a copy of Keith Rowleys book woodturning - a foundation course and have a good read through it before putting chisel to timber (might even have it in your local library)

And let us know how you get on.

Andrew
 
That's great! thanks Andrew, i've got a handful of books on order, but i'll go for that one too, hopefully it will teach me how to mount on a face plate!
Right, i'll get bidding and i'll let you know how i get on, i may even put up some pictures of my first disaster pieces :lol:

Struan
 
Welcome to the forum Struan, the lathe you have highlighted is of a higher spec. than the one I used for the first couple of years.

If you look in earlier pages in the "bits & pieces" link in my sig. you will get an idea of what is possible.
 
Welcome Struan, Check out the price new at some of the Draper dealers before you bid ,some of the stuff being sold secondhand is dearer than new . Best of luck REgards Boysie
 
I think this is a draper WTL 99 (71384) - a google search should dig up more details - if so it should turn c. 13 inches over the bed.

It appears that you will need to shift the belt around to change speeds.

I have one of its bigger brothers, the variable speed WTL 95 and it was cheap (second hand) but quite sturdy and really does everything I need (despite my desire to buy a Nova DVR...).

They go for around the £130 - £140 mark new so don't bid too high (remember the petrol costs!) and don't forget you will need a grinder for sharpening your chisels.

If you have a family, wife, husband or Significant Other, say goodbye to them now because they won't be seeing you again this side of Easter, except perhaps a shaving-covered shape, dimly-glimpsed through the shed window.......... :)
 
Still not having much luck finding the right tool for me!

Does anybody out there know anything about the nu-tool NWL-37? I may have a chance of getting one of these but don't know what diameter bowls i would be able to do. I don't want to out grow it too quickly

Thanks in advance
Struan
 
WShat is your budget?
What sort of space do you have?
There are loads of lathes on the market and if you can give us an idea of what sort of thing you arelooking for and the price range I am sure we can point you in various directions.

Pete
 
Believe the Nu-tool is the same as the Clarke one (and several others)
The link should give you an idea of the lathes capacities.
As Pete said,though,more information will help us give more advice :D

Andrew
 
Hello Struan, welcome to the forum
You might take a look at this site, it's an auction site and the lathe on it comes with quite a bit of gear. It has a starting price of £200 .00 with no bids at present.
I've had a Tyme Avon for 18 years and it's still going strong. On my experience of mine, I would recommend one of these as a very good starting lathe.
www.tazbar.com
When on the site just type 'Tyme Avon'

John. B
 
Thanks for all your comments guys :)
I've just got back from shopping and have won the ebay auction for the nutool i was asking about, i've payed £50 for it, which i think seems ok.
I wasn't really sure what my budget was, but £50 seems like to good a price to say no to. This really is just to get me started and make sure i enjoy it (i'm sure i will!) and at that price it won't matter if i outgrow it very quickly and save to buy a better model.
It's great that i have found this site with so many friendly people, willing to give advice, i'm sure i will be conatacting you all quite often.
Thanks again for all your help

Struan
 
Back
Top