Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Nov 20, 2003 05:39am | #1

   Welcome Az...

   Over in Knots forum there is a tea sipping pinkie waving bunch.

   You ask this question over there and it will be about the same as gubernorial weel.

   They are some good people and they live and breathe lathes.

   Good luck and good hunting...

    

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   az23 | Nov 20, 2003 03:47pm | #2

   Thanks for the help.  I went there and the was some good advice about Sears, but not much about other brands.  I'll keep an eye on it to see if they change directions.

   AZ

1. 
   IMERC | Nov 20, 2003 05:19pm | #3

   They have 2 threads going now on lathes.

   Ask for plan "B'.

   Start another thread "I want a real lathe - non of that Sears sissy stuff" kind of attitude.

   Jump in and join the party. If yoy have a little masochism in ya post in BT.(Breaktime) 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

2. 
   TomHigby | Nov 30, 2003 04:55am | #4

   In my view unless one is going to turn pens one should buy the heaviest lathe  that one can afford or has room for.  This is especially true if one is planning to turn bed-posts.  I now have a 400# Yates American, and so far I haven't made it walk across the floor (that happened with my earlier smaller lathes, and was a bit scarey).

    Tom

3. 
   sprocket | Jan 23, 2004 05:44pm | #5

   Hey AZ you might want to start looking for and old lathe instead of a new one. Big American made lathes from Delta, Oliver, Powermatic, General (Canadian) would be worth looking into. Plan on educating yourself as you go and keep an open mind. I've been learning other disciplines as I go (machine shop skills involving bearings, threads taps & dies and so forth, also electrical wiring, motors controls etc..). I agree what the other poster said buy as big as possible for stability. Novices need heavy duty more than veterans. From what I've learned so far, some of the big older American lathes are better suited for heavy duty and production spindle turning, bowl turning is more popular now and requrires a more specialized machine but you still can do SOME bowl turning on these, its just not as well-suited. I'm restoring an old Powermatic 90 lathe and haven't started turning yet. I plan to take a beginning spindle turning class locally to start getting real lathe time. To the person making the wise-cracks about pinky fingers and tea-sipping, why don't you take your ignorant attitude and put it to use in a more constructive manner?

   Good luck AZ.

1. 
   Scrit | Jan 25, 2004 05:08pm | #6

   I'll add to the list that sprocket gave to you the names Wadkin and Dominion. Both British makes and both formerly exported to the USA and Canada (especially the Wadkins). I have a small cast-iron Dominion patternmaker lathe in the shop, the type with a carraige for turning consistent cylinders and cones, and it just doesn't vibrate or walk around like the cheapo Chaiwanese stuff. That may be because even at just 30in between centres it weighs in at over 300lb - what they used to call a "lightweight patternmaker's lathe". It also cost little more than a cheapish import, although it did require cleaning up and some minor rewiring before use.

   Scrit

2. 
   TomHigby | Nov 02, 2004 02:02am | #9

   I've never owned a new lathe.  The lathe is a simple tool, and old ones are as good as new if bearings aare good.   When I found my present 400# Yates American I gave my son the previous variable speed Walker-Turner.  Both very good, both neede some work, but worth it.

   Tom

4. 
   billsams | Jan 28, 2004 03:05am | #7

   Hi AZ, check out the wivamac lathes at http://www.toolpost.co.uk/system/index.html

   Comparable to the oneway lathes, except the head swivels and slides toward the tailstock. Exceptionally well built/

   Bill

5. 
   az23 | Jan 29, 2004 03:08pm | #8

   Thanks for all the information.  I got a Sears 15 inch for Christmas, so far seems to be alright.  I mounted it on a bench that is attached to a wall.  Thanks again for the input.  AZ