Replies

1. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 29, 2002 03:30pm | #1

   Allen,

   What kind of turning will you be doing? Spindles? Pens? Bowls? Table tops?

   Lathes, like all machines, run the gamut as far as price, capacities, quality.  A bit more information would help.

   Jeff

1. 
   AllenS51 | Oct 30, 2002 01:59pm | #4

   I will probably be turning bowls, spindles and things of this sort although I would like to have the full size bed and enough power to turn small tops.  As far as turning them on and letting them run to check vibration and such, I do not have any local dealers that I am aware of that I can do such a thing.  In this case which lathes would you recommend?  My buget will probable be $1000 to $1500.  Now I have a pretty full shop so the lathe will be my next toy.  Thanks for the help.

1. 
   Drewpeacock | Oct 30, 2002 02:55pm | #5

   Easy now!

     - Oneway 1218 with extension bed.

   Bob

2. 
   JeffKurtz | Oct 30, 2002 05:26pm | #6

   Allen,

   If you plan on doing large outboard turning, then you'll need to increase your budget or look for a used machine.  (That would be my first choice anyway.  Find a nice old Delta or Powermatic.)

   General's 160-1 and 160-2 are good machines, and Wilke Machinery has either for less than $1400. 

   The Delta Steel Bed is a bit over budget, but at $2000 it comes with a variable speed Baldor motor and electronic controls.

   The Oneway 1024 is a nice machine, but I'm not sure if it can do outboard turning.  Oneway's 1018 is a nice smaller machine, but entirely too light at 140 lbs.

   WoodFast is now sold by Harbor Freight.  It's a well respected Australian lathe, but I'm not sure of its outboard capacities either.  (Their price is about 1/2 of anyone elses)

     Good luck!

   Jeff

   Edited 10/30/2002 10:27:49 AM ET by Jeff K

   Edited 10/30/2002 10:29:57 AM ET by Jeff K

3. 
   AlanTurner | Oct 30, 2002 08:11pm | #7

   Here is a web site with a used Oliver.  http://www.woodweb.com/cgi-bin/forums/machinery.pl?read=218537

2. 
   Drewpeacock | Oct 29, 2002 03:35pm | #2

   Do you have a budget?

   Do you already have a shop with some tools?

   Lathes run from about $100.00 to several thousand.

   If you do a search on the net for wood lathe you will get an idea of the different brand and types.

   Some brands to look for are Grizzly, Vicmark, Oneway, Jet, General, Veil, Hapso, Ridgid, and several overseas imports that may not hve recognised names.

   Unless space is a problem try to find a full size bed ( 39-48")

   Regards

   Bob

1. 
   DennisS | Oct 29, 2002 05:54pm | #3

   Like everyone so far has said, what price range and what do you intend to make??

   I started with a cheapie Delta that I soon outgrew. Out grew in the sense that it didn't have the mass or operating convenience of higher end models.

   If it's just an occasional shaving making fix, the lower priced lighter units will work fine but figure on building a sturdy and massive bench/stand for any work of any size. Look for a variable speed option that doesn't depend on belt changes or variable pitch pulleys so speed can be adjusted without the lathe running. Some of the newer smaller lathes have headstocks that pivot to allow turning wihtout reaching over the bed but I found on the Delta I had that realigning the headstock/tailstock was a bit of a problem. Check out how well this can be done on any model you consider that has this feature.

   Power is project dependent, obviously. If you're turning tops or candle holders most everything on the market will suffice power wise. If you're turning larger items, power is worth every penny.

   Try to shop where the vendor will let you plug the machine in and see it run. Check vibration at high speed. How well can it be dampened by the addition of the sturdy bench and ballast....

   Unless you're convinced that turning will be a long term hobby, I'd suggest starting small to discover how well you like the craft and how serious you intend to become. I sold my first lathe in a garage sale for close to what I paid for it.

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]