New lathe choices....help.....

Good news, the wife says I can buy tools.....BAD news, not enough money for everything I want (imagine that) I want a new lathe. Here are some of the choices I am looking at and I need some real world help. Harbor freight (don't laugh, I have a small one now and it has been great for what I have asked it to do) Harbor Freight 34706 (12", varible speed) on sale $180 Harbor Freight 90265 (15", variable speed, looks like a knockoff of the Craftsman 15") $399 Craftsman 15" VS lathe $449 Delta 14" $550

I know the Delta is good. But does anyone have experience with the other tools? All advise is welcome and appreciated.

Reply to
n2sawdust
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Assuming that what you have still works, I suggest that you save for a while more and use what you have for now. Every machine on that list will limit you severely. Can you quit smoking and put the money in a lathe pot? That way you could kill two birds with one stone.

Bill

Reply to
Bill Rubenstein

I agree on everything EXCEPT the Delta. If you had the money to splurge, a Nova 3K (about $1000) would be some better. Otherwise the Delta is at least an order of magnitude better than the others you listed. It's also a good deal better than the Jet 14". Quite honestly, there's nothing wrong with the Delta. It just doesn't have snob appeal.

Reply to
Larry

The 34706 is not a high-end lathe but is a probably a good place to start.

I have the 34706 and, once I got used to the difference between it and a metalworking lathe, like it. It has flat ways. I noticed that the Stubby has v-ways. V-ways are the way to go if you can scrounge up the money because the v shape holds the tailstock in alignment to the headstock. The

34706 suffers from lack of set screws / gibs to restore alignment once the metal of the ways / tailstock become worn from sliding them against each other to establish the alignment with the headstock.

The variable speed is not achieved electronically but with a variable pitch pulley system. The Central Machinery implementation of this uses interlocking v's in the pulley and that chewed right through the OEM v-belt in just a matter of weeks ... perhaps 20-30 hours of use. I replaced it with the tough-as-nails interlocking belt available from Woodcraft and find that the replacement belt is too wide / thick to permit full speed because it runs into the lathe casting. I probably get to 1910 rpm before the belt flies off the pulley. I like to use the higher speeds when finishing pens.

YMMV, but this has been my experience thus far.

Bill

Reply to
Anonymous

I have a 14 40 Delta. Will take half of Woodcraft listed price. It's in Kentucky. e-mail me if interested.

Reply to
Lem Bledsoe

Better link belting, leather and metal studs, different sizes and I bought one myself:

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What is available here I have not found in theseAmerica's.Reasonable prices, shipping costs and fast shipping from a printed lable. Alex

Reply to
AAvK

Bill, I have to agree with you completely. Working on a quality machine is well beyond words once you do it. Not only that, but a machine that will last a long time is well worth it. Saving to buy the right machine is the right move.

George Yoder

Bill

Reply to
Frosty Thunder

Harbor Freight has Woodfast heavy machines, and I have searched but cannot find a source for parts for their particular model. Nor any reference to this model, anywhere. seems to be a good price. Free shipping too.

Alex

Reply to
AAvK

I agree EXCEPT for the Delta. If you can save up $1000 get a Nova 3K, but if you can't (or don't want to spend that much) the Delta is a "best 2nd choice". There's nothing wrong with it. It just doesn't have snob appeal.

Reply to
Larry

It's not just snob appeal. The bearings are only about 3" apart on the Delta, and will wear out and induce a lot of vibration if you give it heavy use. Also, It gets very exciting to turn natural edge pieces of 14" diameter on the Delta at 450 rpms. I have a new headstock I built with a variable speed motor purchased from Vega. Much better. The camshafts on both the Delta tailstock and toolrest holder bend permanently if locked down hard. The toolrest holder shaft may have bent partly due to a catch.

Derek

Reply to
Derek Hartzell

Thanks for all of the advice. My replies are as follows...

1) I don't smoke...I am a neurology resident and see too many strokes to even contemplate the habit so no money from there. 2) I would love the NOVA but the timing is not right for that big of a purchase. I will be moving to a new house in 2 years and then I will have a real shop built that can house a proper lathe. 3) I went ahead a purchased the HF lathe and will use the extra money for better gouges, grinder, and chucks.... 4) I will try to post some pics of my future works....

Thanks for the advice......

Reply to
n2sawdust

Whoa there... which HF lathe???

Alex

Reply to
AAvK

Thank you. IF the current link belt EVER wears out (it's been over a month and it hasn't even worn IN yet.) I'll give those Brits a shout.

Bill

Reply to
Anonymous

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