help choosing a new lathe

Given your parameters either of the two Harbour Freight lathes will get you up and running.

This one is a knock off of the Jet 1442 - I am currently using the Jet and have owned the HF. Yes the Jet is better, but in my beginning days, the HF did all I wanted to do. Now for you who are about to scream because I recommended the HF lathes. Remember, "B" is a newbie and wants something better than the Craftsman, but cannot afford to make the big step to a Jet or better. A few years ago I bought the Jet 1442 for $736.00 and that included shipping. It is almost twice that today. So given his parameters, the HF is not a bad choice. At least it would not be for me, were I in his shoes. Deb

The other one is smaller and cheaper, but might do for you

Griz has a 16" 2hp on sale, $495, no shipping cost.

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thanks, all. what a great forum. i too was surprised at the harbor freight rec. but it looks OK i guess.

as for the griz 16", are you referring to the G0462 model? it looks like a good deal, actually. i hate how dinky the tailstock looks.

what do you guys think about this rockwell lathe (46-111)?

a guy has one for sale for $300 including about a dozen sorby chisels. were it not for the chisels, i think $300 would be too much for this lathe, right? would i be disappointed in the steel stand? lots of wobble and vibration? otherwise looks like a solid tool, though.

basically is my best bet to find like a 50s delta for $200?

thanks to all. b

Yes, but if he can pick up an old Delta, Yates-American, walker-turner or Oliver for $200 that's generally going to be a heck of a lot better than a HF, IME, IMHO, etc... When some money collects again, if the woodturning bug still has appeal, upgrading the motor to a variable speed drive makes old north american cast iron delightful. HF is better than nothing, but HF is never really all that good, either - it's all been cheapened or lighted to the maximum possible extent, which is not the case with 1940-50-60's machinery. I personally do fine with some

1880's stuff, but that's probably not the best course for a newbie to be playing in if they don't have a very good understanding of rotating machinery and Babbit bearings.

That said, I rarely see worthwhile old lathes that cheaply. Not never, but rarely. There's some doofus locally that keeps flogging an old Delta

12-36 for $1000 - on the other hand, nobody buys it, so my conclusion that it's seriously overpriced seems to hold up. I did pick up one for free, but it's more of a project that a fully functioning lathe. [Anybody that wants to swap a toolrest base for a tailstock base (no ram), let me know.]

I have gotten decent older used lathes in the $250-400 range, but they are not stunningly common, so it helps if you have a few months to shop and also can act quickly when one shows up. If you also have burly friends or a rigging company lined up, the ones down in a basement are often cheaper ;-) Especially when someone is trying to sell a house and doesn't want to take the lathe in the basement, nor leave it in the house.

You're linking to google mail - not exactly useful.

Some steel stands are good, some suck. The sucky ones can be replaced with a solidly build plywood (or other wood) bench. Lacking a picture, I can't begin to guess which type you're looking at. A dozen sorby chisels can run $300 alone, so the lathe is almost free....

My first lathe was a 4 speed Atlas with a 1/2 hp motor. I worked it for a bit and then added a 1 hp motor, and a heavy glue lam beam for a stand. Had the lathe for 2 years before stepping up to a PM 3520A. If you are near any local club (check out club listings on the AAW site) contact them. Not only for demonstrations, but also for a used lathe, tools and sharpening system. Seems some one is always stepping up, or quitting, and you can find things pretty cheaply. Harbor freight might be a step up from the lathe you have, but not much of one. If you do decide to get into bowls, then you may want some thing else later, and can sell the lathe you have.

robo hippy

sorry about the link. this might work:

s/4291-A.jpg there is the same model lathe for sale near me for $300 with 2 dozen chisels, 12 of them sorby. it's on the original steel stand, which is my only hesitation. i guess it's pretty hard to find old lathes with cast iron legs... thanks all.

Depending slightly on which dozen Sorby's you are getting, I'd still say the lathe (and other dozen tools) is nearly free.

Have a look at the prices:

I've had this lathe for several years and have had zero trouble with it.

Looks like it is on sale now too. It is a great little lathe to use to find out if you are interested in it and you don't spend a lot of money. The potential problems you have with used lathes when starting out would be something I'd warn you about. Do you want straight out of the box and turn it on, or something that because it doesn't work exactly right you decide you never want to turn again.

My .02.

Doc D

sorry about the link. this might work:

there is the same model lathe for sale near me for $300 with 2 dozen chisels, 12 of them sorby. it's on the original steel stand, which is my only hesitation. i guess it's pretty hard to find old lathes with cast iron legs... thanks all.