I have a DML24 for 13 or so years and I'm pretty happy with it, except the size restirction on bowl turning.
I was looking at buying a bigger lathe with a rotating headstock when I came across the "DMLSHU SWIVELHEAD UPGRADE FOR DML24". Looks like it'll do the job for my exsiting lathe.
The question is - is it worth it? According to the record website it's
60 quid sterling - but I can't find it for less than 80 on the web...add shipping to ireland and I could be paying 100 quid sterling...and while that's a lot cheaper than a bigger lathe....if it doesn't do the job well then that's 100 quid down the drain.
Appreciate your input,
Shep
P.S. I'm in the Republich of Ireland if anyone has suggestions for how to get these cheaper.
Sounds like a great item. You may also have to get a new banjo that would have to reach out to the face of a large bowl you would be turning and the unsupported extension from the ways could present an unsafe condition. My lathe has a sliding headstock so I can go to the end of the ways and turn same as outboard. You maybe could look around for a good used lathe with at least and outboard turning feature. Murray in Cape Breton, Canada
If you look at the Record web site is also shows a listing for Nova series lathes. I am in the states and have a Nova DVR. One feature of it is the swivel headstock. I bought this lathe for two reasons, one being the variable speed and the other being the swivel headstock.
I really like the swivel headstock, it lets me work the inside of bowls without having to lean over the ways. My back really appreciates that. The Nova has a long banjo that allows for the swivel headstock.
On Sun, 9 Jan 2011 13:55:25 -0600, Shep The Turner wrote (in message ):
not being familiar with this machine I had to take a few looks on the web, ditto for the upgrade unit.
On some other lathes, if the work is being turned outboard, a separate freestanding pedestal is used to mount a tool rest.
If you get one of these conversion units in order to swing your power head around 180 degrees, you would of course have the ability to spin a block of wood much larger than your ordinary capacity over the ways or bed. With a suitably heavy and stable pedestal you could certainly mount a tool rest on that pedestal for outboard turning. You'd need to make certain sure that the forces acting between the tool and the work do not cause the tool rest/pedestal to dance about, though. May have to fasten the pedestal to the floor securely so it will not move. You would not want this for a dancing partner.
If you are willing to add a swivel to your lathe for outboard turning, maybe you might consider simply making a specialized stand just for the power head unit. If like me you have more time than money - and access to appropriate wood materials for making a sturdy stand, you're in business. Sturdy enough to not vibrate or move around, and made in such a way that a suitable tool rest structure is incorporated into this power unit stand - you would have a purpose-built bowl turning lathe. Bear in mind the power limitations of your particular power head, though, and the attendant vibration associated with ever larger blocks of wood. tom koehler
Not sure how the record swivel head works but the Nova has 2 detents, one at
30 deg from center and the other at 180. The 30 deg position uses the standard banjo and tool rest but give slightly larger turning capacity and as I said in the earlier post the ability to work the inside without leaning over the lathe. "tom koehler" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@news.frontiernet.net...
I have never used a DML24 but I do have a Poolewood twin tube lathe with swivel head. The problem I ran into was when I swivelled the head to turn a larger diameter, the round ways were not rigid enough to handle the extension of the banjo that far out resulting in the tool rest not being steady any longer. And, of course, you lose tailstock support. I suppose you could try propping the tool rest up with a stick to the floor. My solution was to make a free standing tool rest, but it was a pain to use so I gave up and converted the ways into something more substantial with a cast bed from an old Rockwell lathe. For the last 10 years I have been using a Powermatic 3520 for my bigger pieces, and I gotta tell you, that sliding headstock allowing you to work off the end of the lathe is really the way to go if you ever have the option to upgrade. It's a wonderful system. I don't make a lot of bowls anymore but do make a ton of hollow forms and, again, being able to work off the end of the lathe is such a blessing I can't imagine going back. I haven't swivelled the head on the Poolewood in 10 years and am glad to be done with that. -mike paulson, fort collins, co
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