Which Lathe?

Having returned to wood turning about a year ago after an absence of some 25 years I bought a very basic lathe. I have enjoyed the time spent whittling down sticks etc. for practice and have made a few bowls, pens, spindles, tool handles, chair legs - the usual sort of stuff and have been pleased with the results. I am now considering buying a new lathe. Here is what I would like: Swivelling head, 3/4" x 16 tpi spindle taper (Yes I bought a chuck and don't want to buy another), MT1 tapers in the head and tail stocks, speed range suitable for bowls and pens. In addition I think a cast iron bed would be preferable.

Can anyone give me some pointers or recommend a lathe, model, etc. I intend to use this mainly as a hobby, (but who knows) and as I have a budget I would like to spend wisely. I live in N. Ireland and so would like to purchase within the UK or Ireland.

Any thoughts, recommendations, pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Regards, Trevor.

Reply to
Trevor Norris
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any idea of how much swing you are wanting?

Reply to
Reyd
180 deg would be nice

Regards, Trevor

Reply to
Trevor Norris

Hi Trevor

Reyd was asking a valid Question, the "how much swing" means what size wood do you want to turn, the smart aleck answer was not needed.

My recommendation is to sell your old lathe with the chuck and undersized parts.

Then go and buy a lathe with a !" spindle and a #2 MT in both the head and tail stock, you will be able to buy more readily the accessories needed and those sizes make for a better lathe, unless you only like to turn pens and bottle stoppers and the like.

Here is a link to a good small lathe, it is being sold in many colors and makes, all are basically the same, I don't know what is available in your area, however a Google should give you some answers on that.

hope this is some help to you, good luck.

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180 deg would be nice

Reply to
Leo Van Der Loo

.. unlesss he bought a check that he can change the insert on

But, the small head size limits your options. Jet (and a couple others) make adapters, but these go the other way (allowing 1x stuff to be used on 3/4x lathes)

You need to consider a lathe with a larger head, even 1x8 (while used a lot) is not a "standard". Infact in Europe etc metric is coming common (25x2, 35x3.5, etc)

Reply to
Ralph E Lindberg

Leo.. my guess is that Trevor didn't understand the term "swing".. I know that I didn't until I shopped for lathes... something like "clearance over bed" makes more sense..

I think that turners tend to be like any other interest group.. we have our own "language" and forget that not everyone speaks it... (a lesson learned from years of being a computer consultant and learning not to speak "geek" to my clients)

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Reply to
mac davis

Sorry I misunderstood the question. I think 10 or 12 inches to allow for bowls. ( 300 to 360mm).

Regards, Trevor.

Reply to
Trevor Norris

I am delighted with my Record CL4 Variable which does everything being asked by Trevor. Although not a cast iron bed, it does have two solid bars which just don't move. I have written a full review at

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Regards

Paul

Reply to
Paul Loseby

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