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buying a second hand lathe

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  • 03-11-2013 4:19pm
    #1
    blue5000
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,619 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Any tips on what to look out for when buying a second hand lathe for wood turning? Can any of them be used for light metal work? Thanks.

    If the seat's wet, sit on yer hat, a cool head is better than a wet ar5e.



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    #2
    recipio
    Registered Users Posts: 2,804 ✭✭✭recipio


    blue5000 wrote: »
    Any tips on what to look out for when buying a second hand lathe for wood turning? Can any of them be used for light metal work? Thanks.

    You could write a book on it so have a good search on the net.
    The important thing is that the 'swing' -distance from the bed to spindle is high enough for whatever you want to do and that the headstock bearings are in good nick.
    If you want to turn bowls/vases etc then a 2' long high spindle is best but if you're into furniture your average table leg will need a 3' bed thereabouts.
    In general get a cast iron job and stick to the old names - coronet/Arundel/ record etc.
    And no, woodworking lathes cannot be converted to turn metal - they need a fixed toolholder unlike the hand held tools in woodturning.


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    #3
    woodturner
    Registered Users Posts: 879 ✭✭✭woodturner


    For turning lamps and other things you need a hollow headstock or tailstock, both is good. 2MT drive centres are more widely available than the 1MT for some reason. Some of the bigger old lathes may have variable speed fitted which is a great feature. Some old lathes have the needed holders for metal turning but they are mostly found in the UK.
    If you are buying a secondhand lathe ensure that the points of the live and drive centre are in line. With a lathe that has a swivelling headstock this can be easily done but each time you change from faceplate to spindle turning this will always have to be checked. If you have the opportunity to try it first you will see (and hear) if there are any problems with the bearings. Depending on how old the lathe is, the drive belt could be very worn . Check that out also.
    Join your local chapter, some members may have the lathe you are hoping to get and they can further advise you. Plus, you'll get to meet others in the craft who are only too willing to share their knowledge and experience.


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    #4
    recipio
    Registered Users Posts: 2,804 ✭✭✭recipio


    To be honest, the real price of new lathes has come down as our friends in the 'Far East' started making them. I agree with woodturner above and variable speed, a swivelling headstock, a cam lock for the toolrest are features you will use all the time.
    Don't forget, you will soon want things like a 4 jaw chuck and all the accessories that go with that - an old lathe might be very frustrating if you can't get any add-ons.
    It might be worth browsing the www.axminster.co.uk site to see whats available but there are loads of good lathes for sale on the UK websites.


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