wood lathes

socks

socks

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
i'm looking into a wood lathe for cleaning use and was wondering if anyone has any experiance with any of the tubular bed designes:

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/WL1200-Wood-Lathe/EN/index.htm
http://wood-lathe.com/a/170240248408-0?afsrc=1
http://www.tedharris.com/shoptour_07_sanding.htm

is there any kind of issue keeping the vertical alignment of the tailstock while adjusting the center length? it just seems with the nature of a tube, as soon as you loosin it, it would fall over and be a pain to get right....
 
wood lathe

I use a Jet wood lathe to sand and polish all cue and shafts and it works great. It is the mini lathe with extra bed on it.
 
Wood lathes

I also use two old Delta wood lathes to sand, finish sand and polish.

Chad
 
Forgot to add

These are a great plus to the shop keeps your other building lathes freed up..

Chad
 
chuckpilegis said:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38515




If you are just using it for cleaning and sanding
Its not tubular but at 80 bucks how can you go wrong.
Click to expand...


actually you can go wrong with that one. i actually started with it, and had sent it back. the tailstock was flimsy in the track and after 2 days of messing with it, i couldnt get it to line up with the headstock spindle. also there's no taper mount in the tailstock screw and the live center wont come off. additionally the spindle thread is 3/4x10, which no chucks have. they all either have 3/4"x16 tpi or 1"x8, so an adapter is required. also the tailstock isn't cam-locking making it tougher to adjust. so when all is said and done, you'd end up spending tripple that 90 or even more than this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34706 (which is also only 229 in store at the one near me), before even adding a chuck and concave live center.

don't get me wrong, i appreciate all input, but i'm just looking for feedback on those tubular design ones for options aside from the http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34706 which i'll probably end up going with, it just seems like those other ones arent as bulky and might be alittle more scalable for accepting a duplicator later on or being able to do other woodworking projects with.
 
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I have the Rigid made on the round tube and they work great, there is a square 1/2 by 1/2 runner on the bottom of the tube with adjustment screws in the tailstock to center and the tailstock has a Morse #1 taper.
 
wood lathes are great for sanding and other messy work

Keeps the metal , or cue specific lathe cleaner. Sanding grit adds to the wear rate of the bed of a metal lathe. I have http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34706 and have used it a few years now. It works reliably and has enough weight in the cast iron bed to keep it stable and smooth. But it is not really all that portable for one person unless you mount some wheels under it. I used a discount coupon that you can find online pretty often and waited for a sale. I think I saved 60-70 dollars from the normal price tag. Also made a simple adapter to use a metal lathe chuck on it as needed, or use a dead center as a drive center and a live bearing center in the tailstock. My only complaint is that it will not turn slower for finishing, though I am sure a way can be found to step down the speed if desired.
 
Socks,

I have a old craftsman lathe that was basically the same design. I use to use it for cleaning years ago, but right now I don't have the extra room to keep it setup, so it's just gathering dust and rust.

Anyway the tailstock doesn't fall over when loosened, It has a flat bar mounted under the pipe bed, and that holds the tailstock upright. I guess It's also there to keep the tailstock lined up with the headstock. I got a cup livecenter from Chris to go in the tailstock (MT1 arbor in the tailstock I think, but don't quote Me on that). Don't know If he still sells them, because that was many years ago, infact that may have been the first item I ever purchased from him.

It worked, and was a decent cleaner lathe for shaftwork, but If I had My choice I would get one with a solid cast iron bed ways, similar to what a metal lathe has. It would be nice to have an ajustment to offset the tailstock also, for aligning with the headtock if ever needed. Harbor frieghts use to sell one for between $200 and $300 I think, and sometimes they would go on sale making them very reasonably priced. You can also Find some good deals ocasionaly on old used cast iron woodlathes if you look hard enough. Even in the local papers, or somewhere like craigs list. Some of the old ones were built rock solid.

Like I mentioned It worked fine for cleaning shafts, so not trying to downplay It, Just If I had the choice I would go with a cast iron bed.

When I bought that craftsman, It was in near new condition, came mounted on a metal cabinet with sliding drawers, and a wood bench top. It was also loaded with skews and other stuff that didn't even go with the lathe. Bought the package off of someone through word of mouth for $100 or less, so It was hard to pass up at that price back then.

See If you have a local craigslist, I see all kinds of deals on the one here. I saw a nice craftsman profesional table saw a couple of weeks back for $50 bucks. Belt driven with a large solid top. They said It had hardly been used and just sitting in storage. I should have bought It, because that was a rare find for that cheap. Anyway I see old solid bed lathes on there sometimes too.

Greg
 
Cue Crazy said:
Socks,

I have a old craftsman lathe that was basically the same design. I use to use it for cleaning years ago, but right now I don't have the extra room to keep it setup, so it's just gathering dust and rust.

Anyway the tailstock doesn't fall over when loosened, It has a flat bar mounted under the pipe bed, and that holds the tailstock upright. I guess It's also there to keep the tailstock lined up with the headstock. I got a cup livecenter from Chris to go in the tailstock (MT1 arbor in the tailstock I think, but don't quote Me on that). Don't know If he still sells them, because that was many years ago, infact that may have been the first item I ever purchased from him.

It worked, and was a decent cleaner lathe for shaftwork, but If I had My choice I would get one with a solid cast iron bed ways, similar to what a metal lathe has. It would be nice to have an ajustment to offset the tailstock also, for aligning with the headtock if ever needed. Harbor frieghts use to sell one for between $200 and $300 I think, and sometimes they would go on sale making them very reasonably priced. You can also Find some good deals ocasionaly on old used cast iron woodlathes if you look hard enough. Even in the local papers, or somewhere like craigs list. Some of the old ones were built rock solid.

Like I mentioned It worked fine for cleaning shafts, so not trying to downplay It, Just If I had the choice I would go with a cast iron bed.

When I bought that craftsman, It was in near new condition, came mounted on a metal cabinet with sliding drawers, and a wood bench top. It was also loaded with skews and other stuff that didn't even go with the lathe. Bought the package off of someone through word of mouth for $100 or less, so It was hard to pass up at that price back then.

See If you have a local craigslist, I see all kinds of deals on the one here. I saw a nice craftsman profesional table saw a couple of weeks back for $50 bucks. Belt driven with a large solid top. They said It had hardly been used and just sitting in storage. I should have bought It, because that was a rare find for that cheap. Anyway I see old solid bed lathes on there sometimes too.

Greg
Click to expand...

yeah we do have a craigslist and i have been checking it regularly. as well as ebay, although most stuff is too far away and is pick up only.

i missed this hell of a deal by like 3 days, and the lady still hasnt removed the listing: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/tls/739340216.html
 
socks said:
yeah we do have a craigslist and i have been checking it regularly. as well as ebay, although most stuff is too far away and is pick up only.

i missed this hell of a deal by like 3 days, and the lady still hasnt removed the listing: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/tls/739340216.html
Click to expand...



Ouch!! That hurts. I could go for something like that Myself. I hope to find many deals like that when I finally have enough extra space to store them. As for now, I keep seeing one after another, and have to pass them up even when I could afford scrape the cash up to get some of them.


Yeah, alot of stuff on our craiglist would require a bit of travel too, so would really need to be worth while. I see alot of so so deals that aren't really worth It due to the price of gas. Ebay, I see them too like you mentioned, dirt cheap sometimes, but they are usually quite a few states away from here, and I would definatly not be making those trips.
 
The Rigid I have is a exact copy of the Craftsman model I believe and everything works great, I bought a three way scroll chuck very cheap on ebay that matched perfectly. While at the US Open I visited with Joe Blackburn while he was doing cue repair and he uses the same lathe and gave me a great idea, I copied his 4 inch dryer vent plastic hose slipped over the pipe from both sides of the tailstock and wiretied to the tailstock. This works great and keeps clearcote, ca and sanding dust from attaching itself to the pipe bed. They are well worth the 175 bucks with a nice roll around stand included.--Leonard
 
socks said:
i'm looking into a wood lathe for cleaning use and was wondering if anyone has any experiance with any of the tubular bed designes:

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/WL1200-Wood-Lathe/EN/index.htm
http://wood-lathe.com/a/170240248408-0?afsrc=1
http://www.tedharris.com/shoptour_07_sanding.htm

is there any kind of issue keeping the vertical alignment of the tailstock while adjusting the center length? it just seems with the nature of a tube, as soon as you loosin it, it would fall over and be a pain to get right....
Click to expand...

The Rand is a clone of the old Sears Craftsman let's-take-the-column-
from-a-drill-press-and-turn-it-into-a-wood-lathe project.
As a wood turning lathe it is exactly as lame as you would expect
it to be. But should be fine for your useage. The old Craftsmans
come up all the time on fleabay - and, if you get a good one, should
last you for a lifetime - I have no trust in cheap Asian wood lathes,
the Rand looks solid in pics - but I would much rather take my chances
with a used Craftsman - YMMV

FWIW - American made wood lathes from the 60s(?) or earlier. Atlas,
Sears, Delta, Rockwell etc had a 5/8 spindle bore -
you can put a chuck on one and feed a shaft thru the headstock like a metal lathe. Very handy for tip/ferrule work.

Dale
 
As your origional post says you were going to use the wood lathe for cleaning. That lathe should be more than ok for that. Here is mine

IMG_0018.jpg


IMG_0022.jpg



shaftclamp006.jpg
 
chuckpilegis said:
As your origional post says you were going to use the wood lathe for cleaning. That lathe should be more than ok for that. Here is mine
[\QUOTE]

mainly cleaning, but not strictly cleaning. also polishing and sanding as well as some other woodworking projects. maybe some finishing etc. that one from harbor freight just isnt scalable enough to suit my taste. after finding the oddball thread on the spindle and researching the limited availability of adapters and not having the other tools necasary to create my own or the tools to adjust and reconfigure the taislstock and as difficult as it was to line up after adjusting centers.... also i'm not interested in rubber stoppers to hold shafts or butts.

i plan on using a self centering chuck with arbors, most likely one of the 2" like this http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCM18X.html

it just isnt easily scalable enough to be suitable for me. if i had a full machine shop with all the rough materials to do any and all modifications myself, then maybe...

anyway, on anouther note, leonard, where did you buy you're ridgid at? i cannt find those available anywhere online or even to get pricing to save my life.

also, on those, or rand/craftsman, is the tailstock cam-locking?
Click to expand...
 
A "Metal look alike" wood lathe...

I have just bought one of these for use in my CNC setup;
http://www.yandles.co.uk/acatalog/Record_Power_Lathes.html

model DML305. I have not ordered it from this UK dealer but it is a look alike which you could find in many manufacturers list (Check you're local Jet dealer).

Here is other look a likes:
http://woodworking.jettools.com/Results.aspx?cat=333132

http://www.bernardo.at/sitex/index....7/Wood_working_Woodturning_lathes_DM_450.html

Mine has a cast iron bed which is heavy and there is no flimsiness in the tail or headstock. I have ripped of the bed and just used the head and tail stock, but for you're use you would need to buy the cast bed extension.
The nice thing is that it has a DC motor which could be adjusted in respect of RPMs.

Mine costed prox $260 locally, but then I would expect it would be cheaper in you're part of the world.

I'm playing with the idea of buying another one to customize with a small X/Y coordinate table to dedicate to collar and pin install (using a beefy steady rest).

Hope it helps.

N
 
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