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Harbor Freight lathe gone!

John Torchick

John Torchick

Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
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Location
Cleveland, Tennessee
A while back I entered a thread about the Reeves drive being stuck. I tore into it today. Mistake!!!!😱 The right side pulley is stuck and broke trying to get it off. Seems like a lost cause. When I entered the thread before, many of you suggested a new lathe. OK... my truck willbe paid off next month and this gives a bit of cash to spend. I'm looking at $400-600 for a lathe. Don't necessarily need one with a long bed as I haven't had a need for one. May get an extension, JIC. I think I have seen that some models are duplicates with a different coat of paint and manufacturer's label. You help is appreciated. Our club Christmas party is tomorrow night. The club has a Jet on a stand. Will look at it. Thanks!
 
When I was searching for a lathe a cheapskate like me would be willing to buy, I checked craigslist regularly, checked the web sites of regional clubs regularly, and put the word out to my local club members. I was very surprised at how many locals had lathes they wanted to sell. I also got a good number of replies from making contact with the other clubs. Neither produced quite the lathe I was looking for, and eventually my scrutiny of craigslist produced just the right lathe at a fair price.

If all you want to do is rod building, one of the mini lathes will work fine. You may need a bed extension, depending on what length mandrel you use and how you hold it. If you want to do more, in your price range, there are a pretty good number of late model, low mileage 12" Jets and a good number of older 12" delta/rockwell lathes that would need some upgrading out there. The 14" Jet and the Delta 1440 (700 series, I think) have Reeves drives and you would be better off steering clear, based on your recent experience.

PS There's a package coming that will look like a blank for a Pocket Fisherman, and isn't.
 
John Torchick said:
A while back I entered a thread about the Reeves drive being stuck. I tore into it today. Mistake!!!!😱 The right side pulley is stuck and broke trying to get it off. Seems like a lost cause. When I entered the thread before, many of you suggested a new lathe. OK... my truck willbe paid off next month and this gives a bit of cash to spend. I'm looking at $400-600 for a lathe. Don't necessarily need one with a long bed as I haven't had a need for one. May get an extension, JIC. I think I have seen that some models are duplicates with a different coat of paint and manufacturer's label. You help is appreciated. Our club Christmas party is tomorrow night. The club has a Jet on a stand. Will look at it. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi John........

Since you mentioned you'd prefer a short bed, can we assume you are looking for a full sized lathe?

Your price range doesn't leave you a whole lot of options. Maybe if you monitor Craigslist and eBay, you might get lucky, but you better pay close attention because a quality lathe in your price range isn't likely to last for long.

I had a Jet 14" band saw and a 6" jointer (which I still have), but these tools were both purchased back in the 1980's. The quality was good then, but I have no idea how Jet fairs for quality these days. I haven't' heard many negatives about Jet's reputation, as of recent. I'd say your local club's Jet is a good prospect, if it meets your needs.

As long as you've paid off your truck, you might want to consider making some payments on the lathe of your choice, but a step up in quality and price. A good lathe is always an investment in yourself.......if you understand what I mean.......

I once had a Northwood lathe with a reeves drive......never again!

Good luck!

ooc
 
After 8 months of my Jet 1442 being in the authorized repair shop for the reeves drive, Jet finally gave up and sent a new head. They broke 6 sets pulleys and ate up 6 sets of bearings trying to get it fixed. The day I brought it home it went on Craigslist. That ended the whole reeves drive for me. Being cash was not flowing so well, I worked out a deal for a new Jet 1642. In the end I was out $500.

If you can hold off a bit, you might want to take a look at the nova 1624. Mind you this requires changing the belt by hand, but it is a breeze to change on that lathe. They usually have them reconditioned for a decent price of $899 : http://www.novatoolsusa.com/RECONDITIONED-NOVA-1624-44-Wood-Turning-Lathe-24146-R.htm
 
The way that prices for lathes and other stationary machinery have gone up in the past couple years, the choice of lathes in the four to six hundred dollar price range is rather limited. My suggestion is to go for a quality midi lathe like the Delta rather than some low quality store brand like Central Machinery that, on a very superficial level, might appear to the uninitiated to offer more bang for the buck. You can be very happy with a high quality midi. Used lathes can be an excellent deal.
 
I got this HF lathe off CL. It has served its purpose but I would like to move on to an upgrade in quality. I plan on using it for other things than rodbuilding. Thanks to all for your help. Now......if anyone has any extra money they would like to contribute to the New Lathe Fund.😀
 
John I would look at the 12" mini's like Rikon, Grizzly and Delta. I think they all take a bed extension but I would not buy one at first. My choice of the 3 would be the delta although if you could go a little higher the Delta with variable speed is the best choice. It is the 46-460. I have one a love it. I've Owned Rikon and Jet 10" minis and while they are nice lathes they don't have the horsepower if you want to turn larger work.
Bear in mind that just because a lathe is 12" doesn't mean you can turn something 12". By the time you get the piece round it's usually smaller. That can be very limiting with the 10" mini's
If you could find a used Nova 3000 it might be in your range. Also there are good buys on the 50's era Delta table top lathes which are excellent.
 
John, thanks for the recommendation. I'll look through some of the suppliers for turning stuff. Wish the Woodcraft store was still in operation in Chattanooga; closest is Knoxville now.
 
John,
I bought a Rinkon 12' on special from woodcraft 12 mini. Got home with it and did not like it, no spindle lock and returned it. The Delta midi has the most hp and seems to be better than the rest with the exception of vicmarc.

Ed
 
jarvis89 said:
John,
The Delta midi has the most hp and seems to be better than the rest with the exception of vicmarc.

Ed
Click to expand...

I would argue the ONEWAY 1224 is the best lathe in that category the Vic a distant second and the delta well behind both.

Given the price and what they do and what most folks use them for
The Delta is the most bang for the buck.

Someone turning production Christmas ornaments will easily get their money's worth out of the ONEWAY.

Have fun
Al
 
I got a recommendation of a Rikon at Highland Hardware for $249 plus shipping which puts it around 300 bucks. Our turning club has a Jet and it looks identical to the Jet, according to our president. Pondering what to do. I might hold off a while and get a loaner from a club member. Cash flow should loosen up after the first of the year so this could mean an upgrade. Thanks to all for the input!
BTW, I'm going to scrap the lathe after salvaging some of the items off it. The motor is practically new so I'll sell it- very few hours on it. I'll run it to make sure it is OK before I post it. The lathe is Harbor Freight's #37406. I'll post it with pricing and shipping info after the holidays.
 
Hey gang, the Rikon is a 050VS; also, it looks very similar to a HF lathe for $199. Anyone have the Rikon lathe? The Delta 46-460 had some outstanding reviews but have to justify the cost. Again, thanks for your help.
 
Actually, I did a search on the Rikon 70-050VS and found a couple of favorable reviews on Amazon. I'm going to keep looking.
 
I got a Delta 46-460 midi to compliment by big lathe.......after about a month turning on it, I can say I am impressed by the unit. Nicely machined, and has good power for its size and reversing/ variable speed. If I were not looking for a large lathe, I would certainly consider the 46-460.......bed extensions can be added later if funds are short now.

It has 12.5 inch swing.
 
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