lathe in the $300 -$700 range

[john lucas]

I posted this question on Woodcentral and got some good discussion. I'm often asked my opinion on buying a new lathe. I'm pretty sharp on the Mini lathes and Lathes over $200 but I really don't know much about the lathes in this price range other than the Jet and Delta which I have either owned or turned on. I'm looking for lathes that would be considered an upgrade from a 10" mini. The new Rikon mini with bed extension might fit in this category since it has 12" swing. I'm looking for people who own or have turned on the other lathes. Grizzly has 3 in this price range, Harbour freight has a few, Craftsman has one.
does anyone own these or have experience on them that I can pass on to my fellow turners. The new Rikon mini might fit in this category if you add a bed extension.

 

[Wilford Bickel]

John,

There is only one model that HF has that I would recommend as a lathe to have and that is the HF Model 34706. This is a knock off of the Jet and Delta 12 inch swing, cast iron bed, Reeves drive, 3/4 horse with right at 35 inch bed, includes stand, face plate and centers. It lists for $279 last I saw but can usually be bought on sale at least once a month for under $200. This is the lathe I started with over 3 years ago and the only thing I have done other than normal oiling and maintenance is change out the V belt after about a year. The lathe has a swivel head but just does not have the power to handle much over 10 - 12 inches.

As a mid sized "starter" lathe it really is a bargin and I have not heard of anyone having a problem with it other than changing out the cheap belt that comes on it. Even after I got my big Delta I kept my HF 34706 in the shop to use as a buffer, back up unit and to turn things like soapstone I don't want on my new lathe.

Most of the other HF models are tube lathes or have some real issues when it comes to quality and usefulness from what I have seen and been told. I really believe this lathe is made in the same plant that made the Jet and Delta and was just painted another color and not finished (smoothness of casting sanding other then bed ways) as good as the name brands. The bed on mine has always been accuarately ground and I have never had a problem on line up except when I loosened the lock for the head swivel too much and it came out of position!

Hope this info helps, ask questions if you have any and I will try to answer.

Wilford

 

[dkulze]

Hi John,

I'm one of the folks that feels that saving up for a nicer large lathe is better than spending on an intermidiate that is limited. As Wilford said, the HF is only 3/4 hp and that is, by my opinion, woefully inadequate for the job. Also, that extra 2-3 inches of swing over the Mini isn't that much.

My personal recommendation would be to stick with your mini for the time being, save up your pennies, and keep an eye out for someone upgrading from their 14"+ swing delta/jet/nova that you can pick up used and cheap. Also, use various lathes owned by club members in your area to get a feel for what you want to spend on.

Remember, a nice, new Powermatic is only about $2500 and has allllll the things you want (except a purty color).

IMHO
Dietrich

 

[georgetroy]

Hi John,
I mentioned the Shopsmith on the Woodcentral forum. There is some thoughts on minimum lathes by Mike Darlow in the latest Woodturning Design issue. I agree with that article on the most part. I'm approx. 2 decades ahead of many turners due to my start in the 80's. The lathe to have at that time was the General 260 with the Reeves drive and about 3 years later a riser block was added to bring it up to a 20" swing. I just sold mine last year for a $1000.00. (to buy a Robust)I purchased it in 1987 and was practically as good as new. Only put a new belt on it. If you can find something like that it would be better in my opinion than any Jet, HF, Delta or Grizzly. I have a Vicmarc 100 and that is my demo lathe. However as an instructor and mentor it is discourging for me to turn on some of the China & Taiwan lathes with whatever label they put on them. My shopsmith was bad enough for 6 years. I don't like cast iron tool rests and cast iron extensions or other cast iron fixtures that might break on a catch on an intentative moment. I also don't like limitations of any kind. You bet I'm spoiled. Having lathes with wobble bearings is just not my cup of tea and I have turned on a few. I had 4 lathes before including the Shopsmith before I got that General 260. They were the noisy Delta variable speed with 12" swing ,sold that one. A nice little Cornet give that to my Son-Law and an English Avon which I still have for a bench top-Pen & 4' spindle lathe. Bottom line, you can start small & cheap but inverably you will want more. Above is my biased opinion. GT

 

[john lucas]

I agree with you all on trying to buy bigger and better but the reality in area is that many people simply can't afford $1000 and up lathes. I have 4 mini lathes and my Powermatic 2035. I let everyone try them out. I'm simply looking for lathes that will allow them step up in size without breaking the bank or getting a lathe that is so dreadful is ruins the turning experience for them.
Thanks for all your tips. I'm apparently having trouble finding anyone who has the Grizzly lathes.

 

[Ed Koenig]

John,

I used a Delta 46-715, 14" swing by 42" bed for two years. You can purchase one from Amazon for about $599 and I believe Delta is giving a $50 rebate as well. Delta Lathe 46-715

The headstock swings so you can turn outboard. It is variable speed. I paid $600, used it for two years and sold it for $450 to a club member when I purchased my Vicmarc VL300. This lathe weighed about 300lbs. so I built a shelf and put about eight -50lb. bags of sand on the shelf. This really makes a difference. I was able to swing some heavy wood.

I had a couple of problems but because the lathe is warranteed for two years, the problems were covered in full by Delta. Minor parts will be sent to you if you are able to make the repairs yourself. Any major repairs require you to bring the headstock to an authorized Delta repair center. I did have to bring the headstock in for repair one time but it was promptly repaired. The problem was the variable speed control. The headstock weighs about 100lbs. and can be moved by one strong person or two weak people.

If you use this lathe a lot, you eventually will have similar problems but it is a good step up to a larger lathe for very little money. Plan to purchase a bigger and better lathe when your warreanty is about to run out.

If you take good care of it, you should be able to get most of your money back when you sell it.

Hope this info helps.

Ed

 

[Wilford Bickel]

I agree with you all on trying to buy bigger and better but the reality in area is that many people simply can't afford $1000 and up lathes. I have 4 mini lathes and my Powermatic 2035. I let everyone try them out. I'm simply looking for lathes that will allow them step up in size without breaking the bank or getting a lathe that is so dreadful is ruins the turning experience for them.
Thanks for all your tips. I'm apparently having trouble finding anyone who has the Grizzly lathes.

John,

I totally agree with you and three years ago would not have put out the money for the Delta X5 I have in the shop now. I wanted something large enough to do some moderate bowls and spindle work on till I knew this was something that I would stay with for years. I found that lathe in the HF 34706 and it served me well for 3 years and still as a dedicated buffing machine and back up unit. The low cost of the lathe allowed me to build up my tool inventory, chucks and even have money for lessons that would not have been possible with a $2000 lathe. I am one that believes in starting moderately till you know that woodturning is something you want to do in a big way - if you just need a few spindles for chairs or tables something like the HF unit would work forever. I really started with that in mind but quickly fell in love and started budgeting money to upgrade to a lathe with the HP, swing and bed length I wanted.

There are seveal turners on Woodnet that have Grizzly lathes - www.woodnet.net. You could probably get some opinions from them.

Wilford

 

[pencheff]

... a nice, new Powermatic is only about $2500 ...

Dietrich, you and I are obviously in different lines of work if you can use the words "only" and "$2500" in the same sentence. I'd love to have a big PM. Heck, I'd love to have a big Oneway. But that just ain't gonna happen in the next few years.

I can see myself buying a Jet 1442 before summer though.

 

[TomH]

G0584

For what it's worth (from a total noob) -- I've got the Grizzly G0584 (cast iron legs) and, so far, I'm happy. Keep in mind, though, that I only started turning about 3 months ago -- I'm sure its limitations will become apparrent in time. I have, however, had a chance to compare a few models, and the Grizz is definately stronger than its Jet counterpart (1236) which I turned on during a class. Its also reaalllly heavy for a lathe of this price range.

Upsides so far:

1) Price/location (I'm nearby, so I didn't have to pay shipping)

2) Haven't stalled it yet (biggest turning is a 10" x 10" NE vase)

3) HEAVY and sturdy

Downsides so far:

1) banjo and tool rest (cheap and annoying)

2) rather fast (600 rpm) at its slowest setting

3) odd spindle size/tpi (1"x12RH).

All in all, I'm really happy with it -- I've spent $300 on far less fulfilling purchases.

Good luck, and I hope this info helps.

Tom H.

 

[john lucas]

Thanks Tom That's the kind of thing I'm looking for. I can't go to Grizzly and try them out.
Greg I used to think I would never own a $2000 lathe. In fact When my Power supply died on my J-line lathe that I had modified I bought a mini lathe and figured that would be the lathe I had to live with. When you do woodworking on thing that happens it at first you are the limiting factor. As your skills improve your tools, or at least tuning them, become the limiting factor. You get better tools and then you are again the limiting factor. Then your skills get better and your tools become the limiting factor again. That's what happened to me on the lathe. Of course to buy something like that I had t figure out a way to make money with it. I can't just shell out 2 grand. Many of my cars didn't cost that much.

 

[Jeff Jilg]

FYI - "N oo B" is another spelling for "newbie" I think. Steve suggested that one and I'm guessing. (I just wish I could guess the right lottery number).