Wahuda tools lathe?

[Sam Fleisher]

I think I remember someone talking about this brand, has anyone bought one?

My sister seems to think she wants to make ornaments etc. and the specs on the one I looked at had a 1hp with a 1 inch tool post, 1 1/4 spindle, #2mt's and 14 x 16 size.

I figured since I'm more than likely going to end up with it I can use my accessories I already have on it.

Just started researching and found the lathe.

 

[Richard Coers]

Did that company used to be called CU Tech? Machinery looks like every other Asian machine with different labels on it. I'm not a fan of oddball brand machinery

 

[Brian Gustin]

I think of Wahuda as similar to Wen tools, and I have had excellent experiences with Wen products - if you are not terribly concerned about fit & finish and maybe have to do a little adjusting and aligning to set a machine up just right , once they are set up and adjusted, they are pretty reliable, IMHO. Not to say Wahuda will be equally as reliable, but I'd expect them , like many lower & mid range brands , to be coming off the same factory production lines to pretty much the same set of basic specs, using the same base parts.. and most of those factories are in China, some in India, and other Asian or far east countries.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

I think this was mentioned in another thread which is how I found this one with the axminster name.

The AT350WL Woodturning Lathe Review By Forest + Found

Forest and Found's, Max Bainbridge, reviews the Axminster AT350WL Woodturning Lathe and tells us more about what he likes most and why it suits his work.

www.axminstertools.com

Looks to be the same machine (by looks anyway) with a different size spindle, color and name.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

If I were looking for a budget lathe, I would consider the 14" Wen (same lathe as Harbor Freight sells). It's $600 give or take (maybe less for the HF one). It did a good job for me for a year.

 

[Dean Center]

I think this was mentioned in another thread which is how I found this one with the axminster name.

The AT350WL Woodturning Lathe Review By Forest + Found

Forest and Found's, Max Bainbridge, reviews the Axminster AT350WL Woodturning Lathe and tells us more about what he likes most and why it suits his work.

www.axminstertools.com

Looks to be the same machine (by looks anyway) with a different size spindle, color and name.

If it's got a different sized spindle, then it's a much different lathe regardless of what the outside looks like.

 

[hockenbery]

If it's got a different sized spindle, then it's a much different lathe regardless of what the outside looks like.

This was pretty much true when we were younger

It’s getting more common to find lathes available in multiple thread sizes especially the M33 x 3.5 as a second size.
This opens up non US markets.
Robust has been offering the optional M33x3.5 for quite a while.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

Looks like I might have to be a guinea pig. Called to double check if they were in stock but it being a few minutes after closing on a friday I was too late. I think the selling point for me was in that review I posted about the axminster which even though the spindle is different sized I'm betting it's not too different a lathe. Kind of like what hockenbery mentioned. They were using an axminster sk114 chuck without any problems and that's the same chuck I use so all of my accessories will work with it.

@kent , In reality I wasn't looking for a budget lathe exactly. Just a small one for my sister who when I asked her a little bit ago where she planned to keep this she said "Here at my house because that's where the wood is". My response was "so you're coming down here to use it?" No. she figures I will.

 

[Mark Jundanian]

So she wants to get a lathe, then get you to use it to make her stuff?! 😃

 

[Gabriel Hoff]

Looks like I might have to be a guinea pig. Called to double check if they were in stock but it being a few minutes after closing on a friday I was too late. I think the selling point for me was in that review I posted about the axminster which even though the spindle is different sized I'm betting it's not too different a lathe. Kind of like what hockenbery mentioned. They were using an axminster sk114 chuck without any problems and that's the same chuck I use so all of my accessories will work with it.

@kent , In reality I wasn't looking for a budget lathe exactly. Just a small one for my sister who when I asked her a little bit ago where she planned to keep this she said "Here at my house because that's where the wood is". My response was "so you're coming down here to use it?" No. she figures I will.

How about the Craft Supplies USA midi lathe? Looks nice to me..... https://woodturnerscatalog.com/products/artisan-1420-evs-mini-lathe?_pos=10&_sid=fa174dd47&_ss=r

 

[Sam Fleisher]

So she wants to get a lathe, then get you to use it to make her stuff?! 😃

That's what little brothers are for I guess. If I can talk her into the extension I see the lathe goes as slow as 30 rpms so I'll use it for finishing. I can't complain.. earlier in the year I was whining that a band saw would be nice so she bought me a jet 18 inch one.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

How about the Craft Supplies USA midi lathe? Looks nice to me..... https://woodturnerscatalog.com/products/artisan-1420-evs-mini-lathe?_pos=10&_sid=fa174dd47&_ss=r

I had internet looked at that one too but the 1 1/4 spindle got me on this one because I won't have to buy any different chucks. And the slow speed.

 

[Chris Hoehle]

For not much more ($1169 & free shipping at Acme Tools) I'd look at the Rikon 70-1420VSR. It shares the features that are compelling to some people about this one- 14" swing, 1" tool rest post, 1 1/4" x 8 spindle. Plus its, nearly 50 lbs heavier (137 lbs vs. 90lbs), has a bigger motor (1.5 hp), bed extensions that can also be parked outboard to increase swing, and from a company that seems to be building a good reputation for customer service and standing behind their products.

https://rikontools.com/product/model-70-1420vsr-14-x-20-midi-vsr-lathe-2/

 

[Sam Fleisher]

For not much more ($1169 & free shipping at Acme Tools) I'd look at the Rikon 70-1420VSR. It shares the features that are compelling to some people about this one- 14" swing, 1" tool rest post, 1 1/4" x 8 spindle. Plus its, nearly 50 lbs heavier (137 lbs vs. 90lbs), has a bigger motor (1.5 hp), bed extensions that can also be parked outboard to increase swing, and from a company that seems to be building a good reputation for customer service and standing behind their products.

https://rikontools.com/product/model-70-1420vsr-14-x-20-midi-vsr-lathe-2/

That does look like a good option too. Already ordered the other one though. 137 pounds is a con for me because I'll be moving it around. I have my big lathe "22inch" if I need to do something bigger.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

For not much more ($1169 & free shipping at Acme Tools) I'd look at the Rikon 70-1420VSR. It shares the features that are compelling to some people about this one- 14" swing, 1" tool rest post, 1 1/4" x 8 spindle. Plus its, nearly 50 lbs heavier (137 lbs vs. 90lbs), has a bigger motor (1.5 hp), bed extensions that can also be parked outboard to increase swing, and from a company that seems to be building a good reputation for customer service and standing behind their products.

https://rikontools.com/product/model-70-1420vsr-14-x-20-midi-vsr-lathe-2/

I have quite a number of Rikon tools. Customer service is amazing.

 

[Sam Fleisher]

OK, The wahuda 14 inch lathe was delivered earlier and I got it out of the box and did the little bit of assembly it required.

Typical overseas instructions for assembly. (there wasn't any) But me being an above average bear it wasn't a problem. Extensive parts diagram/list though.

I have to say this lathe is super quiet and smooth. Maybe all small lathes are that way? I've only ever turned on my bigger lathe.

Put a piece of 1.75x1.75 x 5-6 walnut between centers and jumped right in. didn't hold back at all and stopped the piece one time but not the machine. (drive spur wasn't in enough) It was on the middle speed setting which I didn't change and I turned it down to 40rpm with no problem. I'll try for 30rpm on the lower pulley.

Some people probably wouldn't like the finish on the bed but the banjo slides fine so it doesn't bother me.

My chuck fit on the spindle fine and my robust tool rest would have worked but I didn't want to move the stop collar I have on it so I used the 6 inch rest that came with the lathe which turns out worked good too, maybe better than the robust because I have a spot on it that I can't seem to get rid of where a tool catches.

 

[Charles Cadenhead]

If I were looking for a budget lathe, I would consider the 14" Wen (same lathe as Harbor Freight sells). It's $600 give or take (maybe less for the HF one). It did a good job for me for a year.

It's has a very similar design to the Rockler Midi lathe.