Help Finding my new(to me) Lathe

This is a Delta 1642, I think similar to Jet 1642.
http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/2168421377.html

-- Michael :-{| Diapers and politicians both need to be changed often; and for the same reason.

I suggest you consider the Grizzly G0698. I think you will find that it has everything you need within your price range (new).

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.

I ordered the grizzley 6098 but received an email from grizzly saying the were out of stock and would not receive another shipment until March 25. Bummer! The powermatic 3520b seems to be the lathe of choice even though the oneway holds a special place in many hearts. It comes down to this. If you are an artist or have commercial aspirations then your gonna have to spend more than $1500. If you are like me, a true amature, then the specs and the price on the 6098 can’t be beat. You can buy a jet 1642 set up for 110 AC for around $1500 but it is not as heavy as the 6098 or the 3520b. Woodcraft is having a storewide sale on March the 4th & 5th which will get you another 10%. Good luck!

Last year that PM 3520b could be had for $2700. It usually has a great sale at least once a year. Ask about buying a floor model, good price and sold as new. I saw a Nova DVR XP demo unit being sold at Woodcraft for slightly more than half of regular price.

If you still have the Shopsmith, stick with it and save your money until you see something. If it’s shaking and trying to walk away, slow it down.

-- It must be jelly baby, cause jam don't shake like that...

I am looking into lathes my self only on a cheaper scale, so I am watching this thread, good luck to you.

Thanks for the heads up on the Delta, sadly it uses a Reeves Drive which just drive me nuts! They are great piece if technology advancement but as a former Shopsmith owner I know their downsides quite well.

I have gotten rid of the Shopsmith as it was taking up space. I really ditched it because I hated some of it’s shortcomings. Getting it into Drill Press mode was a pain in the but so I never ended up using it. Changing blade height in TS mode is a pain, as is beveled cuts. Since getting separate tools I am much more efficient. I was getting where I dreaded or avoided certain projects because they would take multiple change overs. I also had issue with the height when in Lathe mode. I like doing Lathe work at chest height not waist height!

I have a line on a Jet 1642 in Oregon but I have been eying that Grizzly as well. There is a Grizzly location 2 hours from my house. I may just end up taking off one morning and coming back with one!

Mojo1- Send me a pm and what you are looking for and I can share some of what I have learned with you. I have done a massive amount of research on Lathes and can probably help you out, in that I have read a massive amount on the subject.

-- I wouldn't be so arrogant if you weren't such a moron!

Try contacting Allan Hollar at Total Turning Woodworks (828) 733-0051. He is been a pro turner for 25yrs and teaches turning and he has roll-a-dex in his head like a L.A. phone book for finding used resonably priced tool and turning stock. If he doesnt have or know where to find what you need, he’ll put you in touch with someone who does.

-- Clint

crushgroovin, thanks for all the info you sent,
I am also looking at Turncrafter Commander 12” Variable Speed Midi Lathe with Extension Bed
Item #: TCLC12WB
along with the The Grizzly G0462 is
if anyone has comments on these two I would love to hear them .

Iam real close to ordering the G0462, please tell me its a good machine???

It is subjective as to how good it is. As I mentioned in my note to you there are different tools for different projects. So a big disclaimer is that it all depends on what you are going to want to do with it.

It will do great for spindle work and smaller bowls. It won’t do so well for platters, hollow forms, or bowls.

That model is a knock off of the Jet JwL-1442vs or the like so the different color schemes pop up on Craigslist. There are about 15 machines that are almost identical to each other. If it were me I would wait for one on Craigslist that comes with all the accessories. From what I can tell the Grizzly, Jet, Delta, & Shop Fox are pretty much of the same quality. Although for $550 or so you may as well get a new one.

Now if you ask most long time turners they will tell you to avoid those machines as you will just end up disapointed with it in the end. That is what happened to me. Fortunately I didn’t pay anything out of pocket to find it out. In my opinion the “Reeves Drives” make them undesirable for me. A “Reeves Drive” uses a belt driven system to create “infinitely variable speeds!” or so the marketing people will tell you. The problem with them is they suck! Shopsmith uses the same drive and they have been pumping out machines for 50 some years.

The problem with the ””Reeves Drive””:http://shopsmith-tool-hunter.blogspot.com/2008/11/ever-wonder-whats-happening-inside-your.html is the design, of course. The gear opens and closes to change speeds but that causes two major issues. The first is as the belt wears the low speed gets higher making it potentially dangerous for power sanding or turning large unbalanced blanks.

In the end you are left with the issue I am facing; Lathe with a Reeves Drive or Lathe that costs over $2,000!

Hope that helps!!!!!!!!

-- I wouldn't be so arrogant if you weren't such a moron!

Here is a Super Deal on a Lathe in the Ontario Canada area

http://www.busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture20c?NTITEM=B2338X06

-- I wouldn't be so arrogant if you weren't such a moron!

Thanks, looking at this one I might just go ahead and order it, I have watched for used Lathes within 300 miles of Houston for a while with no luck, and I really prefer to buy new, as I hate chasing down used tools.If I really get into turning then I can always upgrade later.I appreciatte all the help.I jsut sent an email to Grizzly to find out how long it takes to ship. Its seems almost every lower price tool will have problems, having access to a large machine shop at work, I might be able to fix some of them, although its a lot harder to get government projects done here since I no longer work in the shop.
Basically I am just looking lower end to see what comes of turning, be more for fun than anything else, sorry if I come across as not listening to advice giving, I sure dont mean to be. Its just kind of hard to make a choice.

I am probably going to end up get the Grizzly G0698 http://grizzly.com/products/G0698 So far it is the best value I have been able to find. Plus there is a Grizzly location 2 hours north so I can save the $144 shipping costs!

-- I wouldn't be so arrogant if you weren't such a moron!

Nice , what I like about the Grizzly if you look at the wieght its a lot more than the other machines and the HP as well, but I am not sure if they rate them different or what. I waiting to hear back from them to see how long it will take, I am leaving town next week so hoping if I order today it will get here before I leave.

I have had a Grizzly 462 for several years. There are good and bad points about it.

Good: Price, weight, customer service, power, standardized head and tailstock (1×8 tpi, MT2).
Bad: The rpm meter (flimsy and not really necessary), 25mm tool rest (instead of 1 in.), banjo isn’t the best.

I have turned 14” bowls on it, it has plenty of power to drive them. I did have to bolt it to the floor, though, and may still have to brace the legs to get rid of some vibration at certain speeds.

The variable speed setup isn’t a problem once you get used to turning it down before you start an off balance turning. I also found that by using a link belt, you can shorten it and reduce your rpm’s by several hundred. I haven’t had any wear problems on it or the pulleys at all.

I have had some things break on it, some flaws in the design or manufacture. Inside of the warranty period, they have a no questions asked replacement policy that fixed every flaw that was their fault.

Overall, since I couldn’t afford a top end lathe, the Grizzly is affordable and reliable and takes common sized accessories. There are MUCH better lathes out there, but not for the price.

-- Nate, thegaragestudio.etsy.com