Which of these lathes...

[UncleDraken]

Hi chaps,

Been scouring the archives for information on which lathe to buy. It seems we don't get a lot of the same tools you guys are recommending over here in the UK, but I think I've found some alternatives which I'd like your professional direction on.
I want to spend as little as I can get away with to start. I'll be making pipes as a hobby and if it turned into anything more than that it would be fantastic, but it's quite possible I might never see the need to upgrade for at least 2 or 3 years. I'm also bearing in mind that I'm gonna have to fit all the accessories; chucks, gouges, drill bits etc. into the budget.

The first one, also the most expensive one, is the one I think you guys will probably most approve of. It's the Jet JML-1014 which I believe Kurt bought as his first. Ideally I wouldn't want to be spending this amount of money even if it included all the accessories I'm going to need, but I might be able to manage it if you guys think it's that much better than the others:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-jet-jml- ... rod362338/

The second beastie:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach-dmt ... 240v/93653

The last 3 are very well priced but I'd like you to help me work out if they'll actually be any good. Please note the incl/excl VAT differences when taking price into account. Also the 4th and final link is useful for comparing these last 3:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... 1000-lathe

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... e-with-ele

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... wood-lathe

Comparison link:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/range ... ccessories



Thanks in advance for the help, guys! Your collective knowledge and experience is invaluable!

[caskwith]

I can't really comment too much since I don't use a wood lathe for turning though I do use one for buffing and i have drilled long pipes on it as well. I have the axminster own brand 14" lathe and I must say I quite impressed at the quality for the price, nice powerful motor a well. A friend of mine has done some turning on it and he was quite happy with it as well.

[maddis]

I started turning on a Jet Mini and it's an excellent lathe for the money. Can't comment on the others, but I do note that they range in style. Another thing to keep in mind is how easy / hard it's going to be to keep different machines secure. Ideally, you don't want anything moving but that spindle. That's where the accuracy comes from, as well as the ease of cutting, and most importantly safety; it's far easier to catch and edge and have a block come flying at you when your machine bounces ever so slightly. So overall, I'd be looking for weight/balance as considerations too.

[pipeguy]

If you're looking for a wood lathe check out a union graduate made in Kent they are unbelievable and you can get them for a song in the U.K.

[UncleDraken]

I can't really comment too much since I don't use a wood lathe for turning though I do use one for buffing and i have drilled long pipes on it as well. I have the axminster own brand 14" lathe and I must say I quite impressed at the quality for the price, nice powerful motor a well. A friend of mine has done some turning on it and he was quite happy with it as well.

Is it one of these, Chris? http://www.axminster.co.uk/lathes--wood ... IES&page=1
I actually hadn't given much thought to Axminster own brand, I assumed they'd be rubbish. But if you reckon yours has been half way decent I better take a closer look! Out of interest, where do you normally look first if you need tooling of various kinds? Axminster is sort of down in your direction.

I started turning on a Jet Mini and it's an excellent lathe for the money. Can't comment on the others, but I do note that they range in style. Another thing to keep in mind is how easy / hard it's going to be to keep different machines secure. Ideally, you don't want anything moving but that spindle. That's where the accuracy comes from, as well as the ease of cutting, and most importantly safety; it's far easier to catch and edge and have a block come flying at you when your machine bounces ever so slightly. So overall, I'd be looking for weight/balance as considerations too.

That's a very good point. The bench I'll probably be using it on isn't the sturdiest. It'll hold the weight, but it's basically a wall mounted surface which might not add much extra security if I had to mount it to reduce vibration. I'll take another look at my options in that respect.

If you're looking for a wood lathe check out a union graduate made in Kent they are unbelievable and you can get them for a song in the U.K.

Is Union Graduate the make? Googling!

[dogcatcher]

I am primarily a woodturner, if I were you I would contact a local woodturner that knows the lathes available to you and what kind of accessories are available. I know the Jet lathe will be a good value, but I have no clue as to what other lathes are available or their quality in the UK. To drill and turn, the Jet will get the job done, but, you will need accessories, a drill chuck and a 4 jaw chuck to start with. Then chisels, a sharpening system, and as you gain experience, the list will keep getting longer.

Marvin

[taharris]

A used full size lathe for the same money would be your best bet.

I suspect you will grow out of a mini lathe quickly.

Todd

[caskwith]

Mine is this one but the last model of it which has a 1hp motor as opposed to the 3/4 they are using now, should still be plenty powerful enough though.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... rod886607/

Axminster is usually the first place I look for tools, although they are down my way it's still a bit far for a visit with petrol prices these days so I just get them to deliver. Their prices aren't always the best but they do have a good range of tools and their customer service is excellent. For engineering tools or drill bits I go other places though.

[potholer]

Axminster brand lathes are excellent machines

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... rod886609/

i use the 3/4hp earlier model and it is more than powerful enough

regards

dave

[UncleDraken]

Hmmm.... Okay. Lots to think about here.

I'm liking the look of the Axminsters actually and it helps to hear there are a couple advocates. There's also something to be said for buying a used, full-size as well. I understand the wisdom of buying as big as I can now because of the amount of times I've heard you guys saying on the forums that you wished you'd bought a bigger one to begin with. One thing I didn't mention was that one of my issues is physical space. To start with I'm gonna have to share work space with a freezer, 5 bikes, the lawnmower, camping equipment and all the other things in a single garage! So as much as I'm probably going to regret it I think I don't have any other choice than to start with mini and upgrade later. The advantage to that I suppose is I'll have a dedicated lathe for tenons.

Another member on the forums suggested to me that if I don't go the way of a used, full-size lathe the alternative could be a good drill press and freehand work with a small lathe for stem work.

Anyone gone this direction themselves? Any tips on that?


Thanks for all your help so far, you guys are great. I appreciate everyone's input.

[Sasquatch]

I have a mini lathe and I use a drill press a lot too. I have never once completely drilled a pipe on the lathe, although I do a lot of shaping, drill 1/2 depth chamber, I'll cut the mortise etc on the lathe. For finishing I prefer the drill press and a cordless drill.

You can make a ton of pipes on very limited equipment. In the long run, you are better off to buy the biggest most competent machines you can because you'll save time and aggravation.

The "best" approach and a "certainly good enough" approach are pretty wide in price-point, and really, only one person can decide what the right spending approach is for pipe making. One thing to keep in mind is that if you buy a good used machine you can very likely get almost all your money back out of it if you want to sell it later on.

[taharris]

The "best" approach and a "certainly good enough" approach are pretty wide in price-point, and really, only one person can decide what the right spending approach is for pipe making. One thing to keep in mind is that if you buy a good used machine you can very likely get almost all your money back out of it if you want to sell it later on.

That is sage advice.

You might even consider a used mini-lathe.

Todd

[UncleDraken]

Okay, so I think I've come to the end of my research and I'm ready to drop the dough on the equipment I need. I appreciate all the advice and input you guys have contributed and I've come to this final combination. I have gone for the biggest lathe I can afford and unfortunately I can't go any bigger even if I could afford it because I simply don't have the space. If this means I'll be wasting my money due to needing an upgrade sometime soon I have no other choice than to accept that. In the mean time I'll start praying for a proper workshop with some space!
I'd appreciate it if you chaps would be kind enough to give me the final thumbs up on the following combination, I just want to make sure I haven't made a silly mistake (such as getting the wrong size thingamajig for the doodad I've chosen):

Lathe:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... rod886609/

Chuck: Nova G3 Chuck dedicated 1 x 8 tpi thread (NOVAG3-48226)
Jaws: Long Nose Jaw Set (JS-LNJ-6017)
http://www.asktools.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d54.html

Axminster 13mm Keyed Chuck & Arbors (2MT)
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ax ... sku=718255

Crown Detail Gouges (3/8")
http://www.axminster.co.uk/crown-crown- ... prod19727/

Axminster HSS Roughing Gouge (3/4")
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ax ... rod822075/

Crown Cryo Woodturning Skew Chisel
http://www.axminster.co.uk/crown-crown- ... rod822016/

Axminster HSS Spindle Gouge (3/8")
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ax ... rod822079/


Thanks for your help. Also, could anyone recommend the attachments I need to buy to use the lathe for sanding as well? So far my research shows I'd need to make the wheel myself but it's such a simple thing to make and sell I must be missing something!

[pipedreamer]

You will end up using different equipment at different times.I use a disk sander, drill press dremmel tool and midi lathe by delta.Sometimes I turn a tenon freehand on the lathe,other times drill press and glue in the tenons. Just get good stuff.you will regret buying cheap crap. I have made pipes with just a dremmel tool. AS you develop you will get more ideas on what you want. most of these guys can make a pipe with WHAT EVER. They are by definition Pipe makers. The tools help them accomplish their goal, to make a great pipe.