New Lathe recs needed. $500 budget.

[Aces-High]

I have a used Jet lathe. It often turns out not quite round pens, even tbc. I think it might be the bearings. I have noticed a slight wobble in the hand wheel and am thinking that might also be a sign of bad bearings.

Thoughts and reccomendations appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Aces-High]

This one is on sale...

https://www.pennstateind.com/store/KWL-10WB.html

 

[ghansen4]

The Rikon 70-220vsr is on sale at Woodcraft this month for $500 that is $150 off. I just upgraded to this last month and am loving it.
link

 

[Woodchipper]

I have an older model Rikon and love it.

 

[Barnmb7117]

I have a Nova comet II and love it. This month it comes with a free Chuck.

 

[magpens]

Buy a small metal working lathe from LittleMachineShop, Harbor Freight, or Grizzly.

 

[Aces-High]

Buy a small metal working lathe from LittleMachineShop, Harbor Freight, or Grizzly.

Why Mal?

 

[dogcatcher]

Buy a small metal working lathe from LittleMachineShop, Harbor Freight, or Grizzly.

Why Mal?

It cost les than $25 to replace the bearings on your current lathe. The metal lathes are so a lot more accurate than a wood lathe. You can make stuff with a metal lathe, like your own custom TBC bushings. You can also turn wood on a metal lathe, you do have to clean up your wood chips and dust before using it to turn metal if using an oil cutting fluid. I use the cross slide cutter to make brass and aluminum pens and pen parts.

One last hint, look at some of Skip Rat's posts from the past.

 

[JimB]

Replacing bearings on a lathe is an inexpensive fix. If that is all that is wrong with it you should just replace the bearings. There are tutorials on how to do it. Jet lathes are good lathes.

 

[dogcatcher]

One of Skip Rat's old posts. http://www.penturners.org/forum/f30/cue-blanks-yet-another-method-79294/

 

[dogcatcher]

Another reason for a metal lathe, look at Big Shed's old posts like this one.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/f30/my-take-pen-mill-44451/

 

[stuckinohio]

My guess is that the tailstock is not perfectly aligned with the headstock. This is the problem with wood lathes, which is to say you can't adjust the tailstock.

However, the larger Nova lathes have the capability to adjust their tailstock and even a tool that is basically a double ended 2MT.

I have a jet lathe that is not aligned correctly. I ended up shimming under the tailstock to bring it in line with the headstock.

Or, if your tailstock has a little play left to right, you can eyeball it and gently tighten it down while it is lined up and it might stay lined up. But my Jet doesn't have any left to right slop, so this wont work on mine.

Metal lathes have gibs which allow you to adjust it. I cant understand for the life of me why all wood lathes don't have this feature. It only makes sense...

 

[Aces-High]

even the least expensive metal lathe is more than my $500 budget.

 

[Pen Zen]

Here's a plus one for Rikon that's on sale at Woodcraft this month. One HP, variable speed and reversible. Not bad for the money.

 

[More4dan]

even the least expensive metal lathe is more than my $500 budget.

I paid $390 for my 7 x 10 metal lathe from HF on sale with a 20% off coupon. They do make it easier to make kitless pens.


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