Small lathe

[Drcal]

I am the principal of a school and I would like to demo turning for my kids. I have a great lathe at home but it is too heavy and big to transport. Can anyone suggest an inexpensive but decent small lathe I can buy. I really do not want to spend a fortune on it.

Thanks.
Carmen

 

[PaulDoug]

Have you watched Craigslist? Might pick up a Jet or Delta for a good price.

 

[GaryMGg]

Craiglist for sale search Lathe; there's many of 'em out there.
You can probably pick one up that's good enough to demo and resell for what you pay if you don't end up having a purpose later.

 

[yort81]

I am the principal of a school and I would like to demo turning for my kids. I have a great lathe at home but it is too heavy and big to transport. Can anyone suggest an inexpensive but decent small lathe I can buy. I really do not want to spend a fortune on it.

Thanks.
Carmen

Carmen... Check with your local Turning Club ( I just assume there is one very nearby ) My turning club goes to many schools with multiple portable lathes and our members do demonstrations and small classes...

Troy

 

[Drcal]

Tried Craigslist for past couple of months. There are mostly big lathes---- good deals but big.
Carmen

 

[gimpy]

when it comes to tools, i prefer new ones,
i would check grizzly tools, the have many
small inexpensive lathes

 

[edfarmer67]

try woodcraft store(or website).
i purchased a jet mini lathe from them years ago for less than 350 and just now decided to upgrade to bigger lathe. the jest mini lathe will do 6"diameter by 10" long.
i used the heck out of it and never let me down.

 

[mdl7070]

I know that most everyone on here thinks that harbor freight is garbage.
I get by just fine with my lathe fromm there for a lot less money.
And the whole arguement that it is made in china, what isnt made there that we use everyday

 

[Dan Masshardt]

For just that purpose, go with a harbor freight mini i'd say.

If you have use for a second lathe at home too, get something nicer like a jet or rikon mini.

 

[Fatdawg]

I suggest going to Harbor Freight as well. A lot of the members here start out using their lathes, and some are still using them. Harbor Freight also has a lot of sales and discount coupons as well.

 

[stonepecker]

Right now......Harbor Freight is running a 25% coupon special.

You can get a nice demo lathe (VS) for less then $100. Turn it into a buffing station when you are not using it for demos.

 

[Acelectric]

I have this lathe and it has served me well. There are a few things about it that could be better but for the price you can't beat it. I bought it with a 25% off coupon and got it for under a hundred bucks.

Benchtop Wood Lathe - 8" x 12"

 

[ironman123]

Speaking of Harbor Freight, they have a 5 speed, 10" X 18" with 25% OFF coupon for around 140. I use that lathe for my pens and peppermills.

Ray

 

[OOPS]

I have owned the same Harbor Freight VS lathe for nearly three years now. I haven't had any problems with it and its got plenty of power for turning pens. I have to move mine around the shop occasionally and its light enough that it doesn't cause me difficulty. My guess is that its about 45 lbs. If your school has a rolling cart it would be easy to put the lathe on top and roll it in the door.

I think your demo idea is terrific.

 

[raar25]

Harbor Freight is the way to go. I own there mini-lathe which I got for <$100 with a coupon. It has been working fine no hickups for over a year now with regular use.

 

[healeydays]

If you're willing to go over to Lakeland there is a good deal on a Jet.

*REDUCED PRICE!!* Jet 10x14 Mini Lathe