mjmeldrum
Member
Hello Everybody. I'm new to the forums and a greenhorn when it comes to lathes and turning in general. I've only taken one turning class at my local Woodcraft store, but I've been bitten by the bug!
I need to ask you seasoned veterans and enthusiasts alike for some help in understanding the differences between a multi speed and variable speed lathe. What I thought I understood was that with a multiple speed lathe you are limited to the 5 or 6 speeds with manual adjustments to those speeds.
I'm not sure what exactly happens with a variable speed lathe when it comes to speed changes. I thought, and maybe mistakenly so, that the changes in speed were done much like an automatic car changes gears. So I thought you just turned a dial and you could run through the slowest speed up to the highest speed without having to manually change where the belt is located. I was reading some information on the lathes which interest me and it seems like I may have misunderstood how speed changes are accomplished on a variable speed lathe. Could someone please set the record straight and help me to make a better and more informed choice on the lathes I'm considering? Thanks in advance!
Sent from my iPhone using Penturners.org mobile app
I need to ask you seasoned veterans and enthusiasts alike for some help in understanding the differences between a multi speed and variable speed lathe. What I thought I understood was that with a multiple speed lathe you are limited to the 5 or 6 speeds with manual adjustments to those speeds.
I'm not sure what exactly happens with a variable speed lathe when it comes to speed changes. I thought, and maybe mistakenly so, that the changes in speed were done much like an automatic car changes gears. So I thought you just turned a dial and you could run through the slowest speed up to the highest speed without having to manually change where the belt is located. I was reading some information on the lathes which interest me and it seems like I may have misunderstood how speed changes are accomplished on a variable speed lathe. Could someone please set the record straight and help me to make a better and more informed choice on the lathes I'm considering? Thanks in advance!
Sent from my iPhone using Penturners.org mobile app