Harbor Freight Lathe

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MrWright

Passed Away Oct 12, 2022
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Joined
Jan 11, 2010
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282
Location
Lockeford, California
Anybody have or did have a HF 5 Speed lathe made by Central Machinery?
Thought about getting something that had varible speeds with it. My old Carbo-Tec may need to be replaced. Just need a mini-lathe for pens, as I only turn pens now. I see all of the reviews on it was 5 stars from anyone leaving their thoughts.
 
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Frank, I don't have one but, I don't think I would buy one based on some reviews in posts I've read here on the forum over the years. You might keep an eye on Craigslist in your area for a better brand. For the money, I'd shop for something else. Maybe someone can shed a brighter light on the HF lathe though. Good luck friend.
 
We have the 12x33-1/2 cast iron wood lathe, Not a bad machine, easy on belts and has stood up to 4 or 5 hours a day turning tool handles for nearly two years then it cost us 20.00 to get a wire replaced in the motor, And my only complaint is it's under powered with a 3/4 HP motor. I don't know squat about the mini lathes but the bigger one is not a bad piece of equipment. Not for the price!!
 
I have had mine for a year and have had no problems with it. I turn between centers using a dead center from Grizzly and live center from WC. I just got the PS collet chuck for it, but have not had time to use it yet. All said, I could not be more pleased.

It's on sale for $189 and with a 20% coupon that makes it $151. The Grizzly version is $259 delivered and WC has the Jet version for $549. I am sure there are some quality differences between the lathes. But I have looked at the Jet in the store and I can't find anything that keeps me up at night. And when I show a pen on here, no one ever asks me what kind of lathe it was made on. And, I have never had anyone say I charged too much for my pens because they were made on a HF lathe.
 
I have, what I believe, is the same animal, but under a different sticker tag. I got mine from Rockler and paid about $200 on sale with a coupon late last year. For the most part, I am happy with it, but I do not have anything to compare it to. I would like to have a variable speed control for it, as changing the belt speed is a PITA. So, right now, I am just waiting for the motor to conk out and I can replace it with a variable speed motor for about $100, or upgrade to a new lathe. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

In other words, I would get it for a first lathe. I also figure that if you do not like it, you could craigslist it and got half you money back pretty easily. Just my thoughts.
 
Thanks everyone for your comments. I found that other people that have had this lathe for two or more years have had good use and reports, and that is from turners on IAP. This is not my first lathe as I have a mini lathe Carba-tech now and it is a PITA changing belts and moving the rest. Besides, I have had it about 3 years and I think I deserve a new one. (So I tell my XWL. (Ham talk) Again, thanks for comments.
 
I have this lathe and am very pleased with it. It seems to be built on the same principal as some of the other name brand lathes. I think I pd about 150.00 for mine. I think this would be a great option
 
I have the H.F. 8x12 lathe I bought used and I like it. It's nice lathe for pens. Only thing wrong with it's MT1. I wish it was a MT2 you can find more MT2 things for the lathe. And it don't have a hand wheel for the headstock end. But you can make one if you can find the right size nut with the right threads.
 
I was looking at them at HF the other day. I own a Jet and a PSI mini. I thought the motors might be under powered, but the metal and construction was way better than the PSI and equal to the Jet. If I had to replace either of mine, I would consider HF.
 
having looked at that lathe, it looks exactly like the Fox i got from amazon when i first started except for green vs white paint.

Sent from my Galaxi via forerunner
 
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