I have joined the modern age. New lathe

[sschering]

My Grandfathers hand made antique lathe keeps threatening to strip the collet draw tube again so I've been looking at getting a new lathe.

Today I walked into the Sears where my step son works in tools just to say Hi.

He was busy with a customer so I took a walk through the woodworking tool aisle. There I found they were blowing out the last 351217520 12x16 Midi lathe for $240.. It was missing the tail stock lock handle so in the end I walked out the door with it for $232 ($218 + tax). Crafstman Midi lathe for a HF price:wink:

I just moved up 100 years in lathes

Will the Penn state Variable speed kit fit it?
https://www.pennstateind.com/mm5/me...uct_Code=TCLVSKIT&Store_Code=PS&showreviews=1

 

[KenV]

You can probably make the PSI motor fit. It will not give you the power you will want with a 12 inch lathe. Yes, I have one. The controller is such that as the motor speed drops off, the torque drops faster. Less than about 50 percent of full speed has big loss of torque.

 

[1080Wayne]

Seems to me it would be fitting to make the first turning on it a dip pen .

 

[sschering]

Sooo.. Since posting this we moved and my lathe has sat idle for 2 years while we worked on the new house.

I got back in the shop to turn a pen for maybe the 3rd time on this lathe.. Wouldn't ya know it.. the head stock bearings are going out. I'll be heading down to the bearing shop for a pair of 60052RS bearings on Monday.