tipusnr
Member
When I first started turning I went a took advantage of a "good buy" from Harbor Freight before I knew anything about lathes. Now I have a Central Machinery Model 38515 14"x 40" lathe taking up counter space in my garage for no real reason.
The 1/2 Hp motor is strong and once I converted the belt access door to thumbscrews changing speeds is not a real issue. The two BIG drawbacks are the fact that the tailstock backs off (no matter how tight you have it) and the toolrest is really inconvenient to adjust in and out as it uses a bolt with a nut below the bed. The LITTLE drawback is that the headstock does not have an MT2 taper (or MT1 for that matter) so everything has to screw on to the external threads.
I've been using it for a horizontal sander but now have one of those. I have two thoughts.
1. Shorten the bed and use it to rough turn bowls (I have a 4" plate and a talon chuck adapter. I can bring the live center on the tailstock all the way back to lock and use pressure to secure it. Shortening the bed would give me back some counter space as I'm not likely to turn 40" deep bowls.
2. Turn it into a permanent buffing and polishing station. The rub there is the lack of an MT2 so I would have to have a mandrel custom made. I talked to the machinist at work about grinding off the end of spur center and welding it to threaded rod to put washers and nuts on for holding the three wheels. He started to say it was a dumb idea then thought about it and changed to "dangerously stupid idea". At least he doesn't soft soap me!
His issue was with the softness of threaded rod.
I am eager to hear what any of you have to say about either idea. Maybe you have one I haven't thought of.
I hate to throw it away and feel it would be dishonest to sell it to someone unaware of the problems.. If you're in the local area you can come and get it for $30.00 cash or check (no PayPal)[}
] and come up with your own ideas.
Who knows it could be operator error but I don't think so!!!
The 1/2 Hp motor is strong and once I converted the belt access door to thumbscrews changing speeds is not a real issue. The two BIG drawbacks are the fact that the tailstock backs off (no matter how tight you have it) and the toolrest is really inconvenient to adjust in and out as it uses a bolt with a nut below the bed. The LITTLE drawback is that the headstock does not have an MT2 taper (or MT1 for that matter) so everything has to screw on to the external threads.
I've been using it for a horizontal sander but now have one of those. I have two thoughts.
1. Shorten the bed and use it to rough turn bowls (I have a 4" plate and a talon chuck adapter. I can bring the live center on the tailstock all the way back to lock and use pressure to secure it. Shortening the bed would give me back some counter space as I'm not likely to turn 40" deep bowls.
2. Turn it into a permanent buffing and polishing station. The rub there is the lack of an MT2 so I would have to have a mandrel custom made. I talked to the machinist at work about grinding off the end of spur center and welding it to threaded rod to put washers and nuts on for holding the three wheels. He started to say it was a dumb idea then thought about it and changed to "dangerously stupid idea". At least he doesn't soft soap me!
His issue was with the softness of threaded rod.I am eager to hear what any of you have to say about either idea. Maybe you have one I haven't thought of.
I hate to throw it away and feel it would be dishonest to sell it to someone unaware of the problems.. If you're in the local area you can come and get it for $30.00 cash or check (no PayPal)[}
] and come up with your own ideas.Who knows it could be operator error but I don't think so!!!
