Luke Townsley
07-03-2011, 5:41 PM
I'm looking at possibly purchasing a Sorby lathe. I haven't seen it yet, but the owner says it has a 6' bed. I can't find much information on these.
I have been turning on a 30 year old Rockwell lathe with about an 11 inch capacity over the gap. I really want a larger lathe, but my main complaint about this lathe is that it has a 6 amp 1/3 hp motor. For roughing out bowls, the lack of power is very frustrating. Also, it doesn't have a regular banjo, just a tool rest with a bolt through it.
I added almost 200 hundred pounds of mdf and beefed up the stand, so it will handle out of round stuff pretty well now.
I mostly do bowls and don't expect to get into more than the occasional spindle. Also, I don't have much to spend right now. If I had more to spend, I would be looking at a Nova.
Has anyone used a Sorby lathe? Are parts still available?
Regarding my current lathe, would it help a lot if I got a 3/4 HP motor with a run capacitor? Counting the pulley I would have to change, I would be in for about $200 and maybe 30-60 minutes installation time.
I have been turning on a 30 year old Rockwell lathe with about an 11 inch capacity over the gap. I really want a larger lathe, but my main complaint about this lathe is that it has a 6 amp 1/3 hp motor. For roughing out bowls, the lack of power is very frustrating. Also, it doesn't have a regular banjo, just a tool rest with a bolt through it.
I added almost 200 hundred pounds of mdf and beefed up the stand, so it will handle out of round stuff pretty well now.
I mostly do bowls and don't expect to get into more than the occasional spindle. Also, I don't have much to spend right now. If I had more to spend, I would be looking at a Nova.
Has anyone used a Sorby lathe? Are parts still available?
Regarding my current lathe, would it help a lot if I got a 3/4 HP motor with a run capacitor? Counting the pulley I would have to change, I would be in for about $200 and maybe 30-60 minutes installation time.