Randy Swaty
11-27-2016, 9:42 PM
Hello everyone!
My son started making things on a spring pole lathe we built years ago. We eventually graduated to a bench-top lathe run by a washing machine motor, then on to a ShopSmith. We have moved to Chicago, sold the ShopSmith, and most importantly he lost his mentor. I think we may have found a mentor, but now need a lathe.
We have more time and energy than $$ and he loves old things. I have rebuilt car motors, so are not afraid of a project. He would love any of these:
old Wallace https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/5841824183.html
Rockwell https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/5866660154.html
Yates American https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tls/5894974601.html (his favorite!)
All of these would need work...basic TLC, plus swapping in a treadmill motor plus variable speed control OR a jack pulley system as he needs the lathe to go pretty slowly as he mostly turns bowls (see photo).
Another option would be to go new with something like a Nova Comet II or a Delta 46-60.
I would also like to be able to turn rolling pins so ideally we'd have length up to ~20", adding an extension to a midi.
And finally we could buy a Harbor Freight lathe then immediately modify to get the speed down.
We have been told to look for ~300rpm minimum, ~1hp and a reputable brand. Luckily we have a good grinding set up, face shield, tools etc.
What do you recommend we do?
All recommendations very much appreciated!
Randy
348440
My son started making things on a spring pole lathe we built years ago. We eventually graduated to a bench-top lathe run by a washing machine motor, then on to a ShopSmith. We have moved to Chicago, sold the ShopSmith, and most importantly he lost his mentor. I think we may have found a mentor, but now need a lathe.
We have more time and energy than $$ and he loves old things. I have rebuilt car motors, so are not afraid of a project. He would love any of these:
old Wallace https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/5841824183.html
Rockwell https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/tls/5866660154.html
Yates American https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/tls/5894974601.html (his favorite!)
All of these would need work...basic TLC, plus swapping in a treadmill motor plus variable speed control OR a jack pulley system as he needs the lathe to go pretty slowly as he mostly turns bowls (see photo).
Another option would be to go new with something like a Nova Comet II or a Delta 46-60.
I would also like to be able to turn rolling pins so ideally we'd have length up to ~20", adding an extension to a midi.
And finally we could buy a Harbor Freight lathe then immediately modify to get the speed down.
We have been told to look for ~300rpm minimum, ~1hp and a reputable brand. Luckily we have a good grinding set up, face shield, tools etc.
What do you recommend we do?
All recommendations very much appreciated!
Randy
348440