Hi. I have sort made an unwise purchase with a cheap $129 lathe from Harbor Freight. I figured I'd only use it a few times a year and didn't justify the cost of good one. However, I got it out for the first time last weekend to turn some bed posts and halfway through (2 done, 2 to go), I tightened the tailstock too tight and shattered the thin cast iron in three places.
I HF's defense, I knew this was a cheap lathe to begin with and I figured I could make do. I don't usually buy tools from them- usually only when I can't seem to justify the higher cost of "real" tools. I called the manager of the store in Huntsville and they replaced it for a brand new one, no questions asked.
Now, as I move forward, I was wondering if there any suggestions to make this lathe more substantial. I have filled the steel tubes with sand to reduce some of the vibration and plan to secure it to my 3" thick workbench. Any ideas of what else I can do? I don't really want to have to return another one.
I do plan to buy a good lathe sometime soon. I am scouring ebay for a good deal.
Thanks for your suggestions.
Ernie Hobbs
Madison, AL