craftsman lathe

[byron constantine]

I am looking at a craftsman 15" v/s lathe and was wondering if anyone
on the forum is familiar with this lathe? I believe it is made by a company called Palmgren which has been in the metal lathe business for years.
Thanks, Byron

[Garry Smith]

I just bought one about 2 weeks ago. It runs smooth and seems to have good power, although I have yet to turn any large blanks.
The bed castings do not look as nice as I would have liked to see but for the price, I cannot complain too much. The optional bowl rest mount is not as stout as I would like either.

[Tony Sizemore]

Hey guys give us some more spic’s on the lathe. I looked online but they didn’t very much.
Also tell us a little more about the optional tools rest. Does it look like it would hold up?

[John Hart]

I have a Craftsman 15" VS, but I don't know who made it. I know it's not the same one that Garry has though. Mine has been very good to me. I snapped a toolrest on a giant log, but that was my fault. I'm satisfied.

[byron constantine]

I have a Craftsman 15" VS, but I don't know who made it. I know it's not the same one that Garry has though. Mine has been very good to me. I snapped a toolrest on a giant log, but that was my fault. I'm satisfied.

John, I just came from looking at this lathe and when i turned it on it was
real noisy. Sounded like the bearings, is this normal as this lathe nearly new? Also i didn't like the way the tail stock locks down as it didn't line
up with the head spindle unless you did it by hand. The seller wants $400
for the lathe,stand,a set of craftsman chisels,a 3 jaw craftsman chuck,
a 8" face plate,a 4" plate and 3 or 4 live centers. He also is throughing
in 4 Scorby swan neck hollowing tools. Is a good deal?
Byron

[Daniel Heine]

Hello,

I just bought the Palmgren 15 inch variable speed lathe. It is the same product as the Craftsman. I agree the finish on the bed is not a smooth and shiny as some of the $2000.00 lathes, but it does not seem to affect the performance, and it's $1500.00 cheaper. I am very happy with this lathe. I bought a dry blank at Rockler, 10 inch diamater, 5 inches thick. I sttached it to the faceplate, started up the lathe at 400 rpm, and it was smooth as silk. I have also turned a few practice spindles, and even two pens, and I could not be happier. This is a lot of lathe for $480.00. Look around and compare this to the Jet 14" or 16", and I think it is real easy to see the value, especially when you account for the variable speed.

Relating to the noise you heard on the older Craftsman, there was a problem with the way the pulley teeth lining up properly. Contact Palmgren, and order service kit 09-351-(23572.00), and new belt, and the problem is resolved.

Happy Turning,
Dan Heine</O

[Steve Hayes]

Byron it sounds like you made a trip to Lewisville.

[byron constantine]

Byron it sounds like you made a trip to Lewisville.

Steve, Have you seen this lathe as i didn't mention where i saw it?
Byron

[John Hart]

John, I just came from looking at this lathe and when i turned it on it was
real noisy. Sounded like the bearings, is this normal as this lathe nearly new? Also i didn't like the way the tail stock locks down as it didn't line
up with the head spindle unless you did it by hand. The seller wants $400
for the lathe,stand,a set of craftsman chisels,a 3 jaw craftsman chuck,
a 8" face plate,a 4" plate and 3 or 4 live centers. He also is throughing
in 4 Scorby swan neck hollowing tools. Is a good deal?
Byron

Yup...Byron. My Lathe has been noisy from day one. I don't want to lend you any information until I know we're talking about the same piece of equipment though.

Is this it?

[Lars Thomas]

John, that's the one I got too. I can certainly vouch for it being noisy. Ear protection required.

[Tony Sizemore]

So what size head stock does that have?
Is really that noisy, so loud that you need hearing protection?
It looks good from over here, but a lot of thing look goood from over here.

[Steve Hayes]

I saw one on a site initials CL that was exactly your description. I live in Lewisville and was wanting to stop by and see it. I was concerned about the quality. I have a HF 34706 I think thats the model number, it's the 1236 clone, and I want to upgrade. Really want a 1442 but can't find one used.

[John Hart]

So what size head stock does that have?
Is really that noisy, so loud that you need hearing protection?
It looks good from over here, but a lot of thing look goood from over here.

Yeah...I don't wear ear protection, but it's noisy. The thing is...I've never been able to identify what the noise is. It's a direct drive, so the motor Armature is the headstock spindle, so there's no belt or anything. But it has been that way since the day I bought it. I sorta don't notice the noise anymore.

As far as it being a good deal? Well, I'm still satisfied. I've not noticed that the tail stock doesn't line up...so I can't speak to that. $400 with all those tools and accessories sure seems nice. Sounds like $300 worth of Sorbys alone. As far as power, it seems to handle everything I've thrown at it so far.

[Tony Sizemore]

Ok Steve you the man I need to talk to. You did what I am thinking of. I have the same HF lathe. It has done a great job for me, but I want to go a little bigger. My dream of a PM or Jet is slowly slipping away just like my time to turn but I still would like something with a little more power and larger swing over bed.
Do you think you did in fact upgrade from the HF? How would you compare them?

[Garry Smith]

I ran a 10 inch blank of cherry burl last night. This blank is full of voids and cracks and was considerably out of balance. The machine is handling it well.
I did discover another disapppointment. The tailstock barrel has a keyway slot in it to keep the barrel from turning but instead of a key in the tailstock(which I would have thought it would have) the screw that tightens the barrel in the tailstock also serves as the key to keep the barrel from turning. I do not feel this is a good setup and is not likely to last.