Three years ago I purchased an Axminster AWSL lathe with the variable speed option (AWVSL) to use at craft fairs and demonstrations. It only gets used three or four times a year, and spends most of the time up a corner covered in a dust sheet.
From new, I noticed that I got a lot of chatter when turning small chuck mounted bowls, platters and mushrooms; but always put this down to blunt tools or my novice hands. However, at a recent club hands on meeting, we noticed that it was fine when turning between centres or pen-making and that the problem only occurred with chuck or face plate mounted work. We feared that the bearings may be at fault. However, after further investigations, we discovered that the whole bearing arrangement in the head-stock is loose in the casting. This is obviously a manufacturing or design fault that I had not spotted, and yes it is now out of the Axminster 3yr warranty.
Before I write to Axminster to see if they can offer any help or advice, I was just wandering if anyone else has had a similar problem? I notice that Axminster no longer sell this lathe and wonder if they have had issues? I have also been told that someone at the West Midlands Woodturners club has had the same problem and has had to add a second bearing to remedy the situation?
Your advice would be most welcome.
Dawn
Mid Staffs Woodturners