Lathe advice please

[arcos]

Hi all...

Well, it's been quite some time since I been here...

It's been mad times, be VERY glad to see the back of 2016!! Heart attack, house sale, purchase fell through, another house bought etc etc...

Sooo... Feeling like getting back into it for 2017 HOWEVER...

My cheap OLD Chinese made lathe, amazed it's still running after the abuse it's received this year, but she is still running, but with a couple of problems...

1) She's developed a 'wobble' at the head... Very, very slight but noticeable... It does show in bowls that are fairly thin otherwise nothing too dramatic.
2) The tailpiece has a slight crack in it... Luckily I don't use the tailpiece very often, other than for pens, so not a lot of stress on it...

Should I think about trying to source a new bearing (I'm thinking to cure the wobble) and get the tailpiece repaired OR buy a new/2nd hand lathe?

Any advice on best way forward and any possible replacements for a 'value for money' lathe appreciated

[burywoodturners]

All bearings are standard sizes, taken the old one out and take it to a earing supplier, they should have what you want. My local supplier is Haley's but just google bearings.
Ron

[GBF]

There is an Axminster 14 16 VS for sale in the for sale section they are a super lathe.
I think the price is a bit High but if you could get a deal on it you would be laughing

Regards George

[Wood spinner]

Hello
When you say OLD Chinese lathe , What model is it ? from your words it sort of sounds like you would prefer a more modern upgrade ? If you are planning on using a lathe regularly you will want reliability
What would be your budget for a new or used lathe ?

[Derwent Woodturning club]

Hi Arcos,
Sorry to hear about your woes and hope you get things sorted for 2017, but your comment about the tailstock set me thinking.

2) The tailpiece has a slight crack in it... Luckily I don't use the tailpiece very often, other than for pens, so not a lot of stress on it...

This suggests you don't use the tailstock if you've got a lump of wood on the lathe that is going to become a bowl or something where the tailstock would be in the way. However, I always recommend using the tailstock on all turnings, especially if the block of wood is at all out of balance. The tailstock is only removed when it is definitely in the way, and you've got the piece as balanced as you can.
If you've been rouging down blanks with them just mounted on a faceplate or screwchuck, you will put a heavy load on the bearings and this may be the cause of your problems.
That doesn't fix your current problem but I would advise using the tailstock in the future, be that on a repaired or new lathe.
Good luck, and Merry Xmas,

[arcos]

There is an Axminster 14 16 VS for sale in the for sale section they are a super lathe.
I think the price is a bit High but if you could get a deal on it you would be laughing

Regards George

Thanks George...

Yes, had seen it but a bit more than I wanted to spend really...

[arcos]

Hello
When you say OLD Chinese lathe , What model is it ? from your words it sort of sounds like you would prefer a more modern upgrade ? If you are planning on using a lathe regularly you will want reliability
What would be your budget for a new or used lathe ?

Hmmm good question... I'm not sure what model bought VERY cheap on Ebay... It's a blue one lol

Am thinking of an upgrade for sure... It's not the easiest lathe to deal with as the plastic handles for tightening things up have also been gone a LONG time!

Not looking to spend a ton of money...

Maybe something like this would be about right for me ? http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-hobby-series-awsl-woodturning-lathe-501245

[arcos]

Hi Arcos,
Sorry to hear about your woes and hope you get things sorted for 2017, but your comment about the tailstock set me thinking.

2) The tailpiece has a slight crack in it... Luckily I don't use the tailpiece very often, other than for pens, so not a lot of stress on it...

This suggests you don't use the tailstock if you've got a lump of wood on the lathe that is going to become a bowl or something where the tailstock would be in the way. However, I always recommend using the tailstock on all turnings, especially if the block of wood is at all out of balance. The tailstock is only removed when it is definitely in the way, and you've got the piece as balanced as you can.
If you've been rouging down blanks with them just mounted on a faceplate or screwchuck, you will put a heavy load on the bearings and this may be the cause of your problems.
That doesn't fix your current problem but I would advise using the tailstock in the future, be that on a repaired or new lathe.
Good luck, and Merry Xmas,

Hi, thanks for the kind words...

Hmmm I think I have been caught out lol

You are right, I don't use the tailstock very often... As most of my turnings are small it doesn't get much use... It DOES get used if the wood being turned is 'out of shape' and wobbly but for the most part I try and get a piece fairly balanced before mounting onto the lathe.

Thanks for the tip though and a very merry Christmas to you also

[julcle]

Where are you Arcos ? perhaps if someone knows of anything local they can get in touch

[arcos]

Where are you Arcos ? perhaps if someone knows of anything local they can get in touch

Portugal :-(

[Eric Harvey]

a picture of the lathe might help identify it,but as Ron said,try your local bearing specialist,yuo`ll probably get a better bearing than the one in there at the moment,cheers,

Eric.