Thanks for reading.  

 

I’ve finally had an idea good enough to sell that I’m in the market for my first lathe. I’ve got about $600 in store credit at both HD and Lowe’s so for now I’m gonna settle for something that’ll get the job done and then upgrade later.

 

Any opinions about this WEN lathe from HD? ...

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/WEN-6-Amp-14-in-x-20-in-Variable-Speed-Benchtop-Wood-Lathe-34034/306031795

 

Edited March 24, 20215 yr by bradleyheathhays

I think @AndrewB had one of these.

2 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

I think @AndrewB had one of these.

I think you're right, Larry. @AndrewB should be checking in pretty soon and give you his experiences.

Wen does sell a good lathe how ever..  I prefer Delta way over Wen any day its well worth the money come to think about it I think the Delta Midi Lathe and the Wen lathe are about the same price.  The main problem I had with the wen is that the variable speed controller was probably poorly built and pretty much failed with in 7 months of use and I was forced to get a new lathe.  DO NOT BUY a harbor freight lathe.  They are decent yes but limited features VERY limited.  The delta would be the best bet I do not shop at lowes except for tung oil.  Otherwise I will not shop there.

 

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DELTA-21-5-in-x-34-5-in-Variable-Speed-Wood-Lathe/4743323

Thanks for the advice.  I've gotten other suggestions to stay away from WEN so that's what I'd better do.

 

And I guess I'm on the right track because that Delta 46-460 midi-lathe was exactly the model I was coming back here to ask about.  Although close to $900 I can get it, the extension and base almost all with my 2 store 'credit cards' and have a 1 HP motor and 42" bed.  I'll be turning something akin to say a 8" dia by 16" long chunk of vacuum chamber resin stabilized wood.  A log basically.

With the bed extension I find the 46 460 lathe is quite comparable to a full sized lathe.  You only really would need the one extension.

1 hour ago, bradleyheathhays said:

Thanks for the advice.  I've gotten other suggestions to stay away from WEN so that's what I'd better do.

 

And I guess I'm on the right track because that Delta 46-460 midi-lathe was exactly the model I was coming back here to ask about.  Although close to $900 I can get it, the extension and base almost all with my 2 store 'credit cards' and have a 1 HP motor and 42" bed.  I'll be turning something akin to say a 8" dia by 16" long chunk of vacuum chamber resin stabilized wood.  A log basically.

They must have jacked the price up!   Both the BORG and Lowe's recently had them around $600 with the military discount.

Well so far it's been a roller coaster.  Talked myself into the Jet 1221VS the discovered the duplicator devices.  Since this lends itself to exactly what I'm trying to do I might as well and shell out for that as well.  I've seen the Grizzly model that has the copy attachment but have since been steered away.  Was sad to see most of these systems require the lathe motor to be to the rear or left.  As the Jet has it's motor underneath I'm not sure if I could get anything to work with it.

 

Any suggestion for a lathe / duplicator system combo other than the $370 one at Rockler?

Not sure what you are duplicating but Penn State Industries has a small one. Most of their lathes have the motor underneath 

Late to the show I have that Delta and yes would add my vote for it. The duplicator is something that will sit on the shelf taking up space and gathering dust. Just learn to turn and you do not need it.

Most duplicators leave spindles that need lots of sanding.  I just turn them individually when necessary.  Very seldom have a project that require duplicate spindles and never could justify the cost..

Brad, if your heart is set on a duplicator I have one you can have for free.

It is a Sears Copy Crafter and was sold for/with some of their lathes.  It is complete, and I plan to be driving through Lexington in the near future.

I was giving it to another member here, but shipping this sucker was nearly $100 to ship out west!

I've got an earlier version of this Delta Duplicator.

Instead of the round geared rail mine has the rectangular geared rail. My lathe dates from 1941 though. 

 

Are you serious Cal thank you that's amazing!  I'm still just speechless from all the help I'm finding in the woodworking community.  I'm humbled so thank you I really appreciate your offer, and of course I'll take you up on it.  This really inspires me to remember to pay it forward. 

 

As I've missed it for so many years I'm happy to be getting back into woodworking and am really looking forward to developing my skills more.  I know there's a respectability to be earned by learning a new skill such as turning, and my want for a duplicator isn't to avoid going through the work of honing such a skill.  Rather, due to the nature of what I'm producing a duplicator will truly be able to do something the shaper is not, due to no fault of the craftsman; it's just a function of what this particular production process entails.  Again, sorry for the vagueness.

 

Is the lathe adaptable only to Sears machines or is it more universal?  I found a youtube video that shows how to make a duplicator for the Delta 46-460 so I've been leaning that way for my lathe.

 

Larry, how well does yours work?

 

 

Edited March 25, 20215 yr by bradleyheathhays

12 hours ago, bradleyheathhays said:

Larry, how well does yours work?

 

As with turning tools it depends upon what type of wood you are turning.

I haven't used it much at all, but I picked it up cheap.

Found it at an estate sale, the seller didn't know what it was.

The lathe had already sold by the time I got there.

I'm serious.  Paying it forward myself...

Here is a link to the owners manual for it:  http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=1986

Since is it essentially a separate accessory and does not attach to the lathe itself I wouldn't think it would be only for the C'man lathes.

 

It may be towards the end of April before we make it up, but I will give you plenty of notice.  We go straight up I-75, so if convenient we could do the hand off at a gas station on our way, or something close.

 

@Gunny & @Fred W. Hargis Jr - both of you "paid forward" to my son & I... see what you have done?!?   I appreciate what y'all did.  This is a win for me to get the box out of my shop, and hopefully a win for Brad.

1 hour ago, Cal said:

@Gunny & @Fred W. Hargis Jr - both of you "paid forward" to my son & I... see what you have done?!?   I appreciate what y'all did.  This is a win for me to get the box out of my shop, and hopefully a win for Brad.

 

Really love when this occurs.  Warms the heart.