Table top or stand?

[iansblogParticipant Skype Name:]

So after quite a bit or reading I think I have selected my lathe the Record Power CL4 (http://www.recordpower.co.uk/product/professional-electronic-variable-speed-lathe#.VkHmDeL0SpE ).
It has the variable speed that I have been advised would be a good idea and for my part I like the way the headstock can be moved to the centre of the bed bars before turning outward as I would like to do some platters and space in my work area will be limited, I figured that this would give me the best of both worlds.

So onto my question after looking at the Adjustable Lathe Stand ( http://www.recordpower.co.uk/product/adjustable-lathe-stand-for-cl-series-lathes ) would I be better to build a bench?

Ian

[CollinParticipant Skype Name:]

When I had my lathe mounted on the bench I had a cupboard underneath and it turned the bench into a soundbox.  It was so loud I could be heard in the house.

I bought my new lathe (Axi AT1628) and went for the legs.  Not regretted it for a moment.

[iansblogParticipant Skype Name:]

I do like the look of the AT1628VS but could not figure out of it was as flexible as the CL4 for positioning & turning the headstock.

Thanks for the heads up on the sound box issue I had not thought of that, I guess the legs have it, a ZZ Top song springs to mind now 🙂

[ed (the amateur) turnerKeymaster Skype Name:]

Now got back online on my old laptop.

The Axminster AT1628VS is the way to go. Great lathe I’ve had mine for nearly two years and it’s had a lot of use 🙂

 

Ed

[iansblogParticipant Skype Name:]

Sounds like I should hold off for a few weeks and get the AT1628VS, now I know the headstock can move around like the CL4 the extra few hundred pounds will be worth the wait, with a bit of luck everything will be in place before my course in January.

Thanks to the call Ed it was a real help.

Ian

[CollinParticipant Skype Name:]

If you can be patient and wait and get the 1628 with the stand you will not regret it.  I looked at the CL4 when I was buying and I decided on the Axi mainly due to the flat bed rather than the bars.

Good luck!

[AdrianParticipant Skype Name:]

Hi Ian

I started turning back in March and like you spent the time researching the different lathes on offer. I joined the local woodturning club and pestered some members as to lathes they use and it was an eye opener to see the various ones in use.  I also visited our local Axminster and was able to try the 1628 they had in their working area, what a great lathe but unfortunately out of my price range due to the other items I had on my shopping list.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="240"] My Lathe & Bench[/caption]

I managed to get a second hand Hegner HDB200 off ebay which I have been very pleased with but this came without a stand and as I am limited on storage space I decided to make a bench including storage. I had read of the issues with soundbox issues and stability. To get round this i used 6×2 top rails and formed a box running the full length of the bench and filled this with dry sand. This has made the bench very stable and I have no issues with soundboxing. (Don’t know if iv’e attached the picture correctly)

Good luck on your journey into turning.

Regards

Adrian

[DuncKeymaster Skype Name:]

Ian, looks like you tried to link to a photo on your machine’s desktop. You need to have the image hosted online for that to work I’m afraid, something like Photobucket would do the trick.

[iansblogParticipant Skype Name:]

Hi Adrian,

Thanks for the advice, space is at a premium for me so under the lathe storage would be nice.

Cant see the picture but it would be good to see the bench design for ideas.

Thanks.

Ian

[AdrianParticipant Skype Name:]

Hi Ian

I hope I have got the picture right this time. Computers and me are not really a good mix. Thanks Dunc for the heads up re Photobucket. It would be good if there were some instructions on posting pictures for us ludites.

 

[AdrianParticipant Skype Name:]

Sorry. As I said i’m a Luddite and obviously not got this right.

[iansblogParticipant Skype Name:]

No worries, I get the idea.

I will post some photos up when I start to build my workshop and then post up a how to use photos thing if I figure it out 🙂

Ian

[AdrianParticipant Skype Name:]

Hi Ian

The cupboard cost me about £85 in materials including drawer runners. The top rails are 6×2 and the section was boxed and filled with sand. The doors and drawers are from 18mm MDF and the top is 2x 18mm MDF stuck together.

[iansblogParticipant Skype Name:]

So I have decided to go for the Axminster AT1628VS lathe with legs it should be with me some time in mid Feb I have also decided to devote a little more space in my garage to turning so I can fit everything in that I am looking to get.

It’s getting quite exciting 🙂

It will soon be time to visit Ed and pick up some other bits and bobs as well.

Ian

[ed (the amateur) turnerKeymaster Skype Name:]

Good choice Ian I bet you can’t wait to get started 🙂

See you soon

 

Ed

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