Choosing A Wood Lathe: What To Look For When Sturdy Counts
While it is obvious that wood lathes
spin wood around, it is not always obvious to the first time buyer
that spinning wood, if out of balance, vibrates tremendously. In
addition, wood lathes may be asked to spin very heavy sections of
wood and need to be able to withstand considerable force. There are a
couple of simple things to look for to ensure that a lathe is sturdy
enough for the work at hand.
If you have a small shop and intend to
turn small objects, it may seem as if sturdiness will not be a
factor, but this is simply not so. Most small lathes turn at high
speeds and have a very high minimum speed. Just as on a car, an
unbalanced wheel does not seem a problem at low speeds but vibrates
at high ones, the same thing happens on a lathe with unbalanced wood
or with unbalanced lathe parts. While a small piece on a small lathe
may not try to walk across the floor, vibration encourages poor cuts
and difficulty in a good finish.
Larger lathes tend to have lower
minimum speeds and thus allow for less vibration in unbalanced
pieces. However they also are generally bought with the purpose of
handling larger pieces of wood and thus more weight. A bowl blank of
forty pounds is not unusual on a lathe with a twelve to sixteen inch
swing and can literally walk a light lathe across the floor of the
shop.
The solution to the problem is to have
a lathe sturdy enough to handle the work. It starts with a good
foundation such as a stand that is well made and heavy enough to not
move under the forces of turning. Sand is a good vibration absorber
and many turners design their lathe stands to hold hundred of pounds
of sand.
The lathe itself should have lots of
cast iron and steel in its construction. Stamped metal parts tend to
give little support. Good welds should be looked for. Check with your
woodturning friends and find out what lathes they use for the type of
turning you intend to do and then find out if they are satisfied.
Good bearings are a must and even more important are the bearing
housings. Bearings are easily replaced but not where they live in the
lathe.
One of the best tests of sturdiness is
common sense when looking at the lathe. If it looks solid it likely
is. This would not be just a catalogue look but rather a chance to
stand at it and see if the steel is substantial and the iron castings
are solid and well finished. The mechanisms to hold the headstock,
tailstock and tool rest should be strong and lock firmly. Speed
controls should move easily and switches readily accessible.
The final test of the lathe will
happen as you turn on it. Many turners will push the envelope of size
and speed and safety is each individual's responsibility but much of
it can be ensured with good planning and a little foresight.
