All Replies on Craigslist $100 lathe

I would probably have done the same thing, and I don’t need another lathe.

I turned a lot of scraps from 2×4’s into file handles when I got my 1st lathe.

-- Genghis Khan and his brother Don, couldn't keep on keeping on...

You will definitely spend more on accessories. Tough to find good turning tools for less than $100 each. Then you need a sharpening setup, another couple $100. A 4 jaw chuck will set you back >$200. And the list goes on.

I enjoy turning, but thought you might like to know what you’ve gotten yourself into. I inherited my setup from my grandfather, so the only upgrade I bought was a 4 jaw chuck. I also modified mine to variable speed using a free treadmill motor and controls. I think I spent $20 for a box for the controls.

-- Sawdust Maker

Thanks for ripping the bandaid off. : ) I”m looking down the black hole thinking i’m gonna have to make a lot of pepper grinders to pay for this addition to the shop.

You will definitely spend more on accessories. Tough to find good turning tools for less than $100 each. Then you need a sharpening setup, another couple $100. A 4 jaw chuck will set you back >$200. And the list goes on.

I enjoy turning, but thought you might like to know what you ve gotten yourself into. I inherited my setup from my grandfather, so the only upgrade I bought was a 4 jaw chuck. I also modified mine to variable speed using a free treadmill motor and controls. I think I spent $20 for a box for the controls.

- LittleShaver

This looks like your lathe minus the stand.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/tekny/

If you remove the spur drive center do have MT 2 lathe spindle or is it screwed on? You need to know what threads per inch of the lathe spindle before buying a 4 jaw scroll chuck. Cannot really see if can remove the spur center with an allen wrench. Is there a hole in the knurled piece can use to unscrew?

-- Bill

Thats exactly what I thought seems to be the only thing on the net accept for some old for sale listings from South Africa.

This one says it has a # 3 MT and the one I got is a 2 MT which I think is more standard and the kind of change a manufacture might request in something they were re badging.

I was thinking of buying that manual, but there isn’t much to it so It may not be helpful.

This looks like your lathe minus the stand.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/tekny/

If you remove the spur drive center do have MT 2 lathe spindle or is it screwed on? You need to know what threads per inch of the lathe spindle before buying a 4 jaw scroll chuck. Cannot really see if can remove the spur center with an allen wrench.

- Wildwood

Looks like a good fine. Many of the Record lathes (UK) are the two bar type.
I see the collar on the spindle has a hole. Could this be to lock it? Never saw one like that before.
I would try a phillip head screwdriver and try rotating the spindle by hand to see if it locks it.

-- We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. Albert Einstein

If you are looking for turning tools that won’t break the bank I’ve had really good luck with these: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=56745&cat=1,330,56745 Good place to start and then you can upgrade as needs be.

-- No craft is very far from the line beyond which is magic. -- Lord Dunsany — Instagram @grailwoodworks

It looks to me that center should just screw off due to the nice knurl.

This is all helpful, thanks for taking the time to comment.

I do need the turning tools.

I tried some drill rod in the hole, its only shallow and then hand turning isn’t budging it. I think it should turn off but. it hasn’t been of in a decade so it feels going to need more then hand power. Maybe a strap wrench on the knurl

The record lathe is a good idea, I think they made this lathe for a lot of companies in Europe, maybe I can find a manual. I figured out the live center by instructions on a Rinkon.

Update on getting the Spur chuck out. It has a 2MT inside and and outside is a 1×8TPI thread. If that helps anyone who runs across one of these. The live center is also a 2MT standard.

Spindle was on there good held on with pitch looks like they turned a lot of Pine.
There is not spindle lock but there are 5/16 holes behind the chuck on the spindle. I put a piece of drill rod in that and wedged it against the machine. There are two holes. in the spur chuck I put a drill bit in one of those and tapped it w a rubber mallet. It didn’t take much to get it to move.

It probably came w Spaner Wrenches of some sort, but I’ll make something w the drill rod.

Sounds great glad you have the problem solved! Good luck with new lathe.

-- Bill