Features

• 1/4 H.P., 110V TEFC brush type motor
• 12" between centers
• 3/4" x 16 TPI right hand spindle
• 5-15/16" swing over bed
• Includes tool rest, live rolling center and spur center

Reviews (2)

A lot of bang for the buck
This lathe is similar to a Carbtec.The ways and tailstock are cast iron and the lathe is quite stiff and rigid.The variable speed drive is a nice feature and works fine. There are certainly fine points where corners have been cut to save money.The plastic handles for example.However, they are adequate for the job.This is really a lathe for pens and other very small parts, so there aren't a lot of forces involved.I have owned this lathe for two years and used it to make 100s of pens.The only problem I have had with it is that the tool rest was not at all parallel to the ways.I got a new one from grizzly, but it was only somewhat better.I had to grind it down to make it satisfactory. (frankly, I have had this problem with other inexpensive lathes too) If you need a bigger lathe or can spend a lot more money, this may not be for you.However, for the buck it can't be beaten, and will do the job.I enjoy using it!

Poor quality
Well, I purchased this machine about a year ago and it is mediocore at best. The parts are all cast "cheap" metal. I have already broken one the the handles. While the parts are readily available, I had to pay 6.95 shipping for a $2 part that was shipped 1st class mail for 80 cents.
Secondly, I have noticed that the motor (variable speed) fluctuates by itself while running. Very little documentation comes with this machine also. It is very noisey, and vibrates too much for my liking. No tips on maintance or lubrication.
The tailstock keeper loosens frequently, and I am afraid to tighten too much for fear of breaking the handle.
I guess for the money, if you are not looking for a real good machine it will do the job. However I am dissapointed in the quality.
Would not reccomend this machine. ... Read more

Features

• Also fits the Delta Midi-Lathe
• For use with JET Mini Lathe
• Adjustable height accommodates all wood turners
• V-style leg design provides greater stability
• Comes with adjustable rubber feet for leveling to uneven floors

Reviews (3)

Well worth the cost...
We recently added this base to our Jet Mini Lathe. As with most jet products the fit and finish was excellent. Went together without any problems, including the extension. It is very solid, and does not add any vibration to the operation of the lathe. I built a shelf to go on the crossbar and we use it to store extra chucks and other misc items we typically use. I also tacked a couple pieces of angle iron to the backside to support a dust and chip chute we made. Hooked to the 4" dust collection system it really does a nice job of pulling most of the chips away from the lathe base. Makes cleanup fairly easy. The base is not designed to mount casters on, so I mounted the base to a 11/4 thick piece of plywood and mounted the casters to that. Our shop area is pretty small, so most of the big tools have to be mobile.I used Grizzly 3" locking casters, as they lock the wheel and the swivel mech. with one lever. This works out real well, still very solid. The added benefit was that now my sweetie can sit on her stool and work on the lathe (she primarily does small stuff)at just the right height for her, yet I don't have to stoop to work on the machine. This is a great addition to the Jet Mini Lathe or the Delta Midi. Recommend it highly.

If You Buy The Lathe, You Should Buy This Stand
Hi,

I bought the Jet mini lathe, and then bought this stand about 7 or 8 weeks later.I should have just bought them together.

The lathe attaches easily.The stand gets the lathe off the workbench (freeing up valuable space) and puts it at a very comfortable height.

I highly recommend it.

Must have for mini lathe
Unless space isn't an issue, you'll want this stand. Since I use the lathe less frequently than the other tools in my shop, it's nice to throw a dust cover over the set and roll it out of the way without giving up counter space. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Stands    2. Lathes    3. (Laths)   

Features

• Two-year warranty
• Heavy cast construction
• 10-inch diameter turning
• 15-inch between centers
• Accepts Easy Mount bed extension - allows up to 39 inches between centers

Reviews (4)

Highly recommended.
I wanted to buy a lathe to turn spindels for some Windsor Chairs I was planning to build.The space in my basement woodshop is limited and I did not want to invest a lot of money in a large machine.The Fisch is a great little lathe.With the bed extension, I was able to turn chair legs and arm spindels.I have built over a dozen chairs and the lathe has been excellent-very quiet and smooth operation with plenty of power.I would highly recommend this lathe as an entry level model or to anyone doing light duty turning.

A little short on Quality
After considering the other brands, I finally chose the Fisch.

What I like:
1. Access to belts for changing speeds.
2. Heavy unit
3. Price (bought it at the WW show, came with the ext bed)
4. More HP

What I DO NOT like:
1. Customer service is weak.

Nice machine for the price.

Good lathe, but shipping problems
For the money, this is a good lathe.I particularly recommended it for those who, like me, would like to try wood turning, but do not want to sink alot of money into it at first.I've used it now for a few months now, made several small bowls and other pieces, and am enjoying it.

I would also recommend that a beginning turner get a good instruction book or guideance from someone experienced.I've found that good technique is important both for good results and for safety.

If it was not for shipping and service difficulties, I would have given the product the full 5 star rating.I ordered the lathe in early January, but did not receive it until March (this despite the words that it "usually ships in 1 to 2 weeks" shown continuously on the Amazon.com product page - which was irritating).When it arrived the plastic belt cover was cracked and barely functional.I sent 2 emails to the Fisch customer service department with no response.Finally on the third try, in which I also copied several in management, they did come thru and sent me a replacement part. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lathes    2. Bench-Top Lathes    3. (Laths)    4. (Portable)   

Features

• Fits Delta 12" wood lathes and many other 12" to 16" lathes
• Mounts to wood lathes to create perfectly duplicated turnings
• Duplicates turnings up to 36" long with a 6" diameter
• Uses original turning or a template as the pattern
• Rack-and-pinion drive and 4-spoked handwheel for excellent control

Subjects:  1. Turning Tools    2. (Chisels)    3. (Lathe Accessories)   

Reviews (2)

Good price, for an OK chuck......
Wll This is pretty much what I expected.This chuck works but I imagine the more expensive chucks work much better and can achieve a better grip on the work piece.I do not know what problems the other reviewer was experiencing but I have only used this chuck to grip the OD of the work (I imagine ID would work as well).The 1st 1/8" or so is tapered inward and I have found making a short tapered tenon to work the best in OD gripping situations although since I am a beginner and do run into the occasional big catch I have been able to knock the work out of round.My biggest complaint would have to be the included "wrenches" which are nothing more than a couple pieces of round stock.These tend to bend when trying to get a real good grip on the work.Other than that though I feel I got my $40 worth but will probably get a better chuck in the future and will probably try coming up with some stronger "wrenches".

Skip this one...
This chuck is 'okay' quality but the buyer should know that it is only designed for ID chucking.You cannot chuck on the OD of the workpiece.Grizzly sells a high quality 4 jaw chuck that does both OD and ID clamping through their website. ... Read more

Features

• 1/3 H.P. motor
• 20" between centers
• 6-1/4" swing over bed
• Shipping weight approx. 40 lbs.
• Variable spindle speed 0 - 3025 R.P.M.

Features

• Convenience of controls
• Fits nearly all 10-inch & 12-inch swing lathes (no single tubes)
• Attachment mounts included
• Fast set up
• Excellent accuracy

Reviews (1)

Vega DU-2 Utility Duplicator
The duplicator attached easily to my Jet 1236. It went together quite easily. It did not come with parts to mount a master, but only for a pattern (they suggest a plexiglas profile cutout), which works pretty well. It came adjusted for a 36" bed, but was easily adjusted down to the 34 1/2" bed.

It has a manually driven chain drive that can be adjusted to get rid of play. It has a manual mechanism to limit the depth of cut per pass (by holding the "stylus" away from the pattern). The bit provided is very effective, allowing a much deeper cut than might initially appear possible, since cuts a shoulder in either direction. You cannot create 90 degree "coves", since the bit is wedge shaped (no other shape seems possible), so you wind up with a bit "softer" result. I have made several 4x4 spindles from Fir, that look quite nice after moderate sanding.

The tool rattles when roughing out, and I find that is faster to do with a gouge.

It is heavy duty and seems sturdy. The parts to adapt it to the lathe bed are very sturdy, but unpainted, making them appear home brewed.

It is pretty unlikely you would need a larger duplicator than this, and the price is quite reasonable for what you are getting. ... Read more

Features

• Make rosettes to 3 inches in diameter
• Complete with shank, mounts directly to drill press or wood lathe
• 1/2-inch chuck
• Knives sold separately

Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. (Drils)   

Features

• Secures bowls and bases for turning without using mounting holes
• Adjustable to fit a variety of diameters
• Reversible jaws are stepped to fit a variety of projects
• Cast iron for durability and vibration resistance

Reviews (1)

Really a good chuck but ...
The chuck is really well made and the wrench moves the jaws very smoothly.Unfortunately I have to return it.Not because the chuck has any faults,but rather because the description and the professional reviewer failed to tell me that the jaws are adjusted individually,rather than concentrically with one turning of the wrench.Now that's a good feature if you are working with blanks that need that.But my needs were stricly for round concentric bowl use,and I wanted to be able to ensure the bowl blank was centered with one tightening operation. The picture shows the T-wrench and one adjustment socket.No hint that the chuck has independent adjustments.By the way,the Delta label on the box indicates the independent adjustment.So should Amazon's description.

So,if that's what you need,it is a solid product,just what you'd expect from Delta. That's why I gave it 4 stars.Couldn't give it 5 without actually using it,and since I'm returning it,I couldn't do that. ... Read more

Features

• Cutter may be controlled by hand, by adjustable spring tension or a combination of the two
• Controls are located for fast and easy operation
• Works on all lathe's with 9" to 30" swings
• Low friction bearing materials
• Rapid stock removal with minimum vibration

Reviews (7)

Vega D-36 Duplicator
I agree with Andy, the duplicator is good but the video and instruction manual are completely worthless.I think the video was shot by a 8 year old who was experimenting with a camera for the first time.The drawings in the manual are hand-drawn and by somebody that has no business hand drawing.The manual has been re-copied so many times that much of the text is off the side of the page and therefore doesn't do any good.Also, my duplicator was missing some bolts and washers that I had to go to the hardware store to buy.And because the directions were so terrible, it took a few trips and some trial and error to figure out exactly what bolts were needed.That being said, the duplicator is great once it is set up and will make many beautiful turnings.I highly recommend using a template rather than an original turning.I've found that the slender turning attatchment is a must if you plan to turn 2x2 stock longer than 20".I thought I could get away with just taking light cuts but this is not the case.Hope this helps.

36 inch Pro Lathe Duplicator
I was very happy with the duplication of this machine.However the video and the written instructions that were included were terrible.The video was made in 1990 and it shows an out of date assembly method. I watched the out of focus video and muffled sound for about 5 minutes.The video was no help on how the machine is put together.The written instructions were no better.The print is small and it does not show where to install all the parts that were given.The manufacturer needs at least a full color photo so you can have some kind of idea where things go.That being said I would still recommend this duplicator even though setting it up was time consuming.You can e-mail me at mccormickwoodworking.com if you need any help setting yours up.Andy McCormick

slender turning
A little more on vega. I needed to turn 4 spreaders 1" in diameter tapering to3/4" on each end X30" long. I purchased vega's 175 slender turning tool and after careful alignment was able to turn these in one pass which is how this works. A good accessory worth the cost with good instructions.
You realy need to buy a 1-1/2 dowel,center it and turn it true. Then you can align it, guess work wont get you close enough and it will bind up. If you have access to metal turning I made a centered shaft from S steel.This is a bit extreme but it wont warp. ... Read more

Features

• Extends lathe capacity to 37 inches between centers
• Easy, bolt-on installation for quick set up
• Cast iron construction for vibration resistance
• Accepts standard tool rest bases

Reviews (3)

Great extension to enable bigger projects.
I just got this in and it's a really solid piece.I used Dennis' advice in another review to help align it, and it was setup in 5 minutes.(Thanks Dennis)You do have to prepare some extra space in the shop for it though, as when assembled it's pretty long, and disassembling/reassembling would be a pain.

I got it for free with the mail in rebate program they had last year, but even if I didn't get it then it'd be worth spending the money on now.

Good Extension,once you figure out the trick for alignment
If the paint color had been anywhere close to the color of my midi lathe, I might have given it 5 stars.

Also, I spent almost 45 minutes trying to get the darned thing aligned right. Then,when I thought I had it right, I tried to put the tailstock back on.It came to an abrupt halt at the connection point. Taking it back off and feeling the inside edge,I realized I had missed by less that a 64th of an inch.The positive thought was "Wow,the tailstock was sure machined for a nice, close tolerance,but what a pain to get aligned!"

Then it struck me,"Hey,why not use the tailstock as an alignment tool."So,I loosened the bolts,slid the tailstock to the midpoint of the intersection,tightened it up,bingo!Perfectly aligned!Do recheck with a dependable straight edge after re-tightening the bolts,though.

I highly recommend that Delta change their simple little,one-page instruction sheet to include that little tip.Turns a 45 minute task into a 2 minute job.And after all,some of us bought this configuration because of space considerations,and we are likely to set it up and take it apart several times a year!

Delta Midi Lathe extension
The extension maximizes the usefulness of the lathe.The addition of a "tab" to align the extension with the bed of the lathe would improve the ease of attaching the extension. ... Read more

Features

• 1/4-inch round nose scraper, 1/4-inch diamond parting tool, 1/8-inch standard parting tool
• Detail turning tools
• Five-piece HSS set
• Canvas carrying pouch
• 1/4-inch gouge and 1/8-inch gouge

Reviews (2)

Fair set, only really for detail
When purchasing a new lathe, I mentioned I was interested in smaller projects like chess pieces and pens.The salesman referred me to this set for these kinds of projects -- and said this would be "all I need".When I got home and set everything up, I was a bit disappointed to realize that I did indeed need other tools -- especially a good gouge.I've since spent almost twice the price of these on additional tools.Once you have wood shaped to approximate size, these tools do indeed work well.Consider these tools as a supplement to your existing turning tools.

Pros:
+ Well made
+ high speed steel tools stay sharp even after a fair amount of use
+ Best set I've found for most detailing

Cons:
- more variety of tools would be good
- Included pouch is difficult to quickly remove and replace tools -- requires 2 hands.

fisk
good lathe and tools dont bent on small stuff sharp.. very good on small itemsnobs pens etc. easy to sharpen. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Turning Tools    2. (Chisels)    3. (Lathe Accessories)   

Features

• 12" width requires less moving of the tool rest base
• Provides support for turning tools, allowing safer, more controlled operation
• Cast-iron construction for durability and vibration resistance
• Fits 1" diameter tool rest mounting holes

Reviews (1)

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE SHANK? 5/8 OR 1 INCH
i NEED A 5/8 INCH TOOLE REST. THIS ITEM MAY MMET MY NEEDS IF THE SHANK IS THE CORRECT SIZE.
THE ITME DESCRIPTION DOES NOT STATE THE SIZE. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Stands    2. Lathes    3. (Laths)   

Features

• 6" diameter for small and medium face plate turnings
• 1"/8 left and right hand threads fit standard headstocks
• Pre-drilled holes for mounting the workpiece
• Cast iron for durability and vibration resistance

Reviews (1)

Great plate for turning.
I have used these plates for turning wood bowls in the past, and I have found nothing that I like better. I successfully turned an 18 inch oak bowl by mounting it onto this base plate. (I have to admit I was surprised at how beautiful it turned out, since it was my second major attempt at turning bowls)

I STRONGLY recommend purchasing this plate if you are planning on doing any serious bowl turning, since if you use a smaller plate the bowl may become detached when you apply pressure with the chisels, leaving you with a waste of time rather than a piece of art.

Good luck turning! ... Read more

Features

• Positive cam action locking device for easy locking and unlocking
• 2-horsepower, three-phase motor, with one phase inverter allows turning at a very low rpm without stalling
• Variable Speed ranges from 0 to 1,200 and 0 to 3,200 rpm
• 34-1/2 inches between centers
• 1-3/8-inch-diameter quill with over 4 inches of travel

Reviews (11)

Everything You Can Ask For
I won't continue with all the well-deserved praise for this lathe since the other reviewers have definitely made the point.What I will say is do your homework to find the best price, then call ToolCrib (Amazon) and use their price-matching guarantee.

I saved about $75 by checking SouthernTool.com first, which also offers free shipping.

ToolCrib delivers to the ground, unlike alot of curbside delivery options where you're expected to get it off of the truck.This is HUGE considering you're dealing with a peice of equipment that weighs in at around 700 lbs.

Did I mention that I love this lathe?Rock solid, quiet, smooth,...oh yeah, I wasn't going to repeat what everyone else says...

Enjoy!

Exceeded Expectations
It is a pleasusre to review the Powermatic 3520A, a tool that truly exceeds all expectations.
The Powermatic is an upgrade for me, intended to replace an antique Rockwell Model 46-111 that suffered having only four speeds and a 5.5 inch swing over bed.The upgrade is dramatic having passed a severe test by successfully turning a fourteen pound green mesquite log that made the Rockwell lathe dance across the shop floor.By comparisson, the Powermatic just stood there running as smooth as a raw egg floating in a bucket of warm oil; not even a ripple.Torque at low speed proved to be most impressive and very useful in my turning projects.Additionally, the adjustments to the headstock, tail stock, spindle and tool rest can all be accomplished with one hand. What a surprise; not even once did these adjustment require the use of a wooden mallet that remained within easy reach of the Rockwell lathe.Manual speed change was also found to be without difficulty and the guard assembly demonstrated to be a welcome addition.
However, a few criticisms were discovered.It is assumed that the finger guide on the tool rest is nothing more than a straight edge; big deal.The digital speed readout leaves a lot to be desired in that it is located on the backside of the headstock and requires a factor of nine on low speed and factor of twenty-four on highspeed to approach the actual rpm.Located directly below the digital "speed" readout are a wonderfully tempting set of buttons; however, the instruction manual states that they should, "..never be pushed at any time".Especially disappointing was the discovery that an indexer must be purchased as an optional accessory.Even the old Rockwell has a locking indexer that could be readily engaged and disengaged with my handy mallet.Powermatic would be advised to incorporate the locking indexer into the handwheel.Furthermore, while making improvements it would be further suggested that the tool support remaing bare metal where the hand tools make contact; just above the finger guide!
Overall, I like the five star rating and consider the Powermatic 3520A to be a real bargain, especially if one considers the cost per pound.

You won't be sorry!
I have used the Powermatic 3520a for about 2 years now and am thoroughly pleased with it. Having started started out with a Jet mini lathe, I soon outgrew it and before long, wanted to turn bigger things. A lathe is a big investment and so a lot of thought should be put into it's purchase. As much as I would have wanted a Oneway, I opted on the Powermatic because of price and functionality. This lathe is a beauty to operate - though I'm not fond of the color - hey, a girl likes some color! Kidding aside - I love the Powermatic. It is smooth and has plenty of power, easily handling the Kel McNaughton bowl coring/saver system. If you get a chance - demo one before you buy - and get a feel for what suits you, after that, it's just a matter of matching the feel - to the pocketbook! Oh, & by the way - I 'had' to give it 4 stars simply because it lacks indexing capabilities. You can buy an indexing attachment or make one yourself. Good luck and let the shavings fly - thedebs.com ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Lathes    2. Stationary Lathes    3. (Laths)   

Features

• Easy mount bed extension
• Increases the distance between centers to a full 39 inches
• Includes hardware