Rotating Headstock questions

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Lan Brady

>Dan,

I use the rotating headstock quite a bit. I am left handed and it helps with hollowing. Although I have trained my hands to do things right handed. I am still left eye dominant. It is easier.

I use a Jet 1442 and do not have any trouble lining it back up square. It has a good solid lock. Don't overlook some of the lathes that only slide the headstock. If you move all the way to the end, you can stand at any angle.

Research your needs and buy the best you can afford because this hobby is addictive.

Lan

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

John Lucas

>You have a choice of either rotating headstock like the Jet 14, Nova 3000. Sliding headstock like the Jet 16 or powermatic 3520 or shortbed lathes like the vicmarc shortbead or dedicated bowl lathes like the Vega. Happy searching.

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Ken George

>I have a Nova DVR and use the rotating head on every bowl and hollow form that I do. The only negative experienced so far is that it doesn't always go back to alignment with the tailstock and has to be checked.

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Ron in Drums PA

>I've rotated the head on the 1236 just enough to mount a 13" blank. I also had 300# of ballast. It was fun chasing the lathe across the room.

It's a good thing the jet comes with a short cord or I'd still be chasing it today.

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

John Lucas

>Ken

When I had my Nova I had the same head alignment problem. I aligned the head perfectly and then drilled a 3/32 hole at the joint between the headstock and bed. Now all I had to do was align the head and push in the tail end of a 3/32 drill bit into the hole and the head was again aligned.

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Fog Tanner

>I learned to turn on a sliding head lathe, but never moved it amy more than was necessary to get away from the legs. I learned to turn bowls and hollow forms on the longer bed. I have since moved onto a lathe that has a fixed head and 51" between centers (Vic 300VL). I don't really want a lathe that has a movable head, either rotating or sliding again. I like the regidity of the fixed head. If you really push the machine, the movable heads can unlatch at the wrong time.

If you are concerned, you can get the larger lathes in the short bed version. But, I like being able to move the tail stock down to the end of the lathe and out of the way, but have it there qucikly when I need it. And if you use the captive boring bar systems for hollowing, the longer bed can com in hand for the auxiallary tool rest.

Just my six cents worth,

Fog

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Ken George

>Excellent suggestion John, I think I will do that.

Thanks,

Ken

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

JamieDonaldson

>Dan- I advise against a rotating headstock because of safety issues. When the headstock is rotated there is no secure tool rest or tailstock, and it leads to overloading with work larger than was intended for the lathe capacities.

The bigger Oneways don't need a rotating headstock

Peter Teubel

>The 1640 and the 24xx series have a threaded spindle on the outboard side (threaded the same as the inboard). Add a short bed extension to the end and you have a bowl lathe.

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Dave Peebles Lyons, Ohio!

>Hi Dan,

Like Peter said... I have a large Oneway with a fixed head. But I also have the short outboard bed. I almost always do the outside of the bowl or Hollow form on the inboard side, and move it to the outboard for the hollowing.

With the treads on the spindle cut right handed on both ends it is a great system.

It is like having a bowl lathe and spindle lathe in one package.

There are a ton of good lathes out there these days, but I wouldn't trade mine for any of them. Just figure out what you want to turn, and buy the best lathe for your needs.

Good luck,

Dave

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

Tug Fork Bob

>Dan

I have a Jet 1442 with the rotating head and use it on EVERY bowl and platter I turn. I find that it only has to be rotated about 20 degrees or so to make all the difference in the world with ease of hollowing the inside, plus the tool rest can still be used without the extension if you don't rotate it too far. I have had no problems with the swiveling headstock coming loose and it is a simple matter to realign when I move the headstock back. I have a spur drive that fits in my Supernova chuck and by using it, I don't even have to remove the chuck.

Bob

Re: Rotating Headstock questions

GeeSeaWhy

>I have the Nova DVR with the outrigger toolrest. A major reason I bought this lathe was the rotating head. I'm left handed but even if I work right handed, it's much easier to hollow a bowl with the head swung out than with me leaning over the lathe - and I have more control.

I disagree with the poster who said you don't have a solid toolrest with the head swung out. Obviously, you lose the tailstock support but the main safety issue is loss of balance because the blank is off to one side (unless you swing the head 180 degrees). Balance the blank as much as possible with the lathe off and if it still makes you nervous, don't do it.

Bottom line: if I were going to buy another lathe, I would be looking for one with a rotating headstock.

Graeme