Craftsman Lathe

Re: Craftsman Lathe

JL

>The slippery slope. Does it come with tools? You will need a good starter set. You will need a good, heavy sturdy base with lots of ballast. You will also need a grinder, jigs, etc.

I am not familiar with that model in terms of specifications. If it has a reasonable spindle thread size, it may be worth buying.

Re: Craftsman Lathe

John Trant (Baltimore/DC area)

>I too am not familiar with this model of the Craftsman lathe but others on this site have been less than satisfied with Craftsman lathes. For this amount of money, I would suggest that you start out with a Jet varible speed mini lathe that can accept bed extensions (if you plan to turn any table legs, etc). With this said, I would wait for others who are familiar with your particular lathe to chime in before I would make a decision.

John

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Ron in Drums PA

>There is a reason this brand is mispronounced as Crapsman

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Ruth Niles

>Mickey,

I owned that Craftsman 15" lathe for, oh, about 2 days. Reasons I did not like it; it's gear driven, makes a lot (LOT) of noise. Also with gear driven, if you get a really bad catch, you could break something, belt driven, the belts just slip. If I remember correctly, the motor is behind the headstock and did interfere with something; either turning the headstock or using cole jaws or ?

A few turners love this lathe, they say it is loud but that doesn't bother them.

Don't know if this helps or not. I loved my first Craftsman lathe, it was a monotube and I wish I'd kept it just because. The suggestion to buy a Jet Mini (or other equally good mini) was a good one. I have one and love it.

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Sam Dean

>Piece of crap is an understatement. I had one for all of a week, turned 4 small bowls, chewed up the bearings, broke something (tool rest, I think) and took it back. It might be OK for a few spindles now and then, but that's it. Much better product with the Jet.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Mickey Elam

>What would be a reasonable spindle thread size?

Thanks,

Mickey

Re: Craftsman Lathe

JL

>Reasonable spindle thread size would be whatever has aftermarket adapters for chucks, aftermarket faceplates and other replacement parts. You have seen other peoples opinions of this particular model. I would say that it is not a good bargain.

The one thing I learned from my first lathe - don't buy cheap, buy quality. The Jet Minis are excellent first lathes, have good resale value and have a whole host of aftermarket accessories. Many people who have subsequently purchased bigger lathes have kept their Minis.

Loud? My ears are still ringing three years later

steve antonucci

>I suffered through that lathe for about a year, and it was terrible. I would personally give up turning before using it again.

Buy something used from someone looking to upgrade to a better lathe. All turners eventually move up in equipment...

Steve

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Donna Banfield

>I started with that lathe. It was a Christmas gift from the husband. It got me hooked on woodturning, despite it's shortcomings.

That said, I outgrew it in less than 6 months and upgraded to a Oneway. I also purchased the Jet mini, the older belt driven one, when Jet introduced their variable speed. I acquired it as a travel and demonstrating lathe, but do use it in my shop on a regular basis for teaching, turning small things, or when the Oneway is occupied.

Just my opinion, but I think the Craftsman lathe is intended for occasional turning of a table or chair leg -- basically spinde work. Anything more than that, like bowls or hollow forms and you're probably going to find it lacking.

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Duane C.Leach

>Please folks tell mickey what you realy think of the Craftsman lathe.

Duane

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Jerry Whitaker

>The post would get "deleted" in a heartbeat!!!

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Mickey Elam

>I'd just like to say thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I may have saved myself some grief by coming to all of you first. There seems to be a common theme of getting the Jet Mini lathe. I've definitely looked at one of those but haven't been too sure of the utility of on for anything larger than pen-sized projects. Anyone have some pointers in that area?

Thanks,

Mickey

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Jerry Whitaker

>Get the Mini Jet now and the VS if you can cut loose of the extra few bucks. Then if you ever want to upgrade, you will have such a small amount in this quality lathe that you will want to keep it. I have two stronghold chucks and one Talon chuck and also a spindle adapter. If I decide I want to move something from the Jet Mini to the PM, I can leave the piece in the 1 x 8 tpi chuck, screw on a spindle adapter on the PM and and mount it there and keep on going......best of both worlds.

Re: Craftsman Lathe

Ed in No.VA

>I have the Jet Mini VS. I will some day get a bigger lathe but for the past year it has been all I could hope for. One can do spindles, bowls, hollow forms and anything you could do on a bigger lathe only not as big of a piece. Less power means you have to really hone your technique, no power hogging. When I eventually get something bigger, the mini will also be in the shop. Pens? I guess you can I never tried one.