pP

[email protected] (Paul Jones)

12/02/2004 2:41 AM

newbie question: metal lathe - any use for woodworking

Good day to you all,

I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
"9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V

My question is:

Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?

If yes what should I look out for?

Thanks

In hope

Paul Jones


This topic has 6 replies

JC

John Crea

in reply to [email protected] (Paul Jones) on 12/02/2004 2:41 AM

12/02/2004 10:54 AM

Where you going to find 500 Volt power supply???

Bottom line, is that to a degree, YES you can use a metal lathe for
some wood turning, but considering that you can buy a woodlath for
from under $500 to well over $2000, you would probably be better off
with a dedicated woodlath

John

On 12 Feb 2004 02:41:21 -0800, [email protected] (Paul Jones) wrote:

>Good day to you all,
>
>I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
>"9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V
>
>My question is:
>
>Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?
>
>If yes what should I look out for?
>
>Thanks
>
>In hope
>
>Paul Jones

jJ

[email protected] (Jaimesummer)

in reply to [email protected] (Paul Jones) on 12/02/2004 2:41 AM

12/02/2004 7:37 AM

[email protected] (Paul Jones) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Good day to you all,
>
> I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
> "9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V
>
> My question is:
>
> Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?
>
> If yes what should I look out for?
>
> Thanks
>
> In hope
>
> Paul Jones

Paul,
Have made 50 pens on my ENCO metal lathe as well as other things.
The only problem is no standard tool rest. I can crudely shape the
wood by moving in x and y and then use sandpaper to smooth the curve.
It is really useful when you want a diameter to be constant over a
large distance (like a straight rolling pin) or want to precisely hit
a diameter or lateral distance. The slower speed is also not ideal,
but I smooth with sandpaper anyway.
jaime

jB

[email protected] (Bigpole)

in reply to [email protected] (Paul Jones) on 12/02/2004 2:41 AM

12/02/2004 9:25 AM

I know that Beall of The Beall Tool Company used big industrial metal
lathes in his woodworking business.

Ted


[email protected] (Paul Jones) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Good day to you all,
>
> I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
> "9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V
>
> My question is:
>
> Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?
>
> If yes what should I look out for?
>
> Thanks
>
> In hope
>
> Paul Jones

AD

Andy Dingley

in reply to [email protected] (Paul Jones) on 12/02/2004 2:41 AM

12/02/2004 8:33 PM

On 12 Feb 2004 09:25:13 -0800, [email protected] (Bigpole) wrote:

>> I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
>> "9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V

Boxfords are pretty well known (UK anyway) as they were typical
equipment in schools. As a result, almost every S/H Boxford I've ever
seen has been in dire condition. They're a useful size of lathe and
I'd prefer one to a Myford 7 (much cheaper too !), but be careful with
what you're buying. Check bed wear especially. That said though, they
are well made and survived school abuse pretty well.

>> Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?

You can turn metal on them, and the ability to turn metal is often a
very useful part of woodworking.

You can also turn small wooden pieces on them. You'll need to produce
some sort of toolrest, which is pretty easy. They'll never make a
_good_ woodturning lathe, as they're too small and inconvenient to use
(slow to change speed, access and centre height are somewhat less than
ideal for hand turning).

If you want a lathe and it's a good deal, then I'd recommend it.
You'll never regret having a lathe to hand.

If you want a woodturning lathe though, look at what's available as
entry-level lathes. There are some good deals around.

--
Smert' spamionam

Aw

"ATP"

in reply to [email protected] (Paul Jones) on 12/02/2004 2:41 AM

12/02/2004 11:37 AM

Paul Jones wrote:
> Good day to you all,
>
> I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
> "9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V
>
> My question is:
>
> Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?
>
> If yes what should I look out for?
>
Southbend's booklet "How to Run a Lathe" says you can. I have not tried it
because I use mine for metal, I'm not sure the two different uses will
coexist peacefully.

WL

"Wilson Lamb"

in reply to [email protected] (Paul Jones) on 12/02/2004 2:41 AM

12/02/2004 1:09 PM

Works great. You can use the toolpost and be as precise as you know how.
Wilson
"Paul Jones" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Good day to you all,
>
> I have an opportunity to buy an old 1960 metal lathe (boxford - The
> "9" swing screwcutting lathe)20A 500V
>
> My question is:
>
> Can metal lathes be used for woodworking?
>
> If yes what should I look out for?
>
> Thanks
>
> In hope
>
> Paul Jones


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