Not a great machine,I agree, but no worse than many of the “offerings” from the 1950/1960, s when your 1/4″ drill was supposed to do everything except lay blocks for your new workshop !

Well I remember !  I have a Clarke wood lathe from Machine Mart which is not much better !

Now to balance the books, as it were, I recently picked up a 25mm mic for believe it or not, 5 Euros, which has proved to be dead on when compared to Chester offerings. I have also bought many sets of drills there which have never failed so I suppose it,s just the luck of the draw, although I was never impressed by any of their benchsaws, which I regarded as junk.

As my dear Granny used to say, “Horses for courses ”

PS, I,m waiting to see when they will offer a metal turning lathe, 150mm centre ht x 1000mm bed length, screwcutting, of course !

Watch their space !

We bought our daughter’s boyfriend one of these last year as he wanted to try wood turning. Despite people’s negative and dismissive comments about them, it is surprisingly good. Obviously, you are not going to get a Coronet or Record standard machine for £70.00, but it has got him started. He had never used a lathe before, but has turned out some really nice work on it. Admittedly, the tool rest fractured as it is cast alloy, but other than that, it is proving to be very good. Back-up service from Lidl is excellent.

Yes: it could be better, but it would cost more and be less accessible as a starter machine. I would cheerfully buy another, were I to need one myself.

James.

On 4 August 2024 at 18:39 Mark Rand Said:

And I thought the Myford ML8 was a fairly lightweight wood turning lathe 😀

As a former owner I wouldn’t argue with this but the late Peter Child used one to good effect – see his book The Craftsman Wood Turner.

They can be had cheaply today and I think would be a far better entry-level machine.

On 5 August 2024 at 11:46 ega Said:

On 4 August 2024 at 18:39 Mark Rand Said:

And I thought the Myford ML8 was a fairly lightweight wood turning lathe 😀

As a former owner I wouldn’t argue with this but the late Peter Child used one to good effect – see his book The Craftsman Wood Turner.

They can be had cheaply today and I think would be a far better entry-level machine.

Except that at £200 or so, they are more than twice the price; means that a novice to machine tools needs to research vintage equipment; and is buying something old and of unknown condition. At least the Parkside machine is complete,  if limited, and readily available. It also copes with surprisingly well with large lumps of hard timber.

James

Just out of curiosity. How many people here have actually used one of the Parkside lathes?

For those with a Facebook account, Steve Jones is worth a follow; I’ve still got my Dad’s lathe to set up yet, learn to use, and then complete the bowl he started.

https://www.facebook.com/TheWoodturners

He also has an occasional Youtube channel

Bill

On 6 August 2024 at 10:30 Dalboy Said:

… also when you decide to upgrade if you want to progress to a more capable machine then reselling it will be harder.

As a woodturner, I personally would tell people to avoid this machine, and buy one at least with a good resell value. That way at least you will get a reasonable return if it is not for you. …

Can’t agree with the resale idea!   Only makes sense if the machine is of high-value in the first place, and this lathe is £65 from Lidl,  perhaps half that second-hand.

I see it as a starter lathe, ideal for a learner wanting a cheap educational entry, and happy to throw the thing away if it doesn’t perform.

I never buy tools as an investment.   Main reason is I don’t want to land my children with a ‘is this junk worth anything?’ problem when I die.  After I’ve got value from my workshop, they can put the whole lot in a skip.

The rules depend on the game being played.  Anyone serious about wood-turning is unlikely to equip a workshop with tools bought from a cost-cutting supermarket!  I don’t advise that.  But the Parkside is a reasonable start for explorers, perhaps ‘good enough’ for their simple needs, or leading them on to greater things.

Dave

I haven’t used one and have no great wish to do so.

But it occurs to me that an experienced turner would be far less likely to damage this lathe (eg the tool-rest) than a beginner for whom digs and catches are inevitable. Think Frank Pain “cutting wood as it prefers to be cut” and Richard Raffan’s emphasis on avoiding axial pressure.

Incidentally, the ML8 rest is cast iron, I think, but the banjo, which has been known to break, is aluminium.

Watching that video and seeing the “demontrator” putting a rough,square, piece of wood in the lathe and try to cut it ,made me cringe!  I would have expected him to know to take all the corners off first, before putting it in the lathe and keep stalling the motor.

Keith.

On 6 August 2024 at 10:30 Dalboy Said:

It may get someone started, but the odd spindle size is enough to put some off buying one

Except you would not know this or realise the limitations until after it has been bought.

We bought it on the spur of the moment, without a lot research. I have often found that doing research into new tools leads to indecisiveness and confusion. Everyone has their own opinions and preferences, as do I, and all tools are a compromise between cost, features, quality and longevity.

Ultimately, the lathe is proving capable, my daughter’s boyfriend is delighted with it and has turned out some really nice things on it. He is completely self-taught, having watched Youtube videos and we would never have bought him anything dearer as we were not certain that he would appreciate it.

James

. I have often found that doing research into new tools leads to indecisiveness and confusion….

How true, and in the context you describe, this tool is a perfectly valid choice. It is now quite a step up in cost for even  the most basic  far eastern 8×12 and 12×16 wood lathes and a bit of a quality minefield.  Meanwhile, you have helped introduce someone to a new interest they clearly enjoy. In time they will decide where their speciality lies and equip themselves accordingly.

Now, can someone tell me where I can get that short bed fully loaded Union Graduate for £65 quid please….