caster system for large lathes

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:55 pm

Craft Supplies is advertising a new caster system for large lathes called the Lift, Lock, and Roll. The price is $299. Sure makes the Shopsmith casters seem inexpensive in comparison.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store ... nerid=e260

Gary

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 9:09 pm

682 pounds of lathe that costs about as much as a shopsmith should come with casters cause how else are you going to move it in to the shop in the first place?

BTW shopsmith lift is $96.43, the new casters run you what about $40....

Ed

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:34 pm

A serious lathe should NOT be on wheels. You want total stability. If I have a big hunk of wood on there, I do not want anything on that lathe to be jiggling around, vibrating, etc. Just my opinion. Yeah, it makes moving one a bit of PITA. Life is compromises.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 12:55 pm

bobgroh wrote:A serious lathe should NOT be on wheels. You want total stability. If I have a big hunk of wood on there, I do not want anything on that lathe to be jiggling around, vibrating, etc. Just my opinion. Yeah, it makes moving one a bit of PITA. Life is compromises.

You did look at the link right?

Ed

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:39 am

I agree with Bob. No casters on a heavy lathe. In fact, the lathe should be leveled and anchored to a concrete floor.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 12:51 pm

pennview wrote:I agree with Bob. No casters on a heavy lathe. In fact, the lathe should be leveled and anchored to a concrete floor.

It looks to work just like the SS castors. Wheels down ya move, wheels up and the lathe legs set on the floor.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:22 pm

A powermatic 3520 weighs in at 630 pounds! I would not trust the stock SS casters with that much weight!

Of course if I were to purchase a powermatic 3520. It would be leveled and secured to the floor as I would be turning rather large pieces of wood on a regular basis and would prize stability and the improved accuracy that comes with it.

This is another Apples to Oranges comparison. You can not reasonably compare the SS mark5/7 lathe capability to a powermatic 3520. They are in entirely different leagues. While you can make a pen with both, turn 34" spindles on both and even turn 16" platters on both. I would not turn 16" platters on a SS lathe day in and day out with out modifications. The powermatic is designed for that kind of heavy lifting in a lathe. While the SS lathe is designed more for casual/light usage.

Can we please stop trying to compare the SS multi-function tool designed for the home hobbyist to Industrial Grade tools? They do not compare. Don't get me wrong, I love my '55 and would not part with it. But having danced with just a 10" piece of bowl blank, I can't imagine spinning 16" without a speed reducer, and a lot of weight tacked on. I would do it without hesitation on a powermatic 3520 though.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:38 pm

terrydowning wrote:A powermatic 3520 weighs in at 630 pounds! I would not trust the stock SS casters with that much weight!

Now WHY wood ya use the SS castors on a powermatic?

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:42 pm

This thread gets more confusing as it goes.... so is anyone following the price of tea in china?

Ed

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 2:47 pm

Yes -- http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/? ... &months=60