Lathe

[rcf]

I've been turning on my SS510 for over twenty years, never replaced the quill, and I've turned more than a couple of trees to chips and dust. I've never had any problems, and it is as good as my dedicated lathe (back when I had a whole basement shop). I've turned everything from bowls, to table legs, to pens. I don't have a speed reducer (yet). In my opinion it's a good lathe, admittedly not as good as one of the newer more expensive Nova's or other such lathes, but good enough. Just my two cents worth!

[fjimp]

I have no problems turning with the Mark V. Due to its versatility one needs to be certain everything is lined up appropriately. My first SS520 was new. Everything lined up perfectly. The chisels were dull which gave me fits until I learned to sharpen them. Hey even today as the chisels dull my turning suffers. My second Mark V was purchased used. I have invested a fair amount of time getting everything properly aligned and balanced. The prior owner thought it was a poor machine. Had he taken time to understand and assemble it properly he would have loved it as much as I do.

I don't care it it is a Mark V or any other brand of lathe, if you take time to learn the basics of turning or for that matter any other use of a machine you will enjoy success. If not your time and efforts are wasted.

This morning I installed a lift assist on my second SS520. My wife was kind enough to help me lift the headstock into the Vertical position prior to the install. Man that is heavy. After I completed the install I checked lowering and lifting it. Then I invited her in to try her hand. After she lifted it with one hand and lowered it back down she stood with me admiring my pair of SS520's sitting proudly next to each other. She noted one was a 50th anniversary edition model. She walked around the other and then asked which one I bought first. She was surprised to hear the 50th Anniversary model was the second one. When it came home it was a mess. Now they are identical except for the date of manufacture labels and the 50th Anniversary medallion. I am proud they look alike as they should. Both are ready to take on any task asked of them and complete it as well as the talken or lack thereof assumed by the operator.

Recently a good friend asked me to turn a replacement part for an antique wooden clock. I allowed myself the luxury of becoming nervous and my first effort was a failure. The second effort was a different story. First we penciled an outline of of the required dimensions onto the block, then I placed a picture of the desired part and a similar part from the clock on the workbench behind my lathe as references. Then used calipers frequently using care I did not surpass the depths of cut. The results were pleasing to the eye.

I tend to believe those who sell the Mark V short as a lathe have falling short in their preparation efforts. I say go for it enjoy your tools and learn the art of turning, it is after all a blast. fjimp

[a1gutterman]

Shopsmith is very versatile I heard a friend describe it as the total gym of woodworking. If you don't know what the total gym is it's the machine Chuck Norris advertises on TV.

I do knot know about the rest of you, but I prefer to think the Total Gym is being sold by Chuck's co-host, Christie Brinkley .