On Sunday, 8 June 2003 21:20:05 UTC+1, RzB wrote:
I recently purchased a job lot of woodworking tools/machinery.
Amongst the bits was a Coronet Major. This is a lathe, table saw,
planer, thicknesser combination from the 60's "ish"... see pix.

http://www.oofus.com/pix/RBPics/Lathe-for-Web.jpg

The dilemma is - what to do with it? I am a complete newbie as
far as turning is concerned. I do not want to get heavily into
turning but would like a lathe for the odd time that it's needed.
I have no need of the saw table/thicknesser/planer.
Should I sell it?
Should I keep it - just for the lathe part?
Is this a suitable machine for a newbie?
Thanks,
Roy

Roy: As a wood turner of some 60 years experience I believe you have acquired the best all round lathe there is. I have had two Majors in my turning career, selling the first because we were short of space and regretting it ever since. So I bought another. If you are going to do turning you will need the saw table for converting stock into the dimensions you want. Unless you have the five-speed box don't bother with faceplate work. Stick to between centres turning or small items on a woodscrew chuck. Above all don't watch the dire videos on YouTube. I think they are wank videos for people with very strange wood fetishes. There is no such thing as a good lathe for a beginner - the better the lathe the better it is for any turner, expert or novice, and the Major is beautifully heavy and stable so ticks all my boxes making everything from newel posts to lace-making bobbins! I am about to draw the lovely phosphor-bronze bearing up slightly - I suspect the first time this has been done in its sixty years of use. Good luck with yours - find a local turner and ask if he will spare you an hour or two. We are mostly nice guys who like to pass on our skills. I know I do!