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 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.

Works great. You can use the toolpost and be as precise as you know how.
Wilson
"Paul Jones" wrote in message
om...
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 Jones) wrote in message . com...
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

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, (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

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

Ted


(Paul Jones) wrote in message . com...
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

On 12 Feb 2004 09:25:13 -0800, (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