Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Mar 27, 2009 03:27am | #1

   I just saw the granite-bed lathe today in a Woodcraft circular. It will turn 27" between centers - I wonder if a bed extension is available to turn longer items (like furniture legs). Looks like a good deal for $319 with a 1/2hp motor.

    

   Sarge??????? Can you find out for us? 27" is a tiny bit too small for table legs (29"-30" would be the norm I think for a dining table)

    

   Lee

1. 
   Tony Z | Mar 27, 2009 03:36pm | #2

   The granite sure looks interesting!  I still question the use, though, on a bandsaw wheel and a lathe headstock--question is too strong a word, maybe wondering about the use!  Sarge:  can you help us out here? 

   Lee, that lathe also caught my eye and for the price may be a real deal.  It would be nice to see the details of the headstock construction.

   T.Z.

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 27, 2009 09:56pm | #4

   Afternoon Tony.. the use was simply a matter of they had access to a high grade black granite source close to their manufacturing facility in China.... so why not. I used the lower granite wheel (the upper is cast iron) at IWF. I can tell you this.. once balanced the wheel won't warp.. the increased weight over cast iron reduces vibration to basically nil. And... once that lower granite wheel comes to speed... the torque of the extra weight is highly increased which assist a smaller motor in heavy duty action.

   I am not a turner or lathe man so... I cannot comment at this point on the reason granite was used on that lathe. I attempted to get Jim Box on the phone to get me reason but.. he just left for a doctor's appointment. I will get with him Monday to find out as SC is closed tomorrow. And.. I will ask if he has any photos of the head-stock construction detail. That's the best I can do at the moment.

   I will get back Monday afternoon barring fire or flood. :>)

   Regards...

   Sarge..

1. 
   Tony Z | Mar 28, 2009 12:20am | #5

   Thanks Sarge,

   The granite sure sounds interesting and the price on that lathe looks real attractive....must not give in to the temptation!

   T.Z.

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 28, 2009 03:49am | #6

   I am familiar with the band-saw but not the lathe, Tony. The co-owner of the Nashville, TN. Woodcraft came down for the week of IWF and demo'ed the lathe along with some NOVA that Steel City put in the rear back of their booth. I got back when I could to find out what I could as frankly.. I don't know diddily squat about lathes.

   I hope to one day but.. I just don't have time now to stop building to explore them. I have a DW scroll saw I've had for 2 years but really never used until I built some small boxes (my first small boxes) recently. I had to learn that on a NOW basis as I wanted names on top as they were personal boxes for my wife and favorite niece. I did OK for a first go I suppose but will be better next time as I did learn a bushel basket full about it. Thrown in the pool and either swim or sink... :>)

   Sarge..

   
2. 
   mikeddd | Mar 28, 2009 05:41am | #7

   Very nice job for your first small boxes. It can only get better.

3. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 28, 2009 07:11am | #8

   I hope so Mike.. I've been building larger carcass furniture for 37 years and had no idea the challenge these little items present as... where to locate the hidden hinge pin.. etc. But.. I at least have clues next time and did build a miter spline jig that rides my TS fence.. and a vertical taper jig that does the same so that will avoid stopping and doing it the next shot.

   Thanks for the compliment...

   Sarge..

   Edited 3/28/2009 12:12 am ET by SARGEgrinder47

2. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 28, 2009 06:56pm | #9

   Sarge,I'm curious to see what Jim has to say, but the biggest reason I see to have a granite bed is to prevent rusting. Rust is a real enemy to anyone who turns green wood. Some companies offer stainless steel beds to cope with this problem. I'm wondering if the granite will be reinforced and how it will take the forces transferred to it from the toolrest.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

1. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 28, 2009 07:13pm | #10

   Just caught your post as I was heading down to the shop, Chris. I know that rust is one of the major reasons... and combined with their already developed technology using granite may be the main factor other than this mini lathe weights 161 pounds which is a vibration reduction factor also.

   And I do believe the granite bed is re-enforced as most of the granite products are but... this is just an educated guess and I will include that with my questions. Woodcraft has them for $319 but so does Highland Woodworking (formerly Hardware) down the street as they are now a local Atlanta distributor. I may go there tomorrow and will have a fresh look along with call Jim Monday.

   Off to the shop.. glue-ups door hanging and drawers for the next two days.

   Sarge..

   Edited 3/28/2009 12:14 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 30, 2009 08:28pm | #11

   I just spoke with Jim Box over technical as he was in a meeting with Scott Box the president of SC. The main reason for granite indeed was.. the rust factor and too add weight to the lathe as we guessed. As far as an extention.. not at this moment.

   But... I would keep my eyes open as the Las Vegas AWFS Show coming up soon and the Atlanta IWF is where new things get revealed. They are kept very hush-hush until those in many cases as the media coverage is far greater at those two monster Shows. So... what you see today can change in what you see tomorrow.

   If I missed any questions that were ask... post to me as I was going on memory from Friday.

   Opps... for Tony... there are no head stock diagrams available that can be printed as they currently reside at the Steel City manufacturing plant in China. If you have a Woodcraft nearby.. you might want to drop by and have a look as I did just yesterday picking up some drawer slides.

   Regards...

   Sarge..

   Edited 3/30/2009 1:31 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47

3. 
   Tony Z | Mar 30, 2009 09:32pm | #12

   Thanks Sarge,

   Later this week, I'll be in Harrisburg, PA for the Fine Tool Journal sale and auction.  I'm sure I'll find time to slip away from vintage tools and stop by the Harrisburg Woodcraft. 

   That SC lathe, for $319.00 sure looks interesting and the weight of it would surely be an advantage over the competition!  The whole concept of granite and the increasing application of it, sure is intriquing.

   T.Z.

4. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 30, 2009 11:33pm | #13

   I don't have a lathe as I stay buried in carcass work Tony but... I am also considering the granite bed lathe as eventually I would love to do some pen turning. But.. I am afraid to check the price of turning tools.. classes as I don't have a clue.. etc. etc... That's kind of a scary thought with the economy as it is.

   All I know about turning was my experiences back in 1963 in HS Wood shop... they had a monster lathe and I would turn for an hour of class. I wasn't making a thing... simply just loved to see those shaving fly off the stock and smell the saw-dust. ha.. ha... ha.. ha..ha..

   Regards and good luck acquiring some "big-urn" at the show...

   Sarge..

2. 
   SARGEgrinder47 | Mar 27, 2009 09:43pm | #3

   Lee... when I demo'ed at IWF there was no extension. The 27" is what you get unfortunately. They had considered doing a mini in granite and decided to go Midi. I just got off the line with SC and Jim Box (over technical and my contact as I don't bother his brother Scott the president) just left for a doctors appointment. I will call him Monday and have him relay that several have mentioned an extension which will be taken into consideration.

   Keep in mind this is brand new and these kind of questions are just popping up. So.. if enough request they take into consideration and make a decision based on demand.

   Regards...

   Sarge..

   Edited 3/27/2009 2:57 pm ET by SARGEgrinder47