PARKSIDE WOOD TURNING LATHE - IS THIS GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?

User review of the Parkside wood lathe PDM600 B2, is this the best wood lathe for a beginner wood turner? How do you decide if you actually want to take up wood turning as a hobby or not? I found the first few hours of using the chisels to be a scary and daunting experience. (and I have been using power tools all my working life). You can try to join a club and hope someone will let you spend hours practicing on their lathe, or you can buy a cheap lathe to learn and practice on. Is the Parkside lathe from Lidl a good choice?
I practiced on my lathe for several weeks and managed to make a few really nice things before reviewing the machine. I bought a set of carbide wood turning chisels from Amazon and this greatly aided my progress (Link below).
Wood turning is a fascinating and absorbing hobby and I think it is well worth a bit of effort to learn if this is the hobby for you.

[@MrBrendy58]

Thank you for taking the time to show your introduction to wood turning using the Parkside lathe, I found it very interesting and will soon start into the hobby.👍

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mort2k]

I've been watching most of your parkside reviews, and they are so good! The calm and reflected way you present the item in review, also that you take a good amount of time to thoroughly test it makes the presentation very informative. Keep them coming!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

I am glad you enjoy my reviews, thank you!

[@kelvinsparks4651]

Thank you for your honest review , I saw one at my local store this evening , i hummed and harred at getting it but seeing how it struggled for power I don't think it's for me . Many thanks for your time in making this video.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad I could help!

[@spoonangelmakes42]

Just bought mine yesterday. I a pole lathe that needs a lot of leg muscle and really fancied an electric lathe so when hubby spotted this one he got it for me. Can't wait to have a go. Your review was very helpful and honest. Thank you x

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

You are very welcome

[@SOOONJE]

I like your videos, you speak clearly and explain great and there is no stupid music that just disturbs you in the background. Thank you.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thank you for watching!

[@marianslavescu46]

I purchased one lathe like this about one month ago, but didn't use it as it is still quite cool weather in my country and I do not have yet any heating means in my workshop. Your review was very helpful for me and I appreciate the fact that you've been very honest. It's hard to find tutorials for beginners as almost all people posting such, are having in view more or less experienced workers. So, thank you again for the review.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bayadere8308]

A fair and thorough appraisal as usual Steve, thanks. As for finding the chisel use to be a 'scary and daunting experience', well, none of us is as young as we were yesterday. At least we can call ourselves wise now.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Every time I am frightened now, I shall call myself wise! Thanks for this cheers!

[@williamkilpatrick101]

For someone who said he had never done any wood turning before this is a really good video. I really rate him for his work in learning as much as he could before completing the video. Saying that. The machine quality and noise I think would tend to put beginners off. It seemed to be well above 80 decibels. I bought a cast iron belt driven one as my first lathe and I enjoy using it because it is very quiet and rock solid. He is also right about getting a head stock and tail stock chuck for this machine. Also as was said a pen making mandrel also needs a Morse taper which this doesn't have further limiting its use. My advice would be to get the best quality lathe you can afford either new or used and then build up the tools as you can afford them.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi William, I do agree with everything you say ( thank you for the kind comments) however I also think that this machine is worthy of consideration for absolute beginners on cost alone, better still try to find a second hand one. A few hours on this will tell you if it is the hobby for you, then buy a good lathe! Cheers

[@daveg1250]

I just left Lidl and was thinking of buying the last one they had for £65. I am watching your video to help make up my mind on whether to go back and buy it or not

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad I could help

[@nazzakashieern]

Thank you dear sir I really bought it just for fin works not as a craft, it is good for extra tool in my personal workshop, I learned alot from you thanks again🙂🙏🙂

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

You are welcome

[@paulwestlake4278]

Hi Steve, I just bought one of these last week. That’s a nice little review, and coincides with my first opinion, though I haven’t had time to try it out yet. You can buy an 18mm/1 1/8” adapter which will fit a bowl clamp or chuck. My thought was to produce a few items I currently have to beg my bowl turning mate to make for me, rather than become a wood turner myself. We’ll see about that...

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thanks for sharing

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Enjoy your new lathe, I am sure you will soon become expert!

[@markduggan3451]

I've just bought one and have made some pens with a mandrel. It's a reasonable piece of machinery.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

well done!

[@williamflynn7468]

I really enjoyed your review. Very honest, informative and thorough. You should give a course on how to give a review. Really great, thanks!!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thebarleymow]

A very complete and useful review. Thank you.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad it was helpful!

[@marcs265]

Very useful. Thank you for taking the time to make this. A very concise and interesting video. Going to get one tomorrow to see if it is something I wish to pursue.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Have fun!

[@blizteredthumbs7911]

Much respect for your honesty review. These are on clearance at the minute and I pondered about grabbing one. You've scared me away now, it looks in reality a nasty piece of kit. Unstable, vibration, juddering etc. I think when it comes to this kind of machine.. get it right or don't bother. I think I'd spend more thanks to you. Cheers

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Ok, glad it helped you decide. Cheers!

[@stupottrotter5134]

A very truthful and interesting review, I feel inspired....thank you. Keep the video's coming . All the best.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thank you! Will do!

[@stepheneurosailor1623]

Well produced and presented.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thank you

[@williamsdad2000]

Good even-handed assessment, thank you.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garytracey1690]

Just picked one up great review, i don't like ghe chisels they gave but i have my own gouges i use for carving as a hobby but since my left arm doesn't work very well since an accident in a stone wall collapse on me , but im into trying all new things went from been a chef to stone mason now woid carving so much lighter

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Always keep trying new things, well done, enjoy the turning!

[@george-ev1dq]

bought one yesterday in a lidl warehoused sale, works a treat for only £34

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Brilliant buy for 34 squids!

[@AramKaptein]

Great review, just bought it i can't wait to start using it.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Have fun!

[@andreazecchi812]

Very good explaination. Fantastic, the best on youtube. Thanks!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hughtempleton8640]

Great video thanks for sharing your practice video with us. ❤

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

You are very welcome!

[@c2rail]

Great video! I enjoyed your review of this lathe. I like your tool reviews but also like watching you work the stones as well. Maybe you can continue doing the reviews and intersperse them with some stonecarving videos. I've thought about purchasing a lathe, but I'm not quite ready to go there yet. Maybe one day. I'm in Texas and I'm not sure how easy it would be for me to find a Parkside tool, but I'm sure there are similar tools out there available in the States. We have a chain of stores here called Harbor Freight that might have something equivalent. Anyway...thanks for another great video. I'm always looking forward to seeing your videos. Keep 'em coming!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi Larry, I have a whole load of stone carving vids planned but life and the grandchildren keep interfering in the video making! They will come soon I hope. Cheers!

[@daybreak404]

Good video, appreciated the focused, concise style. Would love to see another video about if you furthered your study on this machine or whether it inspired you to buy a better lathe.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi, I have not been able to do any workshop stuff for a few months and it will be a bit before I am back out in my beloved workshop. But when I do I intend to do more on this machine to see how much can actually be done on it. The jury is still out on whether I will buy a better machine and continue with wood turning, so many things I want to try! All the best!

[@darrensmith141]

Great video, well presented. Nice to have a honest opinion. You look like you smashed wood turning, very impressive

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@johnnylong8821]

Great review mate, thanks!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

No problem 👍

[@saolairde396]

Great review thank you 🙏

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

My pleasure!

[@tinkmarshino]

Hello again Steve.. amazing little lathe you have there. I used to have an old lathe back in the stone age when I was doing just wood working.. This is a great little 'Lets see what wood turning is about" lathe. Kind of shaky and a little weak.. but as you say a good buy. Especially with that underpowered motor.. some of those better lathes are less forgiving and if they grab a chisel out of your hand something bad is gonna happen. I have had my daughter and her kids here for the last part of the summer.. they moved back to Washington state from Florida so my little shop had been turned into a small dresser and storage area.. I don't mind though I get my grand babies with me for awhile.. until they get there place.. Which I am afraid will be soon now.. Good to see you looking well my friend.. take care.. good informative video!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Grandchildren are just the best thing in life aren't they? Good point about more powerful lathes being less forgiving. Keep well my friend! Cheers

[@stoner1916]

Thank you for the review!!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

You are very welcome!

[@northumbriabushcraft1208]

I saw this in my local lidl, im now spending time watching reviews of it to see if i should get it, or go get a different tool. Btw, i couldnt see if youdnt clamped it/screwed it to your bench, perhaps thats why it was wobbling? Just a thought. Nice video though, ive jusy subbed 😊

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi, it was securely screwed to bench and still wobbled.

[@richardpearce5424]

Steve, in the first bit you mention the possibility of heat/smell as it is direct drive rather than belt. Did this materialize?

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi Richard, soon after making this video I had a few health issues and have not used the lathe since, so I truthfully cannot say if this is an issue. I am fully back in the saddle now and may start using the lathe again though I am currently concentrating on stone carving. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[@dutchbeef8920]

You can get thread convertors for these for standard chucks

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thank you for the info!

[@stephen9040]

Impartial and well balanced. Thanks

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thanks for watching!

[@paulloften9558]

Thank you . ❤

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

You're welcome 😊

[@Stephen_Strange]

Just about to buy the newer PDM 600 C3 next week.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Best of luck!

[@bkDmitry]

Do you like it? Pdm 600 c3....

[@johnsavage248]

great video review, thanks

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kevinpeterstrelley1334]

What's the difference between the one you used and pdm 600 c3? Thank you. I enjoyed your video.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

sorry I don't know the answer to that! From the pictures I have seen the newer version has the speed control dial moved to the left a bit more out of the way but apart from that I can see no difference. best of luck!

[@kevinpeterstrelley1334]

@thestonecraftingworkshop7490 are there any other videos that you made on wood turning?

[@jpswift70]

Nice video, thanks.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Glad you liked it!

[@arienaroode8974]

Thank you so much for this demonstration. It’s really helpful. I can’t Deen to fond that amazone link for the chisels. Would yiu kind sharing that (again)?

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

problem with chinese made goods generally is they are now very unreliable supply lines.

[@OOAK-Ireland]

link below where?

[@roberthardy3090]

That grating of plastic on aluminium would drive me nuts, maybe some ptfe spray would help.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

ok

[@MadZprod23]

Cracking video Mate, could you send a link to the chizzels you purchased please

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi This is the Amazon link where I bought my chisels. The same set is available from other amazon sellers. amzn.to/3xuSjIr best of luck with your turning, I hope to be back in the workshop soon and make more videos about this machine.

[@MadZprod23]

Thanks so much, I bought the lathe yesterday and this weekend I'm clearing out my shed and building a large work station for the lathe

[@ELPaso1990TX]

I have one of these and it is annoying that you can’t have drill chuck on the tail stock. I’m wondering if it’s possible to salvage a tail stock from another lathe one that’s for spares or repair and somehow fit that tail stock spindle attachment onto the parkside lathe?

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

I am really not sure if that would be possible, if you do try this let me know how you get on. best of luck !

[@keithnewton5508]

The main downside that I see with this is that it can't be easily set up for pen/stopper turning because that would be something that this might be good for. The lack of power and instability make it unsuitable for turning anything with much mass but it is more than I was expecting considering the price. If I had the room I would consider getting one just to use for sanding and polishing things that I turned on my other lathe because that can be kind of messy. Just a little FYI the tool rest holder thingy is called a "banjo" 🪕 Thanks

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Hi, thank you for this thoughtful appraisal, I agree with everything said. I had come across the term "Banjo" i just couldn't bring it to mind Doh!

[@georgebarnes8163]

They are only as good as the bench they are fixed to, I bolted my base to a 300mm x 100mm rectangle steel section, makes the whole machine a lot more rigid and accessible.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

true, mine is bolted to a very rigid timber bench, I would not like to use it on anything less sturdy. Cheers!

[@goodie2shoes]

I toss the book with words aside and simply watch this before I attempt to use it

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thank you and take care!

[@markopolo5695]

Does anyone know if there is a chuck to fit these lathes

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

I think not, if someone knows differently please let us know!

[@Steve-dr7rr]

Can I ask how much are they cheers

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

I am not totally sure as this was bought as a gift for me. But I believe they are around £80- £90. Best of luck!

[@stanley626]

In a word junk…. It will put you off wood turning rather than attract you to the wonderful world of wood turning.

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Bit harsh but maybe also a bit true. Cheers.

[@JasonSmith-uk7zh]

This is a rubbish lathe full stop. Do not buy its a total waste of money it is a flimsy under powered pice of junk. There old lathe was OK to start woodturning on I don't know why they changed it for this junk. I have been a preduction turner for 20 years and believe me when I say!! this has no place in your woodturning journey!!!!

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

It's cheap.

[@scarlettardis2018]

👍

[@thestonecraftingworkshop7490]

Thank you!