How I Chose My New Lathe + 3 Lathe Projects

Recently I realised my lathe was too big for the space I had available, and as I don't use it all that often, it made sense to look for a smaller model.
For 5% off any LumberJack product visit www.lumberjack... and use the promo code RAGNBONE
KB Oil Wax (Food Safe) available on my Etsy store: keithbrownmake... I only have a few pots left...
My Chuck is the Charnwood Viper 2: amzn.to/3ZsECXK (Amazon UK) geni.us/TMIi4 (Amazon Worldwide)
Choosing A Table Saw • Choosing My New Table Saw
Choosing A Compressor • Which Air Compressor? ...
Choosing A Dust Extractor • Choosing A New Dust Ex...
LumberJack TS1800 Table Saw Review • LUMBERJACK TS1800 TABL...
Here are the lathes I compare in the video:
Axminster AW305WL amzn.to/48kbo15 (Amazon UK) geni.us/AIwIx9 (Amazon Worldwide)
Charnwood W824 amzn.to/3ZmuL5D (Amazon UK) geni.us/4BauXhL (Amazon Worldwide)
Clarke CWL460
LumberJack VSL305 amzn.to/3F5ryhD (Amazon UK) geni.us/NmbNJ (Amazon Worldwide)
LumberJack WL305 amzn.to/3LuOCtJ (Amazon UK) geni.us/7E1H (Amazon Worldwide)
Record Power DML305
Rutlands R1
Rutlands R2
SIP 01936 amzn.to/45PXBh7 (Amazon UK) geni.us/xyWk5y1 (Amazon Worldwide)
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[@m0aze611]

It only seems like 5 minutes ago I was watching you build then modify your first workshop. What a journey and thanks for sharing. Kindest regards Mike

[@M4rkle]

My vote goes to keeping any mistakes in your videos. Not because of any schadenfreude, but because we all make mistakes. Plus, it makes me feel less bad when I think about the mistakes I've made in my own DIY projects :)

[@garymiller1216]

great video, with good detailed content, the tool rest handle looks to have a screw and spring at the end, this will allow you to pull it away, re position it and let it back to re tighten a nut underneath, think of the handle as a spanner, so you could turn 90' pull turn back 90' without loosening the clamp !! a lot of tools have this feature

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yes I am aware of this. I have them on my planer fence too

[@ianvicedomini2648]

The lathe looks like a good purchase and for it's occasional use, I'd definitely consider one myself Keith as i like the variable speed without having to necessarily repositioning the belt. Nice bit of turning and great video mate.

[@eggycat]

Very nice pieces. Wouldn’t mind seeing you build the rattles in another video.

[@rodpotts2666]

My father told me to always buy the heavy one.

[@allthegear-noidea1264]

I’ve held back in adding a lathe to my shop for two reasons, the main one is because of space, I don’t have any room for it and I think I’d prioritise a drum sander if trying to rearrange to fit it in. But secondly, I’m not sure I’d be any good at. You do make it look easy though. Maybe I just need a bigger shop. PS can’t believe you broke the yolk… 😂

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Haha yeah I was gutted I broke the yolk!!

[@cuebj]

Not difficult. Watch videos, get a book or two. I was doing pretty heavy-duty lathe work, much bigger than this video, age 15 at school in 1970. Learn to sharpen your chisels

[@-Benedict]

Wait, there are people who don't break the yolk?

[@robcurran1566]

I've not got that particular Charnwood (I have the mini version) but looking at the pictures it seems to me that on the Charnwood the belt drive is encased behind the headstock (the black casing at the rear) rather than the belt being within the headstock like the Lumberjack. The pictures show the Charnwood headstock extending beyond the cast iron leg, with the Lumberjack being set further back along the bed. Perhaps that accounts for the 90+mm difference???

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Quite possibly! 👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Interestingly though, the axminster also has that style of enclosed headstock and yet the turning capacity is longer.... 🤔

[@tom849448]

@@RagnBoneBrown I have the axminster lathe i am going to have measure it now

[@robcurran1566]

@@RagnBoneBrown Perhaps somebody forgot the golden "measure twice" rule before posting the specs 😂

[@TheWardagh]

I’m looking at lathes myself at the moment! Great timing. My biggest worry is how messy it might be. Is it a lot to clean up? Is there much dust created? Thanks, great video and really nice bowl

[@RagnBoneBrown]

It's very messy, and very dusty especially when sanding! But great fun

[@TheWardagh]

@@RagnBoneBrown thanks!

[@cuebj]

Both. Plus point - it's not so much fine dust - more solid... until the sanding starts! He's using a top-level full head helmet, eg Trend. You should get one, not cheap, it's why I don't turn anymore

[@TheWardagh]

@@cuebj thanks

[@homewurks1]

I'm surprised you didn't consider the lathe from Lidl - it's less than £100

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Too big

[@detroutspinners9933]

The reviews of that all seem to say it’s noisy and underpowered. For £100 more you may as well buy a decent make

[@matthiasweigel311]

Most bachelor meal ever....even if married!

[@mikehindley3]

Fried egg butty 👍🏼

[@liammiller3395]

I feel a spreadsheet coming

[@soylentgreen326]

Everyone loves a spreadsheet ❤

[@ashleystringer7531]

Hi Ashley hire I like the chanl and your got the lumberjack mini lathe I no you been after new planer thicknesser I think you going to a new lumberjack planer thicknesser as

[@robertwithington7594]

No

[@c.a.g.1977]

12:07 What, no DIY butcher block style cutting board?? Love your approach to buying new tools, Keith. Think I've seen all of your spreadsheet videos, and they are a very clever way to really help to decide.

[@tworiversworkshop6111]

Another great video! I had been considering buying the Record Power lathe, but seeing your spreadsheet, the Lumberjack seems a better bet. Can you tell me what make and model of chuck you have? Years back I used to make gourd rattles and pearl barley works very well, gives a good sound and in case of breakage is perhaps a safer option. Thanks again.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

My chuck is a viper 2

[@tworiversworkshop6111]

Thanks `i'll bookmark that one.@@RagnBoneBrown

[@michaelwillson6847]

​@@tworiversworkshop6111if it helps I've recently got the vevor 3.75" 4 jaw chuck for the same lathe works really well.

[@tworiversworkshop6111]

@@michaelwillson6847 Thank you.

[@michaelwillson6847]

@@tworiversworkshop6111 no worries

[@robertmcduff3312]

The lever style locking levers are normaly designed with a spring around the thread this allows you to move into a locking position without having to make a full revolution if you pull the lever along the thread it will ratchet so you can reposition the lever and continue to lock the lever by letting go so it can relocate on the internal teeth. Then continue until the part is locked securely.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I am aware of that, but it's still fiddly and frustrating in use

[@tonyjover]

@@RagnBoneBrown I guess you could try changing the tool height lever to a knob. They're cheap enough to make it worth a try.

[@Lord-Panda2112]

I'm normally not interested in lathes but the video was very interesting. The spreadsheet option is very logical and the cookery segment was very funny. I enjoyed this thanks for sharing!

[@barryirby8609]

I bought a short bed lathe (Nova) mostly for bowls and then wanted to turn table legs. Bought a bed extension and bolted it on the end with any other support. Been just fine for many years.

[@chenderson5490]

Great video. I'm also dying to know the distance difference. Can you pin the comment if one arrives? Or vlog update.... Nosy minds need to know!!! 😅

[@qapla]

I find on my Rikon midi lathe that, when the banjo and tool rest handles conflict, I can just put the handle of the banjo in the other direction, and it will lock down just fine. The tool rest handle only locks in one direction since it is threaded - the banjo will lock in both directions since it is a cam-lock.

[@RB-wl7ct]

I class that as abuse of a good gouge. Brutal. May as well use crude scrapers. Otherwise a useful vlog but I will stick with my old Record thanks.

[@paulharrison4849]

Hello Keith , great video thank you, I bought the same lathe with your discount thanks again What did you use to attach the bowl as I would like to give that a go too Thanks Paul

[@jackastbury]

Second hand on Facebook is your friend here, most turners are old and they have a high turnover rate.....😂

[@Andy-te6jj]

why not swapping the tool rest handle to a machine screw and use a Spanner (ratched one) or T-handle?

[@northernworks]

Latest videos are looking great, Keith - not sure what you've changed with your set up but it's super crispy. Glad you're enjoying yourself in that workshop too!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you mate! New camera, 4k, slowly getting to grips with colour grading and shooting in raw for better dynamic range. No one else seems to have noticed though, so I really appreciate your comment!!! ♥️

[@northernworks]

@@RagnBoneBrown haha, it's often the way, but I guarantee others will have noticed, even if they don't quite know what's changed. As a viewer, I appreciate your extra effort. As a fellow film-maker, I'm trying to work out how you've made it look so good!

[@glueupsscrewups]

Come now, we know you chose it because it's red ;-)

[@teresabell1014]

Nice lathe..all great projects. I like how you decide what the best tool is for your needs.

[@eegaugh]

The Lumberjack style tool rest is theoretically better than the round section Charnwood item where the fulcrum for the tool varies according to its angle to the work. A hard rest is obviously desirable but this can be achieved with the cast type with the use of a "chill" in the mould.

[@garrytyler359]

Hi Kieth, I'm going to try my hand at wood turning, this video was extremely helpful as I'd whittled it down to the same two.. I'm now going to buy a Lumberjack.... I would also be interested in what tools / chuck / sets you would recommend for someone starting out... New video maybe ? 😁

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Strangely that will be answered in the video that will be published 5pm today 👍

[@michaelwillson6847]

Ps can we have more videos of you doing turning projects and how to videos on it. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@WoodworkJourney]

That’s a cute and decent looking lathe!

[@Marcus_Caius]

If you want a round rest tool, find a local machinist. It's easy and cheap to make 👍

[@MsRmaclaren]

Here in the U.S. We have Shop Smith. I have a 1947 10ER that I rebuilt. I have about $200 in it for parts, including a 4 jaw chuck. It can turn table legs, which I do fairly often. It has a speed changer on it as well. I only use it as a lathe and serves quite well for bowls and replacement furniture parts. I'm chuffed over saving it from the scrap bin and giving it a new life.

[@jake_a_g]

Now... I noticed the cinematic mode video... not sure how I feel, but I definitely don't think it adds anything. I'll hold off judgement for the moment.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Cinematic mode??

[@elrerex255]

But you use a plastic cutting board, tsss. 🤔

[@johnpettitt896]

Hi, which chuck did you use please?

[@davetay44]

Great, now I want a Lathe, better add it to the ever growing list of tools I have no use for, but still want. Thanks Keith 😂

[@cobberpete1]

I think you are right, they are all made in the same factory. The lathe I use at local Fairs for Demonstrations is the same as yours but a different 'Colour' LOL. The tool rest is your preference but the Rest you have got is designed so that you can rest your index finger in the groove to make it easier to hold and guide the tool along its length and keep a constant distance when dimensioning a cylinder you are turning. Nice to see an instant use for your turnings 😊

[@grootjnr]

That's really handy info about the rest. Thanks mate.

[@lumberjacktoolsuk]

Fantastic video Keith, i will say the Red is shinning very nicely in your workshop :)

[@joeleonetti8976]

Thanks for sharing the info. I am looking for a smaller sized lathe so that I can turn my own drawer handles. Something like this looks perfect. In Jan I plan to take a wood turing class at my local community college to learn the basics. After that class I will be getting something simlar to what you have.

[@roc-wood-creations]

Looks a great bit of kit. It does look very similar to my small Axminster lathe and I bought an extension bed for when ever I need to turn longer things 👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Sounds great!

[@andrewwilson3663]

Is 'smoko time' going to become a thing...?

[@kevinisaac9139]

I fancy getting a lathe looks great what you have done 👌

[@PabloBD]

Ah the Good old spreadsheet system! loved the eggy on toast interlude and cat guest star. The lathe is indeed cute! Are there more workshops upgrades?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Cheers Pablo, there's still a planer upgrade to come once I decide which one to buy, and I might do a follow up featuring some workbench changes 👍

[@stuartwilliams5385]

I’ve got the LJ PT305. It will be interesting to see if that makes the list.

[@MichaelReaney-eq7oy]

just ordered the VSL305 and used your code, thank you

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thanks!

[@cuddlybear4524]

You're not gonna toast that bread? 🤨

[@WattWood]

I bought the Nova Comet II about 5 years ago mainly because of the attachments that are only available in the states ( grinding wheel and belt sander for sharpening gouges at the lathe )

[@AC-oat35]

The black lever is a push button clamping handle

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yes, I know

[@colincambridge2066]

I also have this lathe and I think it a very good lathe you can also buy a extension bed for it

[@detroutspinners9933]

Like the look of this lathe, I’m thinking of getting one myself so this video came at the right time. What did you do with your old one, looked like a bit of a beast!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah it was soooo heavy!! It's gone to a friend

[@Captck]

Hands down, best projects ive seen you do! Great bowl and spatula!

[@michaelwillson6847]

Keith just rewatched this im looking at the charnwood w815 comes in saying the distance between centres is 330 so hopefully will do the job nicely 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@EdGreenall]

You mentionimg the wedding cake stand had me cracking up for some reason. What a random thing to have used it for 😂

[@daniel__clark]

There is a guy on KZbin that i really enjoy watching called Richard Raffen. If you havent seen his stuff I recommend you check hom out. His explanations on why he uses certain tools, speeds, cuts in which direction are really good. I think the guy has been using a lathe more years than ive been alive.

[@PartContinuum]

All these tools, skills and wood and you have plastic cutting board 😂

[@ianroughley1933]

One comment .....babies...little ones.... as your going to be a daddy soon....don't put screws in any rattle m8. Those little ones can get where water cannot!

[@ValgniTehki]

Do you get to keep the tools that brands give you? Or have you to give them back at some point? Also, does anyone have any recommendations for decent bench chisels that don't need sharpened every 5 minutes?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

It depends on the deal, they all have different terms and requirements etc. The narex chisels are well regarded

[@ValgniTehki]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, love the channel. I will have a look at the narex ones.

[@malcolmmarks7374]

Hi Keith. I have the Charnwood W824 and with the supplied drive spur and supplied live centre the working distance measures a safe 405mm. I can gain a bit more with a smaller live centre as the supplied one is quite chunky. Hope this helps.

[@dagorithe]

12:21 ok you lost me when I saw there was no bacon on the sandwich. All kidding aside, projects look great. I’ve got a Jet years ago. I change the speed the same way. I don’t turn often but I have made few trinkets and a pair of lamps. I have the Jet bed extension but have never used it. I will turn a baseball bat for myself one of these days.

[@paultay23]

oh...far better choice for your workshop Keith... Mine is a RP DML320 and the between the centres is 510mm but the current price is about £550 more than you foc machine ...so good choice. Cheers Paul

[@ashleystringer7531]

I Ashley hire I like the chanl and I no you bein after a new planer thicknesser with you getting a lumberjack mini lathe I fink you are going go with lumberjack planer thicknesser as .

[@brayworkshop427]

I’ve been watching you for years now Keith. Your videos get better all the time, but you have remained informative and unpretentious despite your ever increasing audience and skill level.

[@hdwoodshop]

Fantastic video. Inspiring. If possible, please share the spreadsheet. I’d like to use something similar for future purchases.

[@JustTony72]

It looks like a lot of these companies buy the castings from a common manufacture and then put their own electronics, motors and drive pullies in. My Nova from tooltecnika also like similar

[@stavros_katsopr]

And then you realized the right spatula needs to be tilted... a bit... Enjoy mate. Nice to see you doing things for the inner part, the family. 😉

[@noreazter9055]

Hey Keith, how about a nutcracker project video. It's a good lathe project and the holidays are right around the corner 🎅 Thanks for all the great videos and keep up the good work!

[@LewHarriman]

That live center is a nice feature. And I'll bet you'll figure out some clever way to adapt those awkward interferences between the post holder and the slide holder.(Perhaps that replacing the slide holder handle with a nice knurled knob would be a good place to start, because I'd bet that connection encounters less torsion than the post holder screw connection needs for resisting compression of the tool rest, and maybe therefore needs less holding power.)

[@RagnBoneBrown]

That's a really great idea 👍

[@LewHarriman]

...And maybe just a short, "slotted t-handle" could work? (To avoid having to replace that bespoke-looking, non-standard bolt with it's bent handle)

[@LMCFootball]

great video as ever Keith. Nice new tool! Surely that plastic cutting board needs to be replaced by a nice end-grain one though!!!

[@jcr723]

loved the end, too. I'm watching from US and I've never heard of those brands. I would have thought there'd be a few that I'd recognize. Doesn't matter. Enjoy turning.

[@pietjepuk9575]

You can download a sheet on-line for the speed to diameter ratio of bowl(s) turning 😁😁👍👍

[@freakeystyley34]

I have the W824 - it's great, but it's *very* restrictive in length. I'll measure when I get chance to confirm. It feels very well made and I love the digital rpm display. I have considered getting something with more capacity in case I wanted to turn table legs at some point, but I'm not sure when that would be! Also on the baby rattle - I've made a few and found using a spoon carving gouge to be the best way to make a more spherical space for the "rattly bits" to go, which in turn means you can make the walls thinner which makes for a better sounding rattle.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you! Yes please do let me know, I'd appreciate it. Great advice 👌

[@freakeystyley34]

@@RagnBoneBrown I've just measured and I think I could *just* about sneak a 410mm blank in there, but I would say that 400mm is probably safer as more of the non-motor end is clamped to the rail.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you!

[@markduggan3451]

That looks similar to the one I just bought (second hand). I'm really enjoying turning at the moment.

[@benefitthirteen]

I don't think any of us so much as flinched when you used screws to create the rattle. And now I'm hungry.

[@irwell]

Wonderful video. Just what I needed to know, plus some lovely example work.

[@nonanaracing]

You need to make your own chopping boards!

[@jegford]

Great video Keith, looks like a good piece of kit. A possible future decision making tool is a Pugh matrix, its used in engineering/project management when you have lots of factors to compare

[@lysywoodwork]

Plastic cutting board? :D

[@RagnBoneBrown]

🤣

[@chammers7377]

rattles on the lathe can be tricky, I tend to hollow them out on the lathe and glue in a dowel in the remaining hole which also serves as the handle captive rings work well for rattles as well, and perhaps easier to do well

[@EvanDunville]

Great new lathe! If you find you want a new tool rest you can buy quality aftermarket ones from one-way but honestly you will probably be just fine with the one that came with your lathe.

[@Back2Brick-Ben]

Lathes terrify me

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Me too but you get used to it!

[@stuartwilliams5385]

Ordered one. 😝

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Wow! Enjoy!

[@javicarmonagalvez]

Loved the ending, nice video as always!!

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Look's like you done well with that lathe just a good size for your workshop. as always great video Take care

[@tom849448]

I think the difference in the size of the Lumberjack and the Charnwood is because of the top cover on the side of the Charnwood for easier access to the pulley at the top. The headstock pulley system on the Charnwood is positioned differently than the Lumberjack lathe

[@anwolfs9804]

Always wanted one, so very interesting!

[@pbarnfield]

Nice one Keith. I've got quite a few LumberJack bench tools now, and even though I've got no room, I now finding myself wanting a lathe now! 🤣

[@michaelwillson6847]

I can confirm it's great product aswell. I also have fair few lumberjack tools now quality and reliable. I have there 10" sliding mitre saw 4" belt sander the lathe and plainer thicknesser. All been great so far. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@adamford3021]

The clamping levers are spring loaded. Push/Pull and they will move independently of the lever shaft, use to avoid other levers.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yes I'm aware of how they work

[@bobmoulton3319]

what 47 ?

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Drawers? Shown in my previous video

[@rusty633]

Nice to see I'm not the only one to bugger stuff up

[@TheChipmunk2008]

SapeleSpatula... nice :)

[@danxepha4535]

The black handle on the tool rest should pull outwards to stop it binding up with the other handle. Basically just pull it out (like away from the tool rest) and turn it anti clockwise. Then let it go back in again and turn clockwise to tighten. Pulling it out makes it free spinning and when it goes back in again it locks in place. Repeat this action if necessary to tighten it. You do the same backwards to loosen it. Hope that makes sense and helps. Let me know if further explanation is required!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah I am aware of that. I have the same knobs on my planer fence. They're too fiddly and frustrating. 👍

[@adammono1839]

Great video! Appreciate the baby rattle fail too, as it gave me an idea I never would've had otherwise!

[@Hibbo89]

3:29 Sir…. Please…. Best price number format… simply unforgivable! I am on the Norfolk border… I will find you and I will fix that number formatting!!!

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Hahaha!! Lazy, sorry !

[@Hibbo89]

And I’m just a geek apparently!! 😂 great video though. Been thinking about a lathe for a while and had “bigger is better” stuck in my mind but like you I think it would end up in the way in a single car garage workshop.

[@Paul-XCIV2]

Those black handles are probably the sprung loaded type, you can pull them out a bit and move them around when they collide.

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah I am aware they rotate, but still frustrating in use

[@rodharris2915]

Should of gone with the record power great product and it fits in with your colour scheme 👍but as a free bee no brainer

[@RagnBoneBrown]

I've not had great experiences with Record Power machines to be honest... and no speed control which was a big turn off for me

[@vmoutsop]

Just cut it shorter. Duh!

[@robertlagrange6388]

Good looking sandwich

[@stu12975]

This video came at the right time. just about to order and had the exact same two in mind. i also saw the R2 but the price put me off abit plus i ordered from them before and recieved damaged goods(twice!) You have helped me make up my mind after this video. i do have a bandsaw and pillar drill from Lumberjack that so far have worked great for my needs. i think i may be placing an new order with LJ this weekend (your code will come in handy !) Thanks lol Keep up the great work ! 👍👍

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Thank you. It's a nice machine, you won't be disappointed

[@muggerjm]

Really like the bowl and spatula. Also now want a fire egg sandwich with chilli and cheese!! 😂

[@RagnBoneBrown]

It was a good sandwich even if I did break the yolk!

[@torque9889]

Lunch of champions

[@andyc972]

Thanks Keith, looks a nice little lathe, I enjoyed the cooking interlude, I thought it was an advert at first ! 😉😁 A bit after the event I know, but I'm wondering if you could have replaced the bed on the large lathe with a shorter one or maybe even had it cut down ? 🤔

[@RagnBoneBrown]

Yeah probably but seems a shame to cut it

[@andyc972]

Very true, and hey, you got a great new lathe that suits your requirements so all good !@@RagnBoneBrown