Walter Foster I’ve managed to get my faceplate stuck and I cannot get it loose. The wrenches that came with it are just getting stripped so they aren’t working.
I just bought the same lathe from a guy on Craigslist, thank goodness for me he had already done all the fixing, theres a part that holds the headstock on the bed and that part is cast, apparently that part had broken so he had a new one machined, only cost him a couple bucks and now it works lume a dream. I got a great deal on the machine but even if I would have paid full price I would feel like the machine was worth it at the price point they sell it at. From reading the reviews it seems luke most of the issues are fixable with a little know how. I just wanted to at least temper some of the bad reviews with something positive. I have certainly already gotten my money worth and while I will definitely be buying a better lathe , this model is a good deal to see if its something you enjoy without breaking the bank.
Just wanted to say thanks for the video. Same issue with mine.. I tore it apart like u outlined, reassembled snuggling everything down with a box wrench instead of the plastic handle. Head stock and tail stock lined up perfectly!!! Started roughing a burled walnut blank for a bowl and the tool rest bar snapped 3 minutes in. Sheared the one inch bar at the base of the rest. I was on low speed, the stock was balanced well, but did have corners I was rounding over.. Nothing to justify shearing the bar like it did. So 4 days into this lathe, I'm having my doubts it was a good purchase. I just hope I don't have to disassemble and box it back up in order to return it....
Rich McNatt Now I'm torn which direction to go... Do I go back and demand a new tool rest.. Machine the broken end off and replace with some 1 inch true American steel I have. Or just return it and get the Grizzly 462 which is similar design. Motor is mounted in a better position and it has a 2 hp instead of 3/4 hp. Decisions decisions.. Any suggestions? I'm just concerned with what could break next on the HF lathe. A tool that stays broken isn't worth having in my opinion. Have u had anymore issues with yours?
I agree with you... Returned my HF lathe after 5 days. I think everything in it that could shear did.. My Grizzly 766 arrived today. Got it inboxes and put on the legs but haven't used it yet. Thanks for all your good advice!
I have a Jet mini 1014 and am also going to get this 12" HF lathe. I like that I can turn the head around and turn any size bowl I want..if I can get a big piece chucked up good enough without the use of the tail stock. They are $320 at HF and with 20% coupon thats $255. I don't know when it will be on sale but $255 is still very good deal
@@RichMcNatt my Harbor Freight lathe is thd worst thing I have ever bought, the headstock cracked and FELL OFF. I fixed that and noticed the lathe wanting to slow when I make any cuts so I tried to change the belt and it turned on, perfectly, but it had my hand in it still because I was still installing a belt. It broke my middle finger in 4 places and did some damage to the end of my ring finger.
It's a wood lathe,,metal lathes are critical alignments, not so for wood. It's best to align as close as possible. Still 1/16 is a bit much in my book. I always expect that tuning up any tool is a given..It's nice to see so many people posting up their fixes to help out others.
wood lathe is just as important to be aligned as a metal lathe, go turn a pen on a poorly aligned wood lathe and get back to me about how it is not important. I would argue that a wood lathe is even more important seeing as how we hold our tools, we don't just turn a wheel or pull a lever to have the machine cut it for us.
So if I'm following correctly, that by removing one pin under the head stock it then lines up with the tailstock, is that correct? They are selling that lathe in the Abilene, Tx store for $399.00 Now if a person wants to purchase another lathe, the starting price is $1,399.00. So for those of us who wish to begin wood turning as a hobby, the Harbor Freight lathe is a more sensible buy.
I am sure someone else had to notice this, the turning centers were in the incorrect positions. Live center in headstock and drive center in tailstock. He may have to realign centers again in proper locations.
FYI, the alignment of the centers is not critical on a wood lathe. A metal lathe it is ultra critical because the carriage runs on a parallel set of ways for cutting. On a wood lathe YOU are the carriage, all you do is cut more or less off part to adjust.
I have to disagree, alignment on a wood lathe is very important, off center will create a wobble in the work piece, much like on a metal lathe but thanks for the comment
You are right about it not mattering . . . sometimes. If you are turning something on a chuck it doesn't really make any difference. However if you are turning something between centers, now you have a long piece running at an angle between the centers instead of a straight one. It makes it tough to get smooth surfaces without a lot of extra sanding (even on something as small as a pen). The second (and MUCH worse) issue is if you do any drilling with it (I do a lot of drilling). If it isn't aimed perfectly, holes don't come out the right size, go in crooked, and create a wobble.
I have a blast with mine .. It has been great so far.. I don't how much force you can make but I crank the crap out of the head stock hold down.. you will have to keep it stable with out of balance stuff.. also the tool rest extender bounces when you do a outboard turning.. just a few things but all in all great buy.
Went to rough out a small blank, if I got a bigger cut than making dust it stopped turning, after 3-4 times of that I put a smaller finished piece on it, turned it on and grabbed it I was able to stop the lathe by hand... called that a day and took it back.
Jay Bates I do what I can Jay. some people have had good luck with it , I was just not one of those people. And i am the type that at $10 or $4000 the damn thing should work right, right out of the box or it does not stay at my shop. : )
Bought one about 8 months ago and had a lot of fun but would not purchase another one. Can't keep the head and tail stock aligned and I like to turn bowls and need to reverse them.
I've had great luck with mine. When paying 25% the cost of a competing brand, don't expect it to "work right, right out of the box". I expect a project, that with a little know-how and limited expense, can be a real bargain. I have quite a few HF tools and machines that have been great bargains, and this lathe is one of the better deals they have. Yes, you may have to return it if the motor is bad. Alternatively you can spend around $800 for another brand. It's well worth the gamble.
I personally don't like any lathe with a movable headstock. Leaves to much potential for instability. Just one more thing to adjust & worry about. Give me outboard capability, or a tall headstock.
I had one of these P.O.S. lathes it burned up after cutting about 2 inches wood on the first pass not even a heavy cut.The motor burned up!.Cannot change motor out speed control is made directly on motor shaft. Took it back , asked if i wanted a new lathe. I said no it weighs 125 pounds. Had to pull it out of my basement. I thought it might be a bad batch of motors. So the next one i get would be the same.I found a craftsman at the auction for 2 dollars, upgrade.I could of got it for 1 dollar but a guy wanted the motor. I outbid him for 2 dollars hahahah. It is an old one but works great. Cannot turn the head around, so what it works. Can't cry about the price.
Rich, I have the same problem. When I took it apart the two pins were driven into the base even with the top of the cast iron. How did you get the pin out? Can it be driven out with a punch bar from the bottom or the top? Not sure. I haven't turned the base over to see if it could be punched out. Any info you can give would be appreciated.
Richard Katzman I was able to pull it out from the top. I did take that lathe back due to motor issues that I dont think I included in the video. I DID NOT get another
Thanks, I just bought one. Glad I found your video. So basically it's just the one pin that has to be removed if my headstock and tail stock don't line up and then realign and tighten everything back up? I've had other HF lathes that were smaller and I had a lot of problems with the machining of the parts. I was hoping the larger lathe was better built. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Thanks again.
Hey rich. Just came across this video of yours again and wanted to ask if you ever put a wheel on this. That’s if you still even have it lol. I need one on mine and they don’t sell one as an accessory. Just getting ideas on how to fabricate one for it.
Good info on the HF Lathe, I was thinking of getting one. How do you get your videos off of the IPAD? I can transfer videos to the cloud but can't get them off of the cloud to my PC.
Skully Wood & Metal I do not use the cloud, they transfer to iphoto when I plug in the i pad to the mac. then upload to youtube. The lathe misalignment is common, my motor issues are not ( from what I understand) good luck with it.
Did you put it together wrong then fixed it by doing it the right way? That would be pretty funny. Thanks for the insight on bettering this lathe. Im getting ready to buy one myself and have learned a lot from you and a few others.
I bought a Grizzly G0462. I did have to tweak the headstock alignment but has been a rock solid machine so far. I like the 2HP motor, haven't been able to even slow it down with the 5/8 bowl gouge. The Grizzly VFD machine you're using now looks very substantial. Take good care, Gord
most anything made in China is shoddy quality they are training their people and dumping their rejects on world markets at cheap prices and in the process driving established shops out of business with their highly skilled labor force.
wow all these people you have convinced not to buy one of these. ive got one and along with a cheapo chinese cross slide vise it turns steel like a champ. i have beat the shit out of it with no issues turned all types of woods and metals stalled it out( my own fault wayyyy to much pressure) a few times and it just keeps on going
I was not trying to convince anyone to get one or not to get one, it was just the issues I had and my experience with it. ( for the 3 hr I owned it. ) Thanks for the comment.
Have one had it for about 3 years no problems at all, everything lines up dead on. Great wood leath. Well worth the money
Walter Foster I’ve managed to get my faceplate stuck and I cannot get it loose. The wrenches that came with it are just getting stripped so they aren’t working.
My problem with alignment is vertical! I have to shim the headstock to achieve alignment! Good video for sure! Thanks!!!
I just bought the same lathe from a guy on Craigslist, thank goodness for me he had already done all the fixing, theres a part that holds the headstock on the bed and that part is cast, apparently that part had broken so he had a new one machined, only cost him a couple bucks and now it works lume a dream. I got a great deal on the machine but even if I would have paid full price I would feel like the machine was worth it at the price point they sell it at.
From reading the reviews it seems luke most of the issues are fixable with a little know how. I just wanted to at least temper some of the bad reviews with something positive. I have certainly already gotten my money worth and while I will definitely be buying a better lathe , this model is a good deal to see if its something you enjoy without breaking the bank.
Just wanted to say thanks for the video. Same issue with mine.. I tore it apart like u outlined, reassembled snuggling everything down with a box wrench instead of the plastic handle. Head stock and tail stock lined up perfectly!!! Started roughing a burled walnut blank for a bowl and the tool rest bar snapped 3 minutes in. Sheared the one inch bar at the base of the rest. I was on low speed, the stock was balanced well, but did have corners I was rounding over.. Nothing to justify shearing the bar like it did. So 4 days into this lathe, I'm having my doubts it was a good purchase. I just hope I don't have to disassemble and box it back up in order to return it....
+Bart Conner I am glad it helped you, before it broke.. they will take it back built with out the box. Good luck I hope you get back turning soon!
Rich McNatt Now I'm torn which direction to go... Do I go back and demand a new tool rest.. Machine the broken end off and replace with some 1 inch true American steel I have. Or just return it and get the Grizzly 462 which is similar design. Motor is mounted in a better position and it has a 2 hp instead of 3/4 hp. Decisions decisions.. Any suggestions? I'm just concerned with what could break next on the HF lathe. A tool that stays broken isn't worth having in my opinion. Have u had anymore issues with yours?
I returned that lathe the first day I had it. I never even turned a pen with it. I have had a G0766 since that point and have had very few issues
I agree with you... Returned my HF lathe after 5 days. I think everything in it that could shear did.. My Grizzly 766 arrived today. Got it inboxes and put on the legs but haven't used it yet. Thanks for all your good advice!
I have a Jet mini 1014 and am also going to get this 12" HF lathe. I like that I can turn the head around and turn any size bowl I want..if I can get a big piece chucked up good enough without the use of the tail stock. They are $320 at HF and with 20% coupon thats $255. I don't know when it will be on sale but $255 is still very good deal
If it fits your needs it is a great deal.
@@RichMcNatt my Harbor Freight lathe is thd worst thing I have ever bought, the headstock cracked and FELL OFF. I fixed that and noticed the lathe wanting to slow when I make any cuts so I tried to change the belt and it turned on, perfectly, but it had my hand in it still because I was still installing a belt. It broke my middle finger in 4 places and did some damage to the end of my ring finger.
It's a wood lathe,,metal lathes are critical alignments, not so for wood. It's best to align as close as possible. Still 1/16 is a bit much in my book. I always expect that tuning up any tool is a given..It's nice to see so many people posting up their fixes to help out others.
wood lathe is just as important to be aligned as a metal lathe, go turn a pen on a poorly aligned wood lathe and get back to me about how it is not important. I would argue that a wood lathe is even more important seeing as how we hold our tools, we don't just turn a wheel or pull a lever to have the machine cut it for us.
So if I'm following correctly, that by removing one pin under the head stock it then lines up with the tailstock, is that correct? They are selling that lathe in the Abilene, Tx store for $399.00 Now if a person wants to purchase another lathe, the starting price is $1,399.00. So for those of us who wish to begin wood turning as a hobby, the Harbor Freight lathe is a more sensible buy.
I am sure someone else had to notice this, the turning centers were in the incorrect positions. Live center in headstock and drive center in tailstock. He may have to realign centers again in proper locations.
FYI, the alignment of the centers is not critical on a wood lathe. A metal lathe it is ultra critical because the carriage runs on a parallel set of ways for cutting. On a wood lathe YOU are the carriage, all you do is cut more or less off part to adjust.
I have to disagree, alignment on a wood lathe is very important, off center will create a wobble in the work piece, much like on a metal lathe but thanks for the comment
You are right about it not mattering . . . sometimes. If you are turning something on a chuck it doesn't really make any difference. However if you are turning something between centers, now you have a long piece running at an angle between the centers instead of a straight one. It makes it tough to get smooth surfaces without a lot of extra sanding (even on something as small as a pen). The second (and MUCH worse) issue is if you do any drilling with it (I do a lot of drilling). If it isn't aimed perfectly, holes don't come out the right size, go in crooked, and create a wobble.
@@RichMcNatt not when working with spur and live center. Part is being turned about 2 fixed centers.
I have a blast with mine .. It has been great so far.. I don't how much force you can make but I crank the crap out of the head stock hold down.. you will have to keep it stable with out of balance stuff.. also the tool rest extender bounces when you do a outboard turning.. just a few things but all in all great buy.
I had to return it. Maybe I just got a "bad" one but not worth any more of my effort and time. back to the Jet mini save up for a Nova or the like.
what happened?
Went to rough out a small blank, if I got a bigger cut than making dust it stopped turning, after 3-4 times of that I put a smaller finished piece on it, turned it on and grabbed it I was able to stop the lathe by hand... called that a day and took it back.
Rich McNatt Thanks for saving me a headache!
Jay Bates I do what I can Jay. some people have had good luck with it , I was just not one of those people. And i am the type that at $10 or $4000 the damn thing should work right, right out of the box or it does not stay at my shop. : )
Bought one about 8 months ago and had a lot of fun but would not purchase another one. Can't keep the head and tail stock aligned and I like to turn bowls and need to reverse them.
I had my Harbor Freight lathe for about 3 years. The only trouble I ever had ,was the banjo wouldn't tighten, so I replaced it with a Grizzly banjo
I've had great luck with mine. When paying 25% the cost of a competing brand, don't expect it to "work right, right out of the box". I expect a project, that with a little know-how and limited expense, can be a real bargain. I have quite a few HF tools and machines that have been great bargains, and this lathe is one of the better deals they have. Yes, you may have to return it if the motor is bad. Alternatively you can spend around $800 for another brand. It's well worth the gamble.
I personally don't like any lathe with a movable headstock. Leaves to much potential for instability. Just one more thing to adjust & worry about.
Give me outboard capability, or a tall headstock.
Harbor freight is one of the only lathe that after you buy it you work on it . Buying a box of tools at Harbor Freight will come in handy, ggg.
Mine will not stay at the lower speeds. Any suggestions as to what might be wrong?
I would guess that you have teeth missing on the back or your sped control handle.
I will check it out! Thanks!
I had one of these P.O.S. lathes it burned up after cutting about 2 inches wood on the first pass not even a heavy cut.The motor burned up!.Cannot change motor out speed control is made directly on motor shaft. Took it back , asked if i wanted a new lathe. I said no it weighs 125 pounds. Had to pull it out of my basement. I thought it might be a bad batch of motors. So the next one i get would be the same.I found a craftsman at the auction for 2 dollars, upgrade.I could of got it for 1 dollar but a guy wanted the motor. I outbid him for 2 dollars hahahah. It is an old one but works great. Cannot turn the head around, so what it works. Can't cry about the price.
lol, hell of a find at $2. hehe
It is a good place to buy cheap.
MrOliverock Liar liar pants on fire.
Rich, I have the same problem. When I took it apart the two pins were driven into the base even with the top of the cast iron. How did you get the pin out? Can it be driven out with a punch bar from the bottom or the top? Not sure. I haven't turned the base over to see if it could be punched out. Any info you can give would be appreciated.
Richard Katzman I was able to pull it out from the top. I did take that lathe back due to motor issues that I dont think I included in the video. I DID NOT get another
Rich McNatt of
Thanks, I just bought one. Glad I found your video. So basically it's just the one pin that has to be removed if my headstock and tail stock don't line up and then realign and tighten everything back up? I've had other HF lathes that were smaller and I had a lot of problems with the machining of the parts. I was hoping the larger lathe was better built. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Thanks again.
P.T Barnum said it, "there's one born every minute." So if you are one of them like me sorry, if not don't be.
Hey rich. Just came across this video of yours again and wanted to ask if you ever put a wheel on this. That’s if you still even have it lol. I need one on mine and they don’t sell one as an accessory. Just getting ideas on how to fabricate one for it.
+Dan Scott I returned that the same day.
Rich McNatt lol gotcha
Good info on the HF Lathe, I was thinking of getting one. How do you get your videos off of the IPAD? I can transfer videos to the cloud but can't get them off of the cloud to my PC.
Skully Wood & Metal I do not use the cloud, they transfer to iphoto when I plug in the i pad to the mac. then upload to youtube. The lathe misalignment is common, my motor issues are not ( from what I understand) good luck with it.
Did you put it together wrong then fixed it by doing it the right way? That would be pretty funny. Thanks for the insight on bettering this lathe. Im getting ready to buy one myself and have learned a lot from you and a few others.
That would have been, the same day I gave the lathe back to H.F. Thanks for the comment
I bought a Grizzly G0462. I did have to tweak the headstock alignment but has been a rock solid machine so far. I like the 2HP motor, haven't been able to even slow it down with the 5/8 bowl gouge. The Grizzly VFD machine you're using now looks very substantial. Take good care, Gord
I really enjoy the G0766, a few design items I would like to see changed but a solid machine. Thanks Gord
Excellent video and solutions !!
My head shakes like it has parkinsons whenever I turn something, dont know how to fix it.
Ease up on the caffeine.
good I would have also
HF is great when it works and not even worthy of taking to the scrap dealer when it doesn't.
Jeff Ferguson I concur sir
Wow! I was looking at that lathe yesterday.
I now know I won't be purchasing it.
Thank you for the review
A Lot of people enjoy it, Custom Chris, Steven Ogle, Patrick's Workshop, Could be a good starter Lathe.
most anything made in China is shoddy quality they are training their people and dumping their rejects on world markets at cheap prices and in the process driving established shops out of business with their highly skilled labor force.
wow all these people you have convinced not to buy one of these. ive got one and along with a cheapo chinese cross slide vise it turns steel like a champ. i have beat the shit out of it with no issues turned all types of woods and metals stalled it out( my own fault wayyyy to much pressure) a few times and it just keeps on going
I was not trying to convince anyone to get one or not to get one, it was just the issues I had and my experience with it. ( for the 3 hr I owned it. ) Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the info, subbed!
Cool cool. thanks
i have the grizzly version of this for 200 more u get a way better lathe
Not sure what you expect from HF. Hand tools OK, but I never trust their power tools. Too cheaply made.
check out grizzly i have the cheaper harbor freight lol