Egraff Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Hello, I have very little experience with lathes.... but someone I know is selling this lathe and I'm not sure whether or not it's a good buy. It is a Ryobi 18 inch, it is about 10 years old, and it has been used only a few times. It also comes with the turning tools pictured. Can anyone tell if this lathe is missing any parts or if there is anything wrong with it? I don't even know if this model (or even ryobi in general) is a good lathe that works well in the first place. Or would I just be better off with a Jet or Harbor Freight? I'd like to use it for pens and tool handles, etc. Thank you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcustoms Posted September 22, 2013 Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 The lathe is fine for pen turning or small handles. The tools are very nice. and it has a Penn state ind. duplicator attachment. for making pens and other turnings quickly. depending on the price it would be a good starter lathe. Biggest thing to check is that the drive center lines up with the live center(the two points should tough each other). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egraff Posted September 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 22, 2013 Thanks so much for this info. The price he's asking is $125 for everything in the picture. How does that seem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcustoms Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 With everything included you can't go wrong at that price. Good find and a great way to get into turning... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted September 23, 2013 Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 the tools alone cost at least 125 the duplicator looking at another 50 bucks the lathe I don't know im guessing in the 200-300 range make shure it has a tool rest and most lathes come with a faceplate. let us know if you end up buying or not. if you get bit by the turning bug you will want more help and im glad to give you some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egraff Posted September 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2013 Thanks guys - I appreciate it!! Will let you know what happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egraff Posted October 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 So I'm happy to report that I ended up picking up a lathe!!! I didn't actually get the one posted above in the end... I found a different great deal on a craftsman 2HP 36" variable speed. It came with a very sturdy metal stand, 4 inch and 8 inch face plates, a bowl turning set, a duplicator, a drill chuck, a 4-grip chuck thingy (don't know what it's called), a spur center and live center, a small and a large tool rest, and 2 sets of turning tools (one of them was a 5 piece Robert Sorby which I understand is supposed to be pretty good). All this came for a little over $400 and lots of heavy lifting :-) I hope I didn't make a mistake passing up on the smaller set (above) and getting this bigger one instead, but I just couldn't pass this one up since it seemed like a good deal to me. I think it's hopefully worth it and I didn't go with the wrong option... Anyhow, thanks for the input and I look forward to firing this baby up and giving some wood a spin / learning this turning business!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 sounds like a good deal I would have bought it. if you have some questions id be happy to help you out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 I know nothing about turning but I have been on the lookout for something used. Any opinions on this AMC late for $75 http://baltimore.craigslist.org/tls/4098159396.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted October 1, 2013 Report Share Posted October 1, 2013 don't know the brand but it looks cheap, don't know what the tools are, ........basicly looks old I think I would pass and save my money for a better machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egraff Posted October 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks duckkisser.... I appreciate it. - EG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jHop Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 EG, I think you got a good deal on your new obsession, er, tool. Getting one that already has the 4 jaw chuck is much better than trying to figure it out afterwards on numbers you can't read. Getting two sets of tools (including 1 from Sorby), and 36 inch bed, that's all gravy. Chuck: you can get some decent used tools that are older, as most wood workers are well aware. Sometimes, just a little elbow grease, TLC, and better lighting, and it's worth it. This might not be one of those gems. The bed is just two rails, secured at the ends of the system. Unless you are willing to check they are still square and accurate (and coplaner to each other), you could face serious problems if they slip out of alignment. I'm not as worried about the motor; my grandfather used one motor for all of his power tools, and just bolted the base down and connected the belt. It was a standard thing from the early 40s and 50s. the tools in the rack look like high speed steel, nothing exceptional but possible to hide the lower end of the quality spectrum. the calipers and face plate are not that remarkable. You basically are paying for the table, and getting some tools attached to it. this does not mean it won't be a bad tool. But if it was me, I personally wouldn't do it. For $40, I might. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Chuck, that lathe has 2 red flags; it's a tube lathe and it has no tapers. You'll also want to check the threads and make sure they are something common like 3/4-16 or 1-8 or getting additional accessories may be a headache. This one is better if you can talk him down a few bucks. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/tls/4102552092.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Thanks guys. I know zero about turning, aside from that it looks fun. Most of the big power tools I have are old tools that I have put some TLC into, but I knew more about them going in. This is sounding like I would be spending 75 bucks to take it to the dump in 3 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egraff Posted October 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2013 Yea I agree Chuck... I was able to find an awesome deal on an admittedly old lathe (but it was in superb condition, rarely ever used) after looking for not too too long. I'm sure another will come for you. - EG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted October 4, 2013 Report Share Posted October 4, 2013 The old Craftsman cast iron lathes are good starter lathes and fairly common. Mine needed a bit of filing to remove some casting flash but it works perfectly. I've since built a stand and upgraded the motor but here is the lathe. This one dates to 1958. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
random.man.sam Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 I have a family friend who has a Ryobi ML618 wood lathe with tools it has a single chuck and seems to have all the pieces (rest and such)is ther anything I should know before buying it (given i have only used a lathe once and just herd he had it and thought it would be fun to try getting into).if there are any tips or tricks to help use them I would greatly appreciate them aswell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
random.man.sam Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 also he is worried about having a fair price for it is there a price range it looks to be 2-3 years old and use though in good condition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted November 14, 2020 Report Share Posted November 14, 2020 I am not familiar with this lathe and only did some superficial research, so take my thoughts for what they are worth: It don't look like much, so don't pay much and don't expect much. While the Ryobi looks like it will in fact turn wood and will let you make things like pens and drawer knobs, I don't think it is going to do much more, and I don't think it will do those things very well. (And in fact may not be a good platform for a novice to learn on). The thing about "trying to get into turning", is that most folks who try turning actually do get into turning and would grow out of this machine in a short bit. It's hard to know what the fair market price for something like this is, especially since it doesn't seem to have been a popular model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
random.man.sam Posted November 15, 2020 Report Share Posted November 15, 2020 On 11/14/2020 at 7:20 AM, Mark J said: I am not familiar with this lathe and only did some superficial research, so take my thoughts for what they are worth: It don't look like much, so don't pay much and don't expect much. While the Ryobi looks like it will in fact turn wood and will let you make things like pens and drawer knobs, I don't think it is going to do much more, and I don't think it will do those things very well. (And in fact may not be a good platform for a novice to learn on). The thing about "trying to get into turning", is that most folks who try turning actually do get into turning and would grow out of this machine in a short bit. It's hard to know what the fair market price for something like this is, especially since it doesn't seem to have been a popular model. thank you for the advice its very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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