BeautysBeast Posted September 27, 2016 Report Share Posted September 27, 2016 I know it is worth what I paid for it, which was nothing, however I still have a question. Someone gave me a Central Electric (Harbor Freight) 14x40 lathe. I used a 2x8 and cut grooves in it, to slide into the cheap sheet metal bottom. I ripped some pallet middle pieces into 1 inch squares, and filled the square tubing with them to make them more rigid. I have noticed that the head stock housing bends outwards when you put a piece between the headstock and tailstock. Has anyone ever braced this, or reinforced it? It is my intention to make a stand and bolt the entire thing to the stand with multiple bolts down the middle of the base. I will then weigh down the stand to prevent vibration. I have looked extensively online, but have yet to find anyone who has braced the headstock housing. Any help would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxerjoe04 Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 Got pics of what you're talking about exactly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautysBeast Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 This is the lathe. You can see the bottom bowing. However, I think I have that figured out by bolting it down to a 2x8 and filling the square tubing with wood. The head unit bows outwards when I tighten something into the head and tail stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted September 28, 2016 Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 I hate to be negative, but with everything I've read about HF stuff, and looking at the picture, I think that thing will always be a turd no matter what you do to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeautysBeast Posted September 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2016 I agree. But I would at least like to be able to keep the headstock? from bending outward. Just wondered if anyone had braced it with angle iron or possibly remade the head unit housing. ETc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bleedinblue Posted October 1, 2016 Report Share Posted October 1, 2016 From what I've read,some guys have good luck with the HF lathes. This does not appear to be one of those good luck stories. If that's a current model, they might take it as an exchange, people say they have a very loose return policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mat60 Posted October 1, 2016 Report Share Posted October 1, 2016 I no it may be a turd but I would take it for free. There has been times I would like to turn a spindle for something. Hope this lathe will get you by for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bankstick Posted November 16, 2016 Report Share Posted November 16, 2016 I had a HF lathe that had the Reeves drive stick plus the headstock and tailstock didn't line up. Got it for $125 as the guy was updating to a big Jet lathe. I scrapped the HF lathe and bought a Rikon benchtop lathe. HF products are like anything else- some good, some bad. If you have problems with the headstock bowing out, you are tightening the piece too much. This can lead to stress on the bearing, leading to more problems. Plus, the headstock shouldn't move when you secure a piece on the lathe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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