2 Year Review Harbor Freight 12x36 Wood Lathe by Central Machinery
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- Опубліковано 23 сер 2024
- This is my review of the Central Machinery 12 x 36 wood lathe I purchased from Harbor Freight. I purchased this over 2 years ago and have put it through its paces. I have added several small upgrades and use it almost daily. Please let me know if you have questions or comments. Also please like and subscribe this is a new channel. Check out my new Blog and forum at www.dadfixedit.com. Here is a link to Amazon for a new model 12x33 if you would like pricing or more specs. amzn.to/2C7Rc6L
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my son and I have this same lathe, and have been very happy with it. we also purchased the PSI 4 jaw chuck, and bought both traditional gouges as well as a couple carbide cutters. This may not have all of the features some lathes have, but for us, it has been a great way to spend time together and for me to teach my son a lot. we plan to get the PSI pen mandrel set soon, so we can turn the handles for their crochet hook set, that we want to give my wife for her next birthday.
Thanks for taking the time out to give your review..I've been thinking pretty hard about getting a wood lathe.Since cost counts in my world this was helpful.
You will love wood turning.
my son and I just got this lathe, we also got the 4 jaw chuck, and a Jacobs chuck. I plan on adding a few more accessories as money becomes available, but so far we are really happy with it's performance.
I finally warped the main spindle to the point of no return. Was still turning medium size pieces . Nothing small. Too much wobble. Disassembly complete just got to order parts. It's been my happy place for several years.
love mine i have turned 50 plus bowls and vases with mine no problems at all
Thanks for the review! I am planning on buying the same lathe and had some questions that you answered.
Great music to start the vid💪 Thanks for the review, I’m looking to purchase this lathe.
I have the same lathe I picked up about a year ago. Got to working. Only issue I’ve had has been the alignment. I wish I had watched your video sooner cause I’d known how simple it is to realign. Thanks!
Bob Gonzalez awesome! I’m glad I could help. Thanks for commenting.
I've had a HF 34706 for a over nine years. On average I'll turn 10-12 candle lights and vases, 8-10 bowls, and 5-6 desk/table lamps (minimum) every month with it. I've found it to be reliable, easy to use, and mechanically sound IF you take care of it. At 3/4 HP it is somewhat underpowered for a lathe its size so don't try and overload it. I've turned 10"(D) x 18"(L) logs of wood on it but I've made sure they were balanced enough to take strain off the motor. When advancing the speed-control handle do it gradually so as allow the belt-drive system to ease up to speed. And make sure you do so likewise every time you want to shut off the lathe; ease the control handle back to its lowest setting. I use a large Wood River chuck and the 34706 handles it without problem. My 4"-6"-8" faceplates are no problem either. I've added other 1"x 8TPI and MT#2 accessories and they've made the 34706 even more versatile in what I can do. I took advantage of the stand's ability to install a shelf below the lathe bed; on the shelf I have 300-lbs. of sandbags that anchor the lathe solidly in place and prevent vibration and wandering. For the money there is not a better lathe on the market, in my opinion. I started on a 34706 and have stayed with it despite advanced skills and the ability to buy a more expensive one. It works for me but I take care of it. It will work for you if you take care of it. Regular cleaning, maintenance, lubrication, an overall "easy' approach to using it will go a long way. It's gone nine-plus years for me. (Footnote: a couple of months ago the motor on my 34706 quit---toasted, not-gonna-run-again. I estimated that I had 5,000-hours on it so that's not bad at all. For $150 I received a new motor and mounting parts from Harbor Freight and was back turning. My 34706 lathe is doing as well as ever as we enter into our tenth year.)
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Thanks for this review. I don't see myself becoming a turner, but plenty of my woodworking projects have simple cylindrical stretchers and legs that take a long time with my drawknife, spokeshave, and scraper (and the outcome is less refined). Too often, people reviewing lathes are turners and are looking for specifications for use cases I don't ever see myself needing. This fits the bill.
livewiya thanks for the feedback. I’m glad it was helpful. Have a good one.
Thank You Heavymetal Woodworking for the review... \,,/
I have a similar lathe - different colour and badging, but from the same factory in China. No real problems with mine either, but beware that the toolrest post is well known for snapping off, and the toolrest itself could land anywhere when this happens. Basically, it is made out of cheap Chinese cast iron and is very bad design - cast iron should NOT be used in this application at all. I make my own toolrests out of one inch STEEL round stock. My toolrest snapped at the post after only about two weeks of ownership of the lathe and I have read of many more experiencing the same failure. The banjo extension is also fully made of cast iron, and I have never used it for this reason - it is even more likely to snap the post off than the toolrest is.
Agree that the tailstock lockdown is not ideal, but is easily fixed. Simply turn and install a decent handle extension for the lockdown lever - I turned my own handles for the tailstock and banjo lockdown levers and the speed control lever shortly after buying the lathe - makes a big difference.
Just got one of these second hand with no manual - so this was an invaluable kick start thank you!
Awesome Im glad I could be helpful. Thanks for the comment.
Thanks for the video. I have had mine for 4 years or more with no problems. I like it. I've made many things on it. I used the legs and stand that came with it. I put lock washers on every bolt and nut. I added wheels so I can move it around. I am not rough with it. Everything has a breaking point. So I 'am gentle with it but it seems very strong. I agree about the tailstock lock but I got used to it fast. So no problem. Have you ever taken the motor cover of the end of the motor? Looks like the dust goes into it there. If I get time, I'll take the cover off to see if it as lots of dust in there. I liked this lathe so much that I bought the midi lathe from HF. There are a lot of good videos on that one also. I like it too. Thanks for sharing.
I have had my Harbor Freight lathe for nearly5 years now. Have had a ton of fun with it, but wish I had saved up a few more dollars and bought a better lathe. I have to realign the head and tail stock every time I use my lathe and the little lock down screws on the tool post and tail stock have stripped out and they do not sell replacements.
This was one of the most solidly produced instructional videos I've seen. Great job. There wasn't a wasted moment whereas so many videos are poorly edited and interrupted by wayyyyy too many trivial details discussed at great length.
Thanks a lot for the comment. I am just about done with the new shop. I will get a quick video up soon and some more reviews on some of the new equipment.
Thanks for taking the time to review. You answered a lot of questions for me!
Glad I could help. Thanks!
I've made about 75 wood spin tops using a metal lathe. I want to buy a wood lathe for home. This looks good to me. Thanks for sharing.
No problem. More videos coming soon. I’m almost done with the new workshop.
thanks for your review dude, I am just getting into wood turning and am interested in buying this machine fro my local Harbor Freight, you've set my mind at ease knowing it'll be a good purchase \m/
Thanks for the review. I think I will pick one of these up since I only want to do this as a hobby and not for a living. I saw another video where the guy turned a new, hardwood handle to extend his tail stock tightener and he said that made tightening it down a lot easier.
Hey thanks for watching. Just got it set up in the new shop this time on the base it came with. Still working great.
I’ve had mine a couple of months. Works great but the motor has a squeak. When I rotate the head stock with the motor off it gives off a slight dry squeak. I blew it out with air and that seemed to work for a while. Other than that I’m very happy with it.
Cool little review. I like your shop too. Only thing it needs in my humble opinion is a little more lighting. Thanks for taking the time to share this.
Albert Ledesma sorry for the delayed response. I appreciate the feedback. Have a good one.
Very interesting I am in the market for a new lathe.. this was very helpful.. although I would have never thought of harbor freight for one.. Now how ever I might go and look!
Thanks for the comments. Wasn’t my first thought either but it is still running strong. I’ll have to look at the date but must be close to 4yrs by now.
@@heavymetalwoodworking1755 Thanks brother.
I see you mounted your (CM) lathe to a workbench, just as I did, some have complained it likes to "walk on the legs" and then add 300# to the legs to make it stable..
2 yrs +, no complaints.
Grampy Meyer thanks. I did have it on wood before. If you see my newer video I placed it on the original stand and it does walk when I turn heavy oblong materials. I am working on a way to secure it better.
@@heavymetalwoodworking1755 I am thinking / debating about mounting it to a 44" +or- tool cabinet, for the flexibilty of movin it around my shop, and all those drawers would be handy... {I have a summer home and pole barn 8 hours away, would be handy to take the lathe w/o unmounting it.)
Like the headstock ability to turn outboard. However, if you’re going to turn something large (greater than 12 inch diameter) you need to reduce speed to 100 rpms or less. I’m pretty sure from other reviews that the slowest this lathe will turn is 600 rpms.
Yes it does not slow down that much so I do a lot of work on the stock before turning. Thanks for the comment.
Need 2 pairs of the pulleys for my lathe same as yours only older
I convertered mine to a Tread mill motor ,,,,GREAT converson
I have a DC treadmill motor and am considering buying the HF 12x36 wood lathe. would you consider sharing your experience/learnings on doing this conversion? Maybe share the source of your info if there is one. thank.
Great video, unfortunately the motor on mine burned out a week after the warranty ran out. Have been try for two weeks to find a replacement and can find anyone that carriers one. Took three days just to find the Manuel and called the number no answer. Still calling!!
Just a thought, there are a few videos out of guys who used treadmill motors instead of the stock motor. You end up with a speed controlled DC motor instead of an AC one, and when you take the evidence of someone's failures away from them, you come across like a hero. You can get treadmills for nothing other than the sweat to get it home. I'm about 2/3 of the way through doing this with my lathe, this same model (which I really like, BTW).
@@willmorrison1022 I have a DC treadmill motor and am considering buying the HF 12x36 wood lathe. would you consider sharing your experience/learnings on doing this conversion? Maybe share the source of your info if there is one. thanks.
@@g.harrismcgraw8325 I have the same lathe, and am in the process of doing that same conversion. I am also doing it on my drill press with a different motor.
I would suggest that there are plenty of video already up here that show exactly how to do this, and that is where I'm getting MY information.
But really, it seems to me that the hardest part is in dong the motor mounting. That will be different for each motor that you deal with. I got lucky with my drill press, it only took 2 short pieces of angle iron and a few bolts and I was there. I even did a bracket for a fan to sit underneath the motor and blow up into it. That will turn on when you hit the power switch for the motor. I'm not really worried about it overheating, it's not like I am planning on dong so much drilling at a time that there would be no cool off time, but it's always a possibility, and it's just one more way to remember to turn the power off.
Do a search for HF Lathe DC motor mod or something similar, and you will find several videos from guys who explain things far better than I could. Like I said, I'm still learning this stuff, myself. Best of luck!
Thanks for this video, very helpful!
Thanks for the comment.
To tighten up the tail stock (if you haven't already) take it off the bed ways. There will be a nut and washer twist the nut clockwise a quarter turn and reset. Try it out if it is still loose or you have to push to the bench, repeat the above until you are solid at the 3 or 9 position.
Its a great lathe for the money
what is the lowest speed you can start at? i was under the impression that it was around 700rpm,
Enjoyed the video keep up the good work be blessed
Has anyone been able to do indexing with this lathe? At the back of the motor, rear end of the headstock. there is a female threaded hole, with the retention ring. It appears that indexing can be implemented using this female threaded hole (with a bolt that fits this size and pit of thread and a graduated disk), but I have yet to find out what thread it is.
Thanks for sharing this I'm thinking of getting one does it come with anything or just the lathe
Ok thanks for telling me
Hi I am BC and I have some new parts I ordered from harbor freight and I am not sure where they go cause I bought this used so Iam trying to find out what all I need.so if you don't might do a short tailstock video and email me please. I llike your review.
I would be happy to help. Send me an email at info@dadfixedit.com and I will reply with a video of the tailstock assembly.
Jake, I have same lathe, and have no problems. I want to put a handwheel on mine, i think the thread size is LH 1/2IN 13TPI, do you have any ideas about making a wheel?
How do you remove the face plate, if it is to tight.
On the PSI chuck. Is there a certain model # ?
Great video, lots of great info I needed. Did you get the chuck from harbor freight?
I did not. That came from Penn State Industries.
question about how you got the original tail-stock out? mine has a cup center and the rod just pushes that out and the tail-stock chuck seams to be stuck. did you have this problem and if so how did you solve it?
Could you link to the psi chuck you purchased. I have the same wood leath. Just about the same amount of time 2 years now. Love the wood leath. Thanks for the video.
I will get you a link ASAP.
www.pennstateind.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PS&Product_Code=CUG3418CCX&Category_Code=economy-4-jaw-chucks. This is the one I got. It has worked really well however I stripped out one of the screw(about 2weeks ago). So stuck with one size jaw until I fix it.
What chuck are you using and where’d you get ?
Very informative, thanks!
I’m glad it was helpful. More videos on the way once this shop is finished.
Waiting on the 4 year revieiw.
Well made my first chess set with it last week and still runs like a charm. I will get a 5 year up at some point. Just a great investment.
I have this Lathe and was wondering where to get replacement parts like the tighten down handles and a drill chuck for the tail stock
breakingdock I use pennstate industries for a lot of my additions live centers, 4 jaw chucks, drill chuck ect. I would recommend turning your own handles. You can make them to the size you prefer.
You got me with the "heavymetal" (love heavy metal) name and the HF lathe. ...don't have one yet but soon!
Thanks I get mixed reviews on the music but I too love metal. Good luck when you get your lathe. Its a blast turning random projects.
Dose it come with a chuck?
How much was it?
Hay thanks I'm looking to get a wood lathe.
Kent Costello no prob. I recommend this rig for sure. Turned out 15 pens over the last couple nights for Christmas gifts. Still works like a charm. Merry Christmas.
Have you ever done any work on a pool cue? Would this be suitable to work on one half of a 2 piece pool cue (which would be up to 32" long)? It would need to be held in a chuck pretty solidly so that the free end could be worked on (drilled, turned, and similar) without the tail stock.
rh kramer I would think with any lathe a pool cue half would need to be stabilized if you were not using the tail stock. They sell stabilizers and there are some videos on making your own. Hope this helps.
Hi There, Just purchased a second hand lathe like same as yours but different badge/colour . Do you know what mortise size i need for the tail stock when ordering different live centres and jacobs chuck thanks
I don’t know the exact size but it is standard nothing weird.
@@heavymetalwoodworking1755 Thanks for you reply
Thank you for posting video, I have never has one wood lathe before, and i will purchase one of this wood lathe for the beginning some question to ask, what is the chuck for, and what type of PSI chuck will fit for this model, and what the is the price range for the PSI chuck!
Any chance you can give me details or a review on the four jaw chuck you are using? I want to be sure I get the right one. I just purchased my Central Machinery Lathe the other day. Thank you.
steve lorts I got mine from PSI wood working. It is the utility chuck. It has worked great for me. I’ve done bowls to spindles with it. It came with two chuck sizes and a large mount which I use when turning larger plates and things. www.pennstateind.com/store/economy-4-jaw-chucks.html#ciq_ath12
Would you mind telling me what chuck you got for your lathe? I have the exact lathe that you do and really want to get the chuck you have. Thanks in advance for your help.
I got the chuck from Pennstate industries. If you jump on their site they have a few options.
Well done sir!
Thanks. Hopefully helps people see what it’s about.
Nice job...curious as how it stands up to time! Ever make chess pieces?
Hey John! Thanks for the comment. I've had it for 4 years now and still running strong. Just made a few pepper grinders and a dozen pens. I do want to upgrade the rest pretty soon I do not know which one I am going with yet. Take care.
In reference to the chuck, what is the name brand and info you could give ? Where purchased ? Thank you
I got it from Penn State Industries. Mine is the Utility this link www.pennstateind.com/store/CUG3418CCX.html. THe baracuda one they offer is supposed to be a bit better but I have not tried it yet. Mine is still working well however I did strip one of the screw heads and need to go to the hardware store to get a new screw. I hope this helps.
I'm not sure what its called but the point on the headstock for me doesnt really work its not broken it just doesnt grab the wood. 3 times now I've had a piece fly at me even if I'm not touching anything. I recommend picking up a 12" lathe chuck or atleast a 6" chuck. I've also tried to turn pens but even on the slowest speed it is simply too fast to turn such a small piece, evertime I tried the lathe just snaps the wood if it gets to around 1/2 an inch even with freshly sharpen tools. But I will admit I wasnt using a chuck so that may be the problem. Turning bowls is great on this lathe other than the fact the tool rest always loosens up while turning. If anyone any fixs for these problems I'd love to hear it.
The Wild Dinkus! Thanks for the comment. I use a nova style chuck and have turned field down to a 1/4”. I’ve turned countless pens using a pen Mandrel. There is a video of one of the pens in my feed.
@@heavymetalwoodworking1755 The day before I watched this video I started having trouble with vibration in the headstock then watched this and realised that the handle that holds it in place had vibrated loose, getting much better turnings all around still havent tried a pen again though
What kind of bowl chuck didnu get for this?
Does it have any issues when changing the speed while running ?
You only adjust speed when running. I have not had an issue. Thanks for the comment.
You can't put an extensión to lenghten
I have heard good things about Central Machinery's lathe from two to three years ago, but as with anything from the Little Shop of Horrors, don't buy it if its not the same year and model as the review, today's model won't be supplied with the same batch of parts.
So you have a new model? Could you give some insight as to the problems you are having? Thanks.
I took the belt cover off this lathe and a large ballbearing fell out. I can't find any place where it could have come from. The lathe still works fine. Wondering if the guy boxing it up at the factory threw it in there for a joke. Any body know where this might go. Its a little smaller than a ping pong ball.
I haven’t had a minute to look at mine. I will take a look.
Good video man
Draco Aldevaran thanks. Trying to get more out there.
nice 2 year review. people are overly rough with their tools, that is why things break. not to say you need to baby tools, but it drives me nuts watching people trying to get that last turn in (or push), as if they could actually have any effect on something they are already straining at.
Hi! What size chuck does this need? Just put mine together but it did not come with a manual.
The PSI chuck I mean :)
Mark Flaherty are you referring to the thread size?
Heavymetal Woodworking correct! Like I wanted to put a quad jaw chuck on it, would I go with 1 inch 8 tpi?
Mark Flaherty yes 1 in 8 is correct.
How has it held up?
Great thanks for the comment.
Just bought this lathe and need an expandable mandrel to turn duck calls. Can’t figure out what size it is and what I need. The calls will be 5/8 of course. So anyone turning calls able to let me know? Thanks
Blake Parks Glad to hear you entered the turning community. I use a pen Mandrel. I don’t make calls however I do make a few different style of pepper grinders. I have been turning my own collets rather then buying them. Most kits tell you exactly what size you need so I just turn what I need for my project.
I would like to know you can't put big chuck
I have a 4” chuck on mine. I am not sure how big you are wanting to go.
Is like industrial regular
I would not call this large industrial at all. It is more for hobbyist.
So I have a unique problem with my lathe, the head wont properly lock even after applying the force of Hercules to tighten the teeth on the rotating head, any suggestions?
I haven’t seen that issue yet. I’ll look into mine and see what could cause that. I’ll get back to you ASAP.
Heavymetal Woodworking Your help is more valuable then the lathe! I cant thank you enough!
So after looking a little closer it is possible if the head is not seated down all of the way the dogs will not grab properly. There is just a threaded rod between the 2 locking dogs. Below is a link to my site if you could possibly login and post a couple pictures of the front and rear of your head stock base in the position you are trying to lock it into. It will give me a better Idea of what you have going on there and I can help diagnose it for you. www.dadfixedit.com
Would you happen to have the part number for the nova chuck style head you got for yours?
Andrew Taylor in the process of moving but I will see if I can get it.
Heavymetal Woodworking ok thank you!
Andrew Taylor I can’t find the part number but it is the PSI woodworking model you can find on Amazon.
Heavymetal Woodworking thank you for looking. I’m going this weekend to get the harbor freight this weekend.
ps can you recommend a duplicator attachment for this lathe?
Bill Sargent. I have not used a duplicator yet as most of my projects have been a small quantities. I duplicated 15 antique spindles on my staircase using a marking board. They came out great.
What’s the thread count as in is it a 1-8 or 1/4-8
Levi Dee sorry for the delay. It’s 1-8
Hi bro where can I find some replacements I need for this model
Bricotico I haven’t had to get any replacements yet. Sorry I’m no help there.
Replacement parts:
I ordered an extra drive belt, haven't needed it (yet). But figured I wanted to have one on hand :
(as listed on Amazon) D&D PowerDrive 3L240W NAPA Automotive Kevlar Replacement Belt, 3LK Belt Cross Section, 24" Length, Rubber
Besides having an extra live center and jaws (Chuck) I find a 2MT 1/2" drill chuck to be quite useful. Again Amazon or Penn State Industries is a good source.
Hey Grampy, I'm doing research to buy a lathe and $ matters, so I'm looking at this one. You said that I can get a chuck off Amazon or Penn State, does that mean this lathe has the same 1" 8tpi threads as most of the chucks in the catalog or would I need a converter of some sort? Thanks so much for whatever insight you can give me!
@@melissaflynn185 Yes, the HFT: CENTRAL MACHINERY
12 In. X 33-3/8 In. 3/4 HP Wood Lathe With Reversible Head does have a 1" @ 8TPI drive, I have 2 almost identical chucks..
One from PSI (#CUG3418CCX), cost around $100 with a bunch of extras, I've never used the extras, the other is the WEN LA4444, I got it on Amazon for about $55, it is virtually identical, except the PSI one is in chrome (prettier), the WEN is black .
I agree $$ matter, I determined this HFT a better buy than the smaller (benchtop- not 1" @ 8TPI) HFT one that you need to move the belts to change speeds. Also it is almost identical to one formerly carrying the JET label, a Grizzley model and a Charwood model (sold in Europe, for alot more). I've had mine for 3 years, the headstock and tail stock still align as good as my eyes can see, w/in a few thousanths of an inch.
Other tips, take great care in precisely setting it up, the manual is poor in describing how to get it aligned perfectly.
HFT currently has a coupon for this lathe, $299 until 1-15-2020, coupon # 12486541
@@melissaflynn185 I just read what I wrote, regarding chucks (my last msg was describing 4 jaw self centering chucks on the 1" 8 tpi taper, the drill chucks use the 2MT of the tail or headstock), the 1/2" drill chuck (needs to be 2MT, aka #2 morse taper) I was talking about @PSI $30 #TM32 , If you search Amazon , for 1/2" 2MT, they have them as low as $22... I have the PSI one, it has served me well, the $22 one will likely be fine.
Is the tailstock an M2 taper? I cannot find any info on it and I need to replace it. Thx
Yes, it's a #2 Morse taper, MT2
what is the rev head ???
It’s so you can do larger turnings by rotating the headstock around.
Bad brand!