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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Red Lion
    Posts
    3

    Default G'day from a long time lurker first time poster

    G'day all. My name's Steve and I live in Central Vic - 40 mins North of Ballarat. I've been wanting to get into wood turning for a while now but have been satisfied so far by watching Youtube vids of some of the amazing work on show.

    I was at Aldi today and saw they have a lathe for sale for $129. It's only a small one at 400W and the work can only be 350mm x 1000mm maximum but I figure it would be a good one to learn on. It's an Aldi homebrand (Workzone) model.

    What are people's thoughts on this lathe? Is is a good one to learn on then as my needs change and get a bigger lathe, convert this one to a polisher?

    Regards,
    Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Rockhampton QLD
    Age
    69
    Posts
    1,570

    Default

    Welcome to the forum Steve.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Geelong, Victoria
    Posts
    38

    Default

    Welcome Steve. There was a thread about the Aldi lathe from a month or so ago. If you search the forum for “Aldi lathe” it should pop up. I am surprised there are still some about in store.

    From memory there were mixed opinions.

    My own thoughts are that if I had started with something like that I could have saved myself heaps - because I may not have been bitten so badly by the bug. As it was I spent $300 years on a second-hand Hafco and outgrew that in less than a year.

    From what I have seen, the Aldi machine is a throwback to the very basic machines from 15 years ago and things have moved a long way since then. I think if you shop around you could get a much better value for money with a better quality mini or midi lathe.

    I would look for something with Morse tapers on the spindle and tailstock. This adds so many possibilities that it is hard to explain.

    But the have to admit to a bias against workzone tools and a marketing strategy targeting the impulse buy. I have fallen for it quite a few times and regretted all but one purchase - and that one was clamps that were recommended by a very reliable commentator.

    Bruce

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    18

    Default

    Next time you're in Ballarat have a talk to Danny at Des Elliott Machinery. He can give you some advice on buying a lathe and probably suggest something that would be better value. His web page shows lots of ledacraft machines but he can order any of the other brands as well.

    Des Elliot Machinery Sales & Service P/L

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    0

    Default

    Welcome to the Forum ozmoe. 11 Years may be some kind of record between joining and making a first post ??

  6. #6
    crowie's Avatar
    crowie is offline Life's Good, Enjoy each new day & try to encourage
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Faulconbridge, Lower Blue Mountains
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,576

    Default

    G'Day & Welcome to a top forum "Steve",
    There are a stack of members in Melbourne & across Victoria plus the rest of the world.....
    You'll find a heap of helpful & knowledgeable blokes & ladies on the forum and for most very willing to assist.
    Make sure you show off your handiwork as everyone loves a photo, especially WIP [Work In Progress] photos with build notes.
    Enjoy the forum.
    Enjoy your woodwork.
    Cheers crowie

    PS - On the lathe, try a new thread in the woodturning section to gain a wider audience and thus more answers....

    Here's the thread Bruce referred to...
    https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/lathe-sale-aldi-224088

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Red Lion
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Thanks old1955

    Lol Purpleheart. Yes, I'm sure it would be close to a record. I did say long time lurker )

    Thanks bruceward51 and crowie. I've found the thread and I'm checking it out.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Mornington Peninsula
    Posts
    408

    Default

    Welcome.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Adelaide
    Age
    76
    Posts
    425

    Default

    Welcome to the forum.

    Regards
    Keith

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    FRANCE
    Age
    59
    Posts
    1,889

    Default

    Welcome to the forum Steve

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Horsham Victoria
    Posts
    1,142

    Default

    G'day and welcome Steve

    I have a hands on get together that runs for the Australia Day weekend.

    I have not posted it yet for the coming year but have done it every year for the last 5 years.

    There will be a few lathes going and I'm not too far away from you being on the northern edge of Horsham

    DaveTTC
    The Turning Cowboy
    Turning Wood Into Art

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
    Posts
    293

    Default

    Welcome to a TOP FORUM. I also started off with a similar lathe a GMC. I learnt a fair bit on it, ended up joining the local Woodturning Club and learnt a LOT more.
    Dave, I'm in.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Red Lion
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Hi Dave.
    Horsham is about two hours one way for me but you can definitely count me in. I try to never ignore an opportunity to learn something. There's a remote possibility I may be working away that weekend (Thursday to Tuesday) but if I'm not, I'll be there. Thanks for the offer.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
    Posts
    293

    Default

    Hope you can make it Steve, I'll be there for sure, as it's a good way of puting names and faces to the handle.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

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