Reply To: That cheap Parkside wood-lathe

[Dalboy]

On Dalboy Said:

… also when you decide to upgrade if you want to progress to a more capable machine then reselling it will be harder.

As a woodturner, I personally would tell people to avoid this machine, and buy one at least with a good resell value. That way at least you will get a reasonable return if it is not for you. …

Can’t agree with the resale idea!   Only makes sense if the machine is of high-value in the first place, and this lathe is £65 from Lidl,  perhaps half that second-hand.

I see it as a starter lathe, ideal for a learner wanting a cheap educational entry, and happy to throw the thing away if it doesn’t perform.

I never buy tools as an investment.   Main reason is I don’t want to land my children with a ‘is this junk worth anything?’ problem when I die.  After I’ve got value from my workshop, they can put the whole lot in a skip.

The rules depend on the game being played.  Anyone serious about wood-turning is unlikely to equip a workshop with tools bought from a cost-cutting supermarket!  I don’t advise that.  But the Parkside is a reasonable start for explorers, perhaps ‘good enough’ for their simple needs, or leading them on to greater things.

Dave