Hobbymat MD65 and Hello

[A IrwinParticipant @airwin15878]

Hello everyone since its my first post! I have a quick question re a Hobbymat MD65 I've dug out of a dusty corner. Has anyone else one of these that appears to have been converted? Light, power switch and safety switch on the pulley cover. (Safety Im guessing). There appears to be no reverse switch so has to be by hand. Will this make much difference? I'm planning in getting rid/swapping so is it worth putting one on or is it OK like this? Thank you for your time.

**LINK**

[A IrwinParticipant @airwin15878]

[Clive HaynesParticipant @clivehaynes74488]

What do you want reverse for? I dont know of any lathe to have reverse except for production automatic lathes. I have not owned a MD65 but I have a vague recollection of it, or at least pictures of it. Very basic lathe but ok for starters.

Clive

[Clive HaynesParticipant @clivehaynes74488]

P.S you may get more response by listing your question under beginners.

Clive

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

"I dont know of any lathe to have reverse"

I can think of a few lathes with reverse, my Boxford AUD for one, my mates Myford and his brothers Colchester Bantam.

Handy when cutting threads as it allows you to wind the tap or die back to mention one of many uses for reverse

[Jens Eirik Skogstad 1Participant @jenseirikskogstad1]

Here is information about Hobbymat.. It has reverse switch.. **LINK**

For my personal recommentation, i will selected the lathe from Myford (not cheap, but well equipment to a lot of works) , Sieg (cheap, need carefully inspection and clean up before use) or other lathe who has same properties as Sieg to example Axminster lathe. Also i has Sieg 250 x 550 (same as Sieg C6) in 9 year and still very satisfied.

[Jens Eirik Skogstad 1Participant @jenseirikskogstad1]

There is more information about Hobbymat.. **LINK**

[A IrwinParticipant @airwin15878]

Thank you folks for the replies ! and apologies if beginner but just trying to find out really if it was worth putting on reverse switch before selling. I make models but really don't have time to figure out the lathe. Enjoy wood and electronics metal a little alien to me.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

The original design has the reverse switch next to the on off switch on the panel on the base in front of the chuck. It is usefull as there is no tumbler reverse and the leadscrew is permanently engaged.

It is a nice little lathe for smaller gauges 2 1/2 in and below and is self contained on its own base. I even knew someone who took it on caravan holidays and used it on his knees though at 80 lbs not recommended for people of more averaage build.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi A Irwin, going to the trouble off fitting a reverse switch may not increase its value by any significant ammount. You may be able to recover the cost of doing it depending on what monies you spend on such a switch. You could put something like this self contained switch/no volt start/stop **LINK** but this particular one doesn't have a box, so you would have to source or make one to suite.

Arc Euro do a forward/reverse switch among thier lathe spares, which you may be able to fit in the original front location of the lathe http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Machine-Spares/C4B-Bench-Lathe-Spares

As Bazlyle says the leadscrew is premanently engaged, so a reverse switch would be an advarntage.

Clive, I would think that you are likely to find more lathes with a reverse than without one.

Regards Nick.

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 12/06/2014 07:42:35

Edited By Nicholas Farr on 12/06/2014 08:18:24

[Bob PerkinsParticipant @bobperkins67044]

Hi Irwin, welcome to the site. I bought a SIEG as a newcomer to the hobby about 3 years ago. It came with a reverse function which I didn't use until I started doing some screw cutting on it. I use it all the time now.

Bob

[A IrwinParticipant @airwin15878]

Thank you guys for the replies. Found out the lathe was modified for a school. Hence the more robust on off switch and the light. Seems to have been professionally done. I'm told they didn't make screws so maybe that's why no reverse. I read above about someone having it on their knees. Good lord I can hardly lift it! I know I wouldn't be able to get up again!

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