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Can you reveal what you want to make on it?

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I believe you might find that This lathe would suit your purposes.

I don't have one, but the UK distributor is getting a consignment in next week, and I have one on order. It looks to be the best value mini-lathe on the market, and has the 0 RPM starting revs you require.

I suspect that it's more like $600.

People that make wood pens/pencils use little lathes. Maybe search for pen making supplys.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

Filippo thats too funny those things bite

Steve

Don't know if this will help but if you run a 3-phase motor with a VFD (variable frequency drive) you can get zero to 2X motor speed control. Used 3-phase motors are abundant and cheap but the VFD will set you back around $120.

Here's one that's nice because it takes regular household 110V input.
http://www.factorymation.com/s.nl/it.A/ ... ategory=30

If you have any questions you can call the company from the link. They've got very good customer service.

Kevin Looker

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

You might be able to use a barboque rotiseri as they run real slow.

Lathe sure looks like overkill for pickup winding.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

How about using a small variable speed drill press motor?
The one at micromark will go from 0 to 3000 rpms. I'm sure there are others out there as well.
http://www.micromark.com/MICROLUX-BENCHTOP-VARIABLE-SPEED-MINI-HOBBY-DRILL-PRESS,8283.html

MK

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I'm outside looking in, just farther from the window than most.

I've seen people use sewing machines. The foot feed is 0 to top speed.

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Jason Moe
LaCrosse WI 54601

My dad left me his Carba-tech mini lathe, I've never seen a simpler machine.
Mine has no included motor, only a multi-groove pulley & tiny belt.

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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008907949110

Guys winding pickups consider 400 to be extremely slow, so 300 shouldn't be a problem. From what I've read, they recommend beginners start at 4-600 but a lot of them wind at anywhere from 1K and up. If you're really set on being able to go low, then it's probably not a big operation to switch the motor or the spindle pulley to get an even slower speed.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

I have an old sewing machine motor with a foot pedal that you can have. The lathe you showed is going for $1250.00. Re-winding pickups does not require that muscle, and would be way to much. Unless you are set on owning a small lathe. Let me know if you want the motor.

Also, you should check with Grizzly and make sure they still carry parts for that lathe if you buy one. I have several Grizzly tools, and they break. But they are great about parts. Never had a problem yet. But all my tools are still being made by them, even though some of them are out dated and upgraded. I'm sure there is someone out there with a lathe that they don't want anymore.

we wind our coils on one of these:


-why not try a variac to control motor rpm? this way you need not limit yourself to a particular wood lathe.
-use a apex coil tensioner to absorb initial start up torque.
-controlling lay-up by hand is messy.

Chris, If i were you, i would be checking e-bay until one comes up. That's where i go for hard to find items and have always found what i was after there. Good luck with your search. They should be all over the place still.