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Craftsman 15 in. Lathe, Bench Top, Variable Speed Reviews
Craftsman 15 in. Lathe, Bench Top, Variable Speed Reviews
www.sears.com
| 63% of reviewers recommend
(12 out of 19)
Rating Summary
Most Helpful Favorable Review
sears-feed
Chicago, IL
I bought this machine last year throught Craftsman Club. I have not had any problems with limited use. The machine seems to be a bit under powered at the recomended speed for roughing. I does vibrate at the 2000 rpm speed. I has its ideosyncracies and quirks. One problem I have noticed it the locking...
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Posted on Aug 20, 2008
Most Helpful Critical Review
sears-feed
Chicago, IL
recived this lathe as a christmas gift was very happy to add to my wood shop after reading the instruction manual and putting it together I started turning a small 12inch ball bat for my son five minuntes into the project then I could hear the belt to start to rub against something then I started to...
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Posted on Feb 09, 2009
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Craftsman 15 in. Lathe, Bench Top, Variable Speed Reviews
Displaying reviews 1 - 13 of 19 in total
I have had the Craftsman 15inch lathe for 1.5 years and mostly turn bowls and vessels. I had to disassemble the speed control since it was not lubricated at the factory. However, it is well engineered and performs quite well for me. I am looking for guidance on rewiring the motor to enable reverse spindle operation for sanding.
I have turned up to 14inch bowls on the lathe with no problems. I recommend the product to anyone considering the Jet or Delta products in the same size. I do recommend that the lathe be used with the available metal stand rather than anchoring it to a bench top. ...
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I purchased the lathe in 2005 but really did not get into using it until about a year and half ago. Then the first time i use it to turn a bowl the belt broke .I replaced it . Every time I turn one or two bowls the belt brakes.I can't remember how many belts that have broken ! The last time I used it in December 2008 I replace the belt three times. One belt broke in three hours on the lathe .I wished I had never purchased this lathe . I can not replace this belt anymore it cost to much money to use this lathe. chip55
Lathe did very well for the first 3 years with 2 years of very limited use. I felt that I should renew the in home warranty as I am now turning more well that day did come when all moving parts do give problems. I spent a total of 45 minutes on the phone being bounced around like a ping pong ball was told once that there was no need to call I could just drop of the lathe at a repair center when ask why I have in home service if I must take it in myself I was placed back on hold. In about 5 minutes or so I was ask to give name number address and tell my problem on hold agin finally some one new...
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The swivel on the headstock is an improvement over the Craftsman lathe that was sold in the 70's and changing spindle speed is certainly easier. If the stand is purchased also, you might consider adding additional weight to keep vibration down. If your shop is not air conditioned, then regular lubrication to prevent rust is a must with this lathe.
I've been very pleased with my new lathe. I'm new to turning and it's a great starter lathe. It's easy to use but also allows you to do more complicated, sophisticated work. Parts and options are easy to get and as close as the local mall.
Highly recommend the lathe stand that is an option. The lathe should come with tools instead of having to purchase a kit separately. Also a good wood turning guide or book would have helped.
Great tool and great fun!
If this is your first lathe, it could be a good learning tool. It does have some good features, like the swivel head, varible speed, and the large turning capability. If you are looking for reliability this is not the lathe for you. I've turned a dozen (12) small bowls and have replaced the drive belt 3 times. Which is the reason for this review, I am getting ready to put the four belt on. I am getting pretty good at taking the centrifical clutch off and on, to sand the main shaft that allows the pulley to move. The shaft keeps mushrooming. Also, the drift pin on the variable speed selector fork...
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I have been using this lathe for about 5 months and then the variable speed control on the headstock stopped working. The repair man said that it was a manufacturer defect and replaced the headstock. I then proceeded to buy an extra 3 years of warranty. It seems to be working well now. The in home warrany was a good price. The plastic handles to tighten the tool rests are a bit light weight. One broke on me, but they replaced that also and even sent an extra.
I have turned a TON of items on this lathe. The drive belt gives up often, and is expensive to replace at over $30 each from Parts Central. I have had it three years and have put 5 belts on it, and belt number 6 is on its way. The headstock - tailstock align very well. The motor is powerful and the variable speed is nice, as long as you keep the shaft that the variable pulley rides on lubed and clean. For the money, it's a good machine. I have been turning for 30+ years, and really enjoy this one.
I looked at many different kinds of lathes before I bought this one. What finally sold me on it was it's versatility for the price. It is the best priced big lathe on the market and it can do just about anything. Turn 38 inch spindles or a 20 inch bowl. It has a big motor and at 2000 rpm is fast enough to turn small stuff and put on nice finishes. The bed is solid and the rotating headstock (motor) is a big plus.
I rated it low on reliability because mine has a continual problem with the main shaft rusting. Since the mechanism by which the motor changes speed requires the pulley halves to...
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I bought my lathe about a year ago. I have really enjoyed turning bowls on this lathe. I haven't had any problems with this machine
I bought this lathe a little more than two years ago and from the start there were problems.
I make Fishing plugs and it doesnt take much out of the lathe but within three months it had broken down. Luckily there was a warrenty, but customer service was horrible. it took two months to get it fixed.
Now to the present. With under 5 hours or work per week it has once again broken down and unfortunatly i could not afford the extended warrenty and i am up a creek without a paddle. In two years it has broken down and i have only had about 18 months of sparratic use.
DO NOT BUY THIS LATHE!!! unless you...
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Purchased it on Saturday returned it on Monday! Headstock is a great feature of high end lathes. Tail Stock detracted from the whole lathe. Cheap Cheap Cheap, After shimming the tail stock in three area and readjusting shims for 6 hours. Nothing done would maintain a clean parallel Head and Tail Stock. They need a new Quality Assurance program at whatever factory is producing this product.
Reviews of Craftsman 15 in. Lathe, Bench Top, Variable Speed
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