Thoughts on the Craftex CT128?

[Brad in Alberta]

Hello all!

Just curious to hear from people who have had experience with the Craftex CT128 lathe. I am looking to buy a lathe in the very near future and the features offered on the CT128 for the price seems very appealing to me. I would love to hear likes and dislikes about this machine or any other opinions that might be out there regarding the CT128 or similar machines.

Thanks in advance,

Brad

P.S. - Love this forum. I have learned much from reading the posts of people with experience in the art of turning.

[Daner]

Price:
$1,199.00

That's the lathe I use.....It was my first lathe And It runs real nice......You will love the variable speed with the digital readout....You can also do out board turning on this as well
Its got tons of power as well

[Brad in Alberta]

Do you have any concerns with the 1" spindle size versus the 1 1/4" spindle size on some of the competitive machines? I've read reviews where some people were scared of the 1" spindle and some didn't think it was a big deal at all. That is one of my main concerns. Also I have read that it is difficult to use a vaccuum attachment. While its not something I will be using right away, down the road I would probably like to try it. I'm just trying to keep all my options open for future expansion.

Thanks,

Brad

[Bob_Macgregor]

Brad,
I've had my CT128 for a couple of years and haven't had any significant issues with it. The EVS is a joy to have an the 2HP motor is a world of difference from its 3/4hp predecessor in my shop! I don't know if the 1 inch spindle would be a problem for giant, wet, out-of-balance blanks, but I haven't tried turning anything like that yet (and may never). There are a few minor things I wish were different about the lathe (including having a 1.25 inch spindle thread and a handwheel), but I still think it is by far the best bang for the buck in new (as opposed to used) lathes in Canada right now.
Although I managed to pick up an old vacuum pump last summer, I haven't gotten my act together enough to get set up for vacuum chucking yet, but I think this is the best approach for this type of lathe (eg, CT128 or Laguna):
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=84279
Look carefully at the "rotary adaptor" section. This gadget just jambs into the outboard side of the spindle and seals with O-rings.
I hope this helps.
BOB

[Gord Adams]

Buy the CT128 you can't get any better bang for the buck. You could rebuild the entire lathe and still be cheaper than the so called "better" lathes.

The CT128 is a workhorse. We've turned everything from small spindles to 17" bowls. Never had any problem with the 1" spindle, but then again I've never spun an 80 pound block of wood at 3000 RPM either(I guess it's my idea of common sense). The VFD allows you to go dial in a comfortable speed to eliminate the fear factor.

Just my 2 ¢ worth

Gord Adams

[Brad in Alberta]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Bob.

With the Craftex CT128 and the Laguna 18/47 being twins (with a few small differences) are the parts interchangeable between the two? If the 1" spindle ever proved to be a problem could it be swapped out for the 1 1/4" version from Laguna? Although I don't anticipate turning gigantic wet blanks any time soon the possibility could arise someday. It might be nice to know that a heavier spindle could be put in if the need ever arose. I agree that a handwheel would be nice, but its not a deal killer for me. I was wondering if the Laguna handwheel could be fit onto the CT128?

Thanks for the input and the help thus far,

Brad

[Brad in Alberta]

Gord,

Thats a good point. Not spinning heavy loads at high RPM's should keep the stress on the spindle to a reasonable minimum. Thats the problem with common sense, its not very common these days !!

Thank you for your thoughts,

Brad

[Lloyd in Mississauga]

I have only had mine a few months, so I really do not have any long term usability stats to offer.

The one thing I would really look at doing though is replacing the springs in the locking handles on the motor, spindle and tailstock. You could look at replacing the entire handle if you could find them.

On my machine, the springs are very week and do not push the handles onto the bolts inside very well. The handle itself is a softer metal and the bolt is not. I have rounded out the inside of 2 of the 3 handles so far just tightening them up. I have replacements handles on order.

They are 10mm 1.5 pitch bolts, so if you can find replacement handles that are better made, you will like your lathe more.

Other than that, I like it so far. Lots or power, EVS from 0-1200 is what I use all the time so far as I have my Jet mini for the smaller stuff where spinning faster is better.

Lloyd

[Phred]

IMO the 1" spindle is not a problem because the chucks, faceplates, etc. fit tightly against a shoulder which means the load is somewhat supported by a somewhat larger then 1" shaft. The tighteners do leave something to be desired but getting the damaged or worn out ones replaced by BB has not been a problem until better ones can be sourced.
I agree with "best bang for the buck".

[Brad in Alberta]

Thank you for posting to this thread.

Best bang for the buck is something I am looking for right now. I figure if I have to pay $600 - $800 for a benchtop lathe such as the General 25-200 M1 or the Delta 46-460, for not a whole lot more money I can get something with a heck of a lot more capacity. If the handles on the CT128 are a problem, what happens when the warranty ends for the machine?

Thanks,

Brad

[Lloyd in Mississauga]

Brad,

The handle have the same thread as those on the larger King lathe, and those ones look better. So somewhere there is a company that makes better handles, we just need to find out where they are.

The one the Busy Bee has for me looks a lot like the one on the King, so they may have replaced the poor ones before for other people.

If you are really worried about it, you can see if you can find handles with a slightly larger bolt with a standard thread and retap the holes.

There has got to be better ones out there, just need to find them.

Lloyd

[Brad in Alberta]

If I do end up buying the CT128 I will have to start keeping my eyes open for new handles. Unless of course they have updated them. I'm usually not that lucky though! I've been doing some more digging and am curious about this lathe from Grizzly: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Wood...-Readout/G0462 It has many of the same features as the CT128 but for a much lower price. Then again by the time I pay freight and duty on the thing the price will climb a bit for sure. Not to mention adding on the exchange rate. At least with the CT128 I can drive a couple of hours to Calgary and pick it up directly from BB. Heres another one from BB that might be interesting for me as well: http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=B2338 It doesn't have all the features the CT128 does but its alot less money too. I hate making decisions like this!!

Thank you everyone for your help thus far!

Brad

[Daner]

Brad .I have turned 18" Elm Bowls Inboard on this lathe
If you look at how the spindle Is designed, you will see It comes out of the headstock at approx 2"....Then It tapers down to the 1" spindle size.....One more thing Is what material was used to make the spindle there are so many different grades. I don't think you would have a big chunk of unbalanced wood In there and spin It so fast that It was bouncing all over the shop floor...Then sure somthing could break or let go.
Pete and Leo have both seen my lathe and they thought the spindle looked ok......The next step IMO, up would be a Oneway but look at the price.
The handles ...I had 1 strip out on me as well ....the tool rest handle.....But that Is a very minor problem....Busy bee mailed a new one out to me right away
Theres alot of lathe there for the money.....And I'm still very happy with mine.....I'm going to bolt It down to the floor,now that I know Its going to stay In that spot....And I will eventually build a out board tool rest for the beast
Best of luck In your decision

[Pete in Welland]

Originally Posted by Brad in Alberta

I've been doing some more digging and am curious about this lathe from Grizzly: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Wood...-Readout/G0462 It has many of the same features as the CT128 but for a much lower price.

The swing is 2" less . Grizzly doesn't do this style lathe in an 18" swing. The next one up from this is still 16" but with 1-1/4" spindle, so there's a source for a spindle swap

Originally Posted by Brad in Alberta

Heres another one from BB that might be interesting for me as well: http://busybeetools.ca/cgi-bin/picture10?NTITEM=B2338 It doesn't have all the features the CT128 does but its alot less money too.
Brad

Legs are extra and it's got a lot smaller motor. 14" swing so you're going down in size. Out of the 3 the 128 is IMO the better buy. Especially when it's on sale.

[mreza]

I've had (and still have) my eye on that lathe. Once I took a caliper and measured the weakest point of spindle (the thickness of it) and it was scary.
I don't buy this argument that chucks sit flush and it helps to address this issue (if the spindle is ever going to break this won't prevent it).

I thought about buying it and swapping the spindle but couldn't get a hold of anybody with a Laguna version to see if that fits this one (although I've heard these two lathes come from the same factory).
I heard from two sources at BusyBee (one of them very trusted) that the new version of this lathe will come with a larger spindle lathe (and that's why I waited) but it was several months ago So don't don't know when that will happen (if it does)...

Aside from this issue, I think it's a very good value lathe and the features are far beyond any other one in this price range. So if you don't expect to turn big and unbalanced chunks of wood on it I guess you shouldn't worry about the spindle size.

[Brad in Alberta]

No matter how many times I search the internet, or how many forums I read, or how many opinions I hear, I keep coming to the same conclusion; the CT128 is still the lathe that gives the best bang for the buck as far as features and capacity. The reason I was momentarily considering those smaller lathes was the lower cost. Then I gave my head a shake and remembered the philosophy I have lived by for a very long time; I am a firm believer in overkill! Build it bigger, better, stronger and faster. Also, you get what you pay for! Although I may not need the full capacity of the CT128 right now, as time goes on and my skills improve (hopefully) I know I will want to try bigger and more complicated projects. So buy the bigger, and hopefully better, machine and it will keep you happy for a very long time. Then again if it turns out I do want to step into a higher end model at some point, I should be able to sell the CT128 fairly easily as long as I take care of it and keep it in good shape. In theory anyway! I think my next step is to try and see if there is any truth to the rumor that the CT128 may be showing up with a 1 1/4" spindle in the near future as that is my only hang up at the moment. The other small problems that I've heard about up until now have been pretty minor and should be easy to deal with.

Thanks again for your comments and your help with my decision,

Brad

[Pete in Welland]

Just my opinion but for that spindle to break it would be a flaw in the metal not the size that did the damage. As for not buying the chuck is helping issue, it's a recognized thing that for a chuck to hold wood securely the jaws must be tight against a shoulder. So with the chuck butted against the shoulder on a spindle the same principle applies. The shoulder is assisting the spindle to resist bending moments and so has a stiffening effect. I saw Daner's with the chuck adaptor for his chuck left on the spindle. The chuck adaptor has a 1-1/4" thread for the chuck and at first glance I thought it was the spindle of the lathe. The 1" size is only on the very end of the spindle so the adaptor beefs it up.
I think any fears on the strength of the spindle are really unjustified and as the owner of old iron with a 1"x8 spindle thread I am well aware of just how much abuse it will take without any dramatic failure.

[Brad in Alberta]

I've just been reading some of the older threads regarding the CT128, in particular threads that were mentioning the 1" spindle and the general feeling that I get on the subject is that the 1 1/4" spindle would be nice, but not neccessary. As you mentioned there are other machines out there with an 18" swing that also have a 1" spindle and no one seems to be very concerned about those machines. I think I have 99% decided to go with the CT128. Now if I can just find the chance to drive to Calgary to visit Busy Bee, I'll be all set!!

[Bob_Macgregor]

Hi Brad,
I don't think you'll be disappointed if you get the CT128. I picked up a replacement handle at the Dartmouth BB last month after my first handle strip-out. The tool rest one gets the most use and that is the one that will get stripped first. The replacement looks different; I hope it will be longer-lived (the original lasted only a couple of years).
I also suggest you get at least one spare, shorter, tool rest (maybe 6" or 4"..or both!); if you turn anything small, like boxes or tops, the longer, stock rest gets in the way.
I also wondered whether the Laguna spindle would be a direct replacement for the one in the CT128, but couldn't figure out how to check...and now I just don't worry about it. If the newer CT128 lathes come out with 1.25 spindle threads, I may see about upgrading mine...or not.
I had my lathe shipped to a dock in town where I picked it up in my half-ton. It would have cost me more to drive the truck to Halifax and back than the shipping charge (plus, as far as I can tell, BB made a mistake and I never got charged for the shipping anyway!).
BOB

[Brad in Alberta]

Hi Bob!

I'm not too worried about the 1" spindle after talking to people and reading their comments on the forum. If they are going to come out with a 1 1/4" spindle in the near future I might wait a bit but if no one knows anything about it I will probably just get it right away as I am very anxious to get turning. Any thoughts on a brand of turning tools that won't break the bank? Or any other accessories I might need right away?

Thanks,

Brad