Good deals on used items can be listed in local classifieds.
A midi lathe is a small, handy lathe suitable for turning small wooden objects. These types of lathes are slightly larger than standard mini lathes. They also have more features in common with full-size horizontal lathes than they do with mini lathes. This lathe is suitable for use in a variety of settings, from home woodworking to large-scale factories.
Basically the midi lathe is a smaller version of a horizontal lathe and most of the components of a standard lathe are also part of a midi lathe. This includes an electric motor that rotates the headstock and an adjustable tailstock to hold the workpiece in place. A tool holder is between these parts. The motors on most midi lathes can also be adjusted to turn the workpiece at different speeds, depending on the needs of the operator.
Standard lathes also have accessories that a worker can purchase if they need to perform additional or advanced functions on their lathes. Fixtures commonly used on large horizontal lathes are also available in a smaller form factor for use on midi lathes. This includes attachable drills, lathe duplicators, bit extensions, and other add-on components.
Midi lathes differ from mini lathes in a few important areas. They have a more powerful motor than mini lathes and the shaft that this motor turns is larger than a mini lathe and therefore capable of supporting larger work pieces. Some of the midi lathe components, such as tail tip extenders, are not available on mini lathes.
The purpose of a midi lathe is to specialize in turning objects such as pens, stool legs, wooden knobs, small bowls, and other things that can be made from a small piece of wood. For people on a budget, tail tip extenders can also make a midi vise useful for turning larger objects. Its small size is also useful if there is not much space available in the workplace.
The purchase of a midi lathe can be done in several ways. They are available at most hardware stores. Used models can be found at garage sales or through newspaper classifieds, for example. The internet also has a number of sites that sell power tools like these, both new and used.
The low price and small size of midi lathes make them ideal for beginning woodworkers. Their power and versatility ensure that even experienced woodworkers will find them useful. If a workshop or factory needs to produce small turned wooden objects, a midi lathe is a smart investment.