The AC355WL is a new design, perfect for those woodturners looking to move up from a smaller lathe, or as a first lathe for the more ambitious newcomer. Like almost all top quality lathes, this one is made from grey cast iron. The extra stability and vibration absorbing properties will be much appreciated during use. Featuring a top quality DC brush motor, with variable speed, 3 belt ratios and reverse, it has a speed range to suit every project within its size capacities. A spindle speed readout helps select the appropriate speed for the job. The tailstock is angle towards the end of the bed, maximising the distance between centres, but is also extremely stiff. Cam locks secure both the tailstock and toolrest holder, and both are easy to move along the bed. The headstock is very smooth in design, with a projected nose for the back of the bowl turning, large bearings to support the spindle, and a flip-up cover allowing access to the gate's multi-V belt for speed ratio changing. There is a system to provide a 24-stop indexing facility, with a spring-loaded indent pin to hold the spindle into position. The spindle thread is M33 x 3.5, allowing many accessories to be fitted, or use its 2MT internal taper to hold centres etc. With a capacity of 510mm between centres (depending on the centres fitted) and with a swing capacity of 355mm, many ambitious projects can be undertaken. Mounted on rubber feet and supplied with Axminster drive and tailstock centres, 200mm tool rest plus a 100mm faceplate.
D**M
Extremely disappointed after 1y. Top of the Craft line, expected more. Warranty the best attribute!
The media could not be loaded. Arrived in a battered broken crate. Set up ok. After day 1 the tool rest was dinking up pretty badly, very soft. They offered a replacement or the Evolution 100mm I took the Evo. Too small for me. The control unit fell off, the index pin broke, the tailstock handle fell off, the tool rest lock handle spring snapped, the headstock bearings went on Christmas eve and today the final straw. The motor is held level with one washer and bolt on a flange type thing. The motor keeps tilting down in the centre thus tilting the lower drive wheels which then begin grinding out on a lump of unfinished cast iron that is sticking out on the inside. I ran it most of the year in the centre speed perhaps the belt is stretched. The tailstock is all over the place. I guess when you lock it down it lifts itself into the dovetail track presumably centring it perfectly. However, that has not been my experience. I have found wobble on this lathe an issue. If it were a 200 quid Chinese knock off I'd expect all of the above. It is not and it is not right.I asked a question about power consumption yesterday. How much would it use in 8hrs. The reply blew me away.Good morning, Thank you for your enquiry. We would not be able to advise on the power usage. Please be aware this is a craft rated machine and we would not recommend using the machine for more than 2 hours per week. Kind regards Customer Service. TWO HOURS PER WEEK! They don't put that in the description.In the Amazon blurb that made me choose it "The AC355WL is a new design, perfect for those woodturners looking to move up from a smaller lathe, or as a first lathe for the more ambitious newcomer.I'm a very dissatisfied, yet ambitious newcomer.They sent replacements for all broken parts and I requested an increased warranty due to faults and they obliged.
S**E
18 Months old and still running well.
Being my first lathe, I did the usual shopping around and decided to purchase a British made Axminster Craft, or as a thought! When it arrived I was amazed to find it had been made in China! That said, it is a well made tool and I am pleased with it.I have included a photo of some of the items that I have turned over the 18 Months of using the lathe. This is the first time I have used a lathe since leaving school in 1963, so I am well pleased with the results.
N**K
Quality machining issues / tolerance.
The media could not be loaded. Hi, I bought this wood lathe 11 months ago, the Machining on the bed of this machine is out of tolerance, Axminster sent a new tail stock in March, but the excessive movement on the lathe bed still exists, the side to side movement on the tail stock means it cannot be centered after a reposition, small items cannot be drilled!This machine and customer service need some work!
Trustpilot
2 months ago
2 weeks ago
