Sorry, this is a tad long winded...
I have an AMT lathe from the 80s that I bought to turn legs for some bar stools. It served me well back then when I was making long spindle items. I recently dusted it off after not looking at it for about 30 years and have begun to experiment with it to make small items like Christmas ornaments and similar turnings. It came with an 8" tool rest which works OK, but, when I began turning small items I realized it was way to big to get close to smaller blanks. I bought a 4" and 6" from Rockler recently. They are well made, however, the post is way too short for this lathe so I had to rig a makeshift spacer to raise the tool rest holder (whatever it's called). If you have ever had an AMT (the two bar one with about 37" between centers) you will probably know that adjusting the tool rest holder is a big PITA! The spacer only amplifies that problem. I recently bought Penn State's utility grip chuck. I like it. I think that it will serve me well if/when I decide to upgrade to another lathe. I've seen a couple videos that show using a chuck like this with a spur center sticking out through the center of the chuck. I'm assuming that the spur center has a Morse taper as the guy just popped it out after turning a shoulder on the blank before switching to the chuck. The chuck just road along until needed I'm assuming. I am not familiar with the Morse Taper head and tailstocks. The AMT has a 3/4-16 thread on the headstock and a propitiatory live tailstock that does not allow accessories to be attached.
I haven't done much research on new lathes. I doubt my budget will allow over $500, so, will probably research the best lathe I can get under that. I am probably done making long spindles for projects so I will either mothball the AMT or sell it to someone that is just beginning and doesn't want to spend a fortune finding out if they like turning. So, I am not sure what upgrade I am looking for. I would like to get one I can put a Jacobs chuck on the tailstock. I also want one that the tool rest holder moves smoothly and can move in close to the blank no matter how small diameter it may be. On the AMT the closest I can get is about 1 1/2" from the center unless I come in at an extreme angle. The holder does not work well at the 45 degree angle required to get under that. I'm assuming that the mini and midi lathes out now are easy to move into small diameter as they are popular with pen turners.
Tim
I have an AMT lathe from the 80s that I bought to turn legs for some bar stools. It served me well back then when I was making long spindle items. I recently dusted it off after not looking at it for about 30 years and have begun to experiment with it to make small items like Christmas ornaments and similar turnings. It came with an 8" tool rest which works OK, but, when I began turning small items I realized it was way to big to get close to smaller blanks. I bought a 4" and 6" from Rockler recently. They are well made, however, the post is way too short for this lathe so I had to rig a makeshift spacer to raise the tool rest holder (whatever it's called). If you have ever had an AMT (the two bar one with about 37" between centers) you will probably know that adjusting the tool rest holder is a big PITA! The spacer only amplifies that problem. I recently bought Penn State's utility grip chuck. I like it. I think that it will serve me well if/when I decide to upgrade to another lathe. I've seen a couple videos that show using a chuck like this with a spur center sticking out through the center of the chuck. I'm assuming that the spur center has a Morse taper as the guy just popped it out after turning a shoulder on the blank before switching to the chuck. The chuck just road along until needed I'm assuming. I am not familiar with the Morse Taper head and tailstocks. The AMT has a 3/4-16 thread on the headstock and a propitiatory live tailstock that does not allow accessories to be attached.
I haven't done much research on new lathes. I doubt my budget will allow over $500, so, will probably research the best lathe I can get under that. I am probably done making long spindles for projects so I will either mothball the AMT or sell it to someone that is just beginning and doesn't want to spend a fortune finding out if they like turning. So, I am not sure what upgrade I am looking for. I would like to get one I can put a Jacobs chuck on the tailstock. I also want one that the tool rest holder moves smoothly and can move in close to the blank no matter how small diameter it may be. On the AMT the closest I can get is about 1 1/2" from the center unless I come in at an extreme angle. The holder does not work well at the 45 degree angle required to get under that. I'm assuming that the mini and midi lathes out now are easy to move into small diameter as they are popular with pen turners.
Tim