Charnwood 12" Variable Speed Mini Wood lathe W815

I purchased this variable speed mini lathe from a small dealer on ebay 3 months ago, I needed a small lathe that I could tote around for demonstrations.  I have previously borrowed a small Perform lathe and also an Axminster, both of these lathes had got really hot after about 30 minutes of running and lets face it why wouldn't they.

The first time I used this little lathe and I do mean the very first time, the large tool rest just snapped in half across the stem, as I was at the Govan Gathering in Glasgow it was a bit of a problem, but the small rest managed to survive the rest of the day.  I must just add at this stage that after the Gathering I contacted Charnwood directly and they sent out a replacement rest IMMEDIATELY no quibble no questions.

I did have the borrowed Axminster lathe on hand that day because I was going to be making little things like spinning tops, flowers, boxes etc all day to give away.  I figured this lathe would overheat in no time.