I have the Rockler Excelsior, which is the same casting as the PSI Turncrafter lathes. Rockler sells the extension for $70 (to be fair, it is often on sale for $60) plus shipping and it ain't light. It is about $80 or more to the door from Rockler. The PSI can be ordered through Amazon for $42 and shipping is free. Fits perfectly, just one little minor cosmetic issue - it's a completely different color:
I thought about painting it, but I will wait (if I ever do it at all) until I have turned a few things. If there is a hidden crack in the casting, they would probably want it to be red when they got it back. I doubt seriously there will be any problem.
You long time turners will get a chuckle out of why I got this. One item i planned to make is a one piece medieval alto recorder that is about 17.5" long. I got a lathe that is 18" between centers, so no problem, right? :wrolleyes:
EDIT - I probably ought to shoot another pic, but I am lazy. If you look close, the alignment is off in this picture because I have not tightened it yet. After shooting this picture, I moved the tailstock to right over the seam, tightened it and then tightened the bolts. I moved it off and the seam is perfect. It slides right across.
I thought about painting it, but I will wait (if I ever do it at all) until I have turned a few things. If there is a hidden crack in the casting, they would probably want it to be red when they got it back. I doubt seriously there will be any problem.
You long time turners will get a chuckle out of why I got this. One item i planned to make is a one piece medieval alto recorder that is about 17.5" long. I got a lathe that is 18" between centers, so no problem, right? :wrolleyes:
EDIT - I probably ought to shoot another pic, but I am lazy. If you look close, the alignment is off in this picture because I have not tightened it yet. After shooting this picture, I moved the tailstock to right over the seam, tightened it and then tightened the bolts. I moved it off and the seam is perfect. It slides right across.