Latheing questions

latheing? – NICE!

turning tools quality depends on how well they can take an edge (sharpening) – how thick the blade is how sharp it can be made, and for how long it’ll keep that edge. also , the size, weight and comfort of the tool, and how well it can take the vibration that is coming from the lathe and the turning piece.

-- When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

The critical factors in picking a lathe are the swing and the distance between centers. The swing limits what diameter you can turn, and the distance between centers limits how long a piece you can turn. I would pick something around 36” distance between centers so that you can turn baseball bats, railing spindles, etc. The swing depends on if you’re going to turn bowls or not. If I’m not going to make a living with a tool, I always look at HarborFreight.com first. Cheap stuff but you get what you pay for. Best of luck. Make sure to post your defeats as well as victories. It helps us all learn.

-- You can't control the wind, but you can trim your sails

Chris,

I have both the Powermatic 3520b (click the link for the review) as well as a Jet mini lathe. I had always wanted to try out turning on a lathe but was hesitant because I did not know where to start. I would suggest that you consider what you want to turn; for example if you are interested in pen turning or other items of that size, including smallish bowls or hollow forms a mini lathe might be worth looking into. If you want to make larger hollow forms, spindles or bowls you have two measurements to consider and that is the swing or distance from the center of the chuck//faceplate//center and the bed of the lathe and the maximum distance between centers. I purchased my Jet mini used and spent most of my initial money on good turning tools and a way to sharpen them (for me, a slow speed grinder and the wolverine jig). Send me a pm or whatever if you have some questions.

I know that if I had to start over I would still look for a used quality lathe first….. unless of course one of those deals of a lifetime falls in your lap. There a few LJ’s that have made their own lathes too.

-- Chris

I like my Rikon bandsaw so much, I’ve been looking at their Mini-Lathe.

You can add an extension for longer turning.

I wonder if any LJs have this lathe. It would be nice to hear from them.

I just looked at reviews, a couple of LJs wrote reviews.

Here's one of them.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

In the past two weeks I sold my ShopSmith and bought a Rikon mini lathe. Both are great for learning “latheing”—- the Rikon is on sale during October at Woodcraft. ShopSmiths can be found on craigslist.

I learned to love woodturning on the SS, but it was too short for me (too short as a lathe, too tall as a table saw, just right as a disc sander!) – the rikon allows me to build a table to my height requirements.

The rikons are used at my local woodcraft for their classes, every week they have amateurs beating them up and they still run great and true, that and the price (as compared to the more expensive Jet) sealed the deal for me.

good luck, please let us know what you chose!

-- JC - Central PA - www.affyx.com

I have the Rikon mini lathe and am very pleased with it. I would like to have the bed extension for mine. The only thing I have heard negitive about them was that they break belts, but I’m not sure that is true, mine still has the orginal belt from over a year ago.

-- I can fix ANYTHING!.... Wheres the duct tape?

In buying a lathe there is a lot to be considered. The most of which is what your intended use will be. IMO….. you want a good quality machine, something with some weight to it, as vibration will be your enemy. Also remember that the lathe is just the start of the spending spree….... you will also want turning tools….lots and lots of tools. (spindle, face plate, hollowing the list goes on), chucks, chuck jaws, grinders and sharpening jigs, steady rests, tail stock points, the list goes on and on…....... and of course, it all come down to what are you going to turn?

Check Craig’s list and other buy and sell sites. Lots of good deals on old Rockwell’s, Delta and others. Most of the used stuff will have some accessories with them like turning tools…....... Good Luck in your adventure.

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/

Well not really sure what I want to turn I guess I will start with some thing simple like a bats or something…. maybe bowls legs spindles …yeah I know the lathe is just the start of the spending…But I think I will be doing med. sized projects….mostly…

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

I agree with Brian. It would probably be better and just as cheap to buy a reasonably good lathe on Craig’s List or ebay from a reputable dealer than buy a new cheap one. I can guarantee you that you will never be happy with an inferior lathe and it will probably turn you off turning altogether. With a decent sized lathe, say 36” between centers and a swing of 12” or more you will be able to do a lot of different types of turning. Also I would caution you against lathes with round bed bars. The bars just aren’t rigid enough and you will get more vibration than you want. I know, I have had one for the last 14 years. Some lathes have headstocks that swing around. That will allow you to do outboard turning with much larger diameter objects than the you can over the bed. I have this feature on my lathe and it is pretty handy, although I don’t use it a lot.

-- Mike, American in Norway

I was just going to say what Mike just said.

A friend had a Rockwell lathe with tubular bed.

It had too much flex in it, & kind of useless.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38515

The lathe I’m looking is from menards but here is basicly the same thing HF…nothing great but should be a nice starting point…

-- christoper Blanchard, Michigan

The lathe you have pictured is not worth the time looking at…....
Underpowered … Too light…the bed has no substance to it.
Speeds are way to fast for anything that might be a bit out of balance.
The Reeves drive on those lathes are problematic.

You would be far better off with a good used machine…...... Here is one in Saginaw that is on Craig's list. I’m sure there are many more in your area. See if there is a turning club near you and talk with some of the guys there…. often they know where the deals are.

Just My Humble Opinion…...........

After posting this message, I see a fellow jock has a review on the machine I linked to........

You should also have a look at the lathe reviews here at LJ’s….... Some of great interest for you I am sure.

-- Brian's Table Top Toys http://home.mountaincable.net/~bgraham/