just about to buy a lathe, but having second thoughts...

Mike,

Until a couple of years ago I had not turned either; I had wanted to try it out though… I was able to purchase a used Jet mini lathe and caught the bug from there. My wife and both of my boy’s turn as well. Every thing from Bowls to Candle Sticks, Pens, key chains, Bottle Stoppers, even some hollow forms (vases). I did find myself limited by the size of the lathe and eventually got my self a larger lathe. The single aspect of turning I like the most is that within a couple of hours or less I can have a finished product. When you work a lot of hours under high stress like I do it’s a great stress reliever. I would suggest that if they are available to you nearby, take a short class on bowl turning something like that; it’s a great way to test the waters.

-- Chris

I’m doing what Chris did. I bought a mini-lathe from Penn State Industries. A “Starter Kit” to make sure that I would like it. The investment was small compared to a full sized lathe. And I found that it’s addictive. I’m basically turning pens, but have done a few spindles. It’s truly fun.

And, like Chris, I’ve found it to be a real stress relief. Sometimes simply taking a piece of scrap and making it round while practicing coves and beads is great therapy.

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

I would recommend you either do what was done by the folks above….or buy a used lathe…...another possiblibity is to look up your local woodturning clubs or woodworking clubs….alot of these will let you try out a bit on the lathe…I know my local rockler store has classes (alot of the woodworking stores do also) and that is a possibility.

I have both a mini and a big lathe – I keep the mini as it has a long bed (cheaper to buy the extensions for these then for my big one)...the long bed is great when I want to turn a long spindle for a chair or table. My big lathe I mostly turn everything but long spindles.

I would say that turning is my one of my favorite woodworking processes….like Chris said…it is a great stress reliever…and allows you to do some very creative projects…..Wood is not the only thing you can turn also…folks are turning antler, bone, acrylics, gemstones…I have turned soft metals…like brass and copper…...there is off center turning, ornamental turning….you are only limited by your imagination….I think a few folks on LJ’s label woodturning as the crack of woodworking….I would tend to agree….

-- Woodworking.....My small slice of heaven!

You only live once!! Get a bargain form Craigs list. Hopefully you can break even if you don’t use it. I have the opposite problem. Too many interests and i keep them all :-))

-- Debt is nothing more than the 21st Century's form of slavery.

Hey Mike, I have the lathe you are thinking about buying. If you use one of their 20% off coupons it brings the price down to about $200 and includes a stand. I purchased this lathe b/c I was not sure if I would enjoy it and $200 was not a huge investment. I can tell you it was well worth the money. I debated about taking a class before I bought it and looked at woodcraft in KC for turning classes and the cost more than the $200 price tag of the lathe so I have been figuring it out on my own. Money is tight for everyone but I can tell you this lathe has been worth every penny.

-- Chris

What I did was to take a pen turning class here at the local Woodcraft to make sure it was something I wanted to add to the tool collection. Needless to say, within 2 weeks of the class, a Rikon mini-lathe was sitting in my shop.

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

If there is a woodturners club in your area, check it out first. The club here is incredible in teaching new guys about turning. They do a lot of one on one with guys (girls) in their own shops, with their lathes. sort of like a test drive. I’ve seen some join the club before buying a lathe. Everyone else has given good input if you do buy. It’s not like you have to start with a $5,000 Powermatic or anything.

I have yet to see anyone get started that didn’t get hooked.

-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!

thanks guys this does help

chris, i sent you a message

Just to add my $0.02, I did like some of the above and bought a cheap Penn State lathe with some pen turning kits and such just to see if I liked it and thought I might be any good at it.

Now that I’ve had it for all of 2 weeks, I absolutely love it! As soon as a little more money is available, I’m getting a larger set of chisels, a decent chuck, and some bowl turning blanks. =)

There’s something amazingly fulfilling about being able to churn out multiple projects from start to finish in a day, rather than taking weeks to finish something.

-- Dylan Vanderhoof - New woodworker in training. =)

hey Mike please let us know what you decide to go with….

-- Chris

Mike i have just purchased a lathe just to see if i like it go second hand like me then if you dont like it sell the lathe back on ebay i payed £41 for mine which isn’t alot but i will buy good tools though

mine is just to learn pen making a very good place to start i’v been told and if i get any problems there are enough guys on here to help me out

SO GO FOR IT is my words to you

-- cut it saw it scrap it

I would try turning on someone elses lathe to make sure it’s something you even like.

I bought a lathe and it turns (no pun intended) out that I don’t like it at all!

Don’t forget that you will also need chisels.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

what didnt you like about it gary?

I would look at going to a club meeting if there is one in your area, see their projects talk to them. At first all I thought of was spindles and bowls (boring). The club meetings I find very good, watch techniques and insperation on different projects. I’m very glad I got mine.

-- Alan, Prince George

I suggest you find a club or someone with some experience to help get you started. You will save frustration, and will be much more likely to have safe and successful projects, after all its suppose to be fun, right?

-- Steve, Gainesville, Fl

o.k i didn’t know if i should say anything, but heres my 2 cents. wood turning is a very addicting hobby, it is one of those things that you either love it or hate it. that being said i would look on craigs list first, try to find one for a good deal not a CHEAP one, most people find that when the buy a cheap lathe it doesn’t run true or is under powered or countless other things that just make it a POS. you want to buy a lathe to have fun not to get mad at it. the small rikon is a great machine for the price, good power good clearance over the bed and it was on sale for a good price at woodcraft. if you have a buddy that turns ask him to let you try, if not stop by a woodcraft and someone there will help you out.personally i do not like penn state stuff, just my 2 cents. have fun and be safe.

-- Roper - Master of sawdust-

Wood turning is something you either get hooked on, or is a chore. Doesn’t seem like there are many folks in the middle there…

I have an inexpensive lathe, and I am happy with it. My biggest fuss is having to sharpen the tools…

-- Trying to follow the example of the master.

Having a lathe is addictive. I did my first turning in high school back when… well it was after we added the electric motors. and have been hung on it since even though most of the time I did not have or have access to one. Advice: a used good quality lathe is worth a lot more than a new cheap one…Do not skimp on turning chisels.. think English for reasonable priced quality and you only need a basic set for starters. Invest in a basic class, even if all it covers is spindle turning some things have to be done right or it will ruin the pleasure. After the basics you can learn from books, magazines, dvd’s etc. enjoy

-- RTB. "dumb animals are not stupid they simply can't talk "

It really just doesn’t appeal to me. It’s just a personal thing. I’ll use it only when I have to.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.