Time to turn

You just missed a sale Woodcraft was having on the Rikon. It was under $200.

I have the Jet Variable speed with a Stand. It is a great little lathe.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

I felt that my Ridgid 12 X 36 lathe was a great deal at, $125.00, but it all depends what you are wanting to get into. I did a write up on it here: http://lumberjocks.com/topics/85

-- Jesus is Lord!

I got an email this morning that Harbor Freight has their 14X40 lathe on sale for $79.99 from the normal price of $139.99. I’m VERY skeptical of the quality of their machines. I was looking at lathes at our local WW store and the salesman there said the HF lathe he bought fell apart after a couple months. I’m not sure if I’ll get into turning or not so this might be a good starter since its not too much of an investment. Anyone had any time on this lathe? Am I about to buy a big paperweight?

-- Jeff, South Carolina

Run don’t walk away from HF lathes, and Menard lathes they are cheap, the cast iron is cheap they fall apart in no time take it from experience. Jet is a good lathe, so is Rigid, RiKon I believe makes a small one too. What are you looking to turn small bowls, pens or a combination? mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Enough said. That kind of confirms what I was thinking anyhow. I’m not positive what I’ll be using the lathe for the most. I haven’t done any turning, so I’m more so just wanting to give it a shot. I think it would be fun to do some small bowls, pens, or legs. I don’t have a ton of room for a stationary lathe. If I went big, I’d have to create a way to store it while also keeping it in reach. I think I would attach a mini lathe to the underside of a work surface and set up a pivot to rotate it to the top when needed.

-- Jeff, South Carolina

The Jet mini lathe is very nice (the same one Wayne is talking about). I have seen it in action, and it seems to be solid and stable like my larger Jet lathe. The price is very reasonable too, $200-250 depending on where you buy it. It is big enough to turn something about 6 inches in diameter or so, and about 18-20 inches long. A nice set up for a reasonable price.

If you were going to go for the bigger lathe, I would recommend the Jet 1442 like I have (here is the link). I have had mine for three years, and it works great. Nice and stable, with the solid cast iron legs.

Be aware, you will probably spend more for the lathe tools, chucks, centers, etc than you will for the lathe itself. However, there is nothing like turning a piece of wood into something else. It even beats furniture making!

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

I am definitely looking mini. I think I’ll get the JET everyone recommends as it is reasonable and from a company that I have had good results with. Does this lathe have the option of an extension if I decide to go bigger down the road?

Based on Bill’s comments concerning the costs of turning outside of the lathe, what would I need for a basic startup. I would want to turn bowls as well as cylindrical pieces. I know nothing about chucks or centers. Do you different ones for different applications? Does a lathe normally come with these items? I’ve seen the prices on the actual tools. Ouch. What tools would would be a must to get started. I have seen some sets that are pretty pricey. What’s a decent brand that keeps the costs low?

-- Jeff, South Carolina

You can extend the length of the bed, but not the swing of most mini lathes including the Jet. I do not have extensions on mine because I have a full size delta lathe as well. (a 1940s model). I do have the stand and it works great.

If your turning small stuff, then I would get the jet with out a stand and set on your bench when ever you decide to turn. It should be plenty stable.

Here is a link to a starter kit for turning pens. Look at the content to get ideas of what is needed.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=850-9500

For bowls you would need to add a chuck and bowl gouges/scrapers

Also you will need a grinder to sharpen your tools and perhaps jigs if your not comfortable about doing it free hand. (I am not)

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Thanks Wayne, I’ve decided to go with the Jet mini. It appears to be about the same lathe as the Rikon, but I have had good results with Jet. I see that you ante’d up for the variable speed version. The reviews of the base model say that changing the speed via the belts is pretty simple. Do you find the automated speed change to be worth the extra money?

-- Jeff, South Carolina

I would get the VS option if the money is available. No need to stop and change belts after roughing, etc. Speeds the process up.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Definitely get the variable speed if you can. Like Wayne said, you can change the speeds at any time without stopping the machine, changing the belt, and restarting the machine. After awhile, that would get very tiresome.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

I would get a chuck, it will probably come with a live center and a dead center or on the end that does’nt power the lathe. the chuck clamps onto the end of a project so you can just use the live center to work on your project.

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

Yes, I agree on the chuck if your going to do anything other than spindle turning. The Jet comes with live/dead centers and a tool rest. I belive most would, but it pays to check.

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Picked up my new toy last night. I went with the Jet Mini VS based on the posts. I picked up a chuck as well (Nova, I think?). I am still a little ignorant about which of the hand tools I’ll actually use the most, so I got a basic 5pc Sorby starter set. I got 20% off the ticket for being a member of the local WW club. I didn’t realize that discount was available, but the clerk is in the club, so I was happy about that. In hindsight, I could have paid a lot less for several prior purchases, oh well. Gotta go, time to turn!

-- Jeff, South Carolina

All right Jeff. Congrats on the new toy. We are looking forward to seeing your turnings.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com