Turners

[tonylumps]

How many SSV Members are also Wood Turners I am getting really interested in it .I do not know witch way to start.Mini, Midi.or a full size lathe.I have been looking on CL for a used one.i guess the first time a chisel flies out of my hand I will sell it.That is why I am looking used.

[WayneMahler]

I have a full sized lathe. I use it for turning spindles, table legs etc for furniture. I never got into pens and stuff. It's fun and there is a lot to learn. Going used is the best way for the least investment. How ever you will want a good set of tools and learn to sharpen them right. YouTube has a lot of videos to help you along the way. Best of luck.

[don in brooklin on]

Welcome to the Money Pit.  The lathe is the cheap part.  If you can buy used the better as often you will get the accessories thrown in. 

 

It seems when you start you NEED (or really want) better tools, chucks, mandrels, sharpening system etc.  A must is the wolverine sharpening system.

 

I have a Nova 1624.  Great but it is not true variable as you have to change belts.  It has been great machine and I still use on occasion.

 

If you have a turning club near by check with them as many times they have members wanting to sell equipment plus I think lessons are invaluable.

 

Don

[Clayton717]

It all depends on what you want to turn. Small stuff like pens, bottle stoppers, bowls, get a midi. If you plan on making large spindles, table legs get a large lathe. You can make small stuff on a big lathe, but you can't make big (long) stuff on a small lathe. I have a Jet 1015 VS and love it. let us know what you come up with.

[Rolf]

Welcome to the Money Pit.  The lathe is the cheap part.  If you can buy used the better as often you will get the accessories thrown in. 

 

It seems when you start you NEED (or really want) better tools, chucks, mandrels, sharpening system etc.  A must is the wolverine sharpening system.

 

I have a Nova 1624.  Great but it is not true variable as you have to change belts.  It has been great machine and I still use on occasion.

 

If you have a turning club near by check with them as many times they have members wanting to sell equipment plus I think lessons are invaluable.

 

Don

All of the responses give great advice, but Don has it spot on.  I bought a used Jet 1236 for $250 replaced all of the bearings and parts of the Reeves drive. I now have the Nova DVR 1624 I absolutely love it what a difference from the Jet.

As Don said the Wolverine sharpening system is, IMO, a must have as sharp tools are critical. Getting instructions from an experienced turner is also very helpful. The you tube link on this site has some great sharpening and turning videos http://www.thewoodturningstore.com/ and the Hurricane chucks are super ( I have 2)

This is another excellent site for videos  Google  "SB tools on Vimeo" it won't let me put in the link.  I hadn't turned since high school and realized very quickly that I needed some guidance. 

Edited August 25, 2016 by Rolf

[zimmerstutzen]

The lathe is definitely the cheap part.  Turning has changed dramatically since I did it as a side business in College in the 1970s.   Carbide tools and chucks did not exist back then.  nor did variable speed drives.    

 

As much as I despise the quality of some Harbor Freight tools, don't overlook their woodlathes.  The small mini lathe for $125.00 is the same thing Woodcraft sold until recently for $400.00  Their next size lathe is sold by Jet and Grizzly, also for several times the HF price.  I got the 12 x 35 model on the stand for $240.00 last January.  Variabvle drive, etc.  A good chuck will be half the cost of the lathe. and a set of carbide tools can be as much as the lathe.     (I still have my lathe knives from my college days, but I have purchased many more at yard sales and auctions.)  I got a name brand English 2 inch spindle gouge for $2 at a yard sale.    I purchased a used HF 12 x 36 lathe on Craigslist a month ago with a chuck for $75.00 and paid the guy $5 for the set of 4 craftsman knives.    The lathes can truthfully only handle stock about 8 inches in diameter, but I am not tuning porch posts or 7 ft.  bed posts.      

 

Watch some of the older lathes from Delta, Craftsman etc.  They may have odd spindle threads which make fitting a chuck very difficult.  3/4 x 16 and 1x8 are easy to find chucks for.  I encountered a nice lathe with a 1x14 for $50.00 last winter but fitting a chuck or finding a face plate would have been impossible,  The only alternative would have been  to pay to have a custom part made. .  

 

Years ago, I was taught to sharpen free hand on an Arkansas oil stone, and I did that for years with good results but you need to understand the angles needed.  .  A system makes it easy for a beginner.  I now use a wen wet stone machine I bought at a yard sale. I can set the angle and slow grind a very fine edge.      There are several good YOUTUBE videos about turning and sharpening.  My favorites are Rick Turns and Capt Eddy Castelain.  But others are as good. 

[MTCowpoke22]

I was given a Woodcraft full sized lathe about a year, year and a half ago when the owner upgraded. When I told a cabinet-maker buddy of mine about it, he said "you just went down the rabbit hole". As everyone says, the lathe is the cheap part. Mine is definitely not a top quality lathe, but it gets the job done. I am still learning how to utilize it properly. Everyone here has great advise. One option for chisels is that they now make handles with detachable heads. If you're not comfortable sharpening, they may be something to look at. I haven't gone that route yet, but am thinking about it. At the moment I don't have anything for sharpening, and mine are in dire need of it. The other thing is don't expect to turn perfect projects right away. It takes time to learn the feel of the lathe and what speeds and chisels to use when and with what angle, etc. Try not to cry too much when a great project flies apart on you. It happens.

[Phantom Scroller]

You can never have enough £100 chucks I have two because I was fed up of changing the jaws on them for larger or small pieces to turn and found it easier to swap them over instead of unscrewing the jaws and changing them.

I'm always looking for second hand ones and as for chisels cheap ones don't last long before there only three inches long constantly sharpening them.  I know you will enjoy your lathe once you have bought all the mandrels etc. Have fun. Roly 

[tonylumps]

I know what everybody is talking about.Down that road before.So far all of the used Lathes i have been looking at was either junk or people want more than they are worth.Because it was made in the USA 40 years ago does not make it worth more than what the original price was.i have been doing my homework.Not in any Hurry.I am leaning towards new.And a China lathe is not out of the question at this point.I have 4 Wen bench tools that I use now as a hobbyist and they perform beyond my expatations. But I also have Festool, Fein,Bosch,and USA made Porter Cable that I used for my business.So I have an open mind when it comes to tools.I will keep you posted and right now all the advice is very helpful.Anybody want to sell a lathe

[Sparkey]

I have a small Jet lathe. It won't do anything longer than 15 or 16 inches. I mostly do pens but am thinking about getting into bowls soon. There was a time I wish it was larger.

[Lucky2]

Welcome to the Vortex, be prepared!!! My first lathe was a $99.00 one, it is comparable to the HF mini. I've owned this lathe for over ten years, and I've done lots of pen turning on it. I've made a few small bowls and boxes with it also, but it is limited in size. It is a variable speed lathe, and the only work I have had to do to it, was change the headstock bearings. I purchased a 14"x42" lathe two years ago, I use it a lot for larger items. But, I still prefer to use the mini lathe, if the wood will fit. So, decide what you think you might want to turn, small or larger items. But, keep in mind, you can turn small things on a large lathe, but, you can't turn large things on a small lathe. If you do buy a lathe, you should buy a variable speed one if possible.

Len

[Scrappile]

I had a Nova 1642 which is considered in the big category.  I never turned anything very big and space in my little shop is scarce so I sold it and got a mini.  I like the mini but I don't turn much any more.  I mostly use it for making parts if I am building a model or something.  But remember, You can turn little things on a big lathe, but you can't turn big items on a little lathe.  So, it the money is available and the space, I'd vote big lathe.  Like most have said though be prepared to spend money of things besides the lathe.  But, you don't have to have everything at once.  It can be spread out over time.  My first lathe chisels were a Harbor Freight set for around $40.  Still have them and still use them.  They have to be sharpened more often than expensive ones, but sharpening takes practice anyway.... 

 

If you can find a local turning club, I would recommending joining, even before you get a lathe.  You will learn what you need and how to use it faster. 

[amazingkevin]

I've only done metal lathe work ,would be nice to try wood

[zimmerstutzen]

For many years I was into shooting flintlock rifles competitively.  One thing the trafitional muzzle loading crowd is into, .. is making their own gear and accessories.   They learn leatherworking to make their own moccasins, their own leather pouches, knife sheaths, etc.  Wood work to the extent they may carve a stock from a plank to build a gun, metal work to finish the barrel. lock etc.  Some even learn to sew to make their own uniforms and historical clothing.  A few make their own tents, camp beds, tables etc.  They take pride in trying to be as self sufficient in obtaining their "kit" as their forefathers.  I have used a metal lathe to make musket parts, turn a barrel and fit metal pieces.  My interest in wood lathes kicked up again when I wanted to make an authentic style "holtzhammer" (mallet) and "ladestuck" (loading stick) for my Boeller salute pistol.  The loads were traditionally carried in wooden containers similar to the 12 apostles used by early matchlock fusiliers.  So I made my wooden hammer and loading stick.  I am working up to making my powder charge containers on the lathe.   Boeller salute guns are used to salute the coming of Christmas and in parts of Germany are fired on Christmas eve at sunset and again at midnight.  (Search you tube for Weihnachtschiessen)     The traditional German Christmas decorations of the time used fretwork (scrolling) in making their traditional Schwibbogen and from the area my family came from a miniature Christmas village scene called a Putz  pronounced like the English word puts in He "puts" the gun on the table. (not the Yiddish word dirty minds)    Anyway, that is the wierd circle that brought me to scolling and this site.  

[Gonzo]

I have an old Delta lathe that is full size. I, like a few of the others, would recommend buying used. Personally, I wouldn't go mini, as it limits you to what you can do size wise. Variable speed is nice, but isn't needed.

A good set of chisels is needed. Also a bench grinder to keep the tools sharp. I sharpen mine to a mirror finish by hand and keep a leather strop nearby to keep the edge. Keeping the tools sharp is a MUST. It is not difficult to do, but is time consuming.

Also for safety sake, a full face shield would be prudent to have. I have one and it has saved my ugly mug from getting even uglier. There are two turners in this world. The ones who have not had their work "blow up" on them, and those that will. Be careful!

Wood turning is a fun medium. It truly is amazing what you can do with a lathe.

[tonylumps]

I went and did it .Ended up with a Rikon 70-100.After do a lot of research it came down to this.It 6 speed easy speed change.No bending over.12" swing 16" bed with the option to extend.All of the electronic VS saws seemed to have problems.I could not afford a Lathe with mechanical speed control.I bought a set of 3 Grizzly chisels.A pen starter kit.that should be good enough to get my feet wet The biggest thing with a lathe is keeping the Chisels sharp .Well about 5 years ago i bout a Tormek T7 and have gotten pretty good at sharpening my wood chisels,Plane irons .and all of my knives

Edited August 27, 2016 by tonylumps

[tonylumps]

I have an old Delta lathe that is full size. I, like a few of the others, would recommend buying used. Personally, I wouldn't go mini, as it limits you to what you can do size wise. Variable speed is nice, but isn't needed.

A good set of chisels is needed. Also a bench grinder to keep the tools sharp. I sharpen mine to a mirror finish by hand and keep a leather strop nearby to keep the edge. Keeping the tools sharp is a MUST. It is not difficult to do, but is time consuming.

Also for safety sake, a full face shield would be prudent to have. I have one and it has saved my ugly mug from getting even uglier. There are two turners in this world. The ones who have not had their work "blow up" on them, and those that will. Be careful!

Wood turning is a fun medium. It truly is amazing what you can do with a lathe.

A lot of junk out there.Believe me i looked.One I looked at locally has not been plugged in for 10 years and it was rusted to the point that he had to oil it to move anything.I think he wanted what he paid for it 

[don in brooklin on]

I went and did it .Ended up with a Rikon 70-100.After do a lot of research it came down to this.It 6 speed easy speed change.No bending over.12" swing 16" bed with the option to extend.All of the electronic VS saws seemed to have problems.I could not afford a Lathe with mechanical speed control.I bought a set of 3 Grizzly chisels.A pen starter kit.that should be good enough to get my feet wet The biggest thing with a lathe is keeping the Chisels sharp .Well about 5 years ago i bout a Tormek T7 and have gotten pretty good at sharpening my wood chisels,Plane irons .and all of my knives

 

Congratulations.

 

The best thing about the Rikon is that they have a 5 year warranty.  We recently got the VS model at our club and most the guys who use it like it.  It gets well used so the warranty was a big reason we bought it.  6 months and not an issue so far.

[tonylumps]

Congratulations.

 

The best thing about the Rikon is that they have a 5 year warranty.  We recently got the VS model at our club and most the guys who use it like it.  It gets well used so the warranty was a big reason we bought it.  6 months and not an issue so far.

That was the only VS I looked at If I had the extra cash that is the one I would have bought.It also got good reviews

[tonylumps]

Welcome to the Money Pit.  The lathe is the cheap part.  If you can buy used the better as often you will get the accessories thrown in. 

 

It seems when you start you NEED (or really want) better tools, chucks, mandrels, sharpening system etc.  A must is the wolverine sharpening system.

 

I have a Nova 1624.  Great but it is not true variable as you have to change belts.  It has been great machine and I still use on occasion.

 

If you have a turning club near by check with them as many times they have members wanting to sell equipment plus I think lessons are invaluable.

 

Don

Don you are right.never put a block of wood on the lathe yet, as a mater of fact it is still sitting on a furniture dolly waiting for a stand .I almost have as much money in Acc. as I have in the lathe

[SCROLLSAW703]

Last year, just before Christmas, I was working on a project making chair legs & rungs with my old hf lathe I bought used a few years ago, & the gear box flew apart. Being as old as it was, it was just as cheap to replace it with another hf 12" x 33 5/8" lathe. Variable speed, reversible head, & on its own stand. I finished the project with it, & have no complaints. I've done a few other projects with it, & its a smooth running lathe. Speeds are easy to change. No more than I use it, it's the perfect size for me. I consider myself a beginner at the lathe. I've been scrolling 23 years. My thinking is to incorporate the lathe into some of my scroll work. And other projects, too. I've got the red handled set of hf chisels. I bought those when we bought the lathe. I've read several books on sharpening. I'm learning free hand sharpening. I've got a 6" grinder w/ an 80 grit wheel on one side, & an 8" 220 white wheel on the other. There are a few tools I'd like to invest in. Those will depend on how the projects go as I get better. Find a turners club, & get involved with those fellas. They are loaded with experience in all types of turning, & can help you with sharpening, too. You're just wasting your time with a dull chisel. Enjoy your venture! God bless!

 

 

[Rolf]

I have invested a small fortune in my sharpening system. I didn't like all of the grit from my grinding wheels so I switched to the CBN wheels. With a Geiger sharpening system (an older version)in combination with the Wolverine setup.

Grinding bowl gauges is a snap and extremely repeatable. I learned early on that my hand grinding  skills were not so hot.

[tonylumps]

I have invested a small fortune in my sharpening system. I didn't like all of the grit from my grinding wheels so I switched to the CBN wheels. With a Geiger sharpening system (an older version)in combination with the Wolverine setup.

Grinding bowl gauges is a snap and extremely repeatable. I learned early on that my hand grinding  skills were not so hot.

This is my first time on a lathe. But from what I understand with out sharp steel don't even turn on the Lathe.I have had my Tormek for quite awhile I have been sharpening all my own tools.But never a lathe chisel.Had to order a Jig for them.As you know nothing Tormek is cheap.I have every jig but that and the drill sharpener.I did buy the chisel jig .But will never buy that drill jig.Was checking out the CBN wheels. They are expensive but nice way to go. Do they last for awhile

[Rolf]

My CBN wheels will out live me. My friend at the woodturning store has been using his for years with no issues.  

Unlike a stone wheel it does not wear down. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I too am a turner but stick with small items such as pens, birdhouse ornaments, and clocks. It is all that I want and need to do. I have 2 jet lathes 1014 an 1220 both VS. Fine tools. Yes the lathe is the cheapest part of that hobby because buying all the tools, grinders for sharpening and pen kits it does get costly but it is a hobby and keeps the mind active. I was away from my shop for close to 3 years due to health issues and family issues and just recently got back and I really missed doing what I do. Good to be able to create things again.