Replies

1. 
   Napie | Mar 17, 2008 03:37am | #1

   Just bit the bullet and get a big heavy lathe now, like the Powermatic.  You will just be trading up again in a few years because you’ll want very good speed control and more mass.  Remember, you can turn small stuff on a big lathe, but big stuff on a small one is a problem.

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 17, 2008 05:25am | #4

   Napie,
   What does it cost?
   JimI know less than half of you, half as much as I should Like;
   I like less than have of you, half as much as you deserve.

2. 
   oatman | Mar 17, 2008 04:30am | #2

   By all means, if you can afford it, get a monster. Those things can set you back alot of cash, though and if you opt for a medium duty lathe, you can load it up with 200 pounds of sand to keep it from walking all over the shop. I have a Delta, which I think cost about 500 bucks (present from my wife) and it has been great since I added the extra weight.

   Dennis

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 17, 2008 05:09am | #3

   Dear Oat;
   The "monsters" have two problems: cost and weight.I have an outdoor shed, and while it is two stories I have a bunch of water in the Spring around the Foundation.( with a bunch of weight on each floor). I don't have the expertise to go for the Gold, and have outgrown the spindle device. I want to do much bigger projects, but want to keep the price under $ 1,500 or have a good reason to go over that.
   What do you think?
   JimI know less than half of you, half as much as I should Like;
   I like less than have of you, half as much as you deserve.

1. 
   Napie | Mar 17, 2008 06:05am | #5

   On special right now for $2,500.00.

1. 
   twotowers | Mar 17, 2008 10:32pm | #7

   Thanks.
   JimI know less than half of you, half as much as I should Like;
   I like less than have of you, half as much as you deserve.

2. 
   oatman | Mar 17, 2008 06:52am | #6

   I hear good things about both the Jet and Nova lathes in the $1500 to $2000 range. Also, here's a link to a terrific woodworkers forum where they are more than happy to give you all the advise you ever need (or want!). The turning category here at Knots tends to get pushed to the bottom of the pile., IMHO.

    Good luck

   http://www.woodturnersresource.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl