How much “Wood Lathe” do I need for 18th Century or Shaker type furniture pieces?
ohiodon
| Posted in General Discussion on
As the title eludes to…I need some advice on How much lathe I need to buy to make 18th Century style , some shaker, and other misc lathe work. I know I will not be turning bowls and stuff like that. Is a Grizzly G0733 overkill vs a G0462 for doing legs and posts? I am 100% new to lathes, thus why I need the help of those that have already crossed this decision process.
Replies
I'm in a similar situation as you and am looking for the same reason you are (i.e. no bowl turning). My hunch, for how infrequently I will use it and that I have half considered making a spring pole lathe, that just about any of them out there will do as long as it has enough max length. Rex Kruger has some YouTube videos six months to a year ago about an inexpensive lathe he's purchased. Not sure if long enough the parts I would need to turn but I do plan on watching those videos again soon. I like and trust Rex's advice on no frill tools that get the job done.
Think of the longest things you might want to turn. Dining table legs, maybe? I'd want something that can handle 32-34 inches between centers. A midi lathe with an extension would do it.
Both will more than exceed your needs unless you want some rare specialist applications. Both are massive overkill for your needs.
Any old lathe will do what you want - all you need to look for is a 2MT head and tail stock. You'll be turning between centres so a nice long tool rest is good, though those are easy enough to make. If you find you like it, and need a bit more then give the old one away and buy another. If you want more capability, try to buy one with a common thread on the headstock - 1.25" is nice. 1" is ok. If you can't buy faceplates, it's a pain.
Spend more on a good sharpening setup. Tormek is definitely king, but you can get great results with less - it's just harder. I have the Kodiak sharpening system which is great.
https://woodturnerswonders.com/collections/build-your-own-bundles-1/products/build-your-own-kodiak-sharpening-system
Thank you. Just bought myself the woodturnerswonders 1hp with the full sharpening system. Went with CBN wheels in 180 and 600 square. I’m probably gonna get the Grizzly G0462 lathe. My Hammer A3 41 is in the harbor and should be shipping within a month…
Money not an object then ;-)
You will enjoy the Hammer. I have the same one and it's amazing. If you didn't buy the digital wheel, get to the shop and order it. If you did, you will be one happy dude.
Have you got the chisels you need? I'd definitely recommend Hamlet and Sorby as great options you can be assured will get the job done.
For what you want to do, I'd buy a big (1.5" or so) spindle roughing gouge, a 3/4" bowl gouge (you can do a lot with that and an Irish grind) a narrow parting tool and a 1" skew chisel. More than that is overkill at the start - easy to buy. Harder indeed to sell.
Thanks for the chisel recommendations!! Yes I got the digital wheel and wheels and lift kit and extension(s)...
would this work for spindle work too? https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-T28011-Bowl-Turning-Tool-Rest/dp/B07KFSM583/ref=sr_1_21?crid=3DJVJ2RS483OG&keywords=lathe+table+tool+rest&qid=1669661135&sprefix=lathe+table+tool+rest%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-21
Should do nicely - very similar to my home-made one.
Don't forget a steady-rest as stantheman suggested - these are very useful for longer pieces.
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A steady rest is a good idea (holds up the center) for long whippy things. And if you start with 3' rods it saves a lot of time. Turning is addictive so go for the biggest and heaviest you can afford. I turn on a midi-lathe with an extension, but wish I'd started out with a larger lathe.
If you are going to turn long stock, I would highly recommend making one of these for your new lathe. I've built two and would never go back to a standard metal tool rest.
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2019/11/06/make-a-long-tool-rest-for-your-lathe
I've thought about one of these. How is the "feel" of the tool sliding on the wooden tool rest as compared to steel?
It's similar. I ended up adding a steel y post as the wood tended to dent. Sadly, so did the steel y post and that was worse than dents in the wood, but it could be filed down.
I modified the design and made the top angled tool-rest part out very dense wood (hackberry?) and glued it on the pine base. When it gets bad, I’m going to saw it off and glue on a new one. So far, so good ..
Would this be an option?
https://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-T28011-Bowl-Turning-Tool-Rest/dp/B07KFSM583/ref=sr_1_21?crid=3DJVJ2RS483OG&keywords=lathe+table+tool+rest&qid=1669661135&sprefix=lathe+table+tool+rest%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-21
A very good option. Never knew those existed..