Replies

1. 
   djcolorado | Feb 22, 2005 08:26am | #1

   There are a couple right answers depending on where you  are going with your woodworking.  There are those who get caught up in the "Vortex" of doing bowls, boxes, etc.  All the wisdom I have read for those tormented souls says to get as big a lathe as you can afford.  I focus on furniture making and primarily use a lathe for spindles (legs, decorative sections).  I have a Jet 1236 and it is very sufficient for what I use it for.  It is a 12" lathe with 34" between centers.  If you are buying stock from most commercial sources, you really pay a premium for turning stock that is bigger that 3"x3"x30" if you can find it at all.   I did one piece that required a spindle longer than that, but by using a round tennon I was able to join two pieces of stock where it looked like one turning.  The 1236 has a feature where you can rotate the head stock which allows you to turn pieces bigger than 12".  I laid up the tops for a 18" round plant stand top and a 25" round end table top and turned the circumferences on them with the head stock rotated with no problems with the lathe.  (This kind of turning is more similar to bowl turning with a separate set of skills I had to learn)  The Amazon price for a 1236 is $540 right now.  Every source you read says to be ready to spend as much money on tools an accessories as you do on the lathe, and I found it to be true.  Getting cutting tools with quality steel, a sharpening system, and a chuck are really a must to do much, and that adds up. 

1. 
   66wood | Feb 23, 2005 04:15am | #6

   Thanks for the info. I too haven given thought to cutting tools and a sharpening system. I do this only for a hobby and can see a big investment ahead. Thanks again ,Bob

2. 
   DennisS | Feb 22, 2005 10:21am | #2

   Bob -

   That size lathe would be great for turning pens and also big enough to give you a taste for turning some bowls and hollow vessels as well. The biggest issue with respect to wood lathes is stability. Meaning mass to dampen vibrations from out of round or out of balance work. You can address this with securely mounting the lathe to a stand and weighting the stand with concrete blocks or bags of sand.

   Turning pens (which I don't do) requires (I should think) rather high speeds for effective polishing. Thus you want to make sure the headstock spindle and the tail stock quill are accurately aligned. Any lathe that has a pivoting headstock will require realignment after moving the headstock. I'd suggest investing in a double morse taper if you ever decide to rotate the headstock or even to check it from time to time if you don't.

   As has been suggested, the investment in tools and other accessories to make turning more fun and productive can amount to as much as the lathe itself. Don't skimp on tools. Cheap tools will prove frustrating in a short time. Frequent sharpening is a must. There is a wide variety of jigs available to help put a proper edge on gouges and the like, they may be seen as a crutch by many turners but keep in mind it's expensive steel you're grinding away. A good sharpening jig or system will save tool steel.

   Beware .... this is an addictive activity you're tinkering with. People have been reported missing in action when they fail to return from the shop due to spending countless hours standing at their lathes.

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis
1. 
   georgek | Feb 22, 2005 06:19pm | #3

   Dennis, you hit it dead on! I bought the Delta 14" for $550 at a show and have since spent over $600 in chucks, chisels, and will spend another $500 for the Tormek (OK I needed that anyways). The real problem is...my work and my fun now occupy the same space! I never get out of the shop. I'm thinking of puting the lathe in the livingroom! ; )

2. 
   66wood | Feb 23, 2005 04:20am | #7

   I too can foresee the addiction of the lathe.It is only a hobby for me and I will keep your advise in mind. Thanks for the info. Bob

1. 
   DennisS | Feb 23, 2005 06:41am | #10

   Bob -There's nothing wrong with thinking big! Trust me .... the 'hobby' of turning soon becomes something just short of an obsession!!There are two divergent approaches:If you have the room and if you have the budget, look at the biggest, heaviest lathe you can afford. I'd advise one with an electronic speed control rather than stepped pulleys or the variable speed pulley arrangement. General makes a very nice large, heavy lathe. In fact it was under consideration when I got my Powermatic. The Powermatic is perhaps one step below a One Way. In fact, One Way makes a very nice bench lathe that you might want to look at. These are large, heavy machines.Next is; buy a cheap bench lathe to learn on and find out what you're mostly interested in. Smallish spindle work or bigger face plate work. Then don't be afraid to sell your first lathe and move up or sideways, as the case may be, to something that better suits the direction you decide to take. Harbor Freight makes what's been considered here in the group as a decent small bench lathe. The Jet is probably a good choice as is the smaller Deltas. I don't believe you'll find electronic speed control on these smaller less expensive machines, however. Nova is another possibility which is a direct drive with electronic variable speed but at a higher initial cost.You'll have a lot of fun with a lathe, that I can assure you. Christmas shopping will get easier!...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis

3. 
   planejim | Feb 22, 2005 09:30pm | #4

   My first lathe about 40 years ago was an antique Montgomery Ward.  I ran it with the motor on my radial arm saw.

   My current lathe is also an antique but newer.  By asking around I purchased it with motor and tools for $25.00.  The seller was a serious woodworker who advised me to get used to sharpening until I could afford better tools.

   You might try asking around for a used lathe that's cheap to get a little experience and develop an idea of what you really want.

   Just a suggestion,

   Jim

1. 
   66wood | Feb 23, 2005 04:24am | #8

   I have the same feeling too about shopping for something used. I only play with this stuff and can see a large investment to this hobby. Thanks for your input,Bob

4. 
   mgumaer | Feb 23, 2005 12:32am | #5

   As others have suggested, you really need to try to decide what you want to do with the lathe. The lathe your looking at may be overkill for spindles but inadequate if you're thinking about bowls or other large turnings.
   Also, you're going to want tools, a chuck (with assecories) and some type of sharpening system. These can add up to much more than the cost of the lathe itself.
   If it were me, I would start with a medium sized/priced lathe (big enough to turn some modest sized bowls to see if you like it) and focus on buying quality tools, chuck, etc. and think about buying a bigger lathe if turning bowls turns out to be your thing.
   If you're sure no bowls or other large turnings are in your future, you can scale it down some.
   If you have a limitless budget, you can get your Oneway lathe and chuck, Tormek sharpening system and collection of HSS turning tools all right now.
   Personally, unless you've got cash to burn, I think that if you want to turn large bowls, your first lathe is very unlikely to be your last. Buy something you can turn your spindles with and try some small bowls/boxes to see if you really like it. If you do, then sell your first lathe and buy the biggest you can afford.

   Matt

   P.S.--As an alternative, join a turning club or find a friend who will let you try your hand at turning on their lathe to get some feel for what you might like.

1. 
   66wood | Feb 23, 2005 04:33am | #9

   All of you guys are extremely helpful and it is appreciated. I can see things that I had not thought about.It is only a hobby for me and I guess I was thinking to big for my britches!Thanks for the insight,Bob                P.S. I don't have money to burn and I will probably look for something used. 10 hrs. a day 5 days a week is my money!   Thanks again