Replies

1. 
   WillGeorge | Mar 16, 2005 11:18pm | #1

   I use a wood lathe very little so probably shoulden't even respond but...
   If it were me.. I'd take a 'turning' class someplace and see what 'THEY' use and do first.. Amazing what talking to others in a class can bring up..

   Just me...

2. 
   docbones | Mar 17, 2005 05:15am | #2

   I am a woodturner and have had about 6 lathes. If you aspire to turn bowls you will need a greater swing over the bed than then the typical 12". Am not familiar with the delta but inboard turning is safer because you can use the tailstock to steady unbalanced turnings. I have a Powermatic 3520 which sells for about 2600. Great machine and lasts a lifetime.  Swings 20" over the ways.   Bob

1. 
   dovetail3 | Mar 17, 2005 06:56pm | #4

   Thanks Bob:
   I'm taking a class Sunday and the
   teacher also recommends the Powermatic.

1. 
   lilredss | Mar 17, 2005 08:03pm | #5

   Dovetail, I've had 3 lathes.  I started with an old Craftsman that had about a 8" swing.  It was a used one from the late 40's.  I learned to turn on it.  Then I had a Delta with a 12" swing and the head that you would rotate 90 to turn larger objects.  It was junk.  The drive pulley that varies in diameter to change speed has a bronze bushing in it, and every time I would turn the head and fasten a large (heavy)  piece of wood to it, the bronze bushing would self destruct.  For the first year Delta kept sending me new pulleys, but after that they wanting money for them.  Delta told me my lathe was the only one that had this problem, but it was my problem and not theirs.  Finally got to where I kept an extra pulley and got to where I could change it in just a few minutes.

   Finally got rid of the Delta and got a real lathe, I now have a Powermatic 4224 and it's great.

   I would think twice about the Delta.

    

   Another Bob

   Edited 3/17/2005 1:04 pm ET by Bob

3. 
   DennisS | Mar 17, 2005 08:23am | #3

   Dovetail -

   A smaller lathe is a great way to get started in turning. But I think at some point you'll want and more likely need to move up to a bigger swing and more massive machine to do the kind of things you've described. Just my opnion. And, by the way, it's the way I got into this turning stuff.

   The larger lathe also presents the possibility of exploring other types of lathe work as well. I've recently become fascinated with spinning metal forms. This can be done on about any lathe but it puts a real strain on the bearings and I'd be inclined to guess that a smaller less powerful machine might not stand up as well.

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis
4. 
   tailsorpins | Mar 18, 2005 01:27am | #6

   Please visit this website, go to the links and find an association near you, hook up with them, go to a meeting, and get some hands on experience with whats available.  Forty-five years ago, I dusted off the wood lathe in my junior-high school shop, convinced the shop teacher I could handle it (later found he was frightened of it due to an unfortunate accident) and started turning.  I built my first with scrounged-up angle iron and kept turning at home.  Since then, whenever I want to really relax, I walk over to the old Duro and make something "in the round", or oval!  You'll never regret it.

   http://www.easttexaswoodturners.org/

   Most of the local associations will welcome new members with open arms.  Who knows, most of those dedicated turners have an old, un-used machine you might pick up for a song.

   John