Replies

1. 
   ajoe | Feb 23, 2007 03:16am | #1

   Try http://www.packardwoodworks.com

   I think they have what you need.

2. 
   philip | Feb 23, 2007 03:28am | #2

   What do you mean by a 9000.00 lathe? Dollars? Or 9 inch?
   A machinists lathe will turn wood very easily but you need to take certain precautions to maintain it in good working condition, and to get a smooth cut surface.
   Let's see some pictures of said lathe-I don't want to condone any acts of vandalism (,)

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   hellmutt | Feb 23, 2007 04:45am | #3

   It is a 13x40 inch metal lathe...sorry for the confusion.

   
1. 
   philip | Feb 23, 2007 11:15am | #4

   That is a nice lathe, although it looks as though it has not been maintained properly.
   Depending on what kind of turning you want to do you can either turn wood in it as if you are turning metal or you can fit a tool rest in place of the top slide-something like a Delta tool post. You could make the base for it useing that lathe. Then with a set of turning chisels you can turn freehand between centers. Use a prong center held in that 3 jaw chuck, if there is no 4 jaw self centering chuck.
   If you compound these acts of vandalism by not always cleaning the dust that is going to invade the works you will soon kill off the entire lathe.Philip Marcou

1. 
   hellmutt | Feb 23, 2007 05:57pm | #5

   Thanks for the input...maybe I should pick up a wood lathe rather than ruin an expensive metal lathe.

    

1. 
   highfigh | Feb 23, 2007 06:03pm | #6

   Or, if you no longer need that much of a metal lathe, you could make this one pretty, sell it and buy a smaller metal lathe AND a nice wood lathe,
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

2. 
   Vikingvood | Feb 23, 2007 06:50pm | #7

   I have used my large Lodge & shipley 16" swing lathe for both metal & wood for 20 years with no adverse affects,just use a good dust collector when sanding to keep the dust out of the feed/ thread gear box due to those gears are in a more open  enviroment. A metal lathe is far heavier & more stable than a wood wood lathe of the same size.

3. 
   philip | Feb 23, 2007 10:31pm | #9

   Hellmutt- yes definitely a better way to go. I don't know the circumstances but that lathe looks like a good lathe-screw cutting, power cross slide, gearbox, integral stand etc so unless there is some sort of structural damage it would be better to clean it up into proper metal working condition.Philip Marcou

4. 
   hellmutt | Feb 24, 2007 02:05am | #11

   OK...Who wants to explain to my wife, I need another woodworking toy!

2. 
   Walnutz | Feb 23, 2007 07:03pm | #8

   Philip

   My assumption is that after looking at your beautiful plane's, that you know a thing or two about metal working machines, lathe's in particular.  Therefore, I hope you don't mind a few questions, since we are on the subject.  I surmise that since you are referring to it as vandalism, that you don't like the idea of converting a metal lathe into a woodworking one. 

   I am presently in the market for my 1st lathe, and know very little about them.  I've been trying to find a nice, heavy, old cast iron beast like an Oliver 159, etc.... but have come up short.  In my area of the USA, there are many, many metal working lathe's for sale quite frequently.  I was delighted to see this thread, as a pretty nice logan lathe is for sale about 5 miles from my house, and looks to be a good buy at $500.

   Would you mind commenting on the point differences between metal and wood lathes, and why a metal lathe would be a poor choice.  I might, someday, need to turn a brass knob for some project, but I doubt it.  I'm strickly interested in turning wood.

   I'd really appreciate your comments on the subject, and thank you in advance.

   Walnutz

1. 
   philip | Feb 23, 2007 11:06pm | #10

   Walnutz,
   The main differences are weight, power and precision, plus the fact that metal work lathes have facilities such as screw cutting, power cross and longitudinal feeds , gearboxes etc.
   A dedicated wood lathe is ideally suited to wood turning compared to a metal work lathe because there is not the works of the saddle assembly getting in the way, and the tool post is more suited to unrestricted free hand turning which most woodworkers want to do.
   If you find an older metalwork lathe with only basic facilities i.e no screw cutting or power slides then it is easier to use for freehand wood turning- in fact it is quite a good idea for those with mechanical aptitude.
   The main bugbear with turning wood in a precision lathe is the fact that this type of lathe will not remain a precisiion lathe for long unless the ways and other precision fit parts are Oiled At All Times. Wood dust mixes with this causesing problems, plus some woods such as oak cause rapid corrosion.Not mention sanding dust. Problems can be avoided to some extent by washing down with kerosene or similar and the use of vacuums etc-but what a hassle.
   Sure, one can turn wood with ease on a metal work lathe, but it is simply not a good practice-as any competent engineer will tell you. One simply runs every thing set loose, and keeps it free of oil-so what then is the point of having all that power, weight , various facilities etc available just to turn some sticks of wood? It is the same old story- the right tool for the job is always the right tool.Philip Marcou

3. 
   QCInspector | Feb 24, 2007 02:37am | #12

   I was wondering if you considered making a wood lathe yourself? You've got the equipment and presumably the talent to do so and the main components are mostly lathe built. A headstock, tail stock, and tool rest mounted to a wood bed like the one Ernie Conover used to sell, could be sized for the work you anticipate doing. When you not wood turning it could be broken down and stored out of the way. You could even use your metal lathe to power the wood lathe by driving with a pulley and belt from your 3 jaw, saving the cost of the motor and drive system for the wood lathe.