Replies

1. 
   Tinkerer3 | Nov 08, 2009 09:09am | #1

   A used midi lathe if you have enough space.

   
   

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   Edited 11/8/2009 1:10 am ET by Tinkerer3

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 08, 2009 09:35am | #2

   Second Tink's motion to get a midi instead of a mini.  How much have you researched Jet v. Rikon?  Jet's been making lathes for a long time, the ones we used in the class I took were quite nice -- well built, good fit and finish, smooth to operate and adjust.  Not saying the Rikon isn't a good choice, but they have a shorter track record.  I'd want to see and compare.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   wotnow | Nov 08, 2009 04:11pm | #3

   Hi FGBeen following your escapades with interest. LOL
   Re the midi lathe - ditto
   Have had the Jet for several years now (probably 6 or 7), sturdy, little or no vibration and is light enough to be reasonably portable for demos. I would also suggest investing in the extension bed. It really gives you some options.
   If you opt for a mini see if you can locate a Carbatec mini(probably have to be second hand) I have 2, one set up for very small doll house stuff and one for using a thread turning attachmentBruce
   I started out with nothing...and I still have most of it left!

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 08, 2009 08:04pm | #4

   Oooops, I'm not shopping, Bruce.  (the O.P. in this thread is KaiserRoo)  Thanks, though, for cheering from the sidelines as I embark on the long road to woodturning.  I'm completely enchanted by the Dark Side!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   wotnow | Nov 09, 2009 03:11pm | #7

   Oooops yes. Think I'm having a seniors moment. Been about 4 hours since my last nap and the lady who brings my meds is on an extended coffee break.wotI started out with nothing...and I still have most of it left!

1. 
   KaiserRoo | Nov 12, 2009 04:16am | #8

   Thanks to all for the input about the lathes i believe that the lathe I saw in the catalog was a midi it ran between 250 and 275 I do not have the woodcraft catalog here to get the model number but will check it asap.

   KaiseRoo

2. 
   forestgirl | Nov 12, 2009 06:03am | #9

   AT that price, sounds like a mini- with belt-changing speed adjustment.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   RichinVA | Nov 08, 2009 09:45pm | #5

   I've had a Rikon for a number of years and it's been a real workhorse. I wouldn't hesitate in buying another one. I have a big lathe now and don't use the smaller one as much, but it still gets some use.

   Spend the extra $$ and get the VS, you won't be sorry, whichever brand you choose.

   Rich

   
   

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   Edited 11/8/2009 1:48 pm ET by Richard Jones

1. 
   forestgirl | Nov 09, 2009 08:37am | #6

   "Spend the extra $$ and get the VS, you won't be sorry...."  Oooooo, major important point, the rest of us missed.  Variable speed very important.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   KaiserRoo | Dec 05, 2009 06:47am | #10

   You are correct I stopped by Wood craft the other day on the way home and took a look at the lath and it was in fact a mini. I think the VS would add another hundred at least. They had a sale on Jet 15% off but of course that sale ended that day and I didn't have the cake or even my gift certificate to take advantage. I'll get my stuff to gether and be ready the next time it's on sale.

   Thanks again for the help

   KaiserRoo

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 05, 2009 07:06am | #11

   "I'll get my stuff to gether and be ready the next time it's on sale."  In the meantime, keep your eyes open for a used lathe!  Craig's List?  Or, how far are you from East Greenwich (a R.I. chapter of AAW)?

   With Christmas coming up, maybe someone near you gets a new lathe and is looking for a new home for the (gently used) old one.....forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   KaiserRoo | Dec 05, 2009 07:20am | #12

   Thanks again for the info. The Ocean State Wood turner hold their meetings right at woodcraft. I like you Idea about craigs list and will keep that in mind.

   KaiserRoo

2. 
   Taigert | Dec 05, 2009 09:15am | #13

   FG,

   Last year when we moved here to Indiana I was scaning through Craigslist "Tools" list, the better half would have beaten me had she caught me. That another story! and I spotted this ad for a whole shop full of top of the line Powermatic Tools. I called the guy and he wanted next to nothing for the tools. It was like 20 cents on the dollar. He said he had always wanted to do woodworking as a hobby. He was getting ready to retire so he went out and bought all these tool, and he had every thing.  He took a bunch of classes and was getting right into it. But one day he came to rip some stock up on the table saw. Well he found out what happens with a kick back, it left a huge bruise on his chest and abs. Later that week he came back out to the shop , he set up the lathe to do some turning. He told me that he felt that the lathe was the safest machine in the shop. That and he said he finds turning to be relaxing. He started the lathe up and bring some shape to the wood, and it came out of the lathe and nailed him in the mouth and nose. This landed him in the trauma room at UC, followed by surgery and a week in the hospital. They sent him home with his jaw wired together and his nose packed full.

   He told me that he had survived a tough life of nearly 70 years and never had to get so much as a stitch. And here in the matter of a week to bad accidents, he said he no longer has the desire he had six months earlier. He said he can go back to paying golf if he needs a good beating. I really felt for the guy! He had more money than he could ever spend so he said the loss he was taking on the cost of setting up the shop was just one of life's lessons.

   I wish I had the cash at the time, story of my life a dollar short or a day late. The Old' guy called me a couple of days later and said it was all sold, and he got more money than he expected. People started bidding on the stuff, so it all worked out in the I guess.

   Taigert

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 06, 2009 12:13am | #14

   Wow!  What a sad story.  From the buyer's perspective, though, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   Taigert | Dec 06, 2009 12:18am | #15

   At least the seller had a good outlook on life. I only wish I had been the buyer!

   Taigert

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 06, 2009 03:41am | #16

   "At least the seller had a good outlook on life."  Absolutely.  Has his priorities straight!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)