Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Jan 24, 2004 07:14pm | #1

   Hi FG Are you considering this tiny lathe seriously? Remember you can turn tiny stuff on a big lathe but not vice-versa.Might be a source of parts if you wanted to build your own bed(ie head and tailstock) even then you would have to come up with a riser to get a decent swing.I see its main use is for pens and the like .My guess is that you would be quickly bored with pen-making, it really is no challenge.

2. 
   RTorgeson | Jan 24, 2004 08:36pm | #2

   forestgirl...I notice that Penn State Ind. also carries the Turncrafters lathe. I would call Penn State Tech Support 1-800-656-4767 and talk with them about the lathe. Just looking at the lathe, parts of it look very similar to the Carba Tech. I have had the Carba Tech since 1996 or 1997 and its still running fine. One nice feature is the variable speed. Seems $100 is a good price. Like the other poster said, you are limited by the size. That doesn't bother me as I also have a full size lathe. I use my mini lathe for making pens and small turnings. Hope this helps. Rod in Appleton, WA

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 25, 2004 03:39am | #3

   Thanks, Rod.  This is an impulse thing I'm actually trying to control, but will collect info!  Hey, where is Appleton?  I'm just outside of Seattle on Bainbridge Island.forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

1. 
   RTorgeson | Jan 25, 2004 05:17am | #4

   forestgirl...Appleton is about half way between Hood River and The Dalles on the Washington side of the Columbia river, and then about 15 miles north of the Columbia river towards Mount Adams. Sort of out in the middle of nowhere. Before I moved here I lived in Marysville just north of Everett. Good luck on your decision. Rod in Appleton, WA

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 25, 2004 08:07am | #5

   Wow, that is in the middle of nowhere!  Looks like you're close to a nat'l forest.  We're starting to think about the ultimate destination after my hubby retires -- should we put Appleton on our list?  Requirements are:  not in/near big city; close to hunting areas; not too hot (Tri-Cities are out); not too cold (a little snow's ok); 30% or less red-neck population; affordable housing/land.  Not asking for much, eh? LOL!forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

1. 
   RTorgeson | Jan 25, 2004 06:14pm | #6

   forestgirl...You can put Appleton on your list, a house not too far from me just sold for $250,000 and there is a manufactured home a little further away for about the same price. Its about 25 miles to The Dalles and about the same to Hood River. Its about 80 to 100 miles to Portland going through the beautiful Columbia Gorge. Portland has Woodcraft, Rocklers, Woodcrafters, Crosscut Hardwoods and Gilmers plus several favorites like Lowes and Home Depot and no sales tax. Plenty of hunting, there is elk and deer. There are also bear, cougar,bobcats and wild turkey and of course coyotes. The summers are very pleasant, the winters are a little cold, its been down to -8 this year and we had a little over 4 feet of snow, some of that has melted, but it did snow last night. My shop has a wood-stove in it so it doesn't bother me much. 30% redneck is a tough one, I would say there might be a little more than 30%. If you get the lathe you can make pens for the "Freedom Pen Project", info is at http://www.freedompens.us Later. Rod in Appleton, WA

2. 
   forestgirl | Jan 25, 2004 07:55pm | #7

   Hmmmmm, $250K??  How much property came with those?  The elk and the deer are major plusses for Nick (any wildlife is a plus for me, no antlers needed).  -8 is a bit chilly, but depending on how long the winters are, might be manageable.  Snow is so pretty, it helps make up for the cold.  Nick is from TriCities area, and currently working not far from there.  I'm seeing that though the winters are colder than Seattle area, the summers are longer and there's more sunshine during the winter, making up for the coldness. 

   The Freedom Pen Project is neat!  As you probably know, the Seattle and Kitsap area have a lot of military connections, and I certainly support our men and women in the military.  forestgirl Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)  you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)

3. 
   RTorgeson | Jan 26, 2004 04:41am | #10

   forestgirl...Most of the property in the area where I live is about 3 and 1/2 acres, a little more if the property has ravines or steep hills which are not usable for building sites. Mine is 3 1/2 acres and all usable. Our first snow this season was the day before Halloween. It will probably last until April. Appleton has a Post office and a fire station and about a half dozen houses, thats it, I live about 3 miles from there. Later. Rod in white Appleton, WA

4. 
   DDD | Jan 25, 2004 10:20pm | #8

   Another webfoot chiming in. I live in NW Portland, just a couple of miles from downtown and we regularly have deer in the backyard eating our roses. I made a table with inlaid deer prints on the top (came out well) and deer hoof feet (not quite convincing). There are some good woodworking schools here. The College of Art and Craft and another run by Gary Rogowski.

5. 
   RTorgeson | Jan 26, 2004 04:33am | #9

   DDD...I use to work in NW Portland, ESCO Steel, probably not too far from where you live. I left there in 78 and moved to Washington state, the Seattle area and now in Appleton, WA. It is not quite so wet over here as it is in Portland. I just saw the weather report and looks like you are going to get rain for the next 10 days, of course I might get snow. The schools sound interesting but, a little far to drive for classes. Rod in Appleton, WA