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Guest
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 Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:19 am Post subject: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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Hello all ...
I am new to this group(s) but have been woodworking for over 30 years
and am seeking advice about purchasing a new wood lathe
I used to work with old single speed ... stationary head ... 1.5 hp
Rockwell 12 inch lathe I realize how much I miss it
Info that may help with your advice
* My budget is about $1000 (for the lathe itself)
* I have searched Usenet looking for recent similar postings
* I have been to woodcraft and they advise the Jet VS Pro
(JWL-1442VSK)
* I have compared features ... but it has been so long since I have
worked with a wood lathe ... I really feel I need the
advice of professionals
* At present I have no particular project in mind ... but in the past
I have done things such as bowls ... pedestals ... table legs ... and
stair rails ... so I am looking for something sturdy and versatile
What features should I look for?
* 360 degree swivel headstock?
* Variable speed (how variable)?
* Reversible turning direction?
As to Lathe tools ... Like any cutting tool ... the better the
quality ... the longer the edge will hold ...
Any advice as to brand would also help here ... I personally use CASE
or Miller Falls wood chisels and find them both to be excellent
What is your advice as far as which tools to start out with?
I looked at the Sorby tools at Woodcraft and liked the heft of the
tool ... but the handles seem a bit cheap
Thanks for your time ... sorry for all the questions from a newbie ... |
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Ecnerwal
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:39 am Post subject: Re: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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In article <1194225577.703277.188030@z24g2000prh.googlegroups.com>,
dicecollector@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | * 360 degree swivel headstock?
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180 degrees is more than enough, if any. 90 is more typical of the
swivel-heads. 0 is generally fine.
| Quote: | * Variable speed (how variable)?
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Nice, but can be retrofitted, too.
| Quote: | What is your advice as far as which tools to start out with?
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As usual, I'll suggest that the best bang for your buck will come from a
used unit. There is little to go wrong on a lathe.
The classified ads. If you have an "all classified ad paper/website",
that, too.
craigslist for your area (start at craigslist.org if you are not
familiar with it, find the one closest to you.
Any realtors you can find (they are often interested in getting large
tools out of houses before sale.)
Estate sales.
In most cases if the prior owner has either passed on or gotten out of
woodturning, the tools and accessories are either part of the package,
or available at quite reasonable cost if you ask.
Morbidly yours, with 2 big lathes that came from the estates of folks
who won't be needing them anymore. I expect that they would be happier
to have them being used than getting scrapped.
--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by |
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Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:44 am Post subject: Re: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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On Nov 4, 5:39 pm, Ecnerwal <LawrenceSM...@SOuthernVERmont.NyET>
wrote:
<SNIP>
Thanks for the advice ... I never thought of used
Any advice as to what to look for? |
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Ecnerwal
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 8:58 am Post subject: Re: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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In article <1194227078.582165.117480@o38g2000hse.googlegroups.com>,
dicecollector@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | Any advice as to what to look for?
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Unless you are in a very lathe-rich area, start with what you can find.
Be aware of what the recent cheap Chinese versions look like, and some
of the various names they might be called, and what they can be had for
from Harbor Freight on sale. Whether or not you choose to buy one,
paying too much for it stinks if you do. Likewise with Sears (there's
someone local to me that's been trying to unload one at more-or-less
list price for months - either daft, or patiently waiting for a sucker.)
But if you have a choice, avoid them in favor of (generally older) North
American iron - Delta, Powermatic, General, Yates-American. There are
some nice british Myfords running about - not too common on this side of
the pond, but quite good. I personally have veered into much older, but
that may not be for everyone (3 of my lathes are more than 100, and
perhaps 125, years old - 2 FE Reed's and a Faye & Scott). Now, if
someone happens to be selling off a One-Way, and the price and condition
suit, buy it - but that's a much less common find, simply because they
are much newer.
Unless & until you know more than you presently do, avoid metal-working
lathes - they are set up somewhat differently than wood lathes, and
modifying one for woodturning is a project best engaged in when you have
a lot better idea of what you are trying to do.
If you find a lathe, typically from either a "serious" shop or a school
that has a 3-phase motor, don't panic. Do try to negotiate a lower
price. Then go buy a 1 phase in, 3 phase out VFD (Variable Frequency
Drive) for about $100-$200 - you get a lathe that has a nice variable
speed system, and you don't have to have the power company rewire your
house, or go find a new motor.
--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by |
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Darrell Feltmate
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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Here are a couple of thoughts about lathes in general and mine in
particular. They may give you a few insights.
http://www.aroundthewoods.com/woodturningbasics/woodturninglathes01.html
As for tools, I make a lot of mine. I have been making Shristmas ornaments
lately and all the lathe tools I have used for those come from the shop.
While other opinions vary, I suggest a beginner get a beginner's set and get
used to the tools there. I still have tools from my first set, now over 10
years old, and use them. Some have different grinds now but they are still
used.
Make or buy a sharpening jig. Wood turning is the weirdo of crafts. In order
to learn to turn you MUST learn to sharpen. The jig will give you a huge
boost. Mine (not for sale, just to copy or remake) is over here:
http://aroundthewoods.com/sharpening01.html
Hope it helps.
--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
http://aroundthewoods.com
http://roundopinions.blogspot.com
"George" <george@home.net> wrote in message
news:jDCXi.39861$G23.30228@newsreading01.news.tds.net...
| Quote: |
dicecollector@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1194225577.703277.188030@z24g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
* My budget is about $1000 (for the lathe itself)
A grand will get you (at least for a while) one of these.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=20011 Have to say, as
others are bound to, that it's only the beginning. If you recal the
definition of a boat as a hole in the water into which you pour money,
you'll get some idea of what we mean.
* At present I have no particular project in mind ... but in the past
I have done things such as bowls ... pedestals ... table legs ... and
stair rails ... so I am looking for something sturdy and versatile
What features should I look for?
* 360 degree swivel headstock?
As mentioned, 90 is plenty. Anything else complicates things.
* Variable speed (how variable)?
You want good low end to keep your options open on out-of-balance stock.
How many speeds you want differs from how many you need.
* Reversible turning direction?
Why? Are you left-handed? Otherwise, you're into a lot of accomodation
like locking faceplates and such for "benefits" best described as
marginal.
What is your advice as far as which tools to start out with?
M2 is the common alloy. Lots of sources. You can get other, more exotic
types for big bucks, but I'd rather have a wider assortment than a
million-dollar baby.
I looked at the Sorby tools at Woodcraft and liked the heft of the
tool ... but the handles seem a bit cheap
I like the Sorby handles all right, though the Crown/Hamlet/Taylor round
end handles are my favorites. When I make handles for unhandled tools,
they generally look like the Crown. Start with a set and learn enough to
be able to make decisions as to which tool you need next. Even the same
name won't get you the same contour between manufacturers.
Use every tool you can beg or borrow from other turners to see what you
think. Can't buy 'em all, and sometimes you end up jointing with a Jack
and rabbeting with a shoulder plane, if you know what I mean.
Thanks for your time ... sorry for all the questions from a newbie ...
It's only the beginning. |
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George
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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<dicecollector@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1194225577.703277.188030@z24g2000prh.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
* My budget is about $1000 (for the lathe itself)
|
A grand will get you (at least for a while) one of these.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=20011 Have to say, as others
are bound to, that it's only the beginning. If you recal the definition of a
boat as a hole in the water into which you pour money, you'll get some idea
of what we mean.
| Quote: | * At present I have no particular project in mind ... but in the past
I have done things such as bowls ... pedestals ... table legs ... and
stair rails ... so I am looking for something sturdy and versatile
What features should I look for?
* 360 degree swivel headstock?
|
As mentioned, 90 is plenty. Anything else complicates things.
| Quote: | * Variable speed (how variable)?
|
You want good low end to keep your options open on out-of-balance stock.
How many speeds you want differs from how many you need.
| Quote: | * Reversible turning direction?
|
Why? Are you left-handed? Otherwise, you're into a lot of accomodation
like locking faceplates and such for "benefits" best described as marginal.
| Quote: |
What is your advice as far as which tools to start out with?
|
M2 is the common alloy. Lots of sources. You can get other, more exotic
types for big bucks, but I'd rather have a wider assortment than a
million-dollar baby.
| Quote: | I looked at the Sorby tools at Woodcraft and liked the heft of the
tool ... but the handles seem a bit cheap
|
I like the Sorby handles all right, though the Crown/Hamlet/Taylor round
end handles are my favorites. When I make handles for unhandled tools, they
generally look like the Crown. Start with a set and learn enough to be able
to make decisions as to which tool you need next. Even the same name won't
get you the same contour between manufacturers.
Use every tool you can beg or borrow from other turners to see what you
think. Can't buy 'em all, and sometimes you end up jointing with a Jack and
rabbeting with a shoulder plane, if you know what I mean.
| Quote: | Thanks for your time ... sorry for all the questions from a newbie ...
|
It's only the beginning. |
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mac davis
Guest
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| Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:37 am Post subject: Re: Looking for advice for purchasing a wood lathe and tools |
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On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:07:12 -0800 (PST), dicecollector@gmail.com wrote:
| Quote: | Thank you all for the helpful and friendly advice
I thought it would be best to actually do some work on the
machines ... so I went to Woodcraft ... of course ...
Didnt get to work with the Nova ... but the Powermatic with the DC
motor they have ... according to Woodcraft ... performs like the
DVR ... but is MUCH more stable ... and has a longer bet
So I tested the JET EVS and decided to go with this ... as I really
like the variable speed all the way down to 0
I just made the purchase ... now 2 weeks to wait for pickup at
Woodcraft
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=5433
Thanks again to everyone
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Congratulations!
Those 2 weeks will seem like 6 months... been there, done that..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing |
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