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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Port Lincoln
    Posts
    4

    Default Buying A Lathe "Pen Lathe"

    Hi

    Is it just me or are the pen lathes dead? I'm having nothing but problems trying to purchase said lathe. Its either there are none!!, or the "retirment village" that i live in (there are other names for my town I'm just being polite).... all I want to do is turn pens grrrrr.... I've tried every main company I can think of and still no luck. It alwaze happens this way When you want something its alwaze out of stock, when you dont need it there in.....I guess I'm gunna wait for my lathe... but I will get one....yes I will...see if I dont!!
    "Anyday Above Ground & Breathin' Is A Good Day"

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Townsville Qld
    Age
    53
    Posts
    3,132

    Default

    Have you tried Jet, I know they sell a pen lathe but so will any of you mini or midi lathes work, so even if you look at a jet or leda mini lathe and then you can also do more than pens desire if you want to at a later date. I would check out Carrols or gary pye website and email them and ask questions
    bye
    Toni

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Minbun, FNQ, Australia
    Age
    66
    Posts
    12,881

    Default

    Gary Pye has them on his web site but none in stock.
    Cliff.
    If you find a post of mine that is missing a pic that you'd like to see, let me know & I'll see if I can find a copy.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    in the outer reaches of Sth Oz
    Age
    75
    Posts
    1,604

    Default

    Hi lil Bro I take it the perth mob didn't have it either
    Told ya you can't wait but don't depair one will arrive so while waiting can I suggest Jim for pen bits?
    Pete
    What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
    Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Location
    Oberon, NSW
    Age
    63
    Posts
    13,354

    Default

    A pen lathe is nice, but a nice Jet or Leda mini isn't much bigger, is readily available and is much more versatile....


    Sorry... I'll crawl back under my rock...
    I may be weird, but I'm saving up to become eccentric.

    - Andy Mc

  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Launceston
    Age
    75
    Posts
    850

    Default

    Mmmm, getting tired. i might just sit down on this convenient rock.
    Sits.
    Hears muffled scream, then a squelch.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    US
    Age
    65
    Posts
    1,131

    Default

    I agree with the others about a mini or midi lathe. Might not be much more money (might not be more at all, maybe even less since it isn't so specialiazed) and you're not so limited in what you can do. One thing it seems like some of the pen lathes can do is duplicate with a template. But I wonder why anyone would want to do that? Where is the fun? the creativity? The joy? Wouldn't that be like hiring someone else to make love to your spouse?

    Speaking of limiting, I tried turning a piece of 12/4 cherry on the mini lathe. IT was already kiln dried, heavy, bulky and all around cumbersome.
    After about two hours, it's almost rounded out (I can't find green lumber yet, I'm still too new to have found the sources I need) NOw the sun is almost up..time to go try to turn it into a bowl.

    It's too big to move the tool rest or to chuck. I'm still turning between centers! Ah well .. time to save up for a BIGGER lathe... (or should I pay bills? naaah ..they'll just come back next month ..)
    maker of the original ResinSaver mold

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    5,513

    Default

    Seriously, I am trying to decide if I need a Jet mini. At some stage I am planning on having a decent one, and the mini Jet would be pretty much just for turning pens. What I am doing on the GMC seems to work ok, so I guess my question is - just how much difference would I really notice?

    The setup I have at the moment spins the mandrel true, or as close as I can tell, and has plenty of power (at least for pens), so would the mini jet really be worth it, vs using what I have until I can afford a top notch lathe?
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Townsville Qld
    Age
    53
    Posts
    3,132

    Default GMC to JET difference

    LOTS.. MY FIL and I both had a GMC,
    I had a GMC, I only got to use it 3 time each time a piece broke and it scared the pants off me. I nearly gave up lathing don't like wood flying past my face.:eek: I am a scaredy cat. I did not give up though. Jim helped me buy a leda and the noise, the vibration all big difference. Nothing broken or flew apart. YAH I love my baby.

    My Father in law he did not have any trouble with his GMC and he got to learn but he bought a Jet. Well I don't think he rarely uses his GMC (except as a sander) the noise level was the first and the turning is much better. He does not regret one moment the upgrade.
    bye Toni

  11. #10
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    in the outer reaches of Sth Oz
    Age
    75
    Posts
    1,604

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!! View Post
    A pen lathe is nice, but a nice Jet or Leda mini isn't much bigger, is readily available and is much more versatile....
    Sorry... I'll crawl back under my rock...
    The problem is Skew he has a grip problem (no, other than being related to me )
    I got him a bit of practice on my mini lathe and while he handled a pen ok I reckon other than pens and maybe some lace bobbins he would be more than challenged. I would like him to get a bigger setup but safety concerns have him looking at the pen lathe.

    Pete (lifting rocks to find skew)
    What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
    Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Cheltenham, Melbourne
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,224

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart. View Post
    Seriously, I am trying to decide if I need a Jet mini. At some stage I am planning on having a decent one, and the mini Jet would be pretty much just for turning pens. What I am doing on the GMC seems to work ok, so I guess my question is - just how much difference would I really notice?

    The setup I have at the moment spins the mandrel true, or as close as I can tell, and has plenty of power (at least for pens), so would the mini jet really be worth it, vs using what I have until I can afford a top notch lathe?
    Stuart, they are chalk & cheese. It is nigh on impossible to make the comparison. The short answer, is yes you will notice the difference, and you will make better pens, and you will enjoy it more.

    When you say a "decent" one, I assume you mean size as well as quality. This appears to indicate, that you want to get into the larger stuff, such as bowls and platters. That's fine, but you can't do both at the same time, and I reckon that you'll still find a midi lathe more suitable for pens and smaller stuff. It takes up bugger all space, doesn't need to be bolted down, and is pretty portable. I believe that, even if you decide to get a bigger one later, you'll never regret getting the midi.
    Chris
    ========================================

    Life isn't always fair

    ....................but it's better than the alternative.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Posts
    5,513

    Default

    Damn.....I feel my arm slowly twisting worse and worse.
    "Clear, Ease Springs"
    www.Stu's Shed.com


  14. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Cheltenham, Melbourne
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,224

    Default

    If you let me know who's been slacking off, and twisting slowly, I'll set em straight for you.
    Last edited by chrisb691; 7th December 2006 at 10:45 PM. Reason: typo
    Chris
    ========================================

    Life isn't always fair

    ....................but it's better than the alternative.

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Age
    54
    Posts
    14,138

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart. View Post
    Damn.....I feel my arm slowly twisting worse and worse.
    Here you go Stu, I twist your arm a bit more for ya

    I have two lathes

    https://www.woodworkforums.com/attach...4&d=1161396353
    Cheers

    DJ


    ADMIN

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Port Lincoln
    Posts
    4

    Default Re-Buying A Lathe "Pen Lathe"

    Hi all,
    ty all for your posts I wasa looking at a "Jet Pen Lathe" for ease and value as of today everyone i've contacted, (Gary Pye) not getting any until "waiting for new model", carrolls doesn't stock the (jet) Pen lathe, (power tools & machinery) have said they won't get any more "Jet pen lathes" because they have had motor issues, so i'm looking at the "sherwood mini lathe" the upside to the jet is that it came with the starter kit, as I'm limited finacially this would have been great but I will get one for thx again all advise listened too

    regards
    Rick aka "frustrated"
    "Anyday Above Ground & Breathin' Is A Good Day"

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