Wood lathe.

[thelumberjack93]

Hi guys, want to get more into lathe work and was wondering what people suggest getting? Being from personal use ect?

Matti

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[Phily]

Worth checking the numerous posts on this topic. The consensus seems to be "go for the best that the budget allows", even if that means sacrificing on accessories. Second hand lathes can be a good option as quite often tools are included. Solid lathes are the way to go eg Vicmarc and if you end up changing your mind on woodturning the chances are you will get your money back if you have bought a second hand good name unit.

[Heilander]

Suggest your minimum spec lathe be a midi a bench top one is OK a skew,bowl gouge ,spindle gouge,parting tool are the minimum but better to buy singly of better quality rather than a set of cheap ones,depending on your budget of course [emoji52]


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[Christos]

From the tools perspective I agree with Heilander, skew, bowl gouge, spindle roughing gouge and parting tool. If I was starting again I would start with these four chisels to practice on and even makes things that are useable. Once you get into this aspect of the hobby you will find that wanting to have more chisels comes out of what type of grind you put on a particular chisel. This is why a budget can disappear very quickly.
Which brings me to the next part a grinder is necessary in order to sharpen/shape the chisels. You can also use a hand held diamond paddle to touch up the surface of the chisel to give it a little more time between grinds.

Now we come to the question of the chuck. Is one really necessary or can this be done using alternative methods? I think that most turners would agree that a chuck is convenient and easier to use then having other methods. That said I have used other methods on big pieces that the standard chuck jaws(that come with the chuck) were not able to handle.

When I started I wanted(needed) a drive center and a live center which allowed me to practice turning between centers using the spindle roughing gouge, skew and the parting tool. The bowl gouge came later when I purchased a chuck so I could try making a bowl.

If you come across a second hand lathe with these tools it should get you into turning and you would then determine how much more you would spend.

[Hors]

From the tools perspective I agree with Heilander, skew, bowl gouge, spindle roughing gouge and parting tool. If I was starting again I would start with these four chisels to practice on and even makes things that are useable. Once you get into this aspect of the hobby you will find that wanting to have more chisels comes out of what type of grind you put on a particular chisel. This is why a budget can disappear very quickly.
Which brings me to the next part a grinder is necessary in order to sharpen/shape the chisels. You can also use a hand held diamond paddle to touch up the surface of the chisel to give it a little more time between grinds.

Now we come to the question of the chuck. Is one really necessary or can this be done using alternative methods? I think that most turners would agree that a chuck is convenient and easier to use then having other methods. That said I have used other methods on big pieces that the standard chuck jaws(that come with the chuck) were not able to handle.

When I started I wanted(needed) a drive center and a live center which allowed me to practice turning between centers using the spindle roughing gouge, skew and the parting tool. The bowl gouge came later when I purchased a chuck so I could try making a bowl.

If you come across a second hand lathe with these tools it should get you into turning and you would then determine how much more you would spend.

Agree I have the minimum chisels (but saved up for good quality) Bought the best lathe when I could afford it (guess what lathe). And went with a T4 for sharpening (member of Redcliffe Woodies so can shape tools there)

Have made a handle/s for tools and just getting ready to make some pens.

More than happy for you to visit Matt (lumberjack93) and have a chat - I am in Bray Park.

[hughie]

Well, much depends on what you want to to turn, so give it some thought to what you ultimately would like to to turn. This will greatly effect what you buy as there is no universal lathe that will make pens, turn a four poster bed or knock out a large bowl.
The next thing is to see what your budget is, because you will have allow for tools and accessories. The lathe in one thing but without a grinder to sharpen your tools you will going nowhere. Now being a novice this expands the need for those accessories and therefore the cost.

So in the beginning you should do a fair bit of research, seek advice and so on , as this will save you money in the long run. Something to remember is no matter what you pay for your lathe the 'toys' or 'accessories' will in time over take the cost of the lathe. :) Its the primary law of wood turning.

OK the next step would be to find a club and or seek out a mentor as much of your needed info is already known to somebody somewhere. When it comes to a mentor look for the most accomplished turner you can find, preferably one turns what you want to turn. I say accomplished because you dont want a hack with 10 or 15 years experience that boils down to the same year repeated many times.

From a money saving point of view the club can and will most likely give all the help it can in getting set up . This seems to be the nature of woodies who turn and its what makes this craft one of the best in the world. Because this feature is universal, no matter where you go we all seem to have the same attitude.

[Sawdust Maker]

have a look at what NCArher is selling - the shortbed lathe is a bargain IMHO

[thelumberjack93]

I have the opportunity to buy a Durden L500 for around $500.

Is this worth it or keep looking?

Matti

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[thelumberjack93]

have a look at what NCArher is selling - the shortbed lathe is a bargain IMHO
NCArcher?

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[thelumberjack93]

Well, much depends on what you want to to turn, so give it some thought to what you ultimately would like to to turn. This will greatly effect what you buy as there is no universal lathe that will make pens, turn a four poster bed or knock out a large bowl.
The next thing is to see what your budget is, because you will have allow for tools and accessories. The lathe in one thing but without a grinder to sharpen your tools you will going nowhere. Now being a novice this expands the need for those accessories and therefore the cost.

So in the beginning you should do a fair bit of research, seek advice and so on , as this will save you money in the long run. Something to remember is no matter what you pay for your lathe the 'toys' or 'accessories' will in time over take the cost of the lathe. :) Its the primary law of wood turning.

OK the next step would be to find a club and or seek out a mentor as much of your needed info is already known to somebody somewhere. When it comes to a mentor look for the most accomplished turner you can find, preferably one turns what you want to turn. I say accomplished because you dont want a hack with 10 or 15 years experience that boils down to the same year repeated many times.

From a money saving point of view the club can and will most likely give all the help it can in getting set up . This seems to be the nature of woodies who turn and its what makes this craft one of the best in the world. Because this feature is universal, no matter where you go we all seem to have the same attitude.
Well I've had experience over the years in turning from doing bowls to posts but really have no idea with the machines themselves. I suppose I'd be better off getting a second hand lathe. My budget is around 500. I already own the tools so that's a step up.

But I would rather turn bowls ect.

Matti

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[thelumberjack93]

Agree I have the minimum chisels (but saved up for good quality) Bought the best lathe when I could afford it (guess what lathe). And went with a T4 for sharpening (member of Redcliffe Woodies so can shape tools there)

Have made a handle/s for tools and just getting ready to make some pens.

More than happy for you to visit Matt (lumberjack93) and have a chat - I am in Bray Park.
Ahh. Wish I had posted this a year ago when I lived in Warner. Haha. Thanks mate. I'll keep you in mind for when I'm up that way next.

Matti

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[Optimark]

If possible something with a swivel head, this will allow you to turn some largish bowls, although largish is relevant to the wood you can obtain and turn.

Second hand means you will probably be able to get something reasonable, sturdy and almost certainly with belt changes. Not too much around with electronically controlled speeds at your budget level.

I picked up a Nova Tecknatool 1624-44 for close to your budget a few years ago, best part was getting it with the bed extension, allowing about 900mm between centres.

With the swivelling head, one can turn something around 700mm, although I would think that would be stretching the lathe a bit, unless it was paper thin with not too much weight.

You need to be able to turn the speeds down to quite low, think under 200rpm, when turning a rough blank, then your machine shouldn't start walking around with a biggish out of balance rough blank.

My unit is below and is how it looked about 5 minutes ago in the garage.

408190

This is basically what I have.

408189

Mick.

[Sawdust Maker]

NCArcher?

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member of the forum selling 3 lathes in the forum's marketplace

Here (http://www.woodworkforums.com/f275/3x-woodfast-wood-lathes-212555)

[Mr Unknown]

I picked up a Teknatool TL1000 over the weekend for $180 and came with faceplate, cup chuck, scroll chuck and 2hp motor. Id think this is a reasonable lathe for a beginner, older lathe but has a good speed range and length. One day ill get that Vicmarc but for now this will have to do and im happy with it so far. Now to buy some quality tools.