Thread: 1964 VW Beetle - WIP

Steve,

The lathe you picked there looks decent. I am by no means an expert either, but it has a good assortment of speeds, MT2 (Mortise Taper #2) which is the more common. Mine is a #1. It also has the 1" spindle which is more common. Mine is 3/4". As far as the other two links they are just jaw sets. Most chucks come with the 50mm set on them. I have a set of pin jaws also for mine which serves two purposes for me. One I can chuck small pieces down to 1/8" such as turnning dowel. And 2 the real purpose of pin jaws which is to drill a hole in the bottom of your work such as a bowl blank to chuck it.

I bought a knock off Vicmarc chuck form Grizzly. It was $100 which is the standard price for knockoff chucks. The real deal are $200 and up.

The Jet you linked has a faceplate and a center in the tailstock. So you will need a scroll chuck to do anything besides spindle work. i.e. making wheels and tires.

I do suggest you get a chuck that has an index as you saw on my rocket post it can be very useful. You could drill all the holes for a spoke wheel on the lathe by making an attachement and using your dremel.

Link to the chuck I have and the standard lathe tools. Standard and mini.

Knockoff Vicmarc Chuck. One similar to this one. You will notice the link for pin jaws in the top right corner
Grizzly.com

Lathe tools
Set of 8 Benjamin's Best HSS Lathe Chisel Set at Penn State Industries

Mini lathe tools.
Set of 5 Mini Benjamin's Best HSS Lathe Chisel Set at Penn State Industries

Again this is just basic stuff nothing fancy.

Hope this helps. Please ask anything else I will try to help.

Bret

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Steve,

The lathe you picked there looks decent. I am by no means an expert either, but it has a good assortment of speeds, MT2 (Mortise Taper #2) which is the more common. Mine is a #1. It also has the 1" spindle which is more common. Mine is 3/4". As far as the other two links they are just jaw sets. Most chucks come with the 50mm set on them. I have a set of pin jaws also for mine which serves two purposes for me. One I can chuck small pieces down to 1/8" such as turnning dowel. And 2 the real purpose of pin jaws which is to drill a hole in the bottom of your work such as a bowl blank to chuck it.

I bought a knock off Vicmarc chuck form Grizzly. It was $100 which is the standard price for knockoff chucks. The real deal are $200 and up.

The Jet you linked has a faceplate and a center in the tailstock. So you will need a scroll chuck to do anything besides spindle work. i.e. making wheels and tires.

I do suggest you get a chuck that has an index as you saw on my rocket post it can be very useful. You could drill all the holes for a spoke wheel on the lathe by making an attachement and using your dremel.

Link to the chuck I have and the standard lathe tools. Standard and mini.

Knockoff Vicmarc Chuck. One similar to this one. You will notice the link for pin jaws in the top right corner
Grizzly.com

Lathe tools
Set of 8 Benjamin's Best HSS Lathe Chisel Set at Penn State Industries

Mini lathe tools.
Set of 5 Mini Benjamin's Best HSS Lathe Chisel Set at Penn State Industries

Again this is just basic stuff nothing fancy.

Hope this helps. Please ask anything else I will try to help.

Bret

Yes, that definitely helps. Thanks Bret. And I'll make sure now I'm looking at complete chucks and not just jaws. I thought they were a bit cheap.

The specs for the lathe claim 24 indexing positions, so is an indexed chuck still necessary?
Still a Vicmark knockoff chuck sounds good to me, and you have a far better iddea of what I need than I do. Pin jaws.

I have to go out for a couple of hours, so I'll have a good look at your links when I get back. The set of 5 mini-chisels sounds like just the shot for me, too, for wheels and similar stuff.

Edit: I was going to ask about the 1" spindle, but you beat me to it.

I looked at the manual on the Jet. It seems it has an indexing system built into the headstock. So no you wouldn't need a chuck with indexing.

Bret

Originally Posted by bj383ss

I looked at the manual on the Jet. It seems it has an indexing system built into the headstock. So no you wouldn't need a chuck with indexing.
Bret

Good one, thanks for that Bret. Another plus for the Jet.

Actually, I've been looking at another very similar 10" x 18" lathe as well, but with elec. variable speed and as a bundle, a 2" chuck with 4 sets jaws for $525 total. Might be able to get it even cheaper, fingers crossed.
The bundle is mentioned here: Woodturning Tools, Woodturning Timber, Woodturner Accessories, Woodcarver Supplies, Woodturning Equipment - Pop's Shed
The big drawback with this one is that as far as I can see, neither the lathe nor the bundled 2" chuck are indexed.

Lucky I've got 3 weeks to look around and think before deciding.

Thats not a bad deal considering you get all the jaw sets. The variable speed is a nice feature as well no changing the belt. I believe you can do it on the fly. It looks to have more power as well. I think the Jet is 250w this one 370w. Which is 1/2hp and 3/4hp maybe. The indexing chuck is no big deal you may never use it. I only suggested it if you were already buying a chuck. Most of the lathes are very similar as well and you can buy bed extensions that can give you up to 20 more inches of length.

Bret

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Thats not a bad deal considering you get all the jaw sets. The variable speed is a nice feature as well no changing the belt. I believe you can do it on the fly. It looks to have more power as well. I think the Jet is 250w this one 370w. Which is 1/2hp and 3/4hp maybe. The indexing chuck is no big deal you may never use it. I only suggested it if you were already buying a chuck. Most of the lathes are very similar as well and you can buy bed extensions that can give you up to 20 more inches of length.

Bret

Thank you once again, Bret. Since an indexed chuck isn't that important, I'll very likely go with this bundle, unless I see something better. Pretty hard to beat. and the bigger motor must be another plus for this one. (_fly put me onto it - thanks again Pete.)

As an ex-electronics worker/hobbyist, I can picture an electronic indexing system, using a stepper motor for very fine indexing, with an automatic disconnect dog clutch or similar for when power is applied to the lathe motor. A stepper can be electrically 'locked' in a position, making it ideal I'd imagine. 200+ position indexing, (1.8 degree increments is typical of many).
I already know that I'd never get around to it, but one can dream though.

Looks like you have been given all the advice needed. My small lathe looks identical to the bundle you are thinking of. Probably from the same factory but with a different name on it.
I like the variable speed you have three belt settings along with the variable speed control but I find that I have it set on the middle pulley size and leave it there unless I am doing something that requires changing it which I find is vary rare.
The only thing you will need is a set of chisels. Don't be tempted for the cheapest as you will regret it. I have this set and have used all of them Robert Sorby Starter Turning Tool Set Of 6 Or find something similar within your area.
As for indexing make a thin plate up with indexing holes in it to sit behind the chuck, take a look at this one Lathe accessories - the Indexing System from Robert Sorby mind these are not recommended to be fitted when running the lathe only when you need to index.
Again like Bret I am a novice as I don't spend a lot of time turning even though I have been doing it since September 2009.

Originally Posted by Dalboy

Looks like you have been given all the advice needed. My small lathe looks identical to the bundle you are thinking of. Probably from the same factory but with a different name on it.
I like the variable speed you have three belt settings along with the variable speed control but I find that I have it set on the middle pulley size and leave it there unless I am doing something that requires changing it which I find is vary rare.
The only thing you will need is a set of chisels. Don't be tempted for the cheapest as you will regret it. I have this set and have used all of them Robert Sorby Starter Turning Tool Set Of 6 Or find something similar within your area.
As for indexing make a thin plate up with indexing holes in it to sit behind the chuck, take a look at this one Lathe accessories - the Indexing System from Robert Sorby mind these are not recommended to be fitted when running the lathe only when you need to index.
Again like Bret I am a novice as I don't spend a lot of time turning even though I have been doing it since September 2009.

Thanks for the extra tips, Derek.
I've been burning the midnight oil watching 's vids on basic use of and safety with lathes. Seemed like a good place to start.

Chisels are next on my list, along with a decent face shield and a bench grinder. I'll buy the best chisels that I can afford, probably a small set then individual tools as needed. The Sorby 6-piece set looks nice, but $$$. I'll see what's available here.

I was thinking that it shouldn't be too hard to set up indexing. By making my own indexing disc(s), I can decide on the increments, too, and make several discs with different increments as needed. ie. A 24-position index system couldn't position 16 spokes.


I got a little done on the VW today, but not much, just the dash, steering column and steering wheel. They're finished and I've given them a couple of coats of Polycrylic satin.
I'll post a pic after I glue them together tomorrow, when the finish has dried. (I masked the areas with masking tape that had to be glued.)

I finished off the steering wheel/dash/firewall assembly, then glued it, the sides and rear engine spacer together. I left the engine spacer slightly proud at the back and will trim it down to match the sides tomorrow when the glue has fully set.
I also added short lengths of 2.5mm bamboo skewer for the vent windows and added a kerf line on each side to simulate the door line. Used a scalpel followed by the tip of a knife file for that.

af. First parts assembled 1.JPG ag. First parts assembled 2.jpg

I left a fair bit of meat on the spokes of the steering wheel - was worried that I'd break it if I went further. The horn button was an afterthought, but makes it look a bit less boring.
The speedo and fuel gauge are pieces of Merbau, turned to size with the electric drill. The two knobs on the dash, one hidden by the steering wheel in pic, are short pieces of rounded bamboo skewer glued into holes.

Looking at the pics, I just realised I forgot to clean up the notches for the rear axle, too, so that's on the to-do list.

Next I'll get on with the roof, rear windscreen and cowl vent sections. That's where the real fun begins.

Steering wheel looks fantastic Steve. Job well done. It is starting to take shape. Good idea on the vent windows as well.


Here are the links I promised.

Sharpening
Wood Turning Tools: Sharpening

Shopmade jigs
Home made turning tools and jigs|Breezy Hill Turning

Accessories
Pen Making, Bowl Turning, Wood Lathes, Wood Blanks, and Turning Tools for Woodturners | Craft Supplies USA

Getting Started
https://docs.google.com/document/pre...JHzp5KtZYIW0k#

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Steering wheel looks fantastic Steve. Job well done. It is starting to take shape. Good idea on the vent windows as well.


Here are the links I promised.

Sharpening
Wood Turning Tools: Sharpening

Shopmade jigs
Home made turning tools and jigs|Breezy Hill Turning

Accessories
Pen Making, Bowl Turning, Wood Lathes, Wood Blanks, and Turning Tools for Woodturners | Craft Supplies USA

Getting Started
https://docs.google.com/document/pre...JHzp5KtZYIW0k#

Excellent. Thanks Bret. And more jigs, too. Looks like my nights will be busy for a while. Each evening, before I go to bed, I'll put in a couple of hours reading. I did some reading on chucking up last night, still need more, but I haven't even begun looking at sharpening gouges yet. So far I've managed to carefully avoid it, except with my 8mm mini carving gouge, but I have a shaped stone for that one so it's easy. For my big, flat chisels, I use a Stanley honing guide. Still need a grinder, but I'll probably get one next payday, from the local cheap tools store.

The skewer for the vent windows was in the plans, so I can't take credit for that. Quick and easy, but it doesn't look as good as it would if the vent windows were part of the door, I reckon.
For the steering wheel, the plans suggested a dowel, flat hoop and 3 short lengths of toothpick, but it would be fragile and wouldn't look too great. Much easier to carve it from one piece of ply.

Steve,

Great start on the Beetle

Not only is the the start of another project cool, the wood turning conversation going on here is fascinating. My power tool inventory is a Dremel so I'll just keep looking and learning!

Cheers,

Jim

The VW is looking great watching this build glad to see some more WIP's on the forum.

Beware turning can get very addictive if you are not careful would not want to loose some of the toy makers to that section.

Originally Posted by Script

Steve,
Great start on the Beetle

Not only is the the start of another project cool, the wood turning conversation going on here is fascinating. My power tool inventory is a Dremel so I'll just keep looking and learning!

Cheers,
Jim

Hello Jim. I guess I'm committed now that I've started gluing bits together.

A Dremel was my only tool for a while. Now, 18 months later, I'm beginning to get a pretty good little setup. Can't wait for the lathe. As the kids would say, just 19 sleeps to go.

Originally Posted by Dalboy

The VW is looking great watching this build glad to see some more WIP's on the forum.

Beware turning can get very addictive if you are not careful would not want to loose some of the toy makers to that section.

I can see how it could become addictive Derek. I won't be deserting scale modelling though.
It's addictive too, and I'm already hooked. Just like the jewellery boxes and small carving. I'm addicted to it all. I'll just keep jumping from one to the other as I've been doing. I'll never get bored.