Thread: Full size or mini/midi lathe for pen turning???

Hi Matt
I have a VL100 for pens & small work & a VL300 for other turning
Andrew

An old wise man once told,

Buy the best you can afford, because once the price if forgotten the quality remains. &

You get what you pay for.

I think the question you have to ask yourself is
1. what is your budget
2. how much room do you have
3. what you want to turn (because there is not use in getting a massive machine if you only want to turn pens and small bowls)

In terms of your question. I do have 2 lathes, one for pen and a VL100 for bowls. I was thinking about discarding the jet mini and making pens on the VL100 but because I normally use CA as a finish, I didn't want to cover VL100 in super-glue and rust (wet and dry sandpaper).

Hope it helps

Timberbits.

I've several lathes of assorted sizes and I like to use my Leda midi for making miniatures 'cos I can sit down at it while I play.

Also, a good quality mini/midi can be bought for the same price as a mediocre full sized lathe. So if you plan on only doing small-scale work then a mini/midi is a cheaper way to get into quality equipment.

While you can pens turn on a full size lathe, a midi lathe is a bit easier due to the size of things. I turn pens on my DVR3000 but because I only use a skew I'm sometimes cradling around the headstock to try and get a good angle.

If you get a decent midi now it will serve you well and if you upgrade in the size department you will find the midi still has its place in your workshop.

I used to use the VL200 but now just the Jet mini. I also have a Jet pen lathe but do not use it.

I'm going the Woodfast midi - assuming I can find someone who stocks them and it isn't going to cost me another 30% to get it to my door, but then I'm not considering turning large items at this stage, and am happy to consider a 2nd lathe for that purpose, if & when the time comes.

Russell.