aaah, I don't know about that - I have a Stubby 1000 - don't know if
that qualifies as a "big" lathe, though I can turn over 40 inches
between centers and several hundred pounds - but I do find it much
easier to use my Nova Comet (a mini) for pens - why? well the tool
rest on the stubby is longer than the length of a pen so I can't get
it close to the blank, and I'd have to move the belt to get the RPM up
into the high range - so it's much easier for me, at least, to use the
little lathe for pens and tiny things that are done between centers.
If not working between centers, then it doesn't much matter and I tend
to use the Stubby



On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:23:48 GMT, "Michael Latcha"
wrote:

Because of the extra mass, weight, stiffness - and just simply having elbow
room to move yourself around and get comfortable - it is often easier to
turn small things on a big lathe than it is on a small lathe.

In fact, it's easier to turn anything on a big lathe than on a small one.

Then why ever get a small one? Space (duh) and budget limitations,
sometimes portability. And because turning on a small lathe is way better
than not turning at all.

Michael Latcha - at home in Redford, MI


Bill

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