Let's see, you are a hobby woodworker who buys way more tools than you
need, and you are going to start turning? QUICK TURN BACK BEFORE IT IS
TOO LATE!!!
I would suggest buying used at first if you can. If there is a local
Woodcraft, they might have or know of a club. Join the club. It has
been my biggest learning experiece in my 9 years of turning. They may
also know of a good used lathe for sale. Find out how much you like it,
and then upgrade later. If you can afford one of the variable speed
models, go for it. The smaller Jet lathes have a Reeves drive which is
better than step pulleys. For bowls, the family sized salad bowl is in
the 12 plus inch diameter range, so you may want 14 to 16 inch
capability and a 1 hp plus motor.For boxes and spindles, chip bowls,
and some vases, you can get away with less hp. I also figure that you
will end up spending 3 to 10 times as much on tools and accessories
than you do on the actual lathe; Chain saw, sanding supplies, dust
collection, grinder, chucks, truck or van to haul logs in, shop,
insurance (some home owners policies will exclude or even dump you if
you have a wood shop, more so if you sell stuff. You have been warned.
Are you going to sell stuff to support your habbit? That is a whole
different world. I started with flat work, and would rather turn. It is
a lot of fun.
robo hippy
Ron S wrote:
2 things I forgot

1. How about Grizzly? I have an 8" jointer that I love. The lathes seem
to have too high of a low end speed though.

2. Buffalo woodworking show is in less than 2 weeks and I've never
been. Any idea if it's reasonable to expect a deal on a Jet lathe there
or should I drop $1050+8% at Woodcraft and have it on it's way?

Thanks.


Ron S wrote:
Hello all. I've been woodworking (flat) for a while and have been
amazed at turning long enough - I want to play too.

I need some feedback on lathe opinions. I will not be buying a oneway
so I don't need that kind of advice. I am a very hobby woodworker who
buys way more tools than he needs. With that said I was thinking the
Jet 1442. Seems to be a decent lathe and the right price range. I
thought about the 1236 or a midi but I just can't get past a posting
where someone said 3/4 hp just wasn't enough for face turning.
Opinions? I'd rather buy big once but I have too much going on to be
dedicated to just turning. Will be strickly hobby work.

What I really want to do is to turn bowls and vases and maybe lidded
boxes. I'll do spindles and pens and everything once I get started.
Maybe make a chess set.

Also, Woodcraft is having a 30% off sale next month on Sorby tools.
Gotta watch the budget (buying the whole "flat" shop as well) so is
that a bargain that can't be passed up?