On 18 Feb 2007 23:21:55 -0800, "
wrote:

Turner - just in case no one answered your exact question to your
satisfaction, the Jet mini has a hollow spindle. This is how you get
your knockout bar into the spindle to knock out the drive spur.

It is also the pathway to hook up a vacuum press if you desire.

But you should be aware that the spindle does not have the same size
hole on both sides. On the spindle side that is over the lathe, it is
about 3/4". But on the handle side which is on the other side of the
spindle, it is only about 3/8" or so. So you won't have a long length
of dowel protruding from your spindle.

And as a side comment, if you are going to make this a project that
generates additional income, look around and see what you can turn
that isn't already covering the market. Pens are a great projects,
and some of them are real works of art, but unless you get in the
right market, they are a really difficult sell.

Like many here, I have sold a lot of things; pencil holders, desk
clocks, desk sets, oil lamps, Christmas ornaments, lamp pulls, etc.
None of them make a lot of money by any means, but together I have
been pleasantly surprised at how much income they can generate.

I make bowls, but I tend to keep them. We don't have a lot of big
timber around here, and none of us have access to the giant logs of
wonderful hardwoods that I see bowls turned out of around here. That
means we have to buy our blanks. If you buy large bowl blanks and
then try to sell the bowls you probably won't make enough (unless you
are really established) to make it worth your while.

"Gimme" items and impulse buys are great. For the most part they
don't take long to turn, and they use little material.

Good luck! I hope you keep up posted with your progress and let us
know how you are doing.

Robert, you and other posters had been extremely helpful. I
learn a lot. The old craftsman was a starting point. Earlier
Bill suggested that I consider General Maxi Lathe. I did a
search and found General to be much heavier, model 25-100
cost around $299 and the 25-200 VS about $600. I will decide
after I visit the nearest Woodcraft store. I will take a
good look at Jet, ask a few questions and decide within the
next few next days. I will return after I bought the lathe
and ask more questions on chucks, accessories and turning
problems. Thanks again.

Robert