Here are a couple of thoughts about lathes in general and mine in
particular. They may give you a few insights.
http://www.aroundthewoods.com/woodtu...glathes01.html
As for tools, I make a lot of mine. I have been making Shristmas ornaments
lately and all the lathe tools I have used for those come from the shop.
While other opinions vary, I suggest a beginner get a beginner's set and get
used to the tools there. I still have tools from my first set, now over 10
years old, and use them. Some have different grinds now but they are still
used.
Make or buy a sharpening jig. Wood turning is the weirdo of crafts. In order
to learn to turn you MUST learn to sharpen. The jig will give you a huge
boost. Mine (not for sale, just to copy or remake) is over he
http://aroundthewoods.com/sharpening01.html
Hope it helps.

--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS Canada
http://aroundthewoods.com
http://roundopinions.blogspot.com
"George" wrote in message
. net...

wrote in message
oups.com...

* My budget is about $1000 (for the lathe itself)

A grand will get you (at least for a while) one of these.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=20011 Have to say, as
others are bound to, that it's only the beginning. If you recal the
definition of a boat as a hole in the water into which you pour money,
you'll get some idea of what we mean.

* At present I have no particular project in mind ... but in the past
I have done things such as bowls ... pedestals ... table legs ... and
stair rails ... so I am looking for something sturdy and versatile

What features should I look for?

* 360 degree swivel headstock?


As mentioned, 90 is plenty. Anything else complicates things.

* Variable speed (how variable)?


You want good low end to keep your options open on out-of-balance stock.
How many speeds you want differs from how many you need.

* Reversible turning direction?

Why? Are you left-handed? Otherwise, you're into a lot of accomodation
like locking faceplates and such for "benefits" best described as
marginal.



What is your advice as far as which tools to start out with?


M2 is the common alloy. Lots of sources. You can get other, more exotic
types for big bucks, but I'd rather have a wider assortment than a
million-dollar baby.

I looked at the Sorby tools at Woodcraft and liked the heft of the
tool ... but the handles seem a bit cheap


I like the Sorby handles all right, though the Crown/Hamlet/Taylor round
end handles are my favorites. When I make handles for unhandled tools,
they generally look like the Crown. Start with a set and learn enough to
be able to make decisions as to which tool you need next. Even the same
name won't get you the same contour between manufacturers.

Use every tool you can beg or borrow from other turners to see what you
think. Can't buy 'em all, and sometimes you end up jointing with a Jack
and rabbeting with a shoulder plane, if you know what I mean.

Thanks for your time ... sorry for all the questions from a newbie ...


It's only the beginning.