"Dr. Deb" wrote in message
...

tdacon wrote:

New here, just got my first lathe - a funky old Craftsman, looks like it
was from back in the day when Craftsman tools were still pretty good
(I'm
a woodworker and I know whereof I speak).

Round tube, maybe 36", Morse #1, motor sitting behind it with
five-position pulleys and a loosey-goosey belt that you can move easily to
adjust the speed. It doesn't seem to have been abused - the plates and all
the decals are still on it, wonder of wonders, but the belt guard has been
removed and discarded or lost, as you would expect on an old citizen like
this.

Came with a miscellaneous selection of turning tools, a few gouges and
skews, a couple parting tools and a scraper or two. Live center, keyed
chuck, arbor for polishing wheels. Pretty well turned out, but no face
plate. We'll go ahead and use it pretty much as-is for a small upcoming
project, but when winter sets in I look forward to sprucing it up.

Here are the numbers. Ring any bells?

Model: 113.23801
Serial: 0219.P0073

Best regards,
Tom

As Mac has said, (and the other two have intimated)
"My name is Deb and I am a woodturner."

It is an addiction, but a wonderful one.

I would agree, your Craftsman is a good place to start. You will do one of
three things with it.

You will decide you do not like turning
You will find you really do not like it but find it valuable and just keep
the Craftsman
But, in all probability, you will become addicted and soon learn that your
Craftsman is limited and start looking around for something bigger and
better. I have two words for you when this symptom hits "Craigs List."

Your Craftsman has a #1 Morris taper, most have a #2. I am not sure of the
threads on the headstock spindle, but 1x8 is common for the midsized lathes
and 1 1/4 x8 for the larger midsize lathes. So go light on buying a chuck
(i.e., shop around) unless it has an insert that allows you to change thread
sizes.

Lastly and MOST IMPORTANTLY. GET A FACE SHIELD

Yes, woodturning clubs are nice, new tools are wonderful, Youtube videos
are great. But a face shield will save you in three ways:

A trip to the dentist to have that stub front tooth pulled
A trip to the plastic surgeon to have that nasty gouge in your face sown up
A trip to the cemetery (No this is not hyperbole - it really happens)

You really, at this point have no idea just how much kenetic energy that
spinning piece of wood has. You will learn "When" (not if) you get your
first major catch (gouge hits wood at wrong angle, wood reacts in an
unpredictable manner), or a piece just flies off. Its very startling to
hear "Thwack" and feel a force against the face shield. (But YOU are okay,
except for needing a new pair of shorts, that is). Imagine that withouit
the face shield.

You do not have to spend a fortune, one from Harbor Freight works just fine.
But get one ASAP,

Deb


That sounds like real good advice.

Thanks,
Tom