Cheap is a relative term.

What is expensive for one person is cheap to another.

When I mention how much I spend on wood and tools to some people they
gasp. However, others say if it is something you like to do and it cuts
down on the cost of sessions from your analyst than it is not too
much. The ones that gasp always also gasp when they see some of the
things that I make.

Maxprop wrote:

"Wayne M. Slaney" wrote in message




These "cheap" lathes you look at in the flyers at a nice reduced price and
say "hey I'd like to try that" and you do and it becomes a valued part of
your life.



I suspect that these cheap lathes are equally responsible for aborted
avocations in turning as well. Two stories: #1, My father-in-law bought a
cheap lathe with two thinwall tubes for a bed many years ago. Both the
headstock and the tailstock flex outward under even light pressure, and the
motor bogs under light application of a roughing gouge. He turned one or
two pieces of firewood and gave up. The thing sits in a corner of his shop,
collecting dust. Last weekend he tried my Jet 1442 and spent over two hours
turning a fairly intricate spindle. Now he's talking about getting one for
himself. Story #2: Mine. I began turning as a middle school student in
Woodshop. The lathe was competent, and I made several items, two of which I
still own and use. Subsequently I talked my father into a cheap lathe, and
to promote brevity, I gave up soon after failed attempts to use the POS.
Now with a decent lathe, albeit a relatively inexpensive one, I'm having a
ball and my learning curve is steepening.



How many people would never ever turn a piece of wood if these lathes
started at $2000-$3000-$5000....



Fortunately they don't. My Jet 1442 cost me $767 with another $200 in
tools. A Delta 46-715 is even less. A Jet, Fisch, or Delta mini is far
less. Cheap lathes are simply that: cheap. A beginner probably needs a
competent lathe as much as does an experienced turner--perhaps even more.

Max