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Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
There are many reasons why we post so seldom about maxi lathes and so
often about minies & midis. The little ones are affordable and preferable for beginners and beginners post many questions that start up discussions. Big lathe owners have their own net groups and their best discussions unfortunately never appear here. It makes sense that as the lathe gets bigger and more expensive and the owners as a subset more expert, the less they need to post here. In other venues however, we enjoy laughing and scratching about big things even as we pursue smaller. We drive Chevvies and talk about Mercedes, we support Little League and argue about major leagues. How bout them ----'s! There are occasional threads here about the big Generals, Powermatics, Vicmarcs, Stubbies and Oneways. Less often a comment about V.Bs, Nichols and Poolwoods, but almost never about Lacuna, Serious, Robust and big customs. No doubt there are many others that I know nothing about. Probably most of you don't either. So what! Why should we care? Few of us could or would afford them and the two turners who read my drivel know that I remember the great depression and am too thrifty (aka stingy) to indulge a hobby to such an extent. OTOH, I like to know about all facets of the craft and the unattainable interests all of us. so I wonder if some of us could and would share their personal experiences and opinions about the big 'other end' lathes. There is a world of info scattered on the net, Marshall Gorrow's links one of the best, but I thank you in advance for not giving me a good switching and sending me to the Google Room. :) Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
"Arch" wrote in message ... There are many reasons why we post so seldom about maxi lathes and so often about minies & midis. The little ones are affordable and preferable for beginners and beginners post many questions that start up discussions. Perhaps because the essentials of a lathe are present in the less expensive models, lacking only the skill and vision of the turner. It's the fun and the form. Both available in lathes you can get through a door and even up stairs. |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
Arch, it took me a lot of years to get the big lathe that I had wanted
all along, I started out (in 1936) with a small sears lathe, about the size of todays mini-lathes. Over the years I went through a series of a larger Sears lathe and several Delta lathes. Each one a bit larger and heavier than the one before. I did some spindle turning but turned mostly bowls. A lot of turners don't realize it, but the standard lathe is designed for spindle turning, not bowl turning. Until you've experienced turning bowls while facing the piece you don't how much better and easier it is. When I got into hollow forms a bit over 20 years ago, I needed a lathe where I could stand facing the piece while using a Stewart tool. Because I'm left-handed I also wanted a lathe that had a left-hand thread and turned clockwise. I got the General 260 and turned outboard on it. Made to order. There were some drawbacks however. The outboard bed was only 11 inches long. and it had a 1-horse motor. Not enough for the big stuff I wanted to turn. Then I met John Nichols. After a lot of discussion I ordered a custom left-handed Nichols lathe. 26-inch swing (38 with the bed pulled back). 3 horse motor, 800 lb., and a capacity for at least 800 lb. of sand. Ten or eleven years later it's still doing what I want it to do. I don't turn the big stuff anymore but it handles small and even tiny things as well as it does the big ones. It'll be interesting to see what the next generation of lathes brings. We won't need big heavy lathes because there'll be a balancing system built-in. There'll be better ways to fasten a piece to the lathe than we have now. Hopefully, we won't be using a system that does away with hand-held tools. That'll take away some of the fun and skills needed. Wally Arch wrote: There are many reasons why we post so seldom about maxi lathes and so often about minies & midis. The little ones are affordable and preferable for beginners and beginners post many questions that start up discussions. Big lathe owners have their own net groups and their best discussions unfortunately never appear here. It makes sense that as the lathe gets bigger and more expensive and the owners as a subset more expert, the less they need to post here. In other venues however, we enjoy laughing and scratching about big things even as we pursue smaller. We drive Chevvies and talk about Mercedes, we support Little League and argue about major leagues. How bout them ----'s! There are occasional threads here about the big Generals, Powermatics, Vicmarcs, Stubbies and Oneways. Less often a comment about V.Bs, Nichols and Poolwoods, but almost never about Lacuna, Serious, Robust and big customs. No doubt there are many others that I know nothing about. Probably most of you don't either. So what! Why should we care? Few of us could or would afford them and the two turners who read my drivel know that I remember the great depression and am too thrifty (aka stingy) to indulge a hobby to such an extent. OTOH, I like to know about all facets of the craft and the unattainable interests all of us. so I wonder if some of us could and would share their personal experiences and opinions about the big 'other end' lathes. There is a world of info scattered on the net, Marshall Gorrow's links one of the best, but I thank you in advance for not giving me a good switching and sending me to the Google Room. :) Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
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Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
One inovation that I saw on the Serious lathe is the removable spindle
on the headstock. The whole spindle assembly unbolts, and can be removed, and then you can remove the bearings. While the bearings probably would stand up to all of the abuse that I could heap on them, if you ever have to replace a belt, this would make it easy. I wish they made a bowl lathe...... robo hippy |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
It'll be interesting to see what the next generation of lathes brings.
We won't need big heavy lathes because there'll be a balancing system built-in. There'll be better ways to fasten a piece to the lathe than we have now. Hopefully, we won't be using a system that does away with hand-held tools. That'll take away some of the fun and skills needed. I don't know; I think it would be a whole lot of fun watching the robot hog off the wood exactly to spec while the workpiece sits stationary. You can hold the microphone in your hand. You know, the one you use to issue commands to the robot. The best part will be when it sharpens the tools. :) - Owen - |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
Hi Reed
The Oneway has a cartridge type spindle/bearing setup, very easy to slip out the whole assembly, when for instance a belt change. Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
Arch,
Guilty as charged. I bought my Stubby about six years ago and have posted very little here about it. Shortly after my purchase, three other Stubby owners invited me into an email group. This eventually grew to about 15 people when we decided to set up a Yahoo group. We are way over 100 now. Funny thing is, most of the discussion there is from new people seeking advice on buying a bigger lathe. I think the reason that a lot of the big lathe discussion has disappeared has less to do with big lathes and more to do with people being tired of answering the same questions over and over. If you go back in the archives five or six years ago, you will see that I participated on this forum and others quite extensively. Over the years, it got to the point where I had provided answers to many of the questions many times over. I simply quit with the attitude that it was others' turn to answer those questions or, as the body of knowledge grew on the net, a participant could simply look up the information for themselves. I am guessing that many long-time web users have gradually tuned out the heavy participation. I know that the r.c.w. crowd now is almost completely different than the crowd from six years ago. I still occasionally jump in on a few topics where I can maybe offer unique advice. Before I do, however, I usually read through advice or discussion already given. I don't usually jump in to just say "me too" or "I agree". All of this, of course, applies to the large lathe discussions too. Stubby 750 owner. Heavy user of the Vicmarc VL 300. Light user of the Oneway 2436. Wouldn't change my decision after all these years. Joe Fleming - San Diego |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
On Sun, 21 May 2006 17:51:06 -0400, "Owen Lawrence" wrote:
It'll be interesting to see what the next generation of lathes brings. We won't need big heavy lathes because there'll be a balancing system built-in. There'll be better ways to fasten a piece to the lathe than we have now. Hopefully, we won't be using a system that does away with hand-held tools. That'll take away some of the fun and skills needed. I don't know; I think it would be a whole lot of fun watching the robot hog off the wood exactly to spec while the workpiece sits stationary. You can hold the microphone in your hand. You know, the one you use to issue commands to the robot. The best part will be when it sharpens the tools. :) - Owen - and use the microphone to tell the robot what a dumb **** it is when it gets a catch.. *g* Mac https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
On 21 May 2006 19:31:40 -0700, "Joe Fleming" wrote:
You cleared up a myth for me Joe... I was thinking that since most turners in the NG are guys, it was just really hard to admit that you have a stubby... *g* Guilty as charged. I bought my Stubby about six years ago and have posted very little here about it. Shortly after my purchase, three other Stubby owners invited me into an email group. This eventually grew to about 15 people when we decided to set up a Yahoo group. We are way over 100 now. Funny thing is, most of the discussion there is from new people seeking advice on buying a bigger lathe. I think the reason that a lot of the big lathe discussion has disappeared has less to do with big lathes and more to do with people being tired of answering the same questions over and over. If you go back in the archives five or six years ago, you will see that I participated on this forum and others quite extensively. Over the years, it got to the point where I had provided answers to many of the questions many times over. I simply quit with the attitude that it was others' turn to answer those questions or, as the body of knowledge grew on the net, a participant could simply look up the information for themselves. I am guessing that many long-time web users have gradually tuned out the heavy participation. I know that the r.c.w. crowd now is almost completely different than the crowd from six years ago. I still occasionally jump in on a few topics where I can maybe offer unique advice. Before I do, however, I usually read through advice or discussion already given. I don't usually jump in to just say "me too" or "I agree". All of this, of course, applies to the large lathe discussions too. Stubby 750 owner. Heavy user of the Vicmarc VL 300. Light user of the Oneway 2436. Wouldn't change my decision after all these years. Joe Fleming - San Diego Mac https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
Pssttt... the word is spelled 'mumm.' ;) Dan
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Musing why we are mumm about Maxi's (long & strong)
"Arch" wrote... Hambone, lathe size is in the eye of its owner or wannabee, but for purposes of this thread big starts with Stubby. :) Ahhh... - I was thinking big was something like The Columnmaster: http://www.cncmotion.com/lathe.htm 16' between centers, 10HP motor, 6,800 to 24,000 rpm variable speed. 8^) I enjoyed looking at the specs for the Stubby & other lathes the guys mentioned. -- Timothy Juvenal www.rude-tone.com/work.htm |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
well, how's this for an off beat way to size lathes:
if you can lift it - mini lathe if you and a friend can lift it - midi if you can push it around with a dolly - maxi if you can't lift it with a pallet jack - big lathe if you install the lathe first, then erect the building - really big lathe On Mon, 22 May 2006 14:41:10 GMT, "Hambone Slim" wrote: "Arch" wrote... There are many reasons why we post so seldom about maxi lathes and so often about minies & midis. I'm curious what is a maxi, midi, or mini lathe. I learned to turn by trial and error making ash balusters and newels on an old 8' bed lathe - I think maybe an Oliver, I'm not sure; that was a while back. I remember thinking that was a big lathe first time I approached it, but really took to it and quickly came to love working on that lathe. Also, those Vega bowl lathes seem like big lathes. And of course all those big cnc production lathes. My lathe now is a grizzly 1495 which I think of as a small lathe, but maybe it's a midi lathe? And of course all those little bench-top wood and mini engine lathes that are available would be mini lathes. Just curious where what lathes fall in the size catagories. Bill www.wbnoble.com to contact me, do not reply to this message, instead correct this address and use it will iam_ b_ No ble at msn daught com *** Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com *** |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
if you can lift it - mini lathe
if you and a friend can lift it - midi if you can push it around with a dolly - maxi if you can't lift it with a pallet jack - big lathe if you install the lathe first, then erect the building - really big lathe If you stand on it to operate it - humongous lathe http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=439 http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=2943 By the way, these are all wood lathes, pattern makers lathes, to be exact. I've seen one of these monsters in a foundry. Dan |
Musing why we are mumm about Maxi's (long & strong)
Thanks for the fantastic site Dan, worth the whole thread. I could spend
an entire day there. I stand mute (& mumm 'G') before these humongous wood lathes. Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
Musing why we are mumm about Maxi's (long & strong)
Thanks for the fantastic site Dan, worth the whole thread. I could spend
an entire day there. I stand mute (& mumm 'G') before these humongous wood lathes. Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter That was where I got the idea to mount my 'bed' on the floor of my oval lathe. I've heard them called pedestal lathes, too. All three parts, headstock, tailstock, and toolrest are mounted on the top of pedestals. http://www.claycritters.com/lathe/ |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
"Dan Bollinger" wrote in message m... if you can lift it - mini lathe if you and a friend can lift it - midi if you can push it around with a dolly - maxi if you can't lift it with a pallet jack - big lathe if you install the lathe first, then erect the building - really big lathe If you stand on it to operate it - humongous lathe http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=439 http://www.owwm.com/PhotoIndex/detail.asp?id=2943 By the way, these are all wood lathes, pattern makers lathes, to be exact. I've seen one of these monsters in a foundry. Dan Of course you've all seen this semi-portable big lathe: http://www.peter-andres.com/www_root/index_ie.html http://www.peter-andres.com/www_root...kord&Nummer=0# - Owen - |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
mac davis wrote:
On Sun, 21 May 2006 11:10:20 -0400, (Arch) wrote: There are many reasons why we post so seldom about maxi lathes and so often about minies & midis. The little ones are affordable there you go right there, IMHO, Arch... Just as you'll find more people to talk fords and chevys then you will rolls royce... I would think that a higher percentage of turners own low price lathes.. especially in this "crafts" group.. Sure, I'd like Oneway's big gun lathe and all the goodies... and a separate room for turning... but life doesn't work that way... (at least MINE doesn't) Mac https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm Just did some turning on my new Vicmark 300 that I had sitting in my new shop for about 6 months. FANTASTIC! Sure beats the Shopsmith that I have been using for the last 20 years.:) |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
In article . com,
"robo hippy" wrote: I wish they made a bowl lathe...... Well, they used to make one - have you contacted the new owners to check on any left in their purchase deal? Or maybe call up Bernie Mares, who started Serious, to see if he can help locate one of the bowl lathes for you. -- Owen Lowe Northwest Woodturners Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild ___ Tips fer Turnin': Place a sign, easily seen as you switch on your lathe, warning you to remove any and all rings from your fingers. Called degloving, extended hardware can grab your ring and rip it off your finger. A pic for the strong of stomach: www.itim.nsw.gov.au/go/objectid/2A3AC703-1321-1C29-70B067DC88E16BFC/index.cfm Besides, rings can easily mar the surface of a turning as you check for finished smoothness. |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
In article .com,
"Joe Fleming" wrote: I still occasionally jump in on a few topics where I can maybe offer unique advice. Before I do, however, I usually read through advice or discussion already given. I don't usually jump in to just say "me too" or "I agree". yeah, me neither. -- Owen Lowe Northwest Woodturners Pacific Northwest Woodturning Guild ___ Tips fer Turnin': Place a sign, easily seen as you switch on your lathe, warning you to remove any and all rings from your fingers. Called degloving, extended hardware can grab your ring and rip it off your finger. A pic for the strong of stomach: www.itim.nsw.gov.au/go/objectid/2A3AC703-1321-1C29-70B067DC88E16BFC/index.cfm Besides, rings can easily mar the surface of a turning as you check for finished smoothness. |
Musing why we are mum about Maxi's (long & strained)
After several years I decided to let others reply to the same questions that
repeatedly come up. We all started at ground zero and I will reply to a question if no one else does. As for maxis I am building a 4 axis CNC mill with a 20" by 12' capacity for large columns, small spindles and 3D carving. It is not the tool used but the inspiration behind it that is important. If you want to be a real purist then use a rock to shave down the stock to desired shape. The CNC is just another tool that will allow me to do things that would take months to accomplish manually and nobody could afford it, It is just an updated and larger version of the ornamental lathes of the 1800s. For those that want to do ornamental turning you can build a mill that will actually do more than the ornamental lathes for about 4K. -- Art Ransom Lancaster , Texas www.turningaround.org "Arch" wrote in message ... There are many reasons why we post so seldom about maxi lathes and so often about minies & midis. The little ones are affordable and preferable for beginners and beginners post many questions that start up discussions. Big lathe owners have their own net groups and their best discussions unfortunately never appear here. It makes sense that as the lathe gets bigger and more expensive and the owners as a subset more expert, the less they need to post here. In other venues however, we enjoy laughing and scratching about big things even as we pursue smaller. We drive Chevvies and talk about Mercedes, we support Little League and argue about major leagues. How bout them ----'s! There are occasional threads here about the big Generals, Powermatics, Vicmarcs, Stubbies and Oneways. Less often a comment about V.Bs, Nichols and Poolwoods, but almost never about Lacuna, Serious, Robust and big customs. No doubt there are many others that I know nothing about. Probably most of you don't either. So what! Why should we care? Few of us could or would afford them and the two turners who read my drivel know that I remember the great depression and am too thrifty (aka stingy) to indulge a hobby to such an extent. OTOH, I like to know about all facets of the craft and the unattainable interests all of us. so I wonder if some of us could and would share their personal experiences and opinions about the big 'other end' lathes. There is a world of info scattered on the net, Marshall Gorrow's links one of the best, but I thank you in advance for not giving me a good switching and sending me to the Google Room. :) Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings |
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