I've never used a lathe before, but am fascinated with the works it can
produce and would like to make a purchase to learn the trade as well as
handle minor projects. I don't want to get into anything
extravagant/expensive just in case I may not like it or don't do many
projects with it. Therefore, what would be a minimum HP rating and a decent
size to start with?

Thank you

On Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:36:29 -0400, "SBH" wrote:

I've never used a lathe before, but am fascinated with the works it can
produce and would like to make a purchase to learn the trade as well as
handle minor projects. I don't want to get into anything
extravagant/expensive just in case I may not like it or don't do many
projects with it. Therefore, what would be a minimum HP rating and a decent
size to start with?

Thank you

I don't think you can go wrong with a Jet mini.. If you get into turning, you'll
outgrow it, but like most of us, never part with it.. ;-]

It has 1/4 hp and a 450 - 3,000 rpm range..
It will do up to a 10" diameter bowl and is a very quiet, dependable lathe..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

I don't think you can go wrong with a Jet mini.. If you get into turning,
you'll
outgrow it, but like most of us, never part with it.. ;-]

It has 1/4 hp and a 450 - 3,000 rpm range..
It will do up to a 10" diameter bowl and is a very quiet, dependable
lathe..


mac

I'll second that motion. A chuck does makes things better. You'll spend
more for accessories then for the lathe, get ready.

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:59:21 +0300, "Rick Samuel"
wrote:

I don't think you can go wrong with a Jet mini.. If you get into turning,
you'll
outgrow it, but like most of us, never part with it.. ;-]

It has 1/4 hp and a 450 - 3,000 rpm range..
It will do up to a 10" diameter bowl and is a very quiet, dependable
lathe..


mac

I'll second that motion. A chuck does makes things better. You'll spend
more for accessories then for the lathe, get ready.

Yep, and in my case, for adapters..
My Original Oneway Talon has been on a Shopsmith, 2 Jet lathes and is now on a
Nova.. I'm on my 3rd adapter..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

SBH wrote:

I've never used a lathe before, but am fascinated with the works it can
produce and would like to make a purchase to learn the trade as well as
handle minor projects. I don't want to get into anything
extravagant/expensive just in case I may not like it or don't do many
projects with it. Therefore, what would be a minimum HP rating and a
decent size to start with?

Thank you

I an by nature a "contrarian" and, in that light, offer the following
advice. Go cheap on your first lathe. If you like turning, which is a
question you do not have the answer to at this point, you WILL upgrade
sooner than later, regardless of what lathe you buy. PennState has a nice
little mini-lathe and Rikon makes a nice one, both cheaper than the Jet
(which I happen to own and love). Harbor Freight and Penn State have some
HSS (high speed steel) gouges at at very reasonable price for a set of 8, I
have both and prefer the ones from Harbor Frieght.

The comment about accessories is "spot on" You two most important will be a
low speed (1725rpm) 8" grinder (Woodcraft has a nice one (or did have) for
less than $100) and a good chuck. You do not "need" a wolverine type
sharpening jig, but will probably get one in the future "IF" you like
turning.

ONE LAST AND VERY IMPORTANT ITEM

Join, attend and make friends with a local woodturner's group/club you can
find one in your local area at the following URL. If you are going to turn
this is essential. My local club is actually about 80-90 miles away. Even
with the price of gas, it is time and money well spent.

http://www.woodturner.org/community/chapters/

http://alabamawoodturners.com/

Deb

You can also go with a used lathe, and some times they will come with
tools and accessories. I started with a 4 speed, with step pulleys,
and worked it to death for 2 years before stepping up to a bigger
lathe. I turn mostly bowls, and need the size, but a mini can do a lot
of things as well. There is variable speed as well, but mostly on
bigger lathes, where your speed ranges start at zero. This is really
nice for bigger unbalanced, chainsawn bowl blanks. Do find the nearest
club. My biggest learning experience in my 10 years of turning. There
are usually some mentors in the clubs, and again, you may find a used
lathe there.
robo hippy

On Jul 28, 5:58*am, "Dr. Deb" wrote:
SBH wrote:
I've never used a lathe before, but am fascinated with the works it can
produce and would like to make a purchase to learn the trade as well as
handle minor projects. I don't want to get into anything
extravagant/expensive just in case I may not like it or don't do many
projects with it. Therefore, what would be a minimum HP rating *and a
decent size to start with?

Thank you

I an by nature a "contrarian" and, in that light, offer the following
advice. *Go cheap on your first lathe. *If you like turning, which is a
question you do not have the answer to at this point, you WILL upgrade
sooner than later, regardless of what lathe you buy. *PennState has a nice
little mini-lathe and Rikon makes a nice one, both cheaper than the Jet
(which I happen to own and love). *Harbor Freight and Penn State have some
HSS (high speed steel) gouges at at very reasonable price for a set of 8, I
have both and prefer the ones from Harbor Frieght. *

The comment about accessories is "spot on" *You two most important will be a
low speed (1725rpm) 8" grinder (Woodcraft has a nice one (or did have) for
less than $100) *and a good chuck. *You do not "need" a wolverine type
sharpening jig, but will probably get one in the future "IF" you like
turning.

ONE LAST AND VERY IMPORTANT ITEM

Join, attend and make friends with a local woodturner's group/club you can
find one in your local area at the following URL. *If you are going to turn
this is essential. *My local club is actually about 80-90 miles away. *Even
with the price of gas, it is time and money well spent.

http://www.woodturner.org/community/chapters/

http://alabamawoodturners.com/

Deb

On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:54:27 -0700 (PDT), robo hippy
wrote:

You can also go with a used lathe, and some times they will come with
tools and accessories. I started with a 4 speed, with step pulleys,
and worked it to death for 2 years before stepping up to a bigger
lathe. I turn mostly bowls, and need the size, but a mini can do a lot
of things as well. There is variable speed as well, but mostly on
bigger lathes, where your speed ranges start at zero. This is really
nice for bigger unbalanced, chainsawn bowl blanks. Do find the nearest
club. My biggest learning experience in my 10 years of turning. There
are usually some mentors in the clubs, and again, you may find a used
lathe there.
robo hippy

Damn, Reed... you dug your way out of the shavings with some good advise...

I've learned a tremendous amount about turning in the last 5 years or so, from
these sources, listed by amount of help:

This group.. both here and via follow up email..
The AAW club I was in before we moved here..
A couple of Bill Grumbine's bowl turning videos..

BTW, Reed.. When you coming down??
I have a friend that owns 2 fishing boats and says that if I have friends that
want to fish or tour, he'll "make them a great deal"..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Well, I plan to go down to New Mexico for the AAW Symposium next
summer, but don't think I can make it over to see you then. I have 2
shows in the first 2 weekends of July. I will have to consider it
though.
robo hippy

On Jul 28, 10:02*am, mac davis wrote:
On Mon, 28 Jul 2008 06:54:27 -0700 (PDT), robo hippy
wrote:

You can also go with a used lathe, and some times they will come with
tools and accessories. I started with a 4 speed, with step pulleys,
and worked it to death for 2 years before stepping up to a bigger
lathe. I turn mostly bowls, and need the size, but a mini can do a lot
of things as well. There is variable speed as well, but mostly on
bigger lathes, where your speed ranges start at zero. This is really
nice for bigger unbalanced, chainsawn bowl blanks. Do find the nearest
club. My biggest learning experience in my 10 years of turning. There
are usually some mentors in the clubs, and again, you may find a used
lathe there.
robo hippy

Damn, Reed... you dug your way out of the shavings with some good advise....

I've learned a tremendous amount about turning in the last 5 years or so, from
these sources, listed by amount of help:

This group.. both here and via follow up email..
The AAW club I was in before we moved here..
A couple of Bill Grumbine's bowl turning videos..

BTW, Reed.. When you coming down??
I have a friend that owns 2 fishing boats and says that if I have friends that
want to fish or tour, he'll "make them a great deal"..

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:44:39 -0700 (PDT), robo hippy
wrote:

Well, I plan to go down to New Mexico for the AAW Symposium next
summer, but don't think I can make it over to see you then. I have 2
shows in the first 2 weekends of July. I will have to consider it
though.
robo hippy

Best time for you to visit, being from up North, would be early October to late
May..

If you were from Arizona or a like climate, July would be fine..
It was 84f and 54% humidity at 6 am this morning..

The say that the fishing has been very good this year...
I know the shrimpers are doing well, the shrimp in the cantinas are getting
bigger and cheaper.. :=)


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing