Just got back from AWFS in Las Vegas. It was a good show as usual,
but the attendance was down considerably. I heard 40%. You could
shoot a cannon on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon down some of the
aisles and not hit anyone. The North Hall had materials (paints,
hand
tools, woods, etc). The Central Hall (not completely taken) had all
the machinery. Most of the big names were there. I was focused on
Delta/Porter Cable/Dewalt.

I finally caved in and bought the new Delta 46-460 lathe. I talked
to
just about everyone I could and got no negatives in any area I would
be using it (mostly spindles and disks less than 12 inches).
Everyone
seemed to be quite positive about it. The torque at speeds in the
250
RPM area were very good--better than any of the competition I am
told. I could not stop it. The lathe was extremely quiet and
vibration free. I am going to add the extension to get it to 42
inches. I was trying to get a 46-715, but they are no longer made
and
shipping costs in areas where I could still get it put it in the same
cost area as the new Delta 46-460 with assessories (show prices).
This lathe seems like a good choice for doing small intricate items
which interested me also.


I have a couple of good chisels (two high end gouges), but need a set
of mid-range chisels. Does anyone have a suggestion for a low to
mid-
range set of turning chisels? I looked at two sets at Harbor Freight
($45 and about $65 sets). I also see PSI Woodworking and Grizzly
have
some in the less than $100 per set. What are considered decent low to
mid-range sets? Any suggestions from someone that has experience with
a chisel set?

eganders wrote:

snip

I have a couple of good chisels (two high end gouges), but need a set
of mid-range chisels. Does anyone have a suggestion for a low to
mid-
range set of turning chisels? I looked at two sets at Harbor Freight
($45 and about $65 sets). I also see PSI Woodworking and Grizzly
have
some in the less than $100 per set. What are considered decent low to
mid-range sets? Any suggestions from someone that has experience with
a chisel set?

It's been a while but Sears had a decent set in the price range you're
looking at.

A quick check of their web sire shows a six piece set for $100:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00928596000P

You can also buy the tools singly.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA

In article
,
eganders wrote:

I have a couple of good chisels (two high end gouges), but need a set
of mid-range chisels. Does anyone have a suggestion for a low to
mid-
range set of turning chisels? ...
Any suggestions from someone that has experience with
a chisel set?

It's only a 5 chisel set, quality might well vary with time, and it has
short handles (fixable, of course) but you can often pick up the
ShopSmith lathe chisel set for a song (ebay, craigslist, flea market)
from the legions who bought a machine and never used the lathe part of
it. I still use the ones that came with my 1955 machine when my
grandfather bought it - they were in all but brand-new condition when I
got the machine and started turning on it in the late '70s. As far as I
recall they are HSS. You won't confuse them for a Glaser, but you knew
that going in.

Packard Woodworks unhandled sets are a relatively inexpensive approach
at or above the "mid" range of quality. Zips off to website to check,
groans ensue. Except they no longer seem to offer the unhandled options
for "their house brand", though unhandled is an option for some other
brands, mostly with an eye to "tool handles you buy, rather than turn."
Sorting out what's a deal (or not) there is tedious with the web
interface, and I don't recall where my catalog is at the moment, so I'll
leave sifting those options to you if you choose to go that route.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by