I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...


More confused than ever, Me

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...

If you want to ONLY make pens, I would suggest the new Jet Pen Lathe. I've used it on several demonstrations and in some classes
that I teach. It really works well for pens. Its almost small and light enough to strap it on your forearm! Just a couple things
to consider.

1) It has a non standard taper in the headstock (i.e. smaller than a MT1). It comes with a good pen mandrel, but I would order an
extra from Jet, just to keep on hand.

2) The handles that tighten the banjo and tailstock leave much to be desired. Take 'em off and replace the with simple bolts. Use
a rachet box-end wrench to tighten the bolts.

3) The three pen turning tools that come with it are ultra cheap. Throw them away and get a decent set.

Don't be put off by the 1/12 HP rating. Its plenty for pen turning. You can simply throw the whole thing in a drawer when you're
not using it!

Peter Teubel
Milford, MA
http://www.revolutionary-turners.com

Or just spend the 200 bucks for the Jet mini and have a more versatile
lathe, with no parts to replace and a standard (MT2) headstock taper.


"Peter Teubel" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...

If you want to ONLY make pens, I would suggest the new Jet Pen Lathe. I've
used it on several demonstrations and in some classes
that I teach. It really works well for pens. Its almost small and light
enough to strap it on your forearm! Just a couple things
to consider.

1) It has a non standard taper in the headstock (i.e. smaller than a MT1).
It comes with a good pen mandrel, but I would order an
extra from Jet, just to keep on hand.

2) The handles that tighten the banjo and tailstock leave much to be
desired. Take 'em off and replace the with simple bolts. Use
a rachet box-end wrench to tighten the bolts.

3) The three pen turning tools that come with it are ultra cheap. Throw
them away and get a decent set.

Don't be put off by the 1/12 HP rating. Its plenty for pen turning. You
can simply throw the whole thing in a drawer when you're
not using it!

Peter Teubel
Milford, MA
http://www.revolutionary-turners.com




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I have to agree with Digger here. I just bought the Jet Mini over the Jet
Pen lathe for the exact reasons that Peter states.

I am new to pen turning although I started turning full size in 1975. I am
totally satisfied and happy with the Jet Mini. I didn't see any need to go
with the new variable speed model. You still need to change the belt on the
pulley and it still won't turn down any slower the 500 rpm.

"Digger" DW wrote in message ...
Or just spend the 200 bucks for the Jet mini and have a more versatile
lathe, with no parts to replace and a standard (MT2) headstock taper.


"Peter Teubel" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...

If you want to ONLY make pens, I would suggest the new Jet Pen Lathe.
I've
used it on several demonstrations and in some classes
that I teach. It really works well for pens. Its almost small and light
enough to strap it on your forearm! Just a couple things
to consider.

1) It has a non standard taper in the headstock (i.e. smaller than a
MT1).
It comes with a good pen mandrel, but I would order an
extra from Jet, just to keep on hand.

2) The handles that tighten the banjo and tailstock leave much to be
desired. Take 'em off and replace the with simple bolts. Use
a rachet box-end wrench to tighten the bolts.

3) The three pen turning tools that come with it are ultra cheap. Throw
them away and get a decent set.

Don't be put off by the 1/12 HP rating. Its plenty for pen turning. You
can simply throw the whole thing in a drawer when you're
not using it!

Peter Teubel
Milford, MA
http://www.revolutionary-turners.com




-----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
-----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

Thanks guys, the Jet Mini sounds like it may be the way to go. Get a
little more lathe, for a little more money than the "pen lathe",
although I can see why people might go for that one too...

Any weak spots anyone is aware of with this lathe, things to watch out
for or change right away?

Thanks again, glad for the help!!!



On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...


More confused than ever, Me

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!


Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

Also, where is a good place to get the Jet? I'm seeing prices over
$300.00.... Thanks





On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...


More confused than ever, Me

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!


Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

There are two things that I've noticed and they are minor.

If you tend to really grab hold of the headstock handwheel to slow the lathe
down quickly, you'll notice that the handwheel gets loose. IF this happens
to you, all you need to do is file a small flat on the spindle shaft where
the setscrews for the handwheel touch it. Don't put the handwheel on again
too tight or too loose. Once you do this, you shouldn't have a problem
again if you even have the problem in the first place.

The second "problem" with this lathe I've found on *some* of them is that
the tailstock tends to creep (doesn't lock down tightly on the bed) if you
stress it. The culprit is the adjustment of the "washer" under the
tailstock that presses up against the bed. Back off the nut under this
"washer" just a bit until the tailstock really holds then put some Loctite
on that nut/thread to hold it there.

Like I said, these are minor and you may never notice them anyway. This is
a quality lathe. I've stressed mine and several others (all Jet Minis) to
their max and they've handled it.

If you're seeing over $300 these days, you're looking at the new variable
speed model. It's not worth it, in my opinion, for this kind of lathe. The
"regular" Jet Mini should be found for $200 or a little less.


- Andrew

Any weak spots anyone is aware of with this lathe, things to watch out
for or change right away?

Amazon.com $199.99 with $25 off.

Jet currently has a promotion for the mini lathe to sell for $199. This
price should be found at Woodcraft, Pen State, your local dealer or anywhere
else that sells Jet. This price will be good until the end of April when
the price is said to be going back up to the normal $349. Their variable
speed version will be going back up from the current $299 also. So if any
of you are considering the Jet mini - sooner is better than later. I work
for a Jet dealer, and that's what Jet is telling us. I myself don't own a
Jet mini lathe, but I wouldn't hesitate in an instant to purchase one if I
didn't already own two mini lathes already.

- Dan

"Xlat" wrote in message
...

Also, where is a good place to get the Jet? I'm seeing prices over
$300.00.... Thanks





On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...


More confused than ever, Me

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!


Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

Should find it for $199 at most places. You're aware its not as small
nor light as a standard pen lathe, right? Its bigger and a whole lot
heavier but its an excellent lathe too. The box is 1'x1½'x2½' and
weighs 78#s - if space is at a premuim.

http://shop.woodcraft.com has them for $199



Xlat wrote:

Also, where is a good place to get the Jet? I'm seeing prices over
$300.00.... Thanks





On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:


I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...


More confused than ever, Me

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!



Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!

Thanks guys, I am going to get a Jet ordered!! Appreciate all of the
help, probably be seeing me here now and then....


On Tue, 13 Jan 2004 01:19:27 GMT, Xlat
wrote:

I'm looking to buy a small lathe, for pen turning only. Would like a
decent quality lathe, without getting too crazy. I have no desire or
plans for doing anything bigger, and space is a premium. I"ve done
some searches, read the penmaking group on Yahoo's site, etc., but get
no real concensus of opinion on what a good lathe would be.

Anyone here have any experience turning pens, and maybe point me in
the "right" direction? Thanks for any and all help, even opinions
would be appreciated at this point...


More confused than ever, Me

Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!


Remove the nospam from my address to email me!!