I want to turn

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

OK this forum does not get used much so I do not know how many turners are out here. But I will post my question here and see what help I can get. I am at the point in my woodworking career that I would like to try something new. I want to turn. Not having done it before I do not know much. There are a few woodworking shows coming up in my area in Dec. I want to give myself a Christmas gift because after this year I think I deserve one. I won't go into the reasons but the lathe I am looking at is the Jet mini lathe. I have posted this on other forums and being told look right into getting a full size one. Well I know that is not going to happen for sure at this time. I want to get my feet wet and yet get a quality tool because I like quality and am not afraid to spen a little more to get it. Now I am not talking a OneWay lathe I did not hi the lottery here.

I will pose this as an open ended question. I would like some feed back on the following.

1--- What is a good lathe and what to look for in a good lathe??
2--- If you have a lathe what is it and what do you like and dislike about it??
3--- Is electrnic speed control better?? And do you sacrifice anything with it??
4---Do I need the indexing gadget??
5--- I heard tools are a big expense but think if I ever do go up in size these tools will still be good. What is a good set and why???
6--- I also heard sharpining is a big factor. I have already a 6" grinder and a Tormek systembut not the jigs for turning tool sharpening. Is this a better way to go??
7--- I am looking to do small objects for now, but want to learn the basic use of the lathe and learn the functions of the tools. I heard from many to join a club. How many are involved with one and is this the way to go?? What about video tapes are these an option to learn by?? If so can some be recommended??

OK that is enough for now and hopefully there are some turners here that still come to this site. Thanks in advance for the answers. Look forward to reading the replys.

[eemer]

John,

I have been only turning for a couple years now, but I think I can help with most of your questions.

Lathe:
The JET Mini is a good choice, I would get the variable speed version just because it is quicker to change speeds for Roughing, Turning & Finishing. My fmini lathe is Penn State's knock-off of the Jet Mini and speed change is with a belt. It gets to be a pain to keep changing the speeds as teh belt isn't in an easy to get to location. I strictly use it for pen-turning, so speed change isn't a big issue, but for bowls, spindles and other crafts speed change is necessary.
The JET Mini's headstock has 1"x8 threads & MT#2, which are industry standards and has many accessories available.

Lathe's I owned or used:
Older Square-Tube, sheet-metal lathe (Homier, Grizzly & Harbor freight sold them & still do). This lathe has an odd-ball thread (1"-10) for the headstock, so finding accessories (chucks, mandrels, etc) is nearly imposible without adapters. If all you are ever going to do is Spindle work between centers, it works quite well and is surprisingly sound for that. I would only recomend one of these to someone that wanted to strictky do spindle turning. Not really worth the price IMHO!

Red Penn State Industries Mini-Lathe (JET/Delta knock-off). This little lathe is a real work-horse. It has almost 10" of swing (large enough to do bowls) and has enough power to do small bowls. It has 1"x8, MT#2 headstock, so accessories are readily available. Manual speed change by moving belts is the only "real" negative on this unit. Also, the motor doesn't start up quickly when it is cold outside. I would recomend this lathe as a decent machine and worth the price.

Harbor Freight # 34706 Wood Lathe (full-size JET Knock-off) 12" swing, 36" Bed. This lathe is surprisingly accurate and sturdy. The bed casting is exactly the same as the JET & Delta with the exception being in how nicely the cast and machined finishes are. (for $200-$300 less in price, I could live with this - got mine for $180 at the Harbor Freight store in Albany, NY). I have turned quite a few bowls on this machine and the "Reeve's" drive makes speed changes rather easy. (JET & Delta use the same style drive) The headstock is 1"x8 with MT#2, so accessories interchange between this lathe and teh PSI Mini. I bought this lathe because it was better suited for bowls than the mini (although many people use the JET mini for small bowls). I would recomend this unit for anyone that likes the JET, but not the price of the JET. I feel that this unit is worth the price. (I got the extended service warranty on it, just in case!)

Dunlap (Sears Craftsman - OLD!!! Vintage 1936 to 43). I was given this lathe by a friend that I showed some pens to. It was his father's and was just collecting rust in the back corner of his garage and he hoped I could use it. I restored it and use it regularly. It has a 9" swing and about 30" bed, belt drive, but I rigged up a quick change for it (motor is on a hinged plate and the motor's weight tensions the belt!). The headstock is 3/4"-16 and MT#1, which are common and accessories are readily available (most likely due to Craftsman & Carb-a-Tech still manufacturing units this way), but sized a little small for chucks (my opinion). I'd recomend it as a starter lathe, for sure!

If you can find a decent "Old-Iron" lathe with a standard Morst Taper (MT) and headstock thread, go for it - you won't be messing up as long as it was cared for. You can save some green for the accessories and tooling that way.

Some people on other forums seem to like the new Sears Craftsman 15" variable speed lathe, so it may be worth looking into - if you decide to go "Full-Size". Remember! You can do small things on a big lathe, but you can't do big things on a small one.

Electronic Speed control is just as good as the Reeve's or manual belt drive. You may not give up anything with it.

The Indexing pin is nice to have, but not essential. You can do some nice embelishments with it, but the Dunlap of mine has it and I never use it.

Lathe tools are just that "Lathe" tools - they will work on any size lathe. I actually like the "Windsor Designs" chisels that I got from Harbor Freight every bit as much as the "Robert Sorby" one's that I've since bought. The 8-piece set has most of the tools you will need at around $40 (less than 1 Sorby!) and you can then add others as you go along. The one's at PSI aren't too bad either (Benjamin's Best - I think they are called). I also have the Shop-Fox mini chisel set - these are great for pens.

Sharpening!! If you can sharpen carving or regular hand-chisels, you are far ahead of most beginning turners. You already have the equipment (make sure you have one of the softer wheels on the bench grinder - the gray one's will ruin the temper on your chisels - the white & pink one's are what I use). Check out a few web-sites that show how you sharpen the tools. The jigs available (Wolverine, Tru-Grind, etc.) will just enable you to be more consistent with teh grind you use on the end. Good hand technique will accomplish the same - I sharpen all of my chisels "free-hand" and haven't had any problems.

Get the Penturning DVD from Penn State Industries (it should be free - the one I got was and they also give you a $10 discount coupon). For bowl turning, get Bill Grumbine's DVD at his web site http://www.wonderfulwood.com/dvd.html

If you have any other questions - Fire Away!

Beware - the Spinny-Thing is very addictive!!!!!!

You will do very well, you are a very talented woodworker and this is just that woodworking!

[Servcman]

Eemer pretty well said everything there is the only thing I noted that he left out unless I missed it was that the jet, delta, penn state lathe all have extension beds that can be added to them to turn longer items and also templates if you'd want to go that route for quicker turning for craft show quanities. I have a knock off off the delta and have gotten accesories and belts from delta and have fit quite fine and so far the only problems I've had are my lack of skill to this point. I had one of the Harbor freight square tube 48" lathes and the quill bearing wall wore thin and there was no way to repair it, Lasted only about 4 months and 6 dz. pens.
Dennis

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Here is definitely 2 guys I wanted to hear from and thanks for the replys. I am trying to gather info to make a good choice or one that will hold me over till I do go full size and I probably will. I hope others will chime in here. I know when I get started there will be tons of questions. Thanks again!!

[Woodbutcher68]

Eemer pretty much said it all, but I'll add my .02 anyway.
I started with a $79.00 square tube lathe from Homier Tool. Menards has the same model for about $130.00. No morse taper and metric threads on the headstock, a friend of mine makes and adapter converting it to 1"X8 threads, giving it more versatility. I bought a Grizzly 14"X40" variable speed last year for about $149.00. Still a square tube, but it does everything I asked it too. I've made over 75 pens, 50 bottle stoppers, 20 honey dippers and other items. I also turned some 30" rustic table legs for a friend (two 2X4s glued together). It has a #2 Morse taper in both the headstock and tailstock. I have a PSI Barracuda chuck for it and will be upgrading it to a Barrcuda2 if PSI ever gets them in. It may take a little more time to set the tailstock square to the headstock than a round tube lathe, but I don't mind and the electronic variable spped beats changing belts.
As far as tools, stay away from carbon steel and buy only HSS. The HSS will hold and edge longer. The sky's the limit as far as price goes. I have the 5 piece mini set from PSI and a couple of Record Power gouges. It just depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend.
I use a Tru-Grind jig with a single speed Craftsman grinder and it works for me.
Joining a club or finding a mentor is a great idea. The nearest turning only club meets 50 miles away from me, but we have some excellent turners in our local woodworking club who are always willing to help or teach.
I'd definately get the PSI penturning DVD with the $10.00 coupon. I've seen the DVD alone sell on E-Bay for $20.00.
Eemer's also right about the addictive powers of turning. Sometimes I have to force myself to the scrollsaw!
Good Luck!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Woodbutcher

Thanks for the reply and I do not think I will be pulled totally away from scrolling because what I have in mind involves both so we will see what happens. Now my thing is to start shopping around and be prepared when I go to these wood shows.

[eemer]

John,

One thing that you can make that involves Both Scrolling & Turning is Potpouri Bowls. You can make the bowl and then do some fretwork and Viola!

I'm in a little worse boat than WoodButcher as far as a local turning club - the closest is 100 miles from me - So I use the forums as my turning club!

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Kurt

I suppose your talking about scrolling the tops of a bowel?? Does this mean you are self taught on the use of the lathe?? What is your favorite finish for things made on a lathe?? Do you finish on the lathe??

[eemer]

John,

I am pretty much self taught on the wood lathe, but to pay for college, I worked as a tool-maker / machinist for a company that made metal stamping dies. So, I have some insight from the metal side to fall back upon. I read up on articles and I got Raffan's Bowl & Lidded Box books as well.

Scrolling the tops (lids) is what I was meaning. Bill Young from BC Canada has done a few like this and he probably has some pictured in his picture-trail album on the web (I haven't checked).

I use Mylands Friction Polish and do 2 or 3 coats on the lathe and I'm just now starting to experiment with the 3-wheel buffing / polishing (similar to the Beal system, just not their stuff). For stuff that will or could be used for food, I use some food-safe oil finish I got at the local ACE hardware store (it's made in Wisconsin - I forget the name). As far as finishing on the lathe goes, I do some pieces on the lathe and others off. If I am going to use a lacquer - I do it off the lathe and use the buffing wheels.

For a buffing system, I just use an electric motor with those adapter mandrels that mount on the motor shaft. I have 3 of them and leave the buffing wheels attached to each other. I got the wheels, mandrels and buffing compounds from Home Depot. The electric motor, I had lying around - it's a 1/4 HP 1750 RPM with a light switch to turin it on and off.

If you run into any questions - feel free to checkout the Turning section of Sawmillcreek forum (www.sawmillcreek.org). The guys over there are much more helpful to beginners than they used to be - they are pretty honest about form, design, finish - etc. They are real supportive as well - everything they tell you about your piece seems to be sincere and in the spirit of improving your skills rather than put you down at all. They just have way too many mambers ofer there to really get to "know" anybody - they have the "regular" bunch and they are the one's that seem to be the most helpful. I'm not trying to send you away from here to go over there - just trying to give you another good resource for good helpful turning advice.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Kurt

Thanks again you have been a big help and I will check that site out. I am always looking for good sites where the people are not snobish and willing to help. I have a polishing system set-up similar to yours and use it alot for things in the scrollsaw world. My major investment that I see I have to come up with is a lathe and the cutting tools. I have a grinder and also a tormek system but might buy a dedicated grinder for quick tuchups right at the lathe. I do use the white wheels. Other than that I hope to be able to at least make things round. HA HA

[Servcman]

another good idea for a turned / scrolled projects are desk sets. I made one for my brother and he got lots of good compleiments from people at work about it. I had made the Parker flatop american classic pen w/ matching magnifier and letter opener and had scrolled a simple business card holder/clock. Tried a few at craft shows a while back got a lot of great compliments but no buyers, still a little too rural around here.
Dennis

[eemer]

Dennis,

I never thought of the desk-set - great idea. Even if it isn't a big seller - it would be great for gift items!.

I am in the process of making some confetti lamps and some bottle stoppers. I am going to make (2) stoppers in the shape of bee-hives for my father and brother to use to cap off the smokers they use in beekeeping.

One thing I thought of with the bottle stoppers was to use those state quarters imbedded on the end.

JT - Some of the people over at Samill Creek in the "General Woodworking" section really seem to be tool snobs (Festool, Powermatic, Mini Max Laguna, etc or nothing), but in the turning section they are pretty good. Also over at Bill Young's forum board, they are real helpful (most you'll recognize from the "Buzz")

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Kurt

It is funny you say that because I niticed the same thing and have gotten alot of great advice in the turning section and watch other people's posts that are also helpful. I have a problem logging on at Bill' site that is why I do not post there but do read others posts. I am really starting to get the bug and waiting for the wood shows is tough but in the mean time I am gathering info.

Hey Kurt while I got your ear, what basic tools are needed to do basic spindle turning and small bowl turning?? I see others have suggested HSS and long handle tools are good but what about brands and types.??? I see there are all kinds of gadgets for holding tools while sharpening are they a must?? If so what are good ones??? Thanks and I will be picking your brain more and more . :)

[WoodmanPlus]

Hi all ,just run up on htis forum.
I too am a scroll sawer,but things have gotten a little slow here in scroll sawing,so I pulled out a Shop Master antigue lath that I had purchased from a friends wife after he had past. He was my grandson's great grandfather and she wanted me to have the lath. I purchased it when I built the Dome clock and I could not find the top pillers that I liked. I had not been on a lath sense Jr. Hight School. the pillers turned out great,too my surprise,but I was introduced to pen making from a friend and I am now getting good use of the lath. I also got along with the lath a full set of real old Craftsman tools.
I have make a lot of pens in the last two months and have sold 20 sets for Christmas.
I have had to move the large lath into my small work shop in the house as it has gotten too cold to be in the small one outside.
I had hoped to get a minnie lath,but am glad now that I did not have the money for one,after I had purchased all of the tools and supplies for the pens.
If at all possible I would suggest that a full size lath would be better as ithe pen making is as adictive as scrolling. I had ordered a minnie from Steegbar but they only sent the pen kits and no lath. I had a real problem getting my money back. I now deal with another vender.
Just my 2 cents worth. :rolleyes:

[Dennis from Tuc]

John I have also been doing some looking around. One of the things that looks good and has people saying good things is the new lathe at Woodcraft. It is called the Rikon.
Dennis

[JoeScroller]

My dad and I just got the Harbor Freight lathe and the first one blew the motor out but then we took it back and they replaced it free. Its a good lathe to begin on and weve made several attempts at bowls. A good video to watch is made by a man named Bill Grumbine. Things to look for is the ability to slow the speed down to almost 0 rpms. another good thing to have would be a 180 degree turn headstock so you can turn large bowls.
A goog tool to pick up would be a large gouge and a sharpening wheel(a must have).

[ceblunt2]

Interesting thread and post .There is a lot of good information here however I will stick with my 50 year old Sears lathe. Its younger than me and is still going strong . The key to good turning is good sharp tools . No matter what kind of lathe you have if your tools are not of good your work is not going to be good .
Charlie

[copperpenny]

I have been turning for a couple of years. I started out with a $150.00 lathe from Canadian tire (Canadian Store) and a set of cheap tools. Since then I was given a mini lathe, again, not an expensive one; $99.00 special. My largest and most expensive lathe is a teknitool. I thought that having a better, heavier lathe would produce better results but I find that may be true when turning very large items that need the weight and balance, but for all my small items and medium size bowls I have found that all three lathes work well. What I am really saying is: having very sharp tools is the key to turning. also I would suggest that you can turn most everything with 3 tools. Buy quality so they will keep their edge and purchase new tools when needed, as your skill and techniques improve.

It was mentioned you may wish to join a woodturning guild ! Excellent idea, in my opinion. I drive 2 hours in winter 1 1/2 in good weather to attend my Guild. It is certainly worth my while. It is a very small group but very friendly and helpful. Also we are able to turn after the meeting which gives me a chance to get help when needed with turning as well as sharpening tools.

All the best in your newest woodworking hobbie. I started out scroll sawing, watch out, turning is addictive.

[Gunny]

That's an excellent point Lynn, sharp tools save time, fingers and frustration. The most important assets a wood spinner can have are sharpening skills, a good eye for wood characteristics and patience.
There are a bunch of honing/sharpening gadgets out there made by a host of reputable companies and they cost as much as the lathe itself but an intermediate woodworker can fabricate reasonable facsimiles in a home woodshop for under $15.
The two most important things I've learned about wood spinning are keep your tools sharp and take your time.

[RollaJohn]

Thought I'd reactivate this thread as it has a lot of good info in it and may get a few more interested in turning.
One site with a lot of pictures of turning and scrolling is Rick Hutcheson's http://www.scrollsaws.com. I feel it has a lot of good info on it. Rick is one of the regular contributers to Creative Woodworks and Crafts magazine. Of particular interest to me was his miniature turning, hard to believe how small objects from a 'regular size lathe' can be. He is a very prolific woodworker whether collecting saws, scrolling, turning or reviewing tools.
How do some people find enough time, I'm retired and don't have enough. :D

Rolla

P.S.: He even has some short videos on scrolling that may be of help to new scrollers.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Thanks for bringing this post back up. I agree he is very talented and i refer many new scrollers to his site for info. A good one to bookmark.

[John Charles]

[QUOTE=RollaJohn
How do some people find enough time, I'm retired and don't have enough. :D

Rolla

P.S.: He even has some short videos on scrolling that may be of help to new scrollers.[/QUOTE]

Interesting question RollaJohn, I took a couple of my turnings into work last evening and one of my coworkers asked me if I ever sleep, I said "sure I sleep" then she asked me when do I find time to do this kind of work. My reply was that I do the piliminaries while I am sleeping and finish it while I am waking up!

Retired, hummmph, now that's something I've been thinking about lately, I would consider it but then I have heard too many like youself say they don't have enough time to do anything so I will keep working my 12 hour nights 4 or 5 nights a week at least till my younger brother gets of age to retire, that leaves me another 7 months!

Thanks for reactivating the thread, I found it interesting also!

John