Replies

1. 
   mike4244 | Oct 01, 2009 05:57am | #1

   You can turn longer stuff and bowls on a larger lathe, with the first lathe you describe, you cannot. The large lathe can turn small pieces just as well as the mini or midi lathes. The cost of accessories, live centers,drive spur and lathe tools are the same in either case. If you have the room, get the larger lathe.

   Penn State has lathe tools and other accessories that are reasonably priced. The Benjamins Best brand is very good irregardless of the low price. I prefer them to Sorby, which I also have at twice the price.

   After you get your lathe, learn to sharpen the tools, practice on clean scrap. Construction lumber is a start,don't expect real smooth turnings with a hunk od 2x2 or 4x4. Pallets are usually made of oak, inspect for nails ,grit , stones etc.

   Firewood is a great place to start, small bowls and some spindle work can be done with free firewood. Even if the wood was cut yesterday and not anywhere near dry, it will be fine for bowl turning. Turn a rough bowl,set aside for a few months to dry.

   There is a lot more to the last paragraph, do a search for greenwood turning, too long for posting here.

   Books and a video are a great place to start, maybe even before selecting a lathe.

   mike

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 01, 2009 09:00am | #2

   Good advice from Mike, IMHO.  Think about what you'll want to do down the line.  If you're pretty sure you'll stick with smaller stuff, such as could be turned on a midi-lathe, the advantage to owning one is it's small footprint and portability -- take it to turning parties!  But if  you'll want to do larger or longer items, a floor model's your ticket.

   If  you get a small lathe, get one with quality construction, not a cheapo.

   Woodturners are a friendly bunch, and several people have recommended to me looking into a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW).  There's a search box at the bottom of this page to find chapters by state.  Rumor has it, members are more than glad to help out newbies.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

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   Edited 10/1/2009 2:20 am by forestgirl

3. 
   Wingdoctor | Oct 01, 2009 02:32pm | #3

   It all depends on what you want to turn and how large your future turnings are.

   I started with a General Maxi lathe, which is a slightly larger than normal, mini lathe. $700 and I quickly outgrew it. It is a great lathe for its size, but I decided I wanted to turn longer stuff and to start turning bowls.

   My woodworking tool dealer of choice is Woodwerks in Columbus, Oh and Ron Damian, while I was looking at a decent sized Jet, said "Why don't you look at the Powermatic 3520B?" Well, Ron was correct. The 3520B has everything that I wanted in a lathe and the price was only slightly more than the Jet, at that time. It has the size I needed, infinitely variable speed control, with digital readout even, and is built like a tank. It does cost over $3000 today but if I had to do it over again, I'd buy it again. The 3520 part of the model number means 35" between centers and a 20" swing. There are extension beds available and a floor mounted tool rest if you want to slide the head to the end of the ways and turn a giant something off of the right end of the lathe. I guess without adding to the lathe height a 5 foot plus diameter plate or bowl would be possible off of the end. The 2 hp 3-phase motor with a 220v single phase inverter to run off of house current is part of the package and the 3-phase motor is where the variable speed comes from.

   Oneway also makes great large lathes but they are even more expensive than the Powermatic.

   I guess what I am trying to say is that turning can become very addictive and where we start is not where we end up, and it does not take long to make that change in your mind. Buying a "starter" lathe and then upgrading can be expensive. I am going to try to teach my wife to turn on the General, but she will probably want the Powermatic if I do. If there are friends in your area that turn, or a club, you might see if you can try their equipment before you purchase your own lathe and see how interested you are and maybe get an idea of where you want to go in turning..

   The Byrds used to sing a song called "Turn, Turn., Turn", and it said "for every time there is a season." See the video here. Well, the season of winter is coming and that is a great time to turn, turn, turn.

   Bruce

   "A man's got to know his limitations." Dirty Harry Calahan
4. 
   SteveSchoene | Oct 01, 2009 03:13pm | #4

   Don't forget the Craig's list or other sources of the used market.  Not only can you get a good price, but you may be able to get it with some of the accessories that purchased new can really, really add up.  Also, if you end up not being hooked, you can sell it with only a small "rental" while you owned it. 

5. 
   sfmc | Oct 02, 2009 02:53am | #5

   I don't know how much money you were interested in spending but Woodcraft has the Nova 1622-44 on sale thru October for 899.99.  Has 1.5 hp motor and swiveling headstock 8 speeds and a stand. Also have the Nova DVR XP on sale for 1699.99 ,I bought this lathe this spring when it was on sale and I am enjoying it immensely.

    

   We get to soon oldt und to late schmart

6. 
   roc | Oct 02, 2009 06:30am | #6

   Here is an alternative . Easy and portable

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=47927.2

   Page down for pics.

   Here is my Jet . Since I do more metal than wood this is a metal lathe. Had it now for about twenty five years. 13 x 36

   http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=47132.3

   Don't take me too seriously

   : )

   roc

   Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. Abraham Lincoln ( 54° shaves )

   Edited 10/1/2009 11:31 pm by roc <!-- ROC2013 -->

   
   

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   Edited 10/1/2009 11:31 pm by roc

7. 
   Napie | Oct 02, 2009 09:12pm | #7

   As big and as heavy as you can afford.