Lathes…midi or full for first
gossamershavings
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
hey guys and gals! want to get into turning…right now mostly small stuff which i figure a midi can handle.plus with the extension, i beleive you can do up to like 36″ spindles….but i am afraid that i will get the bug and want to turn large bowls etc…..i imagine you can do anything small on a big lathe but not the opposite…..what do you think? looking forward to your thoughts! thanks in advance…..Mike
Replies
Mike,
I would definately look at a larger lathe. Midi lathes do have a capacity of 10", but don't expect to turn anything much larger than 9". You'll likely lose at least 1" truing up your blank. I've had my midi lathe for just over a year and am looking to upgrade, hopefully to a bowl lathe (no tailstock).
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
(soon to be www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
thats what i was thinking...but you know how it is....since i can use the clubs lathe for now...i will prob. get a larger one...can anyone saw oneway?haha...those are pretty big....
No, this is a big lathe! http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Lathes___Full_Size_Lathes___VB36_Master_Bowlturner_Lathe___vb36Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com(soon to be http://www.flairwoodworks.com)
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
haha..no doubt.pretty sweet bowls on that wonderful toy i imagine.
Bow River Specialty Woods in Chilliwack sell and lease VB36 lathes if your interested. They demoed one at the wood show last October at the Tradex.http://www.bowriverwoods.com
I turn on a Nova 1644. I've yet to turn anything that would require bigger capacity. The only thing I would prefer is variable speed but that's a nice-to-have, not a must-have.
If you have the funds I'd recommend going for the full size. Oneway's are nice if you are going to do production work otherwise the Powermatic 3520b is an excellent choice and somewhat affordable.
If you decide to try hollow forms, I highly recommend Randy Privitt's Monster Articulated Arm tools.
Burt
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