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Post by sdb777 on Nov 29, 2009 18:38:54 GMT -6
Eventually I will purchase a lathe....while it might be awhile down the road. But I still will ask....
What is the preferred lathe for a hobby-type?(I'll never be a pro at anything)
What is the longest piece of wood that can be turned in your lathe? And what do you own?
Scott (guess that is three questions) B
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Beamer
Forum Management 
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Post by Beamer on Nov 29, 2009 19:05:43 GMT -6
I think the most popular lathe I encounter in my local woodworking club is the Jet 10" mini lathe. Dang near everyone's got it. I have one, and at least a dozen or more of my friends have at least one.
I like it. Some other mini lathes come with tool rests that I don't find comfortable. The Delta has a better belt/pully adjustment because an access door is in front instead of in back like the Jet. I got used to that, so it's a minor thing.
The nicest thing about the Jet mini, imho, is it's popularity - means there's lotsa accessories available for it.
But ...
It's very limited for hollow forms and bowls. If you're going to do pens or bottle stoppers or small boxes or any number of spindles, it's a fantastic lathe. A little too fast and underpowered for bowls - not to mention capacity limitations. I don't get into those things so this lathe is about perfect for me.
I've found most people start with a mini then graduate up to a bigger one. While we'd all like to buy the last tool first, sometimes it's not that simple. Don't go buyin' a big honkin' lathe only to find out you really just love turnin' toothpicks. It'll do 'em, but it'd be overkill, for sure.
Most people get bit by the turning bug. They call it an abyss for a reason. I didn't get quite so sucked in. I do teach a turning 101 class for spindle turning to my local club members, but i really don't get too artistic. I have more fun with engineering type turning (fitting pieces into other pieces like boxes, for example). I would consider myself a practical turner rather than an artistic one.
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Post by Beezlebub on Nov 29, 2009 19:28:53 GMT -6
If you have the budget the new Delta 46-460 is hard to beat as it will have no problems with bowls or HF's.
I have the earlier version and the Delta 1440 both run fine and do everything I ask.
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Post by TDHofstetter on Nov 29, 2009 19:31:46 GMT -6
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Post by fredbelknap on Nov 29, 2009 19:31:52 GMT -6
Scott I have the Grizzly G0462. It is a full size lathe, I think it will make a 16" bowl but I have only gone to around 12". It has it's limitations but it does the job. When I got it I thought it would be better to get a little less lathe to see if I wanted to get into it farther. Lathe is only the down payment. You will need (or want) quite a few other things which all seem to cost more than they are worth. I haven't done pens, mostly bowls and some table legs. I think the Jet 1642 EVS (electronic variable speed) is a lathe that a lot of experienced turners use, also the Powermatic is real popular.
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Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
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Post by Doug B on Nov 29, 2009 19:41:57 GMT -6
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Post by woodmangler on Nov 29, 2009 20:05:27 GMT -6
I am on lathe number 4.... started with a $50 Ryobi ... then a Sears single tube, then a Jet 1236, which is an excellent lathe btw... worked real well for me.
I now have a Jet 1642, which in lathe parlance means it can do a 16" bowl and has the capacity to do a 42" spindle. It has a few features that I enjoy that the 1236 didn't have... the ability to turn real slow... 50rpm... comes in real handy for a number of things, like big bowls and applying CA to pens and sanding... especially natural edged bowls. It also has a reverse, so I can alternate direction. I also very, VERY much like sliding the headstock all the way to the end of the lathe and hollowing bowls.... no more reaching/stretching across the ways.
As has been said.... you can turn small stuff on a large lathe but can't turn big stuff on a small one...
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Post by jon1941 on Nov 29, 2009 23:25:58 GMT -6
Hi
my lathe is the jet 12-20 3/4 hp its a midi.
it will do anything i want to do, for now anyway
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rhull
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Post by rhull on Nov 30, 2009 4:47:18 GMT -6
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Post by sachbvn on Nov 30, 2009 4:55:19 GMT -6
Like Fred, I have the Grizzly G0462 - working out great for me right now - can't imagine I'll be replacing it for a long, long time.
Zac
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Post by Ruffnek on Nov 30, 2009 6:12:36 GMT -6
I also have the Jet 1236...it will accommodate about 11 1/2" blank over the ways and 34 1/2" between centers. It is my first lathe and has served me very well but it has some limitations. The minimum speed is 550 rpm...not really conducive to turning big bowls.
It's almost identical to the Harbor Freight 34706 lathe.
If I had it all to do over, I would have chosen a lathe with infinitely variable speed. I hope to someday upgrade the 1236 to a Jet 16-42 or a PM 3520B...probably the Jet.
Don't be too quick to dismiss your turning ability, either. Some people take to it like a duck to water and you may be posting pics of gallery-quality turnings here before long.
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Post by triplefreak on Nov 30, 2009 7:30:02 GMT -6
I own a Grizzly G0462 as well. Tim helped me rebuild the headstock from the ground up about 3 months ago. I haven't turned much on it, but it did handle a very lopsided 12" piece of red cedar very well.
I built a sandbox to hold 300 lbs of sand to balance the lathe & keep it from jumping around so much.
I posted it on the old board , but I can repost it here if anyone is interested.
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Post by maxwellsmart007 on Nov 30, 2009 10:05:55 GMT -6
HF 34706 - excellent starter lathe for the price (Key words - starter lathe, and price)... But I love it!  ANdrew |
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sawduster
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The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
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Post by sawduster on Nov 30, 2009 11:33:56 GMT -6
I have a Jet 1236 which has given me very good service. It is my second lathe, the first having been a clone of the Sears single tube lathe with a different paint job. HF sold that same lathe until a couple years ago. I mounted my Jet to a very sturdy bench in the shop rather than using the stand that came with it.
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Post by maverick31 on Nov 30, 2009 21:21:33 GMT -6
i have an old craftsman lathe from I think the 60s. it is a 12x 36 single pole style lathe. Next one I get will be same size but variable speed and new. although oldies are goodies too.
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sawduster
Moderator
The Motley Crew
Posts: 1,831
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Post by sawduster on Dec 1, 2009 13:58:30 GMT -6
i have an old craftsman lathe from I think the 60s. it is a 12x 36 single pole style lathe. Next one I get will be same size but variable speed and new. although oldies are goodies too. Does it look like this one, only a different paint job?  If so, that is the one that many of us here had (have). A nice simple well made machine. PITA to change speeds, but it got the job done. |
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Post by TDHofstetter on Dec 1, 2009 14:15:44 GMT -6
Mine is EASY to change speeds on.
I don't even know for sure where the belt cover is... and I mounted the motor on a hinged board so it NEARLY touches the bench with a belt on, and the motor's weight tensions the belt. To change speeds, I just lift the belt onto the next pulley step at the spindle end first, then at the motor end. Three seconds.
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Post by maverick31 on Dec 1, 2009 14:56:11 GMT -6
i have an old craftsman lathe from I think the 60s. it is a 12x 36 single pole style lathe. Next one I get will be same size but variable speed and new. although oldies are goodies too. Does it look like this one, only a different paint job? If so, that is the one that many of us here had (have). A nice simple well made machine. PITA to change speeds, but it got the job done. yep It looks a lot like that one. well except your work area is much cleaner than mine ;D It is kind of a pain to change the belts but not all that bad i guess in the grand scheme of things |
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Post by mapleman on Dec 1, 2009 16:09:10 GMT -6
I used to have a Jet 1236 and Jet 1014VS.... great starters. but I had to upgrade (at least so I told the wife)...
I now have a NOVA 1624-44 with extension bed.... 1.5 hp, 16" swing inboard (up to 29" ouboard), 44" between centers. BUT i have move the belt to change speeds --- so that sucks. but, hey, for the capacity and the price, i could not beat it.
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sawduster
Moderator
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Post by sawduster on Dec 1, 2009 16:38:56 GMT -6
Man, for that kinda money you'd think they could give you a lever or something to change speeds.
From their site:
Quick speed change: Very quick to change speeds using the proven cam action.
What is this "cam action" for changing speeds. Shows a pic of a guys hand moving a belt.
BTW: Even with the speed changing, [glow=red,2,300]YOU SUCK!!![/glow]
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