Wood lathe questions. - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

greatdane2 · 08-15-2008, 05:11 AM

I am going to stop at Grizzly Tools on the way home and pick up a drum/flap sander and maybe a belt sander. The question is about lathes, they have several cheaper ones. Has anyone got info about their tool sets. I just want it to do small toy type work, and am not sure what accessories to get. They sell small cutters of different shapes.
Any input would really help.

Alan.

bearfretworks · 08-15-2008, 05:20 AM

I have some Grizzly tools and am happy with them. This is not a "bash" Grizzly reply.........................but I would not buy one of their lathes. Interested in a mini....buy a Jet or Rikon.................

Ramjet · 08-15-2008, 02:57 PM

Alan . If you want to check out Jet mini Lathes ,there is a store in Seattle .Rockler WoodWorking and Hardware ,3823 Stone Way North . The House of Tools around here have lathes and their cheapest is $499.00 It is their Maxi lathe .LOL .
Roger

Dragon · 08-15-2008, 07:24 PM

Looking around for a Jet but I don't think I can get one in Canada.
Diane

turningnut · 08-15-2008, 10:19 PM

Alan,

I have two Jets (Mini and 1236) and am very pleased with them. I will tell you that no matter which brand you end up buying, do yourself a favor and make sure it is variable speed....I think that is a very important feature in any lathe, and some of the older Jets don't have it. JMHO

greatdane2 · 08-16-2008, 03:12 AM

Ok, I was also looking for info on the gouges etc. There seems to be quite a range on the tools needed to make things on a lathe.

Alan.

grizzz66 · 08-16-2008, 04:13 AM

hi alan ,

check out Thompson Lathe Tools excellent tools at a fair price by a real woodworker, you should see his turned hats !

i would recomend a spindle guoge , a parting tool , and a rounded skew for starters. IMHO you dont need a 6 or 8 piece set .

lucky788scroller · 08-18-2008, 12:33 AM

I have a Grizzly lathe, and am very happy with it.It is a fullsize machine, and for the price I think it was a bargain. In fact, I have a few Grizzly machines, and have been pleased with all of them.If i were to buy a mini lathe however, I would also definately go with the Jet mini.Its been a workhorse in many shops since its introduction, and never really hear anything negative about it.

bishopkerrie · 08-18-2008, 01:11 AM

I have used a mini Jet lathe As dale mentioned and they seem like a pretty good lathe. Jet seems to have good quality machinery.

jigsue · 08-18-2008, 10:42 AM

Alan

Which ever lathe you buy, go for the best chisels you can afford. We picked many of ours up at second hand shops, carboot and garage sales etc. Robert Sorby make the best in the world (I believe), they sharpen and re-sharpen, keep their edge and are accurate.

As Grizz said, earlier, you need just two or three basic ones to begin with, so it shouldn't break the bank.

Good Luck

Sue

08-15-2008, 05:11 AM	#1
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,226	Wood lathe questions. I am going to stop at Grizzly Tools on the way home and pick up a drum/flap sander and maybe a belt sander. The question is about lathes, they have several cheaper ones. Has anyone got info about their tool sets. I just want it to do small toy type work, and am not sure what accessories to get. They sell small cutters of different shapes. Any input would really help. Alan.

08-15-2008, 05:20 AM	#2
bearfretworks Retired Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buse Township, MN Posts: 1,367	I have some Grizzly tools and am happy with them. This is not a "bash" Grizzly reply.........................but I would not buy one of their lathes. Interested in a mini....buy a Jet or Rikon................. __________________ I love the smell of burnt gunpowder.....it reminds me of a full freezer

08-15-2008, 07:24 PM	#4
Dragon scroller and moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chertsey, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2,421	Looking around for a Jet but I don't think I can get one in Canada. Diane __________________ Dragon Owner of a Dewalt 788 PuffityDragon on AFSP

08-15-2008, 10:19 PM	#5
turningnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 632	Alan, I have two Jets (Mini and 1236) and am very pleased with them. I will tell you that no matter which brand you end up buying, do yourself a favor and make sure it is variable speed....I think that is a very important feature in any lathe, and some of the older Jets don't have it. JMHO __________________ Mike...Ft. Worth, TX EX-21 with Bandaids by Curaid

08-16-2008, 04:13 AM	#7
grizzz66 Junior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: oswego county , upstate n.y. Posts: 10	hi alan , check out Thompson Lathe Tools excellent tools at a fair price by a real woodworker, you should see his turned hats ! i would recomend a spindle guoge , a parting tool , and a rounded skew for starters. IMHO you dont need a 6 or 8 piece set . __________________ what are you building today ?

08-15-2008, 02:57 PM	#3
Ramjet Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Saltspring Island B.C. Canada Posts: 1,096	Alan . If you want to check out Jet mini Lathes ,there is a store in Seattle .Rockler WoodWorking and Hardware ,3823 Stone Way North . The House of Tools around here have lathes and their cheapest is $499.00 It is their Maxi lathe .LOL . Roger

08-16-2008, 03:12 AM	#6
greatdane2 Dumb Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, BC. Canada Posts: 2,226	Ok, I was also looking for info on the gouges etc. There seems to be quite a range on the tools needed to make things on a lathe. Alan.

08-18-2008, 12:33 AM	#8
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,260	I have a Grizzly lathe, and am very happy with it.It is a fullsize machine, and for the price I think it was a bargain. In fact, I have a few Grizzly machines, and have been pleased with all of them.If i were to buy a mini lathe however, I would also definately go with the Jet mini.Its been a workhorse in many shops since its introduction, and never really hear anything negative about it. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

08-18-2008, 01:11 AM	#9
bishopkerrie Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 40	I have used a mini Jet lathe As dale mentioned and they seem like a pretty good lathe. Jet seems to have good quality machinery.

08-18-2008, 10:42 AM	#10
jigsue Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 896	Alan Which ever lathe you buy, go for the best chisels you can afford. We picked many of ours up at second hand shops, carboot and garage sales etc. Robert Sorby make the best in the world (I believe), they sharpen and re-sharpen, keep their edge and are accurate. As Grizz said, earlier, you need just two or three basic ones to begin with, so it shouldn't break the bank. Good Luck Sue

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