Seeking Advice On Buying a Lathe - Page 3 - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

RichB · 05-25-2009, 01:13 PM

Thanks for the Community Welcome everyone. I have been turning pens for about a year now. I bought a Rikon Mini and love it. It came in perfect shape and it has been used a lot by me and my two sons. I chose the Rikon because of the easy belt changing, the end is all cover. You flip open the cover and both pulleys are exposed for easy access. Also if you should ware out a belt it can be changed without pulling shafts or pulleys. I lot of people like the Jet but I have never try-ed one. If you need more advice
Google Penturning and there is a lot if information on the subject.

Dragon · 05-25-2009, 01:51 PM

I bought a King not long ago. It is guaranteed for 2 years. Will use it to learn on and sell it when I get another. I like it and will eventually buy a better one when I have the money. The Jet would have been my first choice but I cannot get it in Canada and to have it delivered would have been more than I can afford right now.
Diane

Rolf · 05-25-2009, 03:10 PM

As I stated earlier I picked up a used Jet 1236 for $250. I already had some tools but bought a few new ones anyway from Long Island Woodworker's Supply
He is a member of our club (way too convenient) I bought the Benjamines best brand roughing Gouge and a bowl gouge, since then I have picked up a few Special Sorby tools.
A grinder is critical!, some wood has a lot of silica in it and you will have to touch up your tools often.
Also try and find a local club or place for lessons. I am blessed with the Long Island Woodworkers Club
I have the Delta variable with the Wolverine sharpening system. You will wonder how you managed without it. Yes there are those of you that will make your own grinding jigs. I want to spend what play time I have scrolling and turning not making jigs. That will change when I retire.

workin for wood · 05-27-2009, 06:24 PM

I use a Jet mini, 1014vsi and I think it's a great lathe. I just won a second one too with my pen entry at the show in Provo,UT. Whoohoo! Anyhow...Just to confuse you some more with options...Enco has a lathe on sale til june 30. Actually, it is not just a lathe but also a verticle mill. It is basically $800 and shipping is free. That is better than every lathe mentioned so far, in my opinion. A new jet mini like mine is $349. Now the Enco is much larger, and it has a mill which can be used as a drill press with a 3 inch throw, that's probably worth $300 just on it's own. The Jet is 1/8 hp, the Enco mill/lathe is 3/4 hp. The Enco also is 450 lbs of steel. It's a metal lathe. You can turn anything, including wood with it. It has interchangable gears, so you can power way down slower than any jet or any wood lathe I know about, and you can let her rip faster than a typical wood lathe. You can also make threads with it..heck I think it comes with some of the tooling for threading. If you want to make kit pens with it, you just have to buy a couple centers and a tool rest. But with a metal lathe..why would you buy pen kits when you can make your own!!! Lets say you don't like it...turning doens't do it for you..this lathe will sell fast to get all or most of your money back.

rmcadams · 05-27-2009, 09:12 PM

I am new to this site, but I do have a suggestion about lathes. I am primarily a woodturner and occassionally do some scroll work. Before investing in a lathe I would visit the American Association of Woodturners website. There is a wealth of information available there as well as a listing of members, most of which are more than glad to share information. Also, there are many local chapters that have regular meetings with demonstrations. Depending on where you are located, you may be near enough to visit one of these local clubs. Most members will be glad to give you some instruction and let you try their lathes. This way you can find out if turning is for you without any investment. I have a Woodfast with a DC motor with variable speed from 0 to 4000 rpm. It is an older machine and the new ones are made by another company under license, so I don't have any experience with the current models, but I really like mine. It has capacity to turn 20" over the bed, but is also very good for small things like pens. Here's the address for the AAW The American Association of Woodturners homepage

Ray

minowevie · 05-27-2009, 11:04 PM

Hi Shawn, I would go with the Jet also. I have been looking for one on ebay, dang, I could have got one for only $150.00 pretty much new. but had to pick it up in Colorado. to far for now.
I was sick. but there is some great deals out there. just keep your eyes open. your friend Evie

05-25-2009, 01:51 PM	#22
Dragon scroller and moderator Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chertsey, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2,421	I bought a King not long ago. It is guaranteed for 2 years. Will use it to learn on and sell it when I get another. I like it and will eventually buy a better one when I have the money. The Jet would have been my first choice but I cannot get it in Canada and to have it delivered would have been more than I can afford right now. Diane __________________ Dragon Owner of a Dewalt 788 PuffityDragon on AFSP

05-25-2009, 03:10 PM	#23
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,809	As I stated earlier I picked up a used Jet 1236 for $250. I already had some tools but bought a few new ones anyway from Long Island Woodworker's Supply He is a member of our club (way too convenient) I bought the Benjamines best brand roughing Gouge and a bowl gouge, since then I have picked up a few Special Sorby tools. A grinder is critical!, some wood has a lot of silica in it and you will have to touch up your tools often. Also try and find a local club or place for lessons. I am blessed with the Long Island Woodworkers Club I have the Delta variable with the Wolverine sharpening system. You will wonder how you managed without it. Yes there are those of you that will make your own grinding jigs. I want to spend what play time I have scrolling and turning not making jigs. That will change when I retire. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

05-27-2009, 06:24 PM	#24
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	I use a Jet mini, 1014vsi and I think it's a great lathe. I just won a second one too with my pen entry at the show in Provo,UT. Whoohoo! Anyhow...Just to confuse you some more with options...Enco has a lathe on sale til june 30. Actually, it is not just a lathe but also a verticle mill. It is basically $800 and shipping is free. That is better than every lathe mentioned so far, in my opinion. A new jet mini like mine is $349. Now the Enco is much larger, and it has a mill which can be used as a drill press with a 3 inch throw, that's probably worth $300 just on it's own. The Jet is 1/8 hp, the Enco mill/lathe is 3/4 hp. The Enco also is 450 lbs of steel. It's a metal lathe. You can turn anything, including wood with it. It has interchangable gears, so you can power way down slower than any jet or any wood lathe I know about, and you can let her rip faster than a typical wood lathe. You can also make threads with it..heck I think it comes with some of the tooling for threading. If you want to make kit pens with it, you just have to buy a couple centers and a tool rest. But with a metal lathe..why would you buy pen kits when you can make your own!!! Lets say you don't like it...turning doens't do it for you..this lathe will sell fast to get all or most of your money back. __________________ Jeff Powell

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05-25-2009, 01:13 PM	#21
RichB Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 24	Thanks for the Community Welcome everyone. I have been turning pens for about a year now. I bought a Rikon Mini and love it. It came in perfect shape and it has been used a lot by me and my two sons. I chose the Rikon because of the easy belt changing, the end is all cover. You flip open the cover and both pulleys are exposed for easy access. Also if you should ware out a belt it can be changed without pulling shafts or pulleys. I lot of people like the Jet but I have never try-ed one. If you need more advice Google Penturning and there is a lot if information on the subject.

05-27-2009, 09:12 PM	#25
rmcadams Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1	I am new to this site, but I do have a suggestion about lathes. I am primarily a woodturner and occassionally do some scroll work. Before investing in a lathe I would visit the American Association of Woodturners website. There is a wealth of information available there as well as a listing of members, most of which are more than glad to share information. Also, there are many local chapters that have regular meetings with demonstrations. Depending on where you are located, you may be near enough to visit one of these local clubs. Most members will be glad to give you some instruction and let you try their lathes. This way you can find out if turning is for you without any investment. I have a Woodfast with a DC motor with variable speed from 0 to 4000 rpm. It is an older machine and the new ones are made by another company under license, so I don't have any experience with the current models, but I really like mine. It has capacity to turn 20" over the bed, but is also very good for small things like pens. Here's the address for the AAW The American Association of Woodturners homepage Ray

05-27-2009, 11:04 PM	#26
minowevie Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: california Posts: 6,398	Hi Shawn, I would go with the Jet also. I have been looking for one on ebay, dang, I could have got one for only $150.00 pretty much new. but had to pick it up in Colorado. to far for now. I was sick. but there is some great deals out there. just keep your eyes open. your friend Evie