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

Scrolling Days · 05-02-2009, 08:40 PM

Hi, Guys! I've been thinking about trying some wood turning and would like to buy a small lathe. I really have no idea where to start as far as features to look for, etc.

If anyone has any advice to share, I'd love to hear it. I'm looking at maybe trying some small pieces (pens, chess pieces, etc) and doubt I'll get into really big things. I won't be using it as much as I'm using my scrollsaw for my puzzles, etc, but would still like it to be reliable. Also, what are the best tools/blades to buy with it?

Thanks in advance!

Ramjet · 05-03-2009, 01:31 AM

I bought my wife a Jet 1220 vs . I looked at lathes for several months and asked lots of questions . I settled on this model for potential future projects .
I had been advised to look at a Steel City lathe which was half the cost and had a 5 year warranty .
I think it depends on where you want to go with turning . There are other members on the forum which turn and they probably have their own preference .
Don't forget the lathe is the first tool to purchase ,then all the accessories are required and that can add to the price .
Luck .
Roger

lucky788scroller · 05-03-2009, 01:54 AM

The Jet mini lathe is a great mini lathe, and its the one I eventually would like to have. I currently use a full size Grizzly lathe, and I am really happy with it, but it does take up valuable space in a cramped shop. Keep in mind a couple things... 1) you can turn small things on a big lathe, but you cant turn big things on a small lathe...2)turning chisels,and other tooling (like a decent scrolling chuck)will cost as much as the lathe itself as you start trying new things and new accessories.... and mostly... 3) like scrollsawing, turning is extremely addictive.You think you only want to get a small lathe to turn a few pens, and before you know it, your making big bowls or platters, and wishing you had a bigger machine! Buying a scrollsaw and a lathe are so similar,get the one with the most features that you can afford, and you cant hardly go wrong.

miniwoodworker · 05-03-2009, 12:24 PM

If you have the space, think about getting a full size lathe. Dale's comment on what you can turn is so true. Think about it like this: When you're scrolling, you can stack cut to get several duplicates of your pattern. If you mount a long piece of stock in your lathe, you can turn several copies with one setup. Then separate then when the piece comes off the lathe. (A pair of candle holders is an example.)

Do be prepared for the extra costs involved for your tools and accessories. If you go high end on those, you can spend $150 bucks for a single chisel. There are more moderately priced choices. And, don't buy any accessory until you determine you have an actual need. I have some stuff, still in the box, I thought I might need, and never did.

An Also:

Did you know that you can use a lathe as a sander?
Did you know you can use a lathe as a horizontial drill press?

Just some food for thought this morning.

I have an ancient Craftsman lathe and a tiny Dremel lathe (1970's).

Scrolling Days · 05-03-2009, 10:01 PM

Thanks for the pointers, guys. I'll definitely keep myself open to getting a larger model.

Rolf · 05-03-2009, 11:27 PM

Some good advice above.
I bought a used Jet 1236 for $250. It is a great lathe but it is tired.
I am considering a bigger lathe, probably Jet as I am happy with their tools.
Dave is right on, be prepared to spend money on tools, chucks, centers etc, etc.
The hobby can suck up alot more money than scrolling. But it is worth every penny

tnirish · 05-04-2009, 01:21 PM

I have a full size Jet that I want to sell. I am asking $400. Used very little (that's the reason I am selling). I can send pictures if interested.

Rolf · 05-04-2009, 01:22 PM

tnirish,
what are you calling full size?

Rick-H · 05-04-2009, 01:56 PM

If you are looking for a midi you should wait and look a the new Delta coming out. A 12" VS lathe that works great. Has the power needed and with the 12" swing it will turn those larger bowls and other projects. You can get the bed extension for turning longer items. I had the Jet 1236 and think this is a better lathe. I now have a Jet 1642 which is a full size lathe and better than the new Delta, but three times the price. But for a small lathe the new Delta is sure up there in the top of the best.

Rolf · 05-04-2009, 05:39 PM

Rick what do you think about the 1642? That is the lathe I have in mind to purchase.

05-02-2009, 08:40 PM	#1
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,166 Blog Entries: 5	Seeking Advice On Buying a Lathe Hi, Guys! I've been thinking about trying some wood turning and would like to buy a small lathe. I really have no idea where to start as far as features to look for, etc. If anyone has any advice to share, I'd love to hear it. I'm looking at maybe trying some small pieces (pens, chess pieces, etc) and doubt I'll get into really big things. I won't be using it as much as I'm using my scrollsaw for my puzzles, etc, but would still like it to be reliable. Also, what are the best tools/blades to buy with it? Thanks in advance! __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

05-03-2009, 01:54 AM	#3
lucky788scroller Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: wisconsin Posts: 6,238	The Jet mini lathe is a great mini lathe, and its the one I eventually would like to have. I currently use a full size Grizzly lathe, and I am really happy with it, but it does take up valuable space in a cramped shop. Keep in mind a couple things... 1) you can turn small things on a big lathe, but you cant turn big things on a small lathe...2)turning chisels,and other tooling (like a decent scrolling chuck)will cost as much as the lathe itself as you start trying new things and new accessories.... and mostly... 3) like scrollsawing, turning is extremely addictive.You think you only want to get a small lathe to turn a few pens, and before you know it, your making big bowls or platters, and wishing you had a bigger machine! Buying a scrollsaw and a lathe are so similar,get the one with the most features that you can afford, and you cant hardly go wrong. __________________ Dale w/ yella saws

05-03-2009, 12:24 PM	#4
miniwoodworker Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 497	If you have the space, think about getting a full size lathe. Dale's comment on what you can turn is so true. Think about it like this: When you're scrolling, you can stack cut to get several duplicates of your pattern. If you mount a long piece of stock in your lathe, you can turn several copies with one setup. Then separate then when the piece comes off the lathe. (A pair of candle holders is an example.) Do be prepared for the extra costs involved for your tools and accessories. If you go high end on those, you can spend $150 bucks for a single chisel. There are more moderately priced choices. And, don't buy any accessory until you determine you have an actual need. I have some stuff, still in the box, I thought I might need, and never did. An Also: Did you know that you can use a lathe as a sander? Did you know you can use a lathe as a horizontial drill press? Just some food for thought this morning. I have an ancient Craftsman lathe and a tiny Dremel lathe (1970's). __________________ Lee in NC Als Ik Kan DW788 1975 Dremel (labeled Craftsman) Scroll saw w/3" pin blades

05-03-2009, 10:01 PM	#5
Scrolling Days Jigsaw Puzzle Maker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Along the Lower Niagara River Posts: 1,166 Blog Entries: 5	Thanks for the pointers, guys. I'll definitely keep myself open to getting a larger model. __________________ Shawn Ferguson Come visit at The Ferguson Puzzle Company !

05-03-2009, 11:27 PM	#6
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	Some good advice above. I bought a used Jet 1236 for $250. It is a great lathe but it is tired. I am considering a bigger lathe, probably Jet as I am happy with their tools. Dave is right on, be prepared to spend money on tools, chucks, centers etc, etc. The hobby can suck up alot more money than scrolling. But it is worth every penny __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

05-03-2009, 01:31 AM	#2
Ramjet Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Saltspring Island B.C. Canada Posts: 1,089	I bought my wife a Jet 1220 vs . I looked at lathes for several months and asked lots of questions . I settled on this model for potential future projects . I had been advised to look at a Steel City lathe which was half the cost and had a 5 year warranty . I think it depends on where you want to go with turning . There are other members on the forum which turn and they probably have their own preference . Don't forget the lathe is the first tool to purchase ,then all the accessories are required and that can add to the price . Luck . Roger

05-04-2009, 01:21 PM	#7
tnirish Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bell Buckle, Tennessee Posts: 36	I have a full size Jet that I want to sell. I am asking $400. Used very little (that's the reason I am selling). I can send pictures if interested.

05-04-2009, 01:22 PM	#8
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	tnirish, what are you calling full size? __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

05-04-2009, 01:56 PM	#9
Rick-H Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Grimes, Iowa Posts: 275	If you are looking for a midi you should wait and look a the new Delta coming out. A 12" VS lathe that works great. Has the power needed and with the 12" swing it will turn those larger bowls and other projects. You can get the bed extension for turning longer items. I had the Jet 1236 and think this is a better lathe. I now have a Jet 1642 which is a full size lathe and better than the new Delta, but three times the price. But for a small lathe the new Delta is sure up there in the top of the best. __________________ Rick Hutcheson http://www.scrollsaws.com

05-04-2009, 05:39 PM	#10
Rolf Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bellport, LI New York Posts: 2,778	Rick what do you think about the 1642? That is the lathe I have in mind to purchase. __________________ Rolf RBI G4 Hawk, Delta SS350 Philosophy "I don't know that I can't, therefore I can"

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