so, I’m wondering is turning (you know on a lathe) really worth the expense? is it the “next step” to becoming a master crafts person? if so, what’s the cheapest way to start? Is it better to “build your own” or to just buy a lathe. what’s the best starter tools?
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
Edited 3/27/2008 10:33 pm ET by andyfew322
Replies
I suppose that would depend on what you want or need to turn. There is a huge difference in pricing for lathes. From $200 to $5,000 and probably more. Pens, bowls, spindles, chair legs, table legs? I have 2 lathes, it is worth it to me because I do a lot of restoration work and need to replace 1 - 5 spindles at a time. I can keep my costs down if I turn them myself instead of hiring it out.
"It is what it is."
"I can keep my costs down if I turn them myself instead of hiring it out."
I don't have any lathes ... I can keep my costs down by hiring it out!
which was gonna be my advice to the kid ... don't be like me ...
if U can afford to ... learn a new skill.
you can always sell it later.
to people like me.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Yeah, growing up I apprenticed with a lot of old timers. I even worked for free to learn what they knew. When I started in the biz, I couldn't afford to hire out anything. So I would ask a lot of questions and attempt anything. I was lucky to have tradesmen willing to share their knowlege with me and some very patient customers.
"It is what it is."
It's fun too.
Keep an eye on Craigslist & whatever free ads paper comes out in your area.
$100 will buy you a used one with a few tools to go with it, maybe less if you're patient.
Didn't they have lathes in woodshop class?
Joe H
Not to be a wise azz, but don't they have those in HS shop class? I'm probably really dating myself here - do they even have shop class any more? BTW - I aced shop...
yeah, but you can't use the lathe till you're a junior or senior
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
hey shep, want to give me some insight? I know you're a big lathe person
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
hey shep, want to give me some insight? I know you're a big lathe person
Shep is good but don't fall for that I made these ornaments thing from him! He tried to get me on that too once...... :-)
“Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem.” Reagan....
Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. -Truman Capote
Hey, Andy-
I guess you could say I'm a big lathe person, since I'm 6'2" and 250 lbs. LOL
Anyway, turning is fun. Its the only woodworking power tool that can take a piece of wood from rough to finished, including putting on a finish. You can get started in tuning for about $600.00, if you buy one of the mini-lathes, a set of chisels, and a halfway decent chuck. You'll also need a way to sharpen the tools, like a bench grinder, or belt sander.
Do you live anywhere near a Woodcraft store? They have turning classes for all skill levels. Also check into finding a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). http://www.woodturner.org Click on the site, click the local chapters link, and see if there's anything in your area. If you have any interest, the guys in a chapter will be more than willing to help you out.
I currently have about $5-6,000 in lathes, tools, chucks, wood and other accessories. But I'm a tool junky, who also likes to collect wood. You don't need anywhere near that amount to get started.
If you have any other queations, let me know.
Oh, yeah, and ignore that Jarhead guy. He's just jealous.
yeah, he's a jar head ;O lol
do you have an extra lathe or part of a lathe
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
I've got an old, old Delta lathe, that can turn 11" dia. by 36" long. It needs a motor, but is otherwise in good shape.
If you want it, let me know. I have no idea how much shipping would be. Maybe you could talk your dad into a road trip to NJ.
that's pretty good size wize, how much you looking for?
how much would a motor cost, and how hard is it to throw on?
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
Andy-
If you want it, its yours. Does $200 bucks sound OK?
I don't know how much shipping would be. Do you guys come down to the NYC area?
hmmm ill think about it that is a large investment, and hard to get.
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
Just so you know, its the lathe, a couple of faceplates, a Oneway chuck, and whatever else I feel like throwing in.
You'll need a 1/2 or 3/4 HP, 1725 RPM motor. You should be able to find a used one for $50.00, or less. Its a piece of cake to install on the lathe.
that is a good deal. I might wait a bit to try and earn some money so I can actually get it. lucilly mowing/landscaping season is has started, and I'm already earning through fertilizer.
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
To learn how to turn try one of these small lathes and make pens. they are cheap, fun and you can make alot of gifts!
http://www.pennstateind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc
O and for the rest of you shop classes are alive and well in butler pa we still have a woodshop, metal shop where we do sand casting and learn how to run a metal lathe. we also teach electronics and CAD
Hey Shep,
Since I won a FHB hat, I'm gonna send it to Andy, along with a brand new FHB older hat (which is much better than the new hats, the new hats really suck. I wouldn't look a gift-horse in the mouth but the back of the hat is now a velcro hook-em-up, rats. It says Click. Build. Done.)
Anyway, I offerred Andy some already-glued-up-pen-blanks. And the innards, if he has access to a lathe and the required mandrel. I think that's why he is asking about a lathe.
"He said "Buck up baby, it's okay. The sunlight on the floor will always fall." ~ Sarah Harmer
yeah, but you can't use the lathe till you're a junior or senior
Well then theres your incentive to stay in school!
There are quite a few skilled tradesmen on this site and I'd bet less then 5%(I'm sure that's a stretch) of them have enough skill to do turnings that would be profitable enough to warrant doing it. Don't let that sway you from learning to use a lathe though, you might find it enjoyable enough to continue learning and using.
Learning new things don't have to be profitable in the sense of "how much money can I make from it" but should be an experience, one that you may find that you want to pursue, or maybe not, but you'll never know unless you give it a shot.
So, stay in school until your a freaking Jr and try the damn thing out.
Doug
The junior high I went to in L.A. had a wood shop to die for,electronics, fiberglass and plastics and a metal shop where we cast molten aluminum (second year only) These were required classes. Those were the good ole days. I remember using saws in second grade.....aint gonna see that again.
I've done a bit of turning here and there. It's a fun skill to have, but it's a really specialized one.
If you are into making furniture and you have a special desire to to do turned work, you need a lathe. Or if you want to do pens, or turn bowls, you need a lathe.
In both cases, you'll need to spend a fair amount of time teaching yourself how to get good results - or take a class.
Bowls especially require heavy and expensive lathes.
Why don't you ask over on knots? I bet they would have better opinions.
Until a couple of years ago I hadn't turned a piece of wood since jr high---- & no I'm not saying who was president then either.
I bought an elcheapo from harborfake 89 bucks on sale, bought a chea[ set of chisels.
That way if I didn't like I wasn't out much money on something collecting dust.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” —Albert Einstein
"& no I'm not saying who was president then either."Dont you mean who was king ;-)
LOL, I had to go back & re-read my post to see what I was talking about.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” —Albert Einstein
I really enjoyed using the lathe when I was in school... Haven't hardly used one since. I even inherited one but didn't have a place to store it at one time in my life so ended up selling it. When I did have it, including when I was in my parents house, I used it more for the disk sander attachment than anything else... I've never really been interested in furniture building or similar though.
I'll go out on a limb here and say that lathes aren't used in home building. OK - maybe in super high end stuff like Doug does. I've never personally known of a lathe to be used in the process of building a house though.
Apparently, from one of the above comments, repairing homes is a different story. I can see that. You end up having to make moldings (or have them made) to match old existing too. Repairing stuff just is not my cup-o-tea.
I'll bet there's a community college where you can take classes. Might be a liability thing with your age ... but you could go hang out, and the old guys will teach you all kinds of tricks.
It's one mighty expensive hobby, though, but not much more than fishing<G>
Winterlude by the telephone wire,
Winterlude, it's makin' me lazy,
Come on, sit by the logs in the fire.
The moonlight reflects from the window
Where the snowflakes, they cover the sand.
Come out tonight, ev'rything will be tight,
Winterlude, this dude thinks you're grand.
If you want a lathe go to a used commercial woodworking supplier. I have a 3 phase 6' bed powermatic that I picked up for a fraction of the price of a chinese made 30" bed new lathe. There is no market for big used lathes.
What happened to Mr. Shipsky?
You can buy a small lathe pretty cheap from Delta, or Jet...me thinks $199?
"He said "Buck up baby, it's okay. The sunlight on the floor will always fall." ~ Sarah Harmer
Owning and working with a lathe is definitely worth it. It's really enjoyable whether you're cranking out 100 spindles or doing a one of a kind bowl out of spalted maple.
Shep is right. A mini or midi lathe is a great place to start, and they can be had for around $300-$400. I would advise you to get someone to teach you or if you can take some classes somewhere that would be good. At least get some literature on it, there's tons available.
try a local woodworkers supply shop. the woodcraft here in michigan has quite a shop that they teach classes in. they usually have a class in all aspects of woodworking. woodturning is a popular one. i use mine all the time. and if im mad at the wife i just go make a pile of sawdust. she followed me to the shop only one time and found out im pretty good at aiming the shavings.
If you ask this Q over at knots they will pepper you with all kinds of advice. Be sure to tell them how old you are so they know you can't just whip out the credit card.