wood lathes
- Thread starter likinmo
- Start date
Mason_Jarr
New member
Jet makes a good mini-lathe. They used to be pretty cheap, but not so much anymore. You might be able to pick one up used.
http://woodworker.com/jml-1014-mini-lath...utm_medium=feed
I would recommend the variable speed model. The lathe is just the first investment though. You'll need turning tools, chucks, jigs, etc. I probably have over $1000 invested in my equipment, but I didn't buy it all at once.
http://woodworker.com/jml-1014-mini-lath...utm_medium=feed
I would recommend the variable speed model. The lathe is just the first investment though. You'll need turning tools, chucks, jigs, etc. I probably have over $1000 invested in my equipment, but I didn't buy it all at once.
dogcatcher
Active member
I made up this list for another person. This is just the beginning, this investment keeps going and going. And I am sure I missed a lot of items that you will need.
Face mask ...................................$20
Dust collector..............................$150
Rikon mini wood lathe ......................$350
Harbor Freight chisel set .................. $40
Stanley hand saw ...........................$20
Coping saw .................................$15
Sears utility sharpener .....................$40
2MT drill chuck .............................$20
4 jaw chuck .................................$80
Collet chuck ................................$90
Harbor Freight drill bit set.................$30
Harbor Freight S&D bit set ..................$40
Watco Teak Oil ..............................$20
Spar Varnish ................................$20
CA glue ..................................... $5
Wood glue ....................................$5
Sandpaper ...................................$30
Wood........................................$200
Miscellaneous ..............................$100
Want to upgrade to a bandsaw? Add in $300 for a 10", like a Rikon, Jet or Sears. Not my first choice, but a little better than using a handsaw. Making duck calls? Might as well add in about $200 more for mandrels, and another $100 for a jig. Drill press? You have the capability to drill on the lathe, but a drill press is nice to have, these can be anywhere from $60 at Harbor Freight to $500.
Face mask ...................................$20
Dust collector..............................$150
Rikon mini wood lathe ......................$350
Harbor Freight chisel set .................. $40
Stanley hand saw ...........................$20
Coping saw .................................$15
Sears utility sharpener .....................$40
2MT drill chuck .............................$20
4 jaw chuck .................................$80
Collet chuck ................................$90
Harbor Freight drill bit set.................$30
Harbor Freight S&D bit set ..................$40
Watco Teak Oil ..............................$20
Spar Varnish ................................$20
CA glue ..................................... $5
Wood glue ....................................$5
Sandpaper ...................................$30
Wood........................................$200
Miscellaneous ..............................$100
Want to upgrade to a bandsaw? Add in $300 for a 10", like a Rikon, Jet or Sears. Not my first choice, but a little better than using a handsaw. Making duck calls? Might as well add in about $200 more for mandrels, and another $100 for a jig. Drill press? You have the capability to drill on the lathe, but a drill press is nice to have, these can be anywhere from $60 at Harbor Freight to $500.
Workman
New member
Grizzly Tools http://grizzly.com/ will be a good place to look. They have several "levels" of wood lathes, bandsaws and drill presses. They also carry lathe accessories like centers, chucks and turning tools. I've been very happy with what I've ordered from them and their shipping was reasonable.
badtothebone
New member
Right on the money, Marvin.
Add a bit more for bandaids and aspirin. LOL! First time you cram your knuckles into the chuck and hamburger flies off, you'll know what I mean.
Rudy
Add a bit more for bandaids and aspirin. LOL! First time you cram your knuckles into the chuck and hamburger flies off, you'll know what I mean.
Rudy
badtothebone
New member
Oops, double clutched.
Last edited:
dogcatcher
Active member
You don't really need a fancy new lathe for making calls. This is one of my old lathes, probably older than most of the people on this forum. It still works as good as when I got it about 35 years ago, and the old guy I got it from said he bought it about 35 years before that. You can sometimes find these for less than a $100 with a set of chisels.
But the lathe is just the first expense, you need a lot more to get started. After the needed items comes the wanted items, this is where woodturning will get real expensive, before you know it you will have spent enough to buy a good used 4X4 pickup, even fill the tank and have spending money left over.
Woodturning is an expensive ride, but it is a ride that will provide years of enjoyment. You will always want bigger and better equipment, kind of like guns, you will always be looking for that new "toy" for the shop.
But the lathe is just the first expense, you need a lot more to get started. After the needed items comes the wanted items, this is where woodturning will get real expensive, before you know it you will have spent enough to buy a good used 4X4 pickup, even fill the tank and have spending money left over.
Woodturning is an expensive ride, but it is a ride that will provide years of enjoyment. You will always want bigger and better equipment, kind of like guns, you will always be looking for that new "toy" for the shop.
cmiddleton
New member
my dad told me yesterday he would like to sell his full sized shop smith. if someone would be interested.
Jackindistress
New member
cmiddleton,
What state is the shop smith located in? Any idea about how much he wants for it? You can PM me if you like.
What state is the shop smith located in? Any idea about how much he wants for it? You can PM me if you like.
dogcatcher
Active member
Originally Posted By: dwillWhat type of turning tools have you guys had luck with, I just got a lathe a couple weeks ago and am buying all the little things here and there but mostly need gouges and etc. Thanks alot
For a beginner get a set of Harbor Freight HSS chisels, about 40 something dollars, they are good chisels to use to learn how to sharpen them. I think there are 8 in the set, some you will only use once or twice a month, but you will need them. Until you are proficient at sharpening the chisels keep using them. When you feel you have the sharpening down pat then start looking at the higher dollar chisels. Some of those will cost more than the entire set of Harbor freight chisels. Or buy the high dollar ones and grind them into stubbies while you learn how to keep them sharp.
For a beginner get a set of Harbor Freight HSS chisels, about 40 something dollars, they are good chisels to use to learn how to sharpen them. I think there are 8 in the set, some you will only use once or twice a month, but you will need them. Until you are proficient at sharpening the chisels keep using them. When you feel you have the sharpening down pat then start looking at the higher dollar chisels. Some of those will cost more than the entire set of Harbor freight chisels. Or buy the high dollar ones and grind them into stubbies while you learn how to keep them sharp.
the noobie
New member
I have one of those little Jets like someone listed above. For the price you cant beat them.
As far as tools if you look around stores like wood craft or penn state will have big beginner sets of tools they wont be high end steel and might not hold an edge as long as high speed or better but for being tight on money i couldnt complain with my set.
oh and DO NOT forget to watch garage sales... I went to one and i got a cheap harbor freight tool set for $20 but when i got home and inspected them closer i noticed the one tool was an Ashley IIles, asked a guy at wood craft and he said it was an older one but when it first came out it sold for about $80+ so my $20 easily paid for itself. The guy just laughed at me cause i brought it in set it in the counter and asked him "what is this"
As far as tools if you look around stores like wood craft or penn state will have big beginner sets of tools they wont be high end steel and might not hold an edge as long as high speed or better but for being tight on money i couldnt complain with my set.
oh and DO NOT forget to watch garage sales... I went to one and i got a cheap harbor freight tool set for $20 but when i got home and inspected them closer i noticed the one tool was an Ashley IIles, asked a guy at wood craft and he said it was an older one but when it first came out it sold for about $80+ so my $20 easily paid for itself. The guy just laughed at me cause i brought it in set it in the counter and asked him "what is this"