Midi-lathes, and larger lathes, tend to hold their value. Finding a good used one at a discount price can be a challenge. I ended up buying both of my lathes new. The lathe that you are looking at is still a small lathe. If you plan on turning bowls or hollow forms, you will probably want a lathe with more swing and more power. There is nothing that I can turn on my Record Power Coronet Herald, with a 14" swing, that I can't turn just as well on my Rikon 70-3040 with nearly a 30" swing and twice the power of the smaller lathe. Then again, over 90% of what I turn on the 80-3040, could be turned on the Record Power lathe.
Midi-lathes with rotating headstocks are very versatile. The Coronet Herald has a headstock that rotates and an extension for the banjo that lets you turn plates, platters and some bowls up to 22" in diameter. That is pretty good for a lathe that has a swing of just 14". While the 70-3040 has a very powerful 3 hp motor, the Coronet Heralds 1.5 hp motor has never stalled - not even close. However, if you want to start turning big blanks, the 70-3040 is definitely the lathe to have, or a similar, heavy, powerful, machine.
Admittedly, I have a lot more woodturning tools than I really need. You need only a few tools to turn bowls. Unfortunately, when I first started turning, I didn't know that. If you watch Richard Raffan's YouTube videos, you will find out in short order that it takes a lot fewer tools than I first imagined. As you find out what you like to turn, it can be beneficial to add certain specialty tools, like a box scraper, to your collection too. Just don't dump a lot of money on turning tools until you know that you need them.
As you probably already know, most new wood turners underestimate their need to become experts at sharpening their tools. In tool reviews on Amazon, you often read where a customer has complained that the tools arrived in need of sharpening. If the tool came sharp as a scalpel, it is going to need to be resharpened several times on the first project where it is used. A good 8" grinder, two CBN wheels, and a Oneway Wolverine sharpening system can set you back over $800 - and it is worth every penny. I can resharpen most of my turning tools in under a minute on the grinder. Though, I use a diamond stone to re-hone them on the lathe multiple times before I have to put them on the grinder. The better you understand sharpening your tools, the better you will grasp the different tool profiles, and how they work to your advantage, or against you.
Above all, respect the fact that like all tools, lathes can hurt you, sometimes badly, and never when you expect it. I learned quickly to take those sharp live-center out of the tailstock when I am not using them. Face shields and dust masks are mandatory. Ceiling-mounted dust filters are more than just a good idea. Sawdust and shavings burn easily, and a lot of the finishes that we use can spontaneously combust too. Stay out of the line of fire when turning bowls and big blanks. Learn how to identify dangerous splits and defects in blanks and either cut them into smaller blanks or discard them. All that dust in your shop is no healthier for your dog than it is for you.
@flax10 PLEASE read this and re-read this - Pete has SO many GREAT nuggets here, I almost feel like printing a poster!
1. Midi-lathes with rotating headstocks are very versatile.
2. "However, if you want to start turning big blanks," (point being, paly a little bit... discover what you want to do - pens, bowls, small hollow-forms, large hollow forms, kitchenware... etc.
3. You only need a few tools to turn bowls - (you only need a few tools to turn most things...)
4. If you are going to use "sharpen able" (high speed steel) tools and personally, I like them better - others don't -
"As you probably already know, most new wood turners underestimate their need to become experts at sharpening their tools. "
"A Good 8" slow-speed grinder, two CBN wheels, and a Oneway Wolverine sharpening system is a GREAT investment.
5. Buy some diamond stones for the lathe "[Pete uses] a diamond stone to re-hone them on the lathe multiple times before I have to put them on the grinder."
* I [Hank] have a grinder strop that I use to hone the tool in between "real" sharpening
6. I will alter the following slightly [YOU MUST understand how to sharpen your tools because this helps you use the tool better in how you approach the wood]"The better you understand sharpening your tools, the better you will grasp the different tool profiles"
7. ...how they work to your advantage, or against you. A simple profile change can create a finish you do not need to sand! (see some of
@Mike Davis posts of his lathe work)
8. Respect the tool "Above all, respect the fact that like all tools, lathes can hurt you, sometimes badly, and never when you expect it. "
9. Face shields and dust masks are mandatory.
10. Ceiling-mounted dust filters are more than just a good idea.
11. Sawdust and shavings burn easily, and a lot of the finishes that we use can spontaneously combust too.
12. Stay out of the line of fire when turning bowls and big blanks.
13. Learn how to identify dangerous splits and defects in blanks and either cut them into smaller blanks or discard them.
14. (another addition of mine) Find a good teacher [and there are a LOT here] who can show you the ropes. Take a class or two, go turn on your own, then follow-up so you can ask questions.
15. Practice, Practice, Practice (keep pictures or parts of you projects to see how much you are progressing!
101 - (This one you already know) HAVE FUN!
Pete mentioned Richard Raffan's YT site - it is FANTASTIC!
