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A mini-lathe is a great place to start. You can turn a lot of differnt things on a mini and they are cheaper than a full lathe. The tools you use are good on any lathe. Some people like the Harbor Freight lathes to start as well. I started with a mini and turned about a hundred pens, four rolling pins three mallets, and a baseball bat on it. I have a full lathe now so I can turn bigger items such as bowls.
A mini-lathe is a great place to start. You can turn a lot of differnt things on a mini and they are cheaper than a full lathe. The tools you use are good on any lathe. Some people like the Harbor Freight lathes to start as well. I started with a mini and turned about a hundred pens, four rolling pins three mallets, and a baseball bat on it. I have a full lathe now so I can turn bigger items such as bowls.
First let me say that it can be addictive.....and somewhat costly. The slope can be steep. Before spending lots of $$ maybe you could find someone in your area that has a lathe that would do a little mentoring and let you use their lathe to see it the bug has really bit you. Woodcraft in Raleigh has classes that are not expensive.
If you are ready to boost the economy, sometimes there are good deals here in the classified, also check craigslist.
You will need a lathe, some lathe tools (Harbor Freight has two fairly good starter sets that are between $35-50), a method to sharpen the tools, mandrels if you are doing pens, live centers, dead centers, chucks, etc., etc., etc.:tool::tool::tool:
Delta, Jet and Rikon have midi/mini lathes, Harbor Freight has two (I understand only one is worth the noney) and there are a few others that are good starter lathes. I have had a Delta Midi for almost two years and it has done all I need to do as I continue to learn. I have turned lots of pens, some bowls, lidded boxes, spindle work, tool handles, etc. But the urge to upgrade is creeping in but the $$ are not available yet.
If you were closer you could come try mine out.
Try to get on the list for the Good Will Lathe owned by this forum.
Good luck.
If you are ready to boost the economy, sometimes there are good deals here in the classified, also check craigslist.
You will need a lathe, some lathe tools (Harbor Freight has two fairly good starter sets that are between $35-50), a method to sharpen the tools, mandrels if you are doing pens, live centers, dead centers, chucks, etc., etc., etc.:tool::tool::tool:
Delta, Jet and Rikon have midi/mini lathes, Harbor Freight has two (I understand only one is worth the noney) and there are a few others that are good starter lathes. I have had a Delta Midi for almost two years and it has done all I need to do as I continue to learn. I have turned lots of pens, some bowls, lidded boxes, spindle work, tool handles, etc. But the urge to upgrade is creeping in but the $$ are not available yet.
If you were closer you could come try mine out.
Try to get on the list for the Good Will Lathe owned by this forum.
Good luck.
You can get started pretty cheap, or like too many of us, just go ahead and take the big leap with both feet. I remember the days when I decided to get a little lathe just to play with, maybe turn a finial or two...then suddently I had a mini lathe, a Powermatic 3520B and a bunch of related stuff......
I have several turning-related stories in my Woodturning section (link below), some how-to's and many lathe and turning accessory reviews in the Tool Reviews section.
http://www.newwoodworker.com/turning/index.html
I have several turning-related stories in my Woodturning section (link below), some how-to's and many lathe and turning accessory reviews in the Tool Reviews section.
http://www.newwoodworker.com/turning/index.html
I don't believe in taking shortcuts, but I am a firm believer in taking the most direct path to a goal.
My advice is to find someone very near your home and make a time to go try his lathe. Get some pointers and see what's involved. Then if you are still interested try to find another friend within a reasonable distance and compare his lathe. The more different lathes and users the better.
That would be like getting a years worth of trial and error on your own. And avoid a possible costly mistake in buying the wrong lathe for your needs as well as chucks and other tooling.
Once you have your lathe and tools go back and get the craftsman you enjoyed or admired the most to give you a few lessons.
My advice is to find someone very near your home and make a time to go try his lathe. Get some pointers and see what's involved. Then if you are still interested try to find another friend within a reasonable distance and compare his lathe. The more different lathes and users the better.
That would be like getting a years worth of trial and error on your own. And avoid a possible costly mistake in buying the wrong lathe for your needs as well as chucks and other tooling.
Once you have your lathe and tools go back and get the craftsman you enjoyed or admired the most to give you a few lessons.
John,
Although this document is specific to pen turning, some of the information may still be helpful
http://www.penturners.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6290&d=1233699042
George
Although this document is specific to pen turning, some of the information may still be helpful
http://www.penturners.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=6290&d=1233699042
George
I took a basic turning course at Klingspor, was all day on a Saturday, very imfomative, and you get your money's worth. I then took a bowl turning course there later to see if I would really enjoy turning. I did, and it took off after that. But take he course to see if you really like it first.
If you can find a class out your way (or some one with a lathe) it would give you a chance to take one for a spin (pun intended
). That would give you a chance to get the feel before investing in something.
They are fun and very addictive. I looked for things to turn and even knocked the handle off a screwdriver so I could replace it! The small ones are nice and the price is good, but if I had it to do over again, I'd get a full size lathe.
). That would give you a chance to get the feel before investing in something.They are fun and very addictive. I looked for things to turn and even knocked the handle off a screwdriver so I could replace it! The small ones are nice and the price is good, but if I had it to do over again, I'd get a full size lathe.
Check out our classifieds:widea:.I can remember someone had an older sears lathe for $75 {I think}.I've got the same lathe.Yea I want BIGGER and BETTER.But it would be a good start.The tips given about finding someone that already has one is great:icon_thum.But just remember the lathe is the cheapest step you wil take.I started turning about 3or4 mo. ago:icon_scra.I won my first lathe from a member here.Now I've got 2 of them:help:.:rotflm:.Good luck and keep us up to date.
.I started turning about 3or4 mo. ago:icon_scra.I won my first lathe from a member here.Now I've got 2 of them:help:.:rotflm:.Good luck and keep us up to date.
:slap:
Find a class or two
The nearest Woodcraft to you may be Norfolk. Check out the classes at their store: http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/store.aspx?id=556
There is another Woodcraft in Raleigh and also Klingpor's. Klingpor's class list is at: http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/7DE9FEFD/mac/template.mac/loadHtmlPage?htmlPage=kalendar.htm
Take a pen turning class. Then maybe a bowl class. Get comfortable making these fun products. Move on to bigger items, and soon you will be turning all sorts of items.
After six years, I still find my Jet midi lathe does everything I need it to do. There are several other models that now are knockoffs of this lathe, the PennState Turncrafter Pro (http://www.pennstateind.com/), the Ryobi mini, General International Maxi 200, Delta midi, ShopFox Midi, Steel City Midi, and Nova technatool Mercury, are about the same. Prices vary quite a bit though. I have many of these listed on Craigslist for sale. A mini/midi lathe doesn't take up too much room. They are pretty much the same. Same motor size, a swing of 9 or 10 inches, almost same design in rest adjustments, mandrel size (most are MT#2, although some are MT#1), and either belt or variable speed.
Good luck. You will have fun.
The nearest Woodcraft to you may be Norfolk. Check out the classes at their store: http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/store.aspx?id=556
There is another Woodcraft in Raleigh and also Klingpor's. Klingpor's class list is at: http://www.woodworkingshop.com/cgi-bin/7DE9FEFD/mac/template.mac/loadHtmlPage?htmlPage=kalendar.htm
Take a pen turning class. Then maybe a bowl class. Get comfortable making these fun products. Move on to bigger items, and soon you will be turning all sorts of items.
After six years, I still find my Jet midi lathe does everything I need it to do. There are several other models that now are knockoffs of this lathe, the PennState Turncrafter Pro (http://www.pennstateind.com/), the Ryobi mini, General International Maxi 200, Delta midi, ShopFox Midi, Steel City Midi, and Nova technatool Mercury, are about the same. Prices vary quite a bit though. I have many of these listed on Craigslist for sale. A mini/midi lathe doesn't take up too much room. They are pretty much the same. Same motor size, a swing of 9 or 10 inches, almost same design in rest adjustments, mandrel size (most are MT#2, although some are MT#1), and either belt or variable speed.
Good luck. You will have fun.
For what its worth, I'd suggest that you try and decide what type turning you are interested in (faceplate/ spindle/ pens etc) so you get a lathe that will do what you want. If you want to do spindles a Stubby wouldn't be a good fit. If you want to make big bowls, you don't want a mini.
Youtube has a world of information and videos. You can see lots of styles of turning being done.
Try your local wood working shop and ask questions. Woodcraft stores often have classes and most at least will have some sort of bulletin board.
Ask questions. Find a mentor (or more). Find a local club.
You need some basic knowledge so you can make good choices.
I wouldn't rush in to buying anything unless you get a magnum deal you can't pass up - such as a mustard monster for $100.
After the lathe you will find you have to have some basic tools. Even if you want to do basic spindle turning you will have to have drive centers, live centers etc, then you can go to face turning and get into face plates, chucks, vacuum chucks, jam chucks, don't forget a way to sharpen tools, sanding and finishing supplies.
Turning isn't a category as much as its a world, and most areas within turning are truly worlds within worlds.
Youtube has a world of information and videos. You can see lots of styles of turning being done.
Try your local wood working shop and ask questions. Woodcraft stores often have classes and most at least will have some sort of bulletin board.
Ask questions. Find a mentor (or more). Find a local club.
You need some basic knowledge so you can make good choices.
I wouldn't rush in to buying anything unless you get a magnum deal you can't pass up - such as a mustard monster for $100.
After the lathe you will find you have to have some basic tools. Even if you want to do basic spindle turning you will have to have drive centers, live centers etc, then you can go to face turning and get into face plates, chucks, vacuum chucks, jam chucks, don't forget a way to sharpen tools, sanding and finishing supplies.
Turning isn't a category as much as its a world, and most areas within turning are truly worlds within worlds.
I have seen a lot of people here and just out and about that bought either a cheap lathe, a small lathe or the first one they saw just to get started. In almost every case they bought another lathe as soon as they recovered from the setback of making that mistake.
As Andrew said, turning is a world unto its own containing many worlds within. Every turner has a different idea of what works for him and the best tool, lathe, sharpener, etc., etc. is a very personal choice based on many different factors. What one turner likes another hates. The most important thing to one is not even a consideration to some other.
I still say the best and most direct thing you can do is to go to several different turners and see what they make, what lathe they have, what tools they use, how they sharpen, if they make any tools from scratch.
The shear enormity of it all will confound and confuse you at first, but then you will begin to see what you really want to do and what you need in order to do it.
I can tell you that no one lathe will do or be everything you want or need. Everything is a compromise. But if you are sure that the only things you want to make are pens and small things then a very small bench lathe will be more than you need. If you think you want to make bowls and bigger things then a midi may do. I have never heard anyone say they wish they had a smaller, lighter or cheaper lathe.
You can make tiny things on a huge lathe but a small lathe will only make small things.
So, one more time I will give you my best advice and even offer to let you spend a day on my lathe if you like. Go and try as many different sizes, styles and brands of equipment as possible before you buy.
It won't cost you anything but time and travel and may save you a lot of time, money and frustration.
As Andrew said, turning is a world unto its own containing many worlds within. Every turner has a different idea of what works for him and the best tool, lathe, sharpener, etc., etc. is a very personal choice based on many different factors. What one turner likes another hates. The most important thing to one is not even a consideration to some other.
I still say the best and most direct thing you can do is to go to several different turners and see what they make, what lathe they have, what tools they use, how they sharpen, if they make any tools from scratch.
The shear enormity of it all will confound and confuse you at first, but then you will begin to see what you really want to do and what you need in order to do it.
I can tell you that no one lathe will do or be everything you want or need. Everything is a compromise. But if you are sure that the only things you want to make are pens and small things then a very small bench lathe will be more than you need. If you think you want to make bowls and bigger things then a midi may do. I have never heard anyone say they wish they had a smaller, lighter or cheaper lathe.
You can make tiny things on a huge lathe but a small lathe will only make small things.
So, one more time I will give you my best advice and even offer to let you spend a day on my lathe if you like. Go and try as many different sizes, styles and brands of equipment as possible before you buy.
It won't cost you anything but time and travel and may save you a lot of time, money and frustration.
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