 » Upcoming Events | | Fall 2009 Raffle drawing this Friday (11/20): See This Thread For Details |  | 
11-10-2008, 02:12 PM
|
#1 | | Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe Name: Tom City: Yadkinville State: NC County: Yadkin Join Date: Jun 2006  11-10-2008, 02:12 PM
No, not for me! I am a dedicated flatwooder.
Father in law mentioned he wants a lathe, for making small bowls and other stuff. I did mention that the necessary tools will cost more than $19.95.
Keep in mind, my FIL makes me look like a drunk sailor with my money. I want to keep him from buying a cheap lathe, only to be disappointed. That said, I must prepare for the option that he will get a lathe, decide it isn't his cup of tea, and give it to me.
I saw the CL ad in Cary, but that is 2 hrs on-way for me.
__________________
The thing that holds up all my woodworking is simply getting started.
| | Views: 299 | |
11-10-2008, 03:08 PM
|
#2 |
Name: John City: Greensboro State: NC County: Guilford Join Date: Jun 2008 | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
I have the JET variable speed mini lathe, and I really like it. I did get it new from Rockler about two years ago before they closed their Greensboro store, and it was on sale for a good price. Have never seen them that inexpensive since, so I would surely keep my eyes open for one on the used market. |  
| | |
11-10-2008, 03:18 PM
|
#3 | | DQ
Name: Mark City: Raleigh State: NC County: Wake Join Date: Dec 2006 Age: 59 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 2.80 over 180 days |  Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
FWW did a review of mini's a few issues back, maybe more than a few - time goes by faster these days! I used the Jet mini at the NC State Craft Center last year and liked it a lot. IIRC, the General gives you the most versatility but at a fairly steep price for small lathes. If you look on the RAL CL you will find some Craftsman turning tools listed for sale over the w-e - I think they were around a half-dozen or so for $50.
Main issues for small lathes is getting them anchored properly so they don't vibrate/wobble much. The better ones weigh more but you will still need to bolt them down to something. Oh yeah - don't forget you are going to need something to sharpen your tools, so add that to the budget as well. Gets up there pretty fast ...
__________________
Best regards,
Mark DeCain
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 03:22 PM
|
#4 |
Name: Reggie City: Albemarle State: NC County: Stanly Join Date: May 2007 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.03 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
"No, not for me! I am a dedicated flatwooder." WHEW! Thanks for the disclaimer! Had me worried there for a minute!! 
__________________
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. – UNKNOWN!
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 03:32 PM
|
#5 |
Name: Ken City: Liberty State: SC County: Anderson Join Date: Nov 2005 Age: 63 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
Originally Posted by JackLeg  "No, not for me! I am a dedicated flatwooder." WHEW! Thanks for the disclaimer! Had me worried there for a minute!! Yeah sure, famous last words. they all go down eventually!!! | |
| | |
11-10-2008, 05:38 PM
|
#6 |
Name: Andrew City: Mills River State: NC County: Henderson Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 51 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 3.46 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
["That said, I must prepare for the option that he will get a lathe, decide it isn't his cup of tea, and give it to me."}
I couldn't help but read this part as........ I HOPE, I HOPE!!!!!!!!  the dark side - it's all fun and games til they turn their first bowl
-let the addiction begin- | |
| | |
11-10-2008, 06:13 PM
|
#7 | | Site Programmer
Name: Jim Campbell City: Hillsborough State: NC County: Orange Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 39 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
My opinion, look at the Harbor Freight one like DaveO uses.
I got my dad into turning on the delta midi, he outgrew it in about 7 months. Nothing against the delta, its just fine but its small.
He did mount it on the Jet stand, that worked great.
Jim
__________________ 
"Why is it that I loathe washing dishes, but I absolutely love sitting out here in the shop washing parts with kerosene?"
Roger Welsch, Busted Tractors and Rusty Knuckles
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 07:43 PM
|
#8 |
Name: Tom City: Yadkinville State: NC County: Yadkin Join Date: Jun 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.95 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
Originally Posted by CaptnA ["That said, I must prepare for the option that he will get a lathe, decide it isn't his cup of tea, and give it to me."}
I couldn't help but read this part as........ I HOPE, I HOPE!!!!!!!! the dark side - it's all fun and games til they turn their first bowl
-let the addiction begin-
Just in case I end up with it, I want it to be a lathe I would sell honestly.
__________________
The thing that holds up all my woodworking is simply getting started.
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 07:54 PM
|
#9 | | Webmaster
Administrator
Senior Moderator
Name: Tracy City: Salisbury State: NC County: Rowan Join Date: Feb 2008 Age: 48 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
For a starter lathe the Harbor Freight 34-706 has been a good choice for me. And it is on sale right now.
__________________
Tracy
Making Friends One Post At A Time 
The task is always worthwhile if you learn something in the process.
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 07:57 PM
|
#10 |
Name: RAS City: Pikeville State: NC County: Wayne Join Date: Dec 2005 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 7.00 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
My HF lathe has been good to me, still havent maxed it out yet .gif "Drogar BigGrin(DBG)")
__________________
Earl
"If you want to learn how to build a house, build a house.
Don't ask anybody, just build a house."
"Oland tool, better than a bowl gouge, a lot cheaper to make." Darrell Feltmate around the woods
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 08:33 PM
|
#11 |
Name: Tom City: Yadkinville State: NC County: Yadkin Join Date: Jun 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.95 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
Originally Posted by TracyP For a starter lathe the Harbor Freight 34-706 has been a good choice for me. And it is on sale right now.
Perhaps I can find one of these, gently used.
__________________
The thing that holds up all my woodworking is simply getting started.
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 08:39 PM
|
#12 |
Name: Phillip City: Lexington State: NC County: Davidson Join Date: Jun 2008 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 6.92 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
Originally Posted by LeftyTom Just in case I end up with it, I want it to be a lathe I would sell honestly.
If you are looking for a starter kit here is one that you might like - http://www.pennstateind.com/store/tclproxxwb.html
__________________
Phillip
My Saw Is Making Dust 
Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will
treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special. (Arthor unknown)
| |
| | |
11-10-2008, 09:18 PM
|
#13 |
Name: Jimmy City: Clayton State: NC County: Johnston Join Date: Sep 2006 Avg Visit Freq/Week
= 5.64 over 180 days | Re: Help Me Pick a Mini or Midi Lathe
Tom,
I'm another one for the HF, if budget is a problem. But even if you get the HF for $200, figure on going for at least another $400, minimum, for tools, chuck, and sharpening set up. And I personally don't believe you can actually get away with a $600 total  .
__________________
Jimmy  "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did" Mark Twain | |
| | |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
| | |
| 
| » Stats |
Members: 3,663
Threads: 25,105
Posts: 263,741
Top Poster: DaveO (14,701)
| | Welcome to our newest member, Keith Senderak | |
