Mini Metal Lathe for Wood Turning?

[timf67]

I am a fledgling turner (thanks to one of our members) and was curious if anyone had experience using a mini metalworking lathe for turning small items like pens? I have a friend into SCCA racing who is selling some of his metalworking equipment to buy some fancy new engine part. I was looking at his mini lathe a 7"x12" and I was wondering if it would be good for wood turning or if I should stick with a wood lathe?

[Mike Davis]

I've been looking for a good deal on a mini metal lathe, I have an older model Craftsman wood lathe with flat cast iron bed and I can put together a motor and some chisels, maybe some turning blanks to get you started. If you can get the metal lathe for a reasonable price maybe we can trade?

[timf67]

Mike, thanks for the offer but I already have an old craftsman lathe (though a tubular bed not cast iron). I am looking for something small that I can keep in my in-laws mountain house to give me something to play with when I am up there. I guess I am just looking for opinions as to if I can use the metal lathe effectively or if I should go for a mini/midi wood lathe.

[Mike Davis]

Well, if you don't buy that one could you PM me about it? I may want it.

I don't turn pens so I couldn't say if it would be good for that or not.

I have a need for a small metal lathe to make steel parts from time to time.

[Ozzie-x]

There's a fellow in MWTCA that makes reproduction plow planes with exotic woods, and they are truly works of art. He makes the parts with metal working equipment, lathe, milling machine, etc. His screw arm and center wheel plow plane reproductions are awe inspiring. I'm remembering the perfect threads on the screw arms that he makes with a metal lathe. So yes, you can do woodworking with a metal lathe. to cut wood, you may have to experiment with how you grind/sharpen the bits, angles and shapes of the cutting edges etc.