Received a Free Lathe

[Ward Green]

So my father mentioned his buddy was willing to part ways with his lathe. He didn't mention any specifics but I visited VA this weekend and picked up a functioning secondhand tool. Honestly I never thought I would have a lathe, but now my possibilities for design include wood turning. I do not know much about lathes, and I have absolutely no experience. I took some pictures prior to cleaning it up. Tell me what y'all thing - I am fielding suggestions on how to learn/ what to build first.

Aside from the new tool and what I should build, I need suggestions on how to store/secure it. I do not technically have a "workshop" space. As a rough measurement the lathe may be 4ft and a two person move. It isn't exactly mobile, even though it's a benchtop lathe. I look forward to hearing from y'all.

 

[Gotcha6]

Ward,although the pictures were a little askew, I think with a little effort that lathe and chisels are just enough to get you infected with the 'spinny disease'. With a little training or watching some YouTube tutorials, you should be able to tell whether or not you are able to start sliding down that slippery slope. Just be careful......

 

[sawman101]

Ward, I don't see it in the pictures, but I hope you got the tool rests with it. They are the parts you rest the chisel on while making the cut. Usually there are 2 that come with most lathes. Enjoy that new tool!:icon_cheers:tool:

 

[Ward Green]

Ward, I don't see it in the pictures, but I hope you got the tool rests with it.

Good Evening Bruce is it the piece which slides along the rails of which you are speaking? You can see just below the arrow the base which has a wheel to adjust it up and down the tool.

 

[Ward Green]

Ward,although the pictures were a little askew, I think with a little effort that lathe and chisels are just enough to get you infected with the 'spinny disease'.

Yeah, What are the symptoms to be looking out for? Lots of bowls, pens, chair legs or stair balusters?

 

[TENdriver]

Ward, Congrats! You'll need a way to sharpen your turning tools.

 

[Michael Mathews]

Congratulations Ward! We can talk more about turning tonight at the HOW meeting if you're going to be there.

 

[awldune]

Free is good, and this should be enough to give you a taste of woodturning.

See if you can figure out whether the headstock has an external thread and an internal taper. If it has a 1''-8TPI thread and a #2 morse taper, you can probably carry forward any accessories if you upgrade to a newer lathe.

Your tool set should be serviceable if you can sharpen the tools (a cheap bench grinder is fine to start) but it does not include anything suitable for faceplate (e.g., bowls) turning.

 

[Mike Davis]

My very first lathe was very similar to that. If those rails are hollow tubes they will vibrate with any larger turnings. I went to a salvage yard and bought solid steel rods to replace the hollow tubes on mine and it helped with stability a great deal.

 

[sawman101]

In answer to your question about the tool rest Ward, I can't tell from the picture, but it very well could be the part you pointed to. Hope you get a lot of use and enjoyment from your new lathe.

 

[awldune]

In answer to your question about the tool rest Ward, I can't tell from the picture, but it very well could be the part you pointed to. Hope you get a lot of use and enjoyment from your new lathe.

That is the tool rest. Compare with this image: