I'm still trying to find an affordable lathe, the jet ones look great, but too much for me to be able to pay for. are there any(like the harbor Freight one that somebody was talking about, that are under 200$US, that would do a decent job for a while? thanks
Your best best in the $200 and under range is going to be used. Follow the classified ads, look up your local version of "want ad digest" or "uncle henry's" (regional sell/buy/swap classified ad publications), if you don't see anything in a whiole of looking, post a "wanted" or "buy" ad, perhaps.
If you are interested in a smaller lathe the jet mini/midi can be had for $199 U.S. and in the future you could add the bed extension. I would stray away from lathes and other tools with oddball size stuff on them, you can never buy any NICE after market stuff for them.
I have a lathe (JET mini), a shop-built stand. No chuck yet. Looks like I need to remedy that almost immediately if I want to use up some small, square 4/4 scraps for practicing. I have a super cheapo set of lathe tools to start out with, and I'm glad I'm not using anything expensive, because I'm doing a real number on them while making my first pathetic attempts at getting them sharp.
Scary Sharp(tm) is pretty useless for this stuff. Too many curves, and the consensus always seems to be that the way to do it is to grind and use, without honing. Honing is said to be largely a waste of time for turning, because tools need sharpening constantly.
That's my newbie take on it. I absolutely SUCK at turning so far. I've had my lathe for a day and a half now, and I'm really beginning to wonder what I've gotten myself into. Kinda wishing I'd bought the Veritas #6 foreplane instead, truth be told, but hopefully I'm just caught up in a self pity spiral, and I'll feel better about it in the morning.
I might cave in and take some classes, and I never take classes for anything. I'm no longer convinced I can figure this out just from reading books. It's like learning how to dance the macarena by following numbered footsteps on the floor. The footsteps just don't tell the story by themselves.
I am new to wood turning. I purchased the HF T34706 12x36 lthe and have found it to satisfactory for my needs thus far. I paid around $180 (on sale). So far I have done some spindle turning and a few segmented bowls. The lathe has worked fine. My only complaint is that it is noisy. I am sure that some day I will want a better lathe but for now it is doing everything I have ask of it. Jerry
Don't look at taking lessons as 'caving in.' Getting a few hours instruction from someone who knows how to turn and how to teach will save you from making many frustrating and possibly harmful mistakes. You don't get anything tangible from the lessons as you would if you bought some tools but it should increase the pleasure you realize from turning. Remember, all the touring golf professionals have and use an instructor.
Look no further than the Nova DVR. 16" swing. High quality, expandible, 1 1/4" x 8 thread. Easy to find parts. Factory support. Computer varible speed from 250-3000. Swivel Head, outrigger available. Buy once for around $1700. Don't waste your money on China iron. Here's a support group.
As already mentioned, the Jet mini lathe can be purchased from Amazon and others for $199. Add a set of Harbor Freight HSS Chinese tools, #47066, for $29.99. And a $50 bowl gouge. And a Woodcraft 8 inch slow speed grinder, $90, if you don't already have a grinder. And you are set.
No its not free or real cheap. It is a hobby so it costs to get involved. If you object to paying this much, then acquire a knife, a stone, and a strop, and be a whittling carver. Minimal tool cost to begin whittling. Or take up rustic furniture making using twigs and sticks to build chairs. Or green woodworking where almost everything is done with a drawknife, spokeshave, and brace.
I second Jerry with an affordable Jet clone from Harbor Freight. It's $269 regular price but it goes on sale for under $200 occasionally. Throw in their high speed tool set and you have plenty to start out with for a beginner. You will also need a bench grinder to sharpen your tools.
I've already done enough hand carving(my hands will never be the same) greenwoodworking sounds interesting, want to send a link on that?(i have the tools for that apparently)and its something I could do until i have enough for a lathe to work on at home, instead of just for 2 hours a day.
You will also need a bench grinder to sharpen your tools. Can't I do it by hand on a stone? Or maybe on the belt sander(if i turn it on first, then sit it on its back)
You can do it by hand- but will take a long time to get the edge, and for the most part the edge on MOST turning tools doesn't need the time and care a stone takes. The sander will work, but just laying it on the back is an accident waiting to happen. Secure the sander with some clamps, then have at it- I've done this a bit, and found that either a very-used 80 grit or a medium-grit worked best. As always use a light touch, and with the sander the belt should move AWAY from the tool not into it as a grinder does.
I believe some people on this group use a belt sander. I just mentioned the bench grinder because it seems to be more popular and they are cheap. It would take a while to do it by hand, but I guess you could. Some people hone their tools by hand after sharpening on a grinder or belt.
The post I was replying to said "under $200". That could be $99.99 more than your $100. :)
-------------------------------------------------------------------- I'm still trying to find an affordable lathe, the jet ones look great, but too much for me to be able to pay for. are there any(like the harbor Freight one that somebody was talking about, that are under
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