newbie: pen making advice

Hello everyone. My name is Troy and I'm brand new to turning. I don't even have a lathe yet. I'm thinking of making tops, pens, pencils, pointers, parts for toy cars, etc. I am disabled and so don't have a lot of money to throw around. Can someone please guide me in the right direction? I don't mind starting simple and then getting better tools later.

Troy knoxville, iowa

Reply to
bear
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bear wrote in news:eclccr$n43$ snipped-for-privacy@news.netins.net:

I started about 2 years ago with the Delta midi lathe for +/-$250. Unless you plan to stick to the real smal stuff, you might want to consider it. If on the other hand you will stay withthe small stuff, then I would recommend the Jet mini lathe for about the same $'s

Reply to
Karl B

I'd suggest the jet Mini, Troy...

Tons of them around and very few sell used, which indicates to me that folks keep them when they move up to a larger lathe.. (I did)

As shipped, it can be on a stand or table top... Not sure if your disability requires this, but it is a consideration.. Mine was on a workmate for a while, then a sawhorse..

If you shop a little, a new mini should be less than $300 including shipping.. A starter set of chisels is from $20 to $100 depending on brand, etc... my preference is "mid-level"..

Hang out in the group and ask lots of questions, that's how I learned... great group of folks here that can save you a lot of time and frustration on the learning curve... Mac

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Reply to
mac davis

Bear You might like my web site. It has sections on sharpening, tool making, projects and stuff you need to get started.

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Reply to
Darrell Feltmate

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Bear, You didn't say if your disability has you in a whel chair or not. IF you are/will be turning from a chair, then the suggestions you will be getting for Jet or Delta mini/midi lathes or their many clones, should be weighed carefully. The position of the motor (under the ways at the headstock end) on these lathes makes it difficult to turn from a wheel chair. This is due to the relatively high position of the spindle centerline. Ideally, the spindle should be at or near the height of your elbow when you're in your turning position. In a chair, you will need to be able to slide under a table holding the lathe. This will add at least 2-3 inches to your "lap height". Then the spindle will be about 10 inches above the table top level, or about 12-13 inches above your lap. This puts you in an awkward position of trying to turn "side arm", with your elbow flapping in the breeze, and not at your side as is preferred. Two ways around this:

  1. Get a lathe with the motor mounted BEHIND the lathe. 2 examples of tiese are the Jet 1236 (mounted on the head stock), and the Sears monotube, with the motor mounted behind the head stock. Neither of these have a stelar reputation, but are acceptable for small projects.

  1. Have a custom bench/stand built for the lathe of your choice which mounts the lathe at an angle leaning toward you, or mounted so that it is in a horizontal plane with the spipndle nearest you. Either mode of mounting has it's own installation/ operating problems (toolrest, switches, unbalanced load distribution, etc.)

I've been a chair since November, 2000. When I got sick, I was using a Sears monotube, later changed over to a Jet 1236 clone from HF, which has done well for me. YMMV

Ken Moon Webberville, TX.

Reply to
Ken Moon

Ken Moon wrote: ...snip...

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Before John Nichols business went under, he was showing a lathe he designed for chair-bound turners. The ways were tilted toward the turner, were low, and a chair could go under them easily. The locks on the headstock and banjo were pneumatic, and, of course, he could also supply a lift over the machine.

Bill

Reply to
Bill Rubenstein

================== Bill, I'd heard about those, but by the time I found out about them, they were gone. (My kinda luck, like the time I went to New Orleans the week AFTER Mardis Gras!)

Ken Moon Webberville, TX

Reply to
Ken Moon

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