Advice on getting back into turning

Hello Steward,

Welcome back to woodturning. If you're talking table lamps and bowls up to nine inches in diameter, either the Jet mini with a bed extension or the Delta Midi with a bed extension should meet you needs very well. Both are reasonably priced and seem to function satisfactorily.

I personally am a fan of the Nova Mercury, but it might be a bit small for your planned re-entry. It only has an eight inch swing, which pretty much limits it to bowls of no more than 7 inches. I does have 12" bed extensions that can make it as long as you want.

If you are planning to work larger than these three lathes can handle, then I suggest spending a bit more and buying a Nova 3000 with one bed extension. That lathe would run you somewhere around $900, I think, but would give you a real boost in performance.

I'm sure there will be lots of other recommendations. There are less expensive solutions from Grizzley and Harbor Freight, but I have no experience with those lathes.

Fred Holder

Fred, does that mercury use a V-belt or a flat rib?

Hello George,

Like all of Teknatool's lathes, that use a belt, it uses a flat rib belt. I've never had any trouble with these flat rib belts.

Fred Holder

George, I haven't seen the drive belts on one of the Mercury lathes, but a "Gilmer "belt is a flat ribbed belt that is used to turn Rootes type superhargers used on dragsters. They come in various lengths, and will carry a VERY heavy load. ALso, you may try some places like Motion Indusries that sell belting for oil field use. There are a lot of others, but I've dealt with Motion in the past for belts, bearings, gears and drive pulleys, etc. They're usually pretty knowledgeable and helpful on the phone, but to be sure, take a piece of the item you want and they can usually match it for you.

Ken Moon Weberville, TX.

Thanks. Search engine in operation as I reply. I know from superchargers and dragsters, since I'm an old guy. They were ribbed 90 degrees out, as I (dimly) recall. Figured it'd be fun to turn on site with no power other than SWMBO, or perhaps myself!