Harbor Freight Lathe

If your measuring 8 threads in a 1/2" the spindle size would be 3/4 x !6 which is a very common size in smaller lathes. If it is indeed 3/4 x 8 you would only see 4 threads in a 1/2". Kind of unlikely but I guess anything is possible. Spindle threads are measured by the amount of threads in 1" of spindle length. If it is 3/4 x 16 both chucks you mentioned are available about anywhere chucks are sold.

Bob, Naugatuck Ct.

If you got that cheap model with the sheet metal ways and a lowest speed around 1400 RPM, then you'd be better off with a real lathe, or a refund. That one will bend and twist when you apply any pressure to the tool, and the high bottom speed will eliminate any projects other than small spindle work. I know that machine is sometimes advertised for well under $100.00, but it's no bargain. Their monotube model, if still available, offers the least expensive lathe that can you can expect to do work over 2 inches in diameter. But it is a hassle to used, since the toolrest doesn't move freely. The lathe they sell that is a clone of the Jet 1236 is the lowest priced lathe I would consider for hobby use. The design is "iffy" (especially the toolrest extension), but lots of turners have the Jet and its many clones, and do good work on them. But the bottom of the line from HF is NOT the way to go. Can you still get your money back?

Ken Moon _____________________________________________

Bob, I measure 4 or 5 threads in the half inch. Maybe it was 4 1/2.

Your threads are 3/4" X 10tpi. HF sells a 4 jaw chuck for that lathe. Low speed is about 1000 rpm. I have the feeling that who condemn the lathe have ever owned it. It doesn't bend or twist, and it's only real problems are the speed, could go lower and the non-standard thread. I've kept that lathe out in the backyard for the last 6 or 7 years under a tarp, year-round, and have non problems with it. I turn everything from mushrooms to 13 1/2" bowls. If you're just starting, I'd stay with smaller diameter bowls.

It is an inexpensive lathe, use it to learn on and then spen a lot more money when you know what you want and have outgrown. You are going to hear a lot of snobbery about low end lathes, but the reality is that if you are a good turner, you can use nearly anything. Expensive lathes are very nice and allow much more range in what can be done, but to say that they are the only thing that can be used is ridiculous and a waste of money in a beginner.

Enjoy youself and good luck, Dave in Fairfax

I have to agree with Dave. I also purchased this lathe to learn on. For a minimal investment in hardware, this lathe is OK to get started on.

Outside of the high low end speed, the only real problem with the lathe was the elCheapo sheet metal base. In its stock configuration, you could easily warp the lathe by over tightening the tail stock. That "issue" is easily resolved by cutting a snug fitting piece of 3/4" plywood, sliding it into the base, and then bolting down through the plywood.

Now that I am getting into turning, having spent more money on turning books than on the lathe itself, I will incrementally make the next series of investments in higher quality turning tools. I have already made headway on my sharpening learning curve by butchering my elCheapo turning tools a number of times. Now with a couple of jigs, I am prepared to use and care for better tools.

As my confidence level and knowledge base increase, I will warm up to purchasing a serious lathe, and by that time will have enough knowledge to ask intelligent questions and make an informed decision about what lathe will work best for my particular usage.

When it is time for a new lathe, I will have not trouble selling this lathe to another interested beginner.

Tim

Hi Dave. No doubt that _you can make good turnings on that lathe. You & others here could turn on a sewing machine or a key cutter. I'm really more slob than snob, but IMHO a cash challenged beginner would do better by waiting a little while and then splurging on a 'modest standard' new or used, but not a trophy, lathe. ex; Jet mini is now $199. Snobs also shop at HF but, as you know, the trick is to recognize the bargains from the trash. Regards, Arch

Fortiter,

Such humility, Arch you've forgotten more about turning than I'll ever know. The point I'm going for here is that guys like immediate gratification. $100 is easy to spend without qualms, and the HF will keep a beginner occupied long enough to get hooked and decide to save up for a better lathe. Given that he'll spend easily twice that in medium quality tools, and in this case I'd recommend the $40 set of HF tools as starters, it is necessary to start out cheap. The other lathes in this price range are mini's and that gets old really quickly. If you want this size in a better althe you have to double or triple the cost of the lathe. Unless you get a pretty good mono-tube there are problems with the design and rotational slop, so "ways" are the way to go. I caught flack from a friend, a few years back, about the HF, so I made a mortar and pestle out of walnut and poplar using nothing but the hatchet that was sitting nearby. It came out nicely and my wife loves it. The point is that it's the person, not the tool, so this one strikes me as a workable starter. Of course if anyone would like to donate a Oneway, I'll find the space. Dave in Fairfax

Pictures of the mortar and pestle are posted on ABPW FWIW. Dave in Fairfax

There is a psychological side-effect to starting out cheap. At least, I have this problem, so I assume I am not alone. The initial investment gives you a mind-set which makes it hard to part with large amonts of money as a follow-up. After buying a very inexpensive lathe, it is very tempting to buy the $9.95 set of gouges, and the $20 chuck.

It is true that an experienced craftsman can make a mortar and pestle using only a hatchet. But, what about a beginner? Working with the worst lathe in the world, the worst tools in the world, and no experience to carry you forward, what is going to happen? Either, you will have poor success, and quit, or you will develop a hunger for better stuff, and end up replacing everything.

I also am very familiar with the joy of upgrading. If you have the money to start with "nothing but the best," in my opinion, you will never really appreciate what you have, and will have missed some of the pleasures of the craft.

BTW Grizzly has a self-centering, 4-jaw (reversible) chuck for $70 and a number of threaded inserts options to go in it including a 3/4 x 10tpi for $7 each. - don't know anything about one way or the other.

I started with this lathe and though it has it's limits I believe that for the money it was the best thing I have ever bought. Yes I also bought the $10.00 set of tools and though I have started to buy better(lathe and tools) I was happy with the set-up and used it for years. The people that bad mouth companies like HF are the same people that rely on their tools to produce the "art, craft, labor......".

Lets face it Hf sells cheaply priced product at a reasonable price and if it's made in china or twaiwan so what, it got me started and I still use it and plan on keeping it after I get my new Grizzley unlike the $400 Jet planer I bought and have had to replace the gears twice in the last year at a cost of $50 and was told the first time that it was because of abuse and wasn't covered by the warranty and still haven't heard back the second time from their people(2 Months,1letter,and 2 phone calls)

And lets face it after cutting the rails off and putting on a cheap set of pulleys it will make a great bowl lathe for under another hundred bucks......

Sorry to rant but unless the other people out there have excess cash to blow on hobbies and whatever I think for some one getting started with this hobbie(face it if your worried about price on tools, IT'S STILL A HOBBY) It is money well spent if for no other reason than your skill will be perfected when it's time for the big boys.......(Instant failure of first turned item + expensive machine =thowing in the towel.........Failure + cheap machine = machine's Fault ,,I'll do better when I own________!

I never let that thought coalesce before, but you're onto something. Can't put a $100 saw blade on a $50 saw... It just doesn't seem natural.

I got one thing right though. I have a respectable lathe waiting under the tree. Too bad I have a $9.95 set of gouges to go with it. :)

(I figure I will learn how to sharpen the $9.95 gouges before I ruin good tools with clueless grinding.)

I figure that the elCheapo set of lathe tools I started with saved me a fortune in ruined tools while my sharpening learning curve progressed.

Tim

I sure hope not. If I outgrow my mini, I have to build a new shop.

I still haven't quite figured out where I'm going to put it as it is. You saw pictures of my shop. It looks worse now that I have the trash can cyclone thing, and a baby bandsaw. The scroll saw is coming too. I went out with SWMBO last night and picked it up. So much for the surprise. :)

On the bright side, there's not much left to buy, and I have representative of everything imaginable now. (Except a biscuit joiner... Hmmmmmm... :)

It's a good point though. If I had room for a full-sized lathe, I probably wouldn't have spent as much as I did. Catching the JET mini on model change close-out for about half what it normally runs helped, but it was still $50-100 more than I had intended to spend on a tool I don't even know if I will have any skill at using. If I had room for one of the gigantic six foot sheet metal el cheapos for $130 or so, that's probably where I would have ended up.

It's not like any of my *other* machines are anything to brag about. My stuff is generally only one notch above rock bottom. I have no serious regrets, and I've gotten my money's worth out of everything except the really wretched Crapsman router/table combo.

size. Craft Supplies in Utah ( I believe) would be a good place to begin.

I got some 'Craftsman ' Lathe tools that were given to me, that got solid carbide tips... great scrapers...the regular steel tools cut far better than the carbide.

I got some cheap HF (Windsor) HSS that I bought... yea, BETTER than the carbide...and pretty decent stuff, IMO

was at a place and saw a Steelex 8 piece set with 'blown plastic case' $69 plus tax... ok, am willing to try them as well...LONG handles... some of them are again, better than the HF set...AGAIN, IMO...

then got a small physical sized 6? piece set, Fichet? for tiny work.. LOVE EM... but are highly dangerous... they seem to be 'grabby'...

ok, can sharpen most anything... time to get GOOD tools... Bought a Roger Sorby Spindle gouge... 3/4" and HATE IT... can cut better and easier with some of the 'lesser $' tools that I already have...

so, sometimes, he person can use a 'lesser $' tool, BETTER than having the ROLLS ROYCE of the toor world... ALL, IMO

--Shiva--

If you go back and check, you'll see that I recommended the $40 set of turning tools. The $10 set is a bit flimsy, and while $40 is the cost of 1/2 a real tool, it gives you a better starter set. I picked that lathe because it would have to be OUTSIDE year-round, I wouldn't want to do that with a more expensive lathe. BTW, did you look at the mortar and pestle? Dave in fairfax