Lee Valley's lathe - Klein's lathe

Don't know anything about Klein's lathe but the Taig is $220US without a motor. I used one and sure it works for small stuff for me it is very limited in range, power and accessories. IMO spend your money on a Jet, Delta, General mini-lathe. You get a motor and a 10" swing. You can turn small stuff on a big lathe but you can't do it the other way around. Billh

I would go for the Klein lathe. It has a better tool rest and banjo that is easier to adjust than the LV. Plus you can get different lengths of tool rests from Bonnie K. And Bonnie's threading jig fits directly onto her tailstock. Watch the Bonnie Klein videos, if you have not yet done so, to see how easily she uses her little lathe. The Lee Valley (Taig) and the Klein both use the same headstock, of course. Edward

IMHO, the Jet mini, overall, is the best small lathe currently available. I'd buy the non-VS Jet and be done with it.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

I agree with Arch...Buy the Jet, it is hands down the best buy in a mini lathe.

LB

I would do so, if only.... I did not have to move from one place to another every year or so ! Weight is the major constraint. I can not afford moving from one place to another with anything that could not travel with me by plane. It excludes anything weighing more than 10 kgs. That is why I restrained my choices so much: weight.

Jkassad, Seems odd that you would compromise your turning with a light weight lathe for a year or so just so it can fly with you. What about all the accoutrements needed? You can't turn with a lathe alone so you must have to fly with other heavy items or duplicate them at a permanent locale or do you set up shop at different places every year or so? Do you fly on a commercial plane? If so, can you take sharp tools aboard?

You did ask specifically re Klein vs L.V. lathes and I can't answer that. Surely there are many other things to consider and decisions to make in addition to the weight of a lathe. You didn't ask our help in this regard, but more info re your logistics problem (only that which relates to woodturning) would be of interest.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

As far as I know the Bonnie Klein lathe is a taig lathe which has been around for a time , originally meant to make clock and watch parts apparently, and has some special parts added to the original. The question is what do you want to use it for ? This is a good miniature lathe, but don't expect to turn 6" bowls on it.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

jkassad wrote:

Hello Arch, I understand it can seem odd; let me explain you the situation. I am working as an international consultant: I come to one country, settle for a period, and work on my duty. Area is mostly southern Europe, Northern Africa. I live in appartments, usually with balcony. Living usually in France, I am only a couple of hours from home. Regarding woodturning, I am really a beginner; just tried for a couple of hours; and watched videos. Miniature turning fit the bill, and I will rely on minimum tool set (3 or 4 tools only). Shipping anything heavy in some of these countries is really a pain: customs (2% to 50% on new value), obligation to pick it up in some specific places, explain that it is for hobby, and not to start building a factory :-), etc... Whereas a small lathe like Klein's one, grinding wheel, and a set of tool, is something that can be put in luggages, and go with you I guess. I used to do it with a set of carving tools, stones, and mallet... Off course, and it might soon be the case, if I settle somewhere, going for a Jet lathe seems awesome; but for now rather difficult for me. Does my will sound reasonnable to you, or is there constraints, aditional heavy stuff I should think about, that would make my life miserable to travel ?

Hello Arch, I understand it can seem odd; let me explain you the situation. I am working as an international consultant: I come to one country, settle for a period, and work on my duty. Area is mostly southern Europe, Northern Africa. I live in appartments, usually with balcony. Living usually in France, I am only a couple of hours from home. Regarding woodturning, I am really a beginner; just tried for a couple of hours; and watched videos. Miniature turning fit the bill, and I will rely on minimum tool set (3 or 4 tools only). Shipping anything heavy in some of these countries is really a pain: customs (2% to 50% on new value), obligation to pick it up in some specific places, explain that it is for hobby, and not to start building a factory :-), etc... Whereas a small lathe like Klein's one, grinding wheel, and a set of tool, is something that can be put in luggages, and go with you I guess. I used to do it with a set of carving tools, stones, and mallet... Off course, and it might soon be the case, if I settle somewhere, going for a Jet lathe seems awesome; but for now rather difficult for me. Does my will sound reasonnable to you, or is there constraints, aditional heavy stuff I should think about, that would make my life miserable to travel ?

Jean-Francois,

Thanks for patiently giving a lucid explanation of your dilemma. It's no longer odd. I can see that your type of work isn't as entirely exciting and interesting as a 'stay at home' like me would think.

I think there is or was a Jet micro wood lathe available for turning pens etc. Don't know its specs. or quality. Someone please advise. There are other micro lathes, but probably they are more toys than machines.

I think you have your turning problems well thought out. Please share your unique woodturning experiences with us.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

There are watchmakers lathes that are even smaller than those - could be set up in a breifcase. But they are spendy, generally speaking, and you might as well get as much lathe as you can fit in your constraints. I got to play with one and made a teeny tiny (steel) finial, which I can't recall where I put, now...

Sherline, Unimat and Taig all make small metalworking lathes. Converting one for wood is not that big a conversion. The Jet "Pen lathe" is in this size range (~6kg), and possibly costs less (~US$150), but I have not gone to the trouble of examining the whole set of accessories that it has, .vs. what the others have. The motor setup on it looks less of a fuss than the setup on the LV Taig.

Transporting sharps in _checked_ baggage is not a problem. That's where my dive knife goes...sewing kits too, now.

To Jkassad; As I said originally, I think you would be most satisfied with the Klein Lathe. Bonnie travels to workshops and seminars with her lathe in a suitcase or tool box. Why don't you talk to her about your plans. She has a website

, and when she is athome she will answer the phone herself.Bonnie uses a piece of abrasive paper stuck to a disc of MDF to sharpen hertools. Or you could mount a small (5 inch) grinding wheel on a mandrel tosharpen on the lathe ( Bill Jones did this, I think). You would have toclean up the grit very, very well before sliding the toolrest and tailstock.No need to ship a separate grinder.If you scrounged the motor at your new location (1/2 " shaft) you couldprobably literally pack the lathe in between your socks and underwear inyour suitcase. Actually that is probably a good idea as you wouldn't have todeal with voltage converters.I would suggest that if you could manage it, take a work shop with Bonnie.You would see how economically (equipment wise) she travels.Give her a Call (or write)Edward

I have seen the Jet Pen Lathe, and it is indeed something you could pack into luggage. You are kind of limited as far as swing, speed selection and other bells and whistles, but for Jean-Francois' purposes, particularly if turning mainly miniatures, it seems it would be almost custom made.

-- Chuck *#:^) chaz3913(AT)yahoo(DOT)com Anti-spam sig: please remove "NO SPAM" from e-mail address to reply. <

September 11, 2001 - Never Forget

Thank you all for your answers. The tip about the grinding on lathe has one new future adept. I definitely fell much better about my choices and ideas now, it is feasable traveling light with all needed to turn ! By the way, I already got in touch with Bonnie Klein, and got price quote from her, she was very kind. Probably the way I will go. During my search I also found this:

american woodworker magazine extract from 2000, where Klein, Taig,and others are reviewed.Nothing more that what you all said.I will let you know what's going to happen next !One more information about "woodturners" I met here:I saw a bunch of them, that do not own any lathe the way we thinkabout it.They sit on the ground, handle the gouge with one hand and one foot,and with the other hand, make the wood trun. The blanket is betweentwo point, and it makes it turn with a bow having the cord turnedaround the axe. Turn very small stuff at incredible speed with greatresults given the tools ! I will take a picture next time and post itthere. Thanks for all,