Let me begin by saying that this is my first post to this group although I have been a lurker for several years. You folks have always been a ready source for information and opinions and for that I thank you. Now to the subject matter;
A little over two years ago I purchased my first lathe. Even though I had been a woodworker for 40 odd years, I'd never even so much as held a skew or gouge in my hands. I had been consider it for awhile and was actively reading this group and whatever else I could get my hands on to gain insight into my first purchase. I read most of the debates on big vs. small, new vs. used, high-end vs. low-end, this brand vs. that brand, etc. This was all very helpful stuff but I wasn't sure if I'd really care for turning so I ended up purchasing the Harbor Freight version of the Jet 1236 which was on sale for about $150. That and a set of the finest Chinese chisels $9 can buy and I was off and running. Well it took about one afternoon for me to get absolutely hooked. As time went by my skills increased and along the way I made some pretty nice things along with a lot of really interesting looking firewood. I started to upgrade my arsenal. First by adding new Sorby chisels (now there's an addiction, but that's another story), making modifications to the lathe, purchasing Nova chucks and jaws sets and adding a Tormek grinder.
I got pretty good with that machine. I'd won awards for some turnings and had helped raise money for a children's shelter charity auction with others. I've been asked to make about every kind of circular object imaginable. Bowls, boxes, platters, spindles, dibblers, you name it and the best part was that I loved every minute of it. Even though my little green machine never gave me a moment's trouble I decided that it was time for a bigger machine, some really "big iron". Well about two weeks ago I installed a new Powermatic 3520A with an 18" extension. I have to say that I sure wasn't ready for the difference between the two lathes. Talk about your true night and day comparison, wow!
But my observation is this; I believe that starting off with the smaller, less powerful, less sophisticated lathe has made me a better turner. It forced me to learn how to do things right. I had to get good at sharpening because anything but a really good edge would stall the little 3/4 horse motor on big items. I had to learn delicate chisel control because of the inherent vibration in the spindle (ballast can only do so much). I had to learn to make cuts properly and give thought to what I was doing because of the limitations of the machine. This new 850 plus pound monster is so smooth and powerful that I never realized just how effortless turning could be (and I *really* understand why bowls gouges have long handles when you have a motor you can't stall). Anyway I just believe that the little fella' was a good choice for me at the time and I recommend to anyone starting out to take the low road first.
Sorry if my first post was a long one and thanks for listening.
Bob Pelletier