If you're still looking, I have a very capable Central Machinery (Harbor Freight), lathe with stand. Doesn't have all the bells and whistles of higher-end units but it's a great starter lathe. $300
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For those new to turning the lathes pictured are fine for spindles and small bowls.
The wood lathe is one of the few tools where the work piece moves and the tool does not rotate.
The wood lathe is also all about skill and craftsmanship, not precision setups to achieve the desired result.
Read and watch videos that explain how to present your tool to the workpiece and what tools should be used for what tasks. Also look for clear instruction on how to hold the tool to prevent kickback into you. Also figure out how you are going to sharpen your tools. They will ware quickly in hardwoods.
Once you get the hang of it, the wood lathe is enjoyable and relaxing to use.
The wood lathe is one of the few tools where the work piece moves and the tool does not rotate.
The wood lathe is also all about skill and craftsmanship, not precision setups to achieve the desired result.
Read and watch videos that explain how to present your tool to the workpiece and what tools should be used for what tasks. Also look for clear instruction on how to hold the tool to prevent kickback into you. Also figure out how you are going to sharpen your tools. They will ware quickly in hardwoods.
Once you get the hang of it, the wood lathe is enjoyable and relaxing to use.
Nothing says 'F-that!' faster than a piece of 2x2x36 bouncing off two walls and the ceiling before finally coming to rest in shop class. Never looked back. Lol. ...but a metal lathe...
Thanks for the link to Vintagemachinery.org.
I bought an old Delta at an estate sale once that came with a ton of rests, tools and tooling. Spent 6 months putting it back to new appearance before turning any wood. The base is hardwood cabinet with drawers supported with cast Iron legs. The electric motor is so old that it has oil pots on each end for a drop of oil occasionally. The off/on switch is a spring loaded copper block on a pivot to make up the connection to start.
Love playing on it, and looking at starting on some small bowls after watching YouTube when I can find out what new tooling I need.
I have one of these little lathes --- but it's for my reloading bench.
https://www.amazon.com/SHOP-W1704-3-Horsepower-Benchtop-Lathe/dp/B001R23SWW/ref=asc_df_B001R23SWW
They are fantastic for spinning cases around. Or chuck up things like primer pocket uniformers, chamber deburr tools, etc etc and just rip through stuff.
https://www.amazon.com/SHOP-W1704-3-Horsepower-Benchtop-Lathe/dp/B001R23SWW/ref=asc_df_B001R23SWW
They are fantastic for spinning cases around. Or chuck up things like primer pocket uniformers, chamber deburr tools, etc etc and just rip through stuff.
I don’t knowNothing says 'F-that!' faster than a piece of 2x2x36 bouncing off two walls and the ceiling before finally coming to rest in shop class. Never looked back. Lol. ...but a metal lathe...
I recall a 2x4 being ripped bind and kick back on a table saw in shop class. It hit operator in the groin. I think he got to “ F that” a bit faster than 2 bounces.
I’m not certain what happened to him but I bought the saw a few years later at a school auction. Still own it.
Any tool will bite you if you don’t respect it and treat it correctly. Operator training and attitude are the least consistent part of tool performance.
Wood and metal lathes are very different beasts.
I enjoy both, but the skills and attitude to run a metal lathe are quite different than a wood lathe.
Had a basketball player shorten his thumb on the tablesaw in the same shop class and the shop teacher/coach had one of his own digits stewing in formaldehyde in a jar above his desk.... good times!
I had a good friend who lost the first part of his index finger right behind his finger nail in a planer accident. He would show people his hand and tell them he could count in fractions.Had a basketball player shorten his thumb on the tablesaw in the same shop class and the shop teacher/coach had one of his own digits stewing in formaldehyde in a jar above his desk.... good times!
one of my fingers has a bit of bone missing thanks to a jointer.
By all rights those 16 inch knives should have chewed off my entire shooting hand.
I was very fortunate I got a small nip on my middle finger.
I was concerned for a bit that I would lose the digit, and my limited abilities in sign language.
By all rights those 16 inch knives should have chewed off my entire shooting hand.
I was very fortunate I got a small nip on my middle finger.
I was concerned for a bit that I would lose the digit, and my limited abilities in sign language.
I was a temporary to permanent job placement specialist manager in Kansas after I retired LE.
I had gotten word one of my employees was planning on using his at-work radial arm saw to cut off a finger to get compensation. The guy who told me this had seen him practicing the deed and asked him WTF he was doing. He confessed what he was planning to do.
I nipped that in the bud (pun intended) by talking to his employer before I fired him.
I had gotten word one of my employees was planning on using his at-work radial arm saw to cut off a finger to get compensation. The guy who told me this had seen him practicing the deed and asked him WTF he was doing. He confessed what he was planning to do.
I nipped that in the bud (pun intended) by talking to his employer before I fired him.
