so i belive im going to be picking up a lathe this week to stqat making some calls, what else woulda rookie need to pickup with it to start turrning some pots?
You will need to figure out what size lathe you are picking up first? A mid sized lathe could handle the load needed to turn pots using a chuck. I have a NOVA 3000 DVR so I knew right off the bat a chuck would not be a problem. Next you will need a drill chuck for your tail stock unless you already have a drill press, go for at least a 5/8" capacity on that and whatever MT taper your tail stock is setup with. Then turning tools, get a good quality set like Benjamins, they are not costly but good materials. Then you will need measuring device of some kind, I use a pair of digital fractional caliper (6"), not to mention the sandpaper and finishes you'll need. Hope this doesn't scare ya off, but it is rather costly to get started, right, in making calls.
i was going to pick up this oen from hf just a s a starter to see if something i can do with my patience level hahaha and then upgrade later if i enjoy it which im sure i will haha
http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-wood-lathes/8-inch-x-12-inch-bench-top-wood-lathe-95607.html
would this use a chuck or how else would it hold the pot im so new i sound like an idiot i know haha...
don't get it......... find a used jet....if you want to save some $$.....
the lathe is the cheapest part of getting started turning
and buy some books on wood turning.......center work and face work...you'll need both.....read them it will help you more than you know.....or you can do it the hard way by trial and error....
matt
My first lathe was the 5 speed Harbor Freight model (http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-wood-lathes/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html) that I found on Craigslist for $40.
I agree that you should consider finding a nicer used lathe over a cheaper new one... but if a deal comes up like I happened to find on that 5 speed, you can't really go wrong. AFAIK that's the only model that Harbor Freight makes that is worth a damn.
I've stated this in a few other similar threads as well, but you can learn a lot from Carl Jacobson's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/haydenHD)... His videos were very helpful to me when I got started.
P.S. Pappy, I'm incredibly jealous of your Nova 3000 DVR
LOL don't be jealous, just buy one! I also turn on a Rikon but it is too small for me to turn a pot on because of the torque, the DVR has tremendous torque, even at 100 rpm, yet if you catch your piece while turning it will stop and in 5-10 seconds restart. This gives you time to turn the machine off. Stay away from Harbor Freight. If you can get lucky a good used Jet is fine, especially the 708359 model. My son inlaw found one for 450.00 with a set or Sorby Turning tools (which I now have at the cost of a 100 dollar bill) it was like new, but it was sold by a widow, what a deal he got. But use your better judgement on purchasing a lathe, even though it may be the cheapest part of starting out in turning, it is the most important part.
Don't forget you're going to need to sharpen your tools. A bench grinder with the appropriate stone (80-120 grit) or a speciality sharpener from rockler or something. If you don't keep sharp tools you will become very frustrated. Good luck and most importantly have fun with it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
thanks guys yeah that
Quote from: | Justin | on May 20, 2014, 11:14:29 PM
My first lathe was the 5 speed Harbor Freight model (http://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-wood-lathes/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html) that I found on Craigslist for $40.
I agree that you should consider finding a nicer used lathe over a cheaper new one... but if a deal comes up like I happened to find on that 5 speed, you can't really go wrong. AFAIK that's the only model that Harbor Freight makes that is worth a damn.
I've stated this in a few other similar threads as well, but you can learn a lot from Carl Jacobson's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/haydenHD)... His videos were very helpful to me when I got started.
P.S. Pappy, I'm incredibly jealous of your Nova 3000 DVR
i dont mind spending the extra if this is that much better of a lathe than the $130. thanks everyone for all the help! hopefully i can figure it out lol
Quote from: dfresh55 on May 21, 2014, 11:58:41 AM
i dont mind spending the extra if this is that much better of a lathe than the $130. thanks everyone for all the help! hopefully i can figure it out lol
Unless it's your only option for some reason, I don't think that it's worth the money that HF wants for it new when compared to a nicer/used Jet, Delta, etc that you could get for around the same amount. I guess it really all comes down to what you're able to find on Craigslist, etc. in your area.
yeah i just check cl in my area nothing that isnt 100 years old lol. does anyone know if that on from hf would use a chuck or how would the blank attacth to the darn thing lol
I HAVE THIS ONE GOING ON TWO YEARS , NO PROBLEM AT ALL
WHAT I LIKE THE MOST IS THE VARIBLE SPEED ......
http://t.harborfreight.com/8-inch-x-12-inch-bench-top-wood-lathe-95607.html
if you really want a nice lathe get a Vicmarc.......
matt
Quote from: dfresh55 on May 21, 2014, 02:38:33 PM
yeah i just check cl in my area nothing that isnt 100 years old lol. does anyone know if that on from hf would use a chuck or how would the blank attacth to the darn thing lol
Don't knock old lathes. I have a 1928 Oliver 51A.
I changed the bearings and added a VFD and it works great. Ready for the next 100 years. :TooFunny:
craig list is a good place to get a used jet lathe, check out this jet i may get it for a extra
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/tls/4484741256.html
Oh! and my 5 speed harbor freight lathe still making pots after about 10 years with no problems, use it more than my jet.
I haven't found anything on my craigslist in years that I would buy.
A lot of people say Harbor Freight---OH NO but I guess I have been lucky. I have their micro mill/drill that I made cnc about 6 years ago...no problems. I have their 9x20 metal lathe for 8 year (heavy use) and no problems.. have their 7x10 metal lathe for many years..no problems.. now been using their 10x18 5 speed wood lathe for 2 years.
Have had to buy a belt now and then but all in all I can't complain about HF except for their halogen light bulbs---they are junk.
Ray
I make predator calls. I turn on a small variable speed rikon. I sharpen with a 4x36 belt sander. Unless you spend the money on jigs for sharpening. I would not spend much money on chisels until you learn to sharpen.
I've started messing with pots a little. I prefer turning on an expanding mandrel held by a collect chuck at the headstock. Collet chuck from PSI and mandrels from Enco(I think). There are lots of ways to skin this cat. If your interested in making duck and the like barreled calls a collet check and expanding mandrel may be the way to go.
My recommend is get the lathe you can afford, chisels, some kind of chuck), and something to sharpen with. I prefer sharpening on the belt sander, as I stated before. Its probably the cheapest method but requires some touch. A medium fine stone works good for touching up skews and parting tools no matter what you main system is. PSI makes some great stuff at really good prices. Their 4 jaw baracuda sets are probably the best deal going. Same with their collet chuck. Their chisels are fine too. 3/4" roughing gouge, 3/8" spindle gouge, 1/2" skew, and 1/8" parting tool ought get you started. Or a pre arranged set. I would look for a lathe with a #2 morse tapper on head and tail stocks. 1in 8 spindle. Most tooling is made available for this configuration.
A little extra. A saw for rip cuts to take 2"ish stock to striker size may be nice.
Eddie Castalin on You Tube can teach you a lot about turning and finishing. As many of your first issues will be turning related. If you have an issue regarding turning stuff, his channel will likely help. He is kinda funny too so its not boring to watch. He covers a wide variety of sharpening, sanding, turning, and finishing topics.
PSI link
http://www.pennstateind.com/
Here is a call I made recently. Black cherry burl open reed.
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r612/rhoward327/th_image_zps57861fb5.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/albums/r612/rhoward327/?action=view¤t=image_zps57861fb5.jpg)