Newbie Questions!

[XSSkeet]

Howdy to All!
It has been many years since I turned anything on a wood lathe, but I am jumping back in.

I have a Jet 1236 on the way, Amazon had them for $489 and FREE shipping. Checking with all the local dealers, no one could touch the price.

Now to the hard part...

What are your suggestions for all the "Extras"? I plan on turning pens to start off with and then on to bigger projects. I have looked at the various "Starter Kits" and was wondering if there is a "Best one"

Tools... I see all these mini-pen turning tools. Are they they way to go, or just get the standard sizes? I have seen the Harbor Freight HSS kits discussed a few times and they seem to be a good "starter " set.

I have the Drill Press and Grinder, a vise for drilling the pen blanks will be needed, and probably a change of grinder stones will be needed for sharpening.

I have a Harbor Freight and a Woodcraft near buy, so access to those outlets is pretty easy. I have signed up for a Lathe 101 class as a refresher. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since I last turned a lathe on..

I guess this is a "Where does one start!"

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JimGo]

Welcome! Here are a few good threads on this topic:

http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=4451&SearchTerms=new,turner,skew

http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=7427&SearchTerms=lathe,tools

http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=4448&SearchTerms=lathe,tools

 

[melogic]

First off, Welcome to the IAP Bill. I started off with a pen turning class at Woodcraft. It was great for me and it covered everything needed for getting started and a few pointers as well. The links Jim gave above are great as well. Penn State Industries had a DVD at one time for FREE about pen turning. This would be another good source. Here is the link to that DVD http://www.pennstateind.com/store/_free-dvd.html

 

[JimGo]

Good point Mark. Bill Baumbeck also has a great video. It will cost some money, but it's very thorough.

 

[pastorbill1952]

Welcome Bill and enjoy the fun as you create new and wonderful masterpieces.

 

[vbatwork]

Welcome Skeet! Almost anything you could want to know is covered somewhere here in the archives. I started turning pens last May with Bill Baumbeck's video. Its an excellent place to start. He takes plenty of time to discuss the setup, tools, SHARPENING, pen kits, and finishing. Be forwarned!! You'll soon be ordering lots of supplies from him after watching the video. Now, if he could just teach me how to sell a few.........

- John

 

[Dario]

WELCOME!!!

Try this link to Russ' webpage http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Pen10.html

This link may help you too... http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=11859

 

[XSSkeet]

Thanks for all the help []

I have read all the links and sent some emails off for putting together a "Custom" starter kit.

Have been preping the shop for the lathe, and it should be in some time next week.

Again... Thanks for all the help.

Hope to be posting some results pretty soon.

Bill

 

[Mike_in_CA]

Bill,
I also have the Jet 1236 and am very satisfied with it. I learned a couple things now that I've used it for a while. I'm 6'-3" so I raised it a little, then a couple months later, raised it again. Better on the back for bending over on those pens.
I made a tool and accessory storage shelf spanning the lower leg supports. Handy close reach for tools.
One day I mounted some green stock to turn a small bowl, I had some serious vibration until I got it rough turned. So I added a layer of bricks to the lower shelf. This really helped. I then put left over hard board on top and put all the tools and accessories back. If in the future I need more weight, I'll add more bricks.
Eventually, if you decide to do other projects, your tool collection will grow, you'll probably need a chuck. And don't forget a sharpening system. I'm partial to the Wolverine system.
Last, I put a small sign on the headstock that says "Remember to turn on the lathe before changing speed"
If you're curious about the setup, I can make photos available. Once I figure out how to upload them !

Good Luck,
Mike<u></u><u></u>

 

[jdavis]

Welcome check out ythe sites listed by other post. Some really good ones out there