ancwoodturnings
Member
Hey guys im just starting wood turning and i was wondering what a good beginner lathe and tools would be?
Yeah.... I want to SEE that stocking!!The COMET 12" Midi Lathe makes a wonderful stocking stuffer for yourself or for someone special this Christmas!
Having not been in the hobby for over 18 years, I started with nothing. Finally my Military career is starting to wind down and I was looking for a new hobby, so decided on getting back on the wagon. On PSI they have a complete starter set for around $800. Its a 1hp 12" variable speed midi lather (turn crafter), came with all the tools, wood, sandpaper, finish and 20 pen kits/20 pencil kits. While these aren't the best of quality of kits, they are actually priceless for destruction! I've been running the lathe about 3 hours a day since September and haven't had any issues what so ever, well issues from the lathe, from the wife, a different story....
I will say what my father use to tell me about tools. If you buy cheap tools, you will always have a cheap tool that you will sooner then later replace. If you buy quality tools, you will something with the potential to last a lifetime. While I always rolled my eyes at him as a boy, I find myself following his advise everytime I purchase a tool.
Any one that turns.Hey guys im just starting wood turning and i was wondering what a good beginner lathe and tools would be?
Depends on what you want to be able to turn and also how much you want to spend.
Don't buy that kit, unless you know you'll use each part of it. I wouldn't even buy a new lathe.
Depends on what you want to be able to turn and also how much you want to spend.
Let me offer a little more to my opinion than I did before. I would love to have a Delta, Jet, Powermatric, etc. lathe. I always feel bad when I reveal I have a Harbor Freight lathe, but I feel the work I produce shows I can hold my own, (even on a cheap lathe). I bought a Harbor Freight lathe ( Benchtop Wood Lathe - 5 Speed ) a year or so ago, when I first started because I had no idea if I would really get into it or not. I think I paid 175.00 for it. If I wasn't going to end up using it, I didn't want to have $400 + tied up in a machine that just sat there. Well, as it turns out, EVERYTHING that I've produced since, as been on the lathe. And guess what? I still use the same Harbor Freight lathe. I've not had a single problem with it and the centers line up perfectly. As I gained experience, I did start wishing it had a variable speed knob instead of belt/pulley changes, but it's not a huge factor right now. I also picked up their 1236 lathe to turn a few larger items and it's worked out pretty well for me as well. One day I'm SURE I'll upgrade to higher quality lathe, but for now all is well. As addicting as lathe-work is, I realize it's not for everyone. So my advice it to pick up a Harbor Frieght lathe like in the link above, and if you REALLY get into it and end up buying a better lathe down the road, you can always use your first for a continuous buffing station and never have to set it up on your main lathe, or a sanding station, drilling station or whatever.
As stated by others, it really depends on what you plan to turn. Just know that these plans can (and usually do) change once bitten by the turning bug. One of my mentors is a master turner who does production turning. When asked this question she always has the same response... "The best you can afford."
At the very least, I would start with one of the variable speed midi lathes. I won't get brand specific here, but the Delta 46-460, Jet (12" - can't remember model #), Nova Comet II, or General Maxi are all good lathes and either one of them make a fine starter lathe.
I have the HF lathe. No real issues yet. The centers line up, and it turns concentrically. You do have to deal with belt changes, and cheap plastic handles on the quill and tool rest lock screws. And the quill has in and out play when it is not locked. But, nothing that has caused it to mess up any of my turnings.
I did stall it quite a few times when I turned a "pen" cup for my desk at work. But, it works fine for pens and other small items.
I didn't know I was going to enjoy turning so much when I got it, so i didn't want to invest a whole lot. I got it on sale and used a 40% off coupon, so I'm not in for much. And it's 1"x8 TPI with MT2 head and tail stock. So, when I upgrade I can get a lathe that will accept all of my accessories.