What lathe are you using?

[wyone]

I just have been wondering what lathe everyone is using.

I actually had a cheap buffalo lathe that I bought, fiddled with and basically lost interest in.

I then happened upon a cheap shopsmith that I bought for $50. It was old, 1950s, and I went through it and completely restored it. I loved doing the restore, and actually restored 2 others, and decided I should try turning again.

I think the biggest differences in the lathe I started with and my shopsmith was the stability, smoothness and variable speed mechanism. I will probably eventually look at buying an electronic variable speed dedicated lathe and get rid of the shopsmith as we are looking at selling our property and downsizing.

I think the shopsmith is great, but not as easy to find accessories for, and I rarely use the other features of the shopsmith. I pretty much only use it for a lathe, so it seems pointless to have that particular tool.

 

[wwneko]

I bought a harbor freight lathe about a year ago, the bigger benchtop model. I like it except I always turn at the "wrong" speeds due to laziness on changing the belt. I was talking with a friend about upgrading to the 1221vs, he graciously offered to let me use his 1220vs for a while and see how I like it. Ive had it for about 2 months now and I love it. One way or another I'll have the 1221vs, hopefully sooner than later.

 

[Peter Durand]

I just have been wondering what lathe everyone is using.

I actually had a cheap buffalo lathe that I bought, fiddled with and basically lost interest in.

I then happened upon a cheap shopsmith that I bought for $50. It was old, 1950s, and I went through it and completely restored it. I loved doing the restore, and actually restored 2 others, and decided I should try turning again.

I think the biggest differences in the lathe I started with and my shopsmith was the stability, smoothness and variable speed mechanism. I will probably eventually look at buying an electronic variable speed dedicated lathe and get rid of the shopsmith as we are looking at selling our property and downsizing.

I think the shopsmith is great, but not as easy to find accessories for, and I rarely use the other features of the shopsmith. I pretty much only use it for a lathe, so it seems pointless to have that particular tool.

Nova DVR-XP

NO belts...the speed adjust is totally electronic from 100 to 3500 RPM

 

[Ligget]

I have a Nova DVR xp that is my main penturning lathe, also have two Jet 1014 manual lathes.

 

[wyone]

I AM going to have an EVS lathe one of these days.

 

[wyone]

<<<----- needs friends like James has.

 

[navycop]

I use a Shopsmith. I bought it several years ago to use the other features. I have only been turning pens for a couple yrs. Seems to work well for drilling and sanding the blanks.

 

[terry q]

Mostly use a Oneway 12/24 but have a Stubby 750 for bowl and hollow forms.

 

[TonyL]

Jet 1221..Doesn't mean I wouldn't buy a better one. But for my needs, I don't have any reason to replace it.

 

[Cmiles1985]

I started about a year ago with a 1991 model Penn State lathe (a 14x42" bar type lathe) that had never been used...and didn't like it. I bought a Harbor Freight mini lathe to hold me off while I decided on my midi lathe. Now I have a Jet 1221 VS and the HF Mini. My next shop will include a much larger lathe (either OneWay or Powermatic depending on what I can find a good deal for).

 

[KenV]

Stubby 750 in Alaska and a Jet 1014 in Arizona

 

[jaroot]

Harbor Freight

I bought a used Harbor Freight lathe. Floor model with variable speed belt system (works kind of like a snowmobile belt with adjustable pulleys)

Bought it for $50

Good enough for now.

 

[thewishman]

Started with a lathe borrowed from my local turning club. Sold enough pens to buy a Jet 1014. Later moved up to a Delta 46-460. Love the Delta!

 

[MIKL]

earlier this year i let the smoke out of the old lathe, so i stepped up a few notches and purchased a Vicmarc VL150, these are made in Australia which says it all:biggrin::biggrin:

MIK

 

[mrrichieboy]

Nova 1624, have had it about 4 years and not even a hiccup. Great lathe. Not electronic, but belt changes are about 30 seconds, so never a problem.---Rich

 

[SDB777]

Started with a Jet 1220VS, sold that one...moved up to the Nova 1642, it was on sale... The new lathe can swing BIG, and if you need to, you can turn the head and swing REALLY BIG(just remember, BIG means heavy).


Scott (need a forklift for my bowl blanks) B

 

[papaturner]

These are what I use. One is a Delta 46-460 The other a Steel City. Also have a Rigid that is collecting dust.

 

[Magicbob]

I have a Turn-Craft 10" with the bed extension.
I am in the process of adding a 3/4 HP motor with electronic variable speed.
I drool like a St. Bernard every time I look at One Ways and Powermatics, maybe some day

 

[its_virgil]

Powermatic 3520B and a Jet1014vs

 

[siric]

Have a Turncrafter 10VS as a starter - ok as I really only thought that I would be turning pens. Ha, one year on and so much for that - bowls, platters, etc. But obviously this 10VS has its' limitations so I just bought a Jet 1442 which I should get next week (living in Barbados means a 4 week lead time :frown.

 

[wyone]

Well I have to say, the first few.. issues I had I blamed on lack of better equipment. since I have learned that turning is MUCH more of a skill than I once thought. I have refined some skills, have a long way to go to refine others, but also know a great turner does not rely on his tooling to make up for lack of skills. That said, I STILL want better tooling! LOL. Love to hear that others have such a wide variety of lathes that they use.

 

[preacherman]

I turn with a nova comet and I really like it.

 

[jj9ball]

I use a Powermatic 3520B for bowls, table legs, and pool cues. I have a Jet 1221vs that I just got that seems to be pretty good for pens. I also use a Grizzly 4003 metal lathe for kitless pens and pool cues. I spent much of my first 7 years turning pens on a Grizzly 12X20 with variable speed. The electronics finally went out on it earlier this year. I had around 4500 hours on the lathe so it lasted quite a while. It was built heavier duty than the jet, but the jet is a better quality machine.

 

[TellicoTurning]

I started on a Ridgid spindle lathe from Home Depot... but it had an odd size spindle ... 3/4 x 12 I think, so was really had to find accessories for it, it was too fast to turn bowls (minimum speed was 750) and shortly after I got it, Home Depot stopped selling lathes... my son gave me his Jet 1014 Manual that I used for a few years before I got my Jet 1442.... it has been a work horse... but if it ever goes, I'll go for a EVS next time.

 

[Scott]

One way 12/24 for me. Also have a Jet 1014vs my Wife claims.

Scott.

 

[jjjaworski]

Most of my work is done on a Oneway 1224 I have had for about 12 years.
I also have a Jet 1014 and a Bonnie Klein mini lathe I picked up used at a good price for small work.

 

[Mack C.]

Had a 1224, sold it a couple of months ago due to some health concerns, found this one on sale for what I sold my original one for. So I bought it!

 

[TBCbushings]

I have the Rikon 70-100 and love it....

 

[plano_harry]

Delta 46-460 and HF 7x10 Mini

 

[Henrique Sampaio]

JET 4224B. It is obviously too much for pen turning, but I do other turnings as well.

 

[Two Hair]

Jet 1220 VS bought about 5 years ago

 

[Leatherman1998]

I got a 1221vs last fall and love it. I can turn large blocks of green hard maple and bore 2in holes for coffee mugs and never lose a beat. High torque on the low end and great speed. Totally happy

 

[Bill Arnold]

I bought a new PSI Turncrafter 12" VS lathe a last month to replace a Jet 1236 I had for about 14 years. There was nothing wrong with the Jet and I sold it for a good price. I wanted an electronic variable speed lathe. I've been very pleased with the PSI for the pens, stoppers and other small items I turn. I've done a couple of small bowls and want to do more as I gain experience.

 

[Trees2Pens]

I'm happy

Have been using PSI 10" Turncrafter variable speed with extension bed.

I'm happy with it. For what I am doing, the extension bed took up too much room and ended up removing it.

John

 

[Mortalis]

Bought a Delta 46-460 about a year ago. Plenty of lathe for what I've been using it for. Only issue I had was I had to shim the head to align with the tailstock.

 

[TimS124]

The vast majority of my turnings are done on an early Nova 3000 with DC motor (variable speed).

I also have a Jet 1014VS which is great of small things like pens. I like this lathe better than my Nova for the little projects because the small size means fast start/stop times.

At a local maker space (TechShop), I have access to a PowerMatic 4224 for anything really big I want to turn. Start/stop times are too long for doing small/light projects like pens efficiently. Sure, it can turn them, but the smaller lathes are much more efficient...

 

[jsmithmarcus]

PSI Turncrafter 10" VS...been happy with it so far (a little over 1 year). I am new to this hobby (1 year) eventually will probably upgrade.

 

[Band Saw Box]

I've been using a HF 10x18 for alm ost a year how and I like it even with having move the belt to change speed. I'm planning on getting a Rikon 70-100 next year and pass my HF down to my Grandson Scott.

 

[wyone]

This is so interesting... i should have made this a two part... what are you using now.. and what would be your dream lathe..

 

[Ironwood]

I have a Record CL3 that I have used for the last 20 years. It has never been ideal for penturning, a few months ago I got a GPW midi lathe.
I got the 6 speed model, I retrofitted it with a 1hp 3ph motor and a VFD, also built a stand for it.

I put 3 speed Vicmarc pulleys on it, with it on the high speed range I get 0 - 3500rpm, which is ideal for penturning.

Here are a few photos of the (nearly) finished set-up, and some of the build.
I have it set up in my workshop now with dust extraction via a 6" pipe to my cyclone. I still have to put a door on the left hand side of the cabinet, and build some drawers for the right hand side.
I am very happy with this set-up so far.