What lathe do you turn pens on?

[HamTurns]

In the winter I turn in the basement on a General International 25-200.

Then when the weather breaks I go out to my garage shop and turn on my Robust Sweet 16 Long Bed.

Happy Turning
Tom

 

[PaulDoug]

I dream, I dream. Sweet 16 or Oneway, my oh my, that is some serious stuff! I'd Like to see pictures of the Sweet 16's you guys have.

I had a Nova 1624, which was good, but I needed space, so I downsized to a little Delta. Never thought of naming her, but if I did it, would be Delva Delta.

 

[Sataro]

I started out on a Jet 1014. Next purchased a Jet 1442. Wasn't really happy with the 1442 as a pen lathe. Sold it & purchased a Nova DVR 3000. That is one nice lathe for my pen work. Sold my Jet 1014 a year or so back & had the chance to purchase a Jet 1014VS. This became my dedicated drilling station. Sold my Jet 1014vs this summer & drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas to purchase a Delta 46-460 off of one of our IAP members.

 

[farisdayoff]

Jet 1014VS here.

 

[Scott]

Oneway 1224, with a bed extension (for the LONG pens).

Scott.

 

[JohnGreco]

Jet 1221vs

 

[bradh]

Delta 46-460, Matercraft version of the Wilton, and an old Ryobi tube lathe with the bed shortened.
I have problems getting rid of things that still work

 

[flyitfast]

I dream, I dream. Sweet 16 or Oneway, my oh my, that is some serious stuff! I'd Like to see pictures of the Sweet 16's you guys have.

I had a Nova 1624, which was good, but I needed space, so I downsized to a little Delta. Never thought of naming her, but if I did it, would be Delva Delta.

Here is my 16 just out of the crate when it arrived a couple years ago. The old Shopsmith is behind. Posted this in 12/11. Wife put the Christmas ribbon on top (She's the one that made me get it!)



It has turned many pens and other bigger things since. I love it!
gordon

 

[BSea]

Delta 46-460 for me. I have a bed extension, but it's still in the box.

 

[TBCbushings]

I use a Rikon 70-100 and love it!I drill on my drill press and turn/buff on the lathe....

 

[Janster]

Nova DVR 2024"

 

[gimpy]

G0658 12 x 20, no complants

 

[Mack C.]

Just for fun - I'm curious what lathes folks here are using for pen turning. (Brand / model or a photo

Currently my only lathe is an old (1950s) delta Rockwell 11" with the original cast iron legs.

Does it look anything like this one?

Date of Birth -- Jan. 1948 confirmed by Delta!

 

[76winger]

1954 Shopsmith Mark V, model 500.

Have it on 4" risers so I don't have to bend over so far to use it.



Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

 

[Rink]

I will turn my first pens ever this weekend on a harbor freight lathe. The opening price point floor standing model 12x36.

 

[Dan Masshardt]

Does it look anything like this one?



Date of Birth -- Jan. 1948 confirmed by Delta!

Unfortunately not. Mine is the 11".

 

[butchf18a]

universal standards manual

IAW the Universal Standards and Practice Manual for Pen Turning, pg 214, the only acceptable lathe is the Jet Mini.

pics...my set up. tool drawer shown in pic #2 has no bottom so chips fall through to the floor. Works for me

 

[preacherman]

I currently turn on a Ridgid WL1200. It has been a good lathe to learn on but looking to upgrade soon!

 

[MarkD]

Just for fun - I'm curious what lathes folks here are using for pen turning. (Brand / model or a photo

Currently my only lathe is an old (1950s) delta Rockwell 11" with the original cast iron legs.

Does it look anything like this one?

Date of Birth -- Jan. 1948 confirmed by Delta!

I have one pretty similar to that but mine is not that clean!
Mine is a model 115-163

 

[MarkD]

I started with a old Delta Rockwell model 115-163.
I recently purchased a Powermatic PM3520B so the old Delta Rockwell is now mostly used for CA application and wet sanding.
I also have a Grizzly G4015Z Metal lathe/Mill combo.

 

[Phillip Kelley]

3 of 4

Here my 3. ("Big Bertha" was unavailable for pic.) The 1st is a mini grizzly that weighs in @ 45#, the second is another grizzly that weighs in around 75# & the 3rd is what I actually started on back in Thanksgiving of 2012.
The mini is what I bought on a whim, without any reasearch, and paid more for it than what it sold for new. (As some may recall, I got it home; it ran for 60 seconds & died! I have been over a month & 3 separate orders finding a 5 mm belt that would fit it. {something about bought experience comes to mind! lol) The 4th pic. shows it to be 102* on the side of my shop! It is warmer inside so the lathes aren't turnin'!

 

[lucky13]

I use a Rikon 70-050vs

 

[Justturnin]

For B2B I use my Grizz G4000. For anything else I use my Rikon VS70-100.

 

[TellicoTurning]

I started on a Ridgid spindle lathe... not sure of size.. about a 14 x 36 with MDF top plate that held the headstock and tailstock end of a 3" pipe that the banjo and tail stock slid on.... my son gave up his Jet 1014 that I used for a few years and about 5 years ago bought a Jet 1442 that has been a major work horse for me.

 

[CrimsonKeel]

Started on a old craftsman tube lathe but gota good deal on craigslist for a Nova 1624-44 which i love to death.

 

[timcbs]

:wink:My Little Lathe.

 

[panamag8or]

Rikon 70-100, bought used... my first lathe(so far).

 

[byoung0584]

Nova Commet 2 that I got for myself at Christmas

 

[PeetyInMich]

Delta midi about 15 years old, with the step pulleys.

 

[ctubbs]

Just for fun - I'm curious what lathes folks here are using for pen turning. (Brand / model or a photo

Currently my only lathe is an old (1950s) delta Rockwell 11" with the original cast iron legs.

What about you?

Mine is a mid '40's from a shop. Somebody painted it green and yellow (school colors maybe?). I converted it to a vari-speed with a 3phase motor and a VFD. Input 240 single phase, output 240 3 phase. also reversible. Speed range 6 - 3600 rpm. Works fine, almost zero vibration. Mondo heavy!!

Charles

 

[lrawlins]

I turn pens on Delta 46-460 which has bed extension and also PM 3520B also with bed extension.

 

[nightowl]

I have a Jet VS Mini and a Jet 1440. Both are good but probably would have gotten a Delta 46-460 if they would have been out . I love the reversing feature.

 

[nava1uni]

I use a Rikon 70-100, which was my first lathe and I love how it works. Reminds me of an old Chevy. It is sturdy and just keeps running smoothly. I also have a Nova DVR XP, which is also a great lathe.

 

[bwftex]

Wow.......I guess I'm on the low.......very low end as far as lathes go. I have a HF 10x18. It's primitive but still helps me makes things real nice and round.

 

[sbwertz]

Excelsior 10" from Rockler (same as the HF midi lathe.) I have a 12" for bigger stuff, but still use the little Excelsior for pens.

 

[sbwertz]

Wow.......I guess I'm on the low.......very low end as far as lathes go. I have a HF 10x18. It's primitive but still helps me makes things real nice and round.

This is the same lathe as the Excelsior. I got the bed extension and can turn canes on it.

 

[sbwertz]

:wink:My Little Lathe.

Mine's bigger than yours nanner nanner nanner. 9" southbend model C. But I don't turn pens on it! It's almost as old as I am, and I'm older than dirt!

 

[Hooligan Georgia]

I love my Sherline 4000

 

[Acelectric]

Wow.......I guess I'm on the low.......very low end as far as lathes go. I have a HF 10x18. It's primitive but still helps me makes things real nice and round.

I am using the HF #95607. It seems to be a pretty good lathe for under a hundred bucks. The headstock runs true but there is some play in the tailstock. I love the VS feature, much better than changing belts.

Not the lowest, mine is a 8 by 12.

 

[BayouPenturner]

I turn pens on either my jet 1014vs or jet 1442. I like them both but the 1014 is easier to move around with for turn-a-thons