Does a smaller pen sized lathe make for a better turning experience?

[lvturner]

I'm new around here, but have about 6 years of turning under my belt. Probably about 150-200 pens under my belt now. I have been very fortunate and have two incredible lathes that I use (and very occasionally my wife joins). However both of my lathes are very much full size lathes, I have the big sliding Rikon, and just got a Nova Neptune Max in the last 6 months. I started turning mainly bowls and started that on a Rikon Midi. So I have never actually turned a pen on a pen sized lathe lol.

This made me wonder, am I missing something? I have never had a problem using my lathes from tiny decorations to huge platters. But there must be some benefits to using a smaller pen sized lathe that I don't know about . So can some people who have both pen and midi/large lathes speak up and tell me?

 

[jttheclockman]

I'm new around here, but have about 6 years of turning under my belt. Probably about 150-200 pens under my belt now. I have been very fortunate and have two incredible lathes that I use (and very occasionally my wife joins). However both of my lathes are very much full size lathes, I have the big sliding Rikon, and just got a Nova Neptune Max in the last 6 months. I started turning mainly bowls and started that on a Rikon Midi. So I have never actually turned a pen on a pen sized lathe lol.

This made me wonder, am I missing something? I have never had a problem using my lathes from tiny decorations to huge platters. But there must be some benefits to using a smaller pen sized lathe that I don't know about . So can some people who have both pen and midi/large lathes speak up and tell me?

It is called workable space. That all it is. No different turning a pen on a mini, midi, or large scale lathe. Same tools same chucks, same habits all apply. if you have the space for full size lathes hats off to you. Stick with what brought you to the dance. Unless you are one of those wealthy turners and want new toys then buy a couple small lathes and dedicate to small turnings. Have fun is the main objective. Just so you know small lathes are not pen lathes as labeled. They are wood lathes that so much more than pens can be made on them. You see pen vendors selling lathes but they also sell other kits too. They are just a vendor selling smaller lathes for convivence. Have fun.

 

[dschem]

I would also say that budget applies to why people choose smaller lathes.

 

[lvturner]

It is called workable space. That all it is. No different turning a pen on a mini, midi, or large scale lathe. Same tools same chucks, same habits all apply. if you have the space for full size lathes hats off to you. Stick with what brought you to the dance. Unless you are one of those wealthy turners and want new toys then buy a couple small lathes and dedicate to small turnings. Have fun is the main objective. Just so you know small lathes are not pen lathes as labeled. They are wood lathes that so much more than pens can be made on them. You see pen vendors selling lathes but they also sell other kits too. They are just a vendor selling smaller lathes for convivence. Have fun.

Not that wealthy lol. Do I maybe buy more blanks than I should, yep. But 1 "spare" lathe is enough for me if there's no difference.

 

[jttheclockman]

Not that wealthy lol. Do I maybe buy more blanks than I should, yep. But 1 "spare" lathe is enough for me if there's no difference.

Well I will say this about that too. I have a Jet 1014 lathe that I have been using for about 20 years now. I should note that I do not have the space for a full size lathe because if I did I would have had a One Way lathe years ago. But I did get a good deal on a jet 1220 and said to myself, self that would make a good back up lathe. Well that lathe has sat for over 10 years now never been run. Brand spanking new. The plastic is still on the attached light. Wish now I did not buy it. When and if this one goes then I would buy a new lathe. I do not do production work so being down if broken does not hurt me. I could afford any lathe I wanted so money is not an issue. But space was. I will never get the return on the 1220 even though I got for a good price.

Everyone has different needs, funds, and space requirements but most times space is the #1 issue because we work out of a shed shop or basement shop or even a 1 car garage shop. If you are lucky enough to have a full barn size shop the fill that baby up. if I had that I would have larger toys for sure and more of them.

There is no difference in turning pens. The differences comes in when turning larger items where you need more HP and or over the bed room. yes they make outboard turning lathes too in mid size so that helps. But at times HP is a key. Also some lathes come with more bells and whistles but VS is a must on any lathe I would say. But digital read outs now adays is nice feature.

For what I do like turning small objects and pens both wood and metal have been served well with what I have. I can see people getting metal lathes if they go down that path as being a backup lathe. Again just an opinion.

 

[NJturner]

I own two lathes - a larger Nova DVR-XL with a swinging head and extra long bed and a much smaller Record Power Herald. I turn mostly custom pens, very few kits anymore. The issue with any lathe for turning pens (any type) is consistent headstock to tailstock alignment and bed length, not so much power or swing. This is opposed to larger bowl or platter turning where both factors both come heavily into play. If you can put a collet chuck plus a pen length blank (about 9" for custom pens), plus a tailstock pivot point onto the bed and have room, it's a big enough lathe. If you begin to drill on the lathe, add the additional length of a drill and chuck to your calculations.

I don't think the size of the lathe really matters much, but I do strongly believe it has to be rigid, easily aligned and I've come to rely on quick and easy speed changes. Custom pen building deals with tolerances of a maximum of 1-2 mm across the entire length of the pen - a factor that causes many advanced or production pen turners to turn to metal lathes instead of wood lathes.

Speaking to many turners over the years that have continually upped their game on pens, the discussion more frequently revolves around methods of alignment, specialty tools to allow consistency, or wood vs metal lathes, rarely about the actual size of the lathe. If it spins, and can spin consistently on track, it will work!

 

[WriteON]

I would also say that budget applies to why people choose smaller lathes.

Space and Price

 

[Kenny Durrant]

This hasn't been mentioned and might not be a concern now. I was told when first looking at lathes "You can turn a small part on a big lathe but not a big part on a small one".

 

[d_bondi]

Speaking to many turners over the years that have continually upped their game on pens, the discussion more frequently revolves around methods of alignment, specialty tools to allow consistency, or wood vs metal lathes, rarely about the actual size of the lathe. If it spins, and can spin consistently on track, it will work!

I agree with @NJturner...

I have not been at it as long as many on this forum, but have found that, for pen turning, my Jet JWL-1221VS midi lathe is a great size. Would I love to have a big Powermatic lathe, sure, but I don't have the space for something like that and it just doesn't make sense for what I do.

Like @NJturner, I don't turn that many kit pens these days as my focus has moved almost entirely to kitless fountain pens. This is where rigidity and accuracy becomes more important. I feel like the pens I am making on my Jet wood lathe are very good. But, I know that I can be more accurate and do more things on something more rigid and accurate. Hence, my newest large purchase was a Precision Matthews PM-1022V metal lathe.

TLDR? Short Version: If you are happy with your lathe, that is all that matters. If you want more accuracy, think Metal Lathe.

 

[NJturner]

I agree with @NJturner...

I have not been at it as long as many on this forum, but have found that, for pen turning, my Jet JWL-1221VS midi lathe is a great size. Would I love to have a big Powermatic lathe, sure, but I don't have the space for something like that and it just doesn't make sense for what I do.

Like @NJturner, I don't turn that many kit pens these days as my focus has moved almost entirely to kitless fountain pens. This is where rigidity and accuracy becomes more important. I feel like the pens I am making on my Jet wood lathe are very good. But, I know that I can be more accurate and do more things on something more rigid and accurate. Hence, my newest large purchase was a Precision Matthews PM-1022V metal lathe.

TLDR? Short Version: If you are happy with your lathe, that is all that matters. If you want more accuracy, think Metal Lathe.

OOOOOoooooh - a PM-1022V...... Nice buy! Congrats! And a perfect reply for the subject of this forum - as I also believe you get to a point with a wood lathe where making precision cuts and threads on a wood lathe gets problematic unless you invest in some special tooling. I've been doing this so long that at this point of my life, re-learning and re-tooling just would be too cumbersome and time consuming (and a tough play with my significant other...lol) - but I still drool when shown some of the nice metal lathe options - especially for threading!

Lot's of luck with the new machine!

Kevin