Hello!
So I was perusing my local Craigslist and I came across a lathe about a day or so after I had asked about various lathe types on another forum. The guy had it for sale as he was moving and didn't want to haul it with him. $110 later and it was mine.
I went to his house and as he was selling some other things out of his shop, other people showed up as well and so we didn't get to talk much about the lathe. I paid him, loaded it up and off I went. I've never owned one, never even touched one, but had an interest in giving turning a try. The next morning I woke up to an email from him, saying that if I wanted to bring it back over to his shop, that he would teach me to use it, so I took him up on his offer. I spent four hours with him - what an awesome, friendly, nice, generous guy he was to do that for me.
He helped me make two pens and a bottle stopper. I had a great time and now at least feel comfortable using the lathe rather than worrying about what might go wrong with no knowledge of how to use it.
They certainly aren't without flaws, I'm sure, but I had a great time making them with his help and watchful eye. I hadn't even considered making pens, but now have all the stuff needed, on the way, so that I can do so.
There are a lot of talented guys here on this site. I've enjoyed lurking and seeing all of your labors here.
Next on my list is a vacuum chamber to stabilize wood, and to make some molds to make my own blanks. This has quickly become somewhat expensive, but what is there that's fun and worthwhile that isn't to some degree? At least that's how I've justified it in my head.
Darby
So I was perusing my local Craigslist and I came across a lathe about a day or so after I had asked about various lathe types on another forum. The guy had it for sale as he was moving and didn't want to haul it with him. $110 later and it was mine.

I went to his house and as he was selling some other things out of his shop, other people showed up as well and so we didn't get to talk much about the lathe. I paid him, loaded it up and off I went. I've never owned one, never even touched one, but had an interest in giving turning a try. The next morning I woke up to an email from him, saying that if I wanted to bring it back over to his shop, that he would teach me to use it, so I took him up on his offer. I spent four hours with him - what an awesome, friendly, nice, generous guy he was to do that for me.
He helped me make two pens and a bottle stopper. I had a great time and now at least feel comfortable using the lathe rather than worrying about what might go wrong with no knowledge of how to use it.



They certainly aren't without flaws, I'm sure, but I had a great time making them with his help and watchful eye. I hadn't even considered making pens, but now have all the stuff needed, on the way, so that I can do so.
There are a lot of talented guys here on this site. I've enjoyed lurking and seeing all of your labors here.
Next on my list is a vacuum chamber to stabilize wood, and to make some molds to make my own blanks. This has quickly become somewhat expensive, but what is there that's fun and worthwhile that isn't to some degree? At least that's how I've justified it in my head.
Darby
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