It has arrived....

[Stan]

Well, the lathe finally arrived the day before Thanksgiving. Got it set up in the shop and the son that brought it with him from Portland (Craigslist.com purchase) is giving things a try.

[DaveinFloweryBranchGA]

Ah, two good things at once. A son at home and a new tool. I'm sure you're enjoying both. That looks like a nice bench you built for it.

Congrats,

Dave

[Tom Miller]

Welcome to turning!

Sooo, when do you sell all your other WW tools?

Just kidding -- they come in handy for preparing turning blanks.

I see you already have some turning tools -- did they come with the lathe?

Have fun!

Regards,
Tom

[Whaler]

Welcome to the round world.

[Stan]

Thanks for the 'round world' welcome guys...

The bench came with the lathe -- I'm thinking I'll be building something a bit more sturdy before too long. I had to add the MDF panels to both ends to 'tighten it up' a bit.

As for the tools, the lathe came with a number of rests, centers, etc. but no tools. I found those at a local second hand store that is trying to be a mini-HF, complete set of 8 tools with wooden box for $10.00.

Defintely not quality stuff -- but it was enough to convince me that I want to continue with the lathe, and the wife is now interested in using it. I'll be looking for a small (5-piece?) starter set with a bit more quality behind them and then pick up tools one at a time when I figure out what they are for and what I need.

[germdoc]

It is addictive. Let me put in a plug for Penn State tools. They are sold as "Benjamin's Best"--pretty much covers the usual variety of bowl and spindle tools--VERY cheap. I got their 1/2" deep bowl gouge and a square-end bowl side scraper and am quite pleased with the quality. They may not hold an edge quite as long as Henry Taylor or Sorby, but so what? I can buy 3 of them for the price of one of the others. They're very good starter tools.

Let me also recommend the Sorby spindlemaster. Pretty cheap, and basically combines skew and shallow gouge functions with very little risk of catching. Good idea for those of us who are learning.

[DaveinFloweryBranchGA]

Look for the PSI starter set with the number LCSIXW ($69.95) and get the Harbor Freight 8 pc. set that has the brand name Windsor Design ($30.00 to $40.00). Both of these sets are HSS and along with a 3/8" bowl gouge should get you going nicely.