PSI Midi Pro or HF Lathe?

[sacherjj]

Edit: The HF lathe is on sale for $199.99.

I've been wanting to get into turning for a while. Recently, the leg on one of the dining room chairs broke and I decided that I would learn how to turn them. Those are going to be my first project, but I could see pen turning and bowl turning in the future. And I guess all of those other things that your say, if only I had a lathe, this would be easy! I am taking the two day intro to turning class at Woodcraft in late March, and I would like to have a lathe by then to work on at home.

I picked up the 46-730 Delta 8 piece turning toolset for $24 on the Amazon coupon messup. I am trying to decide between the PSI Midi Pro + Extension at $150 from Amazon (with the $50 offer I used) or the HF 34706 @ $169.59 ($199.99 - 20% + 6% tax.) I ordered the PSI already, but it is waiting to come in stock before I will get it. I'm just trying to figure out if I should cancel and go with the HF, or keep the order. Looks like delivery is late March.

PSI would be 40" length with 10" swing over bed.
HF would be 33" length with 12" swing over bed, plus more bowl capability with the rotating head.

How hard are Extensions to mount and unmount? I could see an advantage of getting the PSI, if I get into smaller turning and rarely use the full length. This is assuming the lineup procedure isn't terrible to mount it the times I would want to turn a larger piece. Probably in all reality, I will just deal with the size and leave it mounted.

I've been reading through all the past Turning posts and haven't heard much about the PSI. There is a considerable amount on the HF lathe. How do they measure up?

Also, I'm looking for a decent slow speed grinder for plane and chisel sharpening, as well as the requirement for turning. I have a cheap little 6" HF grinder for the lawnmower blades and similar tasks, so this wouldn't need to be dual use (i.e. if a dedicated "sharening system" is better than a grinder, then I am open to that) I want to get something that is the best option for sharpening. I'm willing to pay a little more to get something right the first time, but I'm not exactly sure what that is. Is the slow speed grinder from Woodcraft (http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4605) and some jig deecnt enough to be used for many years, or is it better to spend a little more on something like a Tormek system? I have the 1" belt/8" disk sander from Delta and I was thinking about using the disk as a makeshift sharpener until I make a decision. I figure that I could rig up a jig to ride in the miter slot on the disc.

Thanks all for any opinions and sorry for the long winded babbling.

[Scottydont]

I would favor the PSI over the HF. The PSI is almost exactly like the Jet mini. I have had the Jet 1014 and now have the Jet 1014VS. The variable speed is nice but not critical.

As for the HF is a very much like the Grizzly G5979 I used to have. I found the swing head a bit cheezy but otherwise a good lathe. The fit and finish is a bit rough and bugly IMHO. The common critisism of the HF 34706 and the Griz 5979 and similar lathes is the stamped metal stand. Too light and does not dampen vibration well. Some folks build a shelf and add sandbags or concrete to give it more weight. It would not be a problem for spindles but could be turning larger bowls and such.

I use a mini because of shop space. If space were not a concideration I would get a bigger lathe and shop for used. You can find some great deals if you are patient. As you are finding out, an entry level lathe is not going to be the biggest outlay compared to the expense of turning tools, chucks, grinder/sharpening setup etc. If you later find out that turning is not your bag, selling a PSI would be easier to sell the a HF. (My mind is geared that way cuz I am a bit of a horse/tool trader.)

In all cases I replace the stock tool rest with a chrome rolled steel one. I like the smoothness and control. (I like Harleys and I have a habit of upgarding with chrome.)

I am sure Ken George and the others will add to what I have said but I hope the info helps.

[sacherjj]

Thanks for the info Scott. I'm also interested in any other opinions out there.

[gerti]

HF would be 33" length with 12" swing over bed, plus more bowl capability with the rotating head.

Actually I (owning that lathe) do think the rotating head is more of a weakness than a help. I am not sure the motor has enough power for anything larger than fits over the bed. And it is a bit tricky to get the headstock locked down solid.

One thing I like about the HF lathe is that the speed can be changed with the twist of a handle. Makes quick work of finding a comfortable speed to turn with. I thing with the PSI you need to move the belts.

Also, I'm looking for a decent slow speed grinder for plane and chisel sharpening, as well as the requirement for turning. I have a cheap little 6" HF grinder for the lawnmower blades and similar tasks,

I would say before you spend money on a more expensive setup, get a white wheel for the HF grinder, and some lower cost chisels (eg the HF HSS kit) to get a feel for the whole grinding thing first. That setup will get you started, and with the cheaper steel you are not grinding away $$$ learning to sharpen your chisels. My guess is once you used that setup for a little while you will get a much better feel for what you need. Some people swear on the Tormek, others a slow-speed grinders. Many pro-turners just use a simple grinder and freehand almost everything as it goes much faster... Either of those approaches is fine, but after some experience you probably have a better idea which of those is better suited for you.

The common critisism of the HF 34706 and the Griz 5979 and similar lathes is the stamped metal stand.

I am not sure which lathe you were using, but my 34706 certainly has a cast iron bed. It may not be pretty but it is solid. The stand could use some beefing up (and in my case the nuts where missing), but it is adequate.

[sacherjj]

I'm gonna have to get a grinder of some sort either way, as my grinder took a fall and the shaft isn't quite right anymore. It will still work for very rough grinding (i.e. lawn mower blades) but I don't think it is good enough for sharpening. I think I will wait until I take the class. They should teach some about sharpening and I'll get a better feel for it.

[kwgeorge]

Well I owned the Grizzly version for quite some time and I also own the Jet mini. The size of the lathe you purchase depends really on what you are intending on making. At this time I have a Nova 3000 and the Jet mini. I use them both and could not part with either one. I sold the Grizzly to a friend of mine just getting into turning and it was kind of hard to part with.

So I think I will add my thoughts based on my experiences with the Grizzly I owned that is very much like the HF model.

As to the rotating head, I learned a long time ago the best way to deal with the head was to apply downward pressure on it while locking it down. This really helps with the alignment. A lot of people think the advantage to a rotating head is in turning pieces larger that the lathe will allow based on the distance from the spindle to the bed. This is really not the case. The real advantage is in using the first locking position of 22.5 degrees. At this setting your can present yourself to the face of a bowl, box or whatever without having to lean over the lathe bed. This is a much more comfortable way of turning the interior of a bowl. As far as power I guess I will agree to some extent but I would also make the observation that it depends on how much of a cut you are trying to take. If you are into turning because you get real excited seeing big ribbons of “wet wood” shavings flying around while you take massive cuts then this lathe is probably not for you.

As too the stand yes is it kind of cheesy but a lot of lathes like the Nova and the Mini’s don’t even come with one. I never had a problem with mine as I reinforced it with ¾” plywood the first week I owned it.

Keep in mind that we are talking about tools in the $200 plus range and not $1000 or better models.

I agree with Gerd on the tools as I think I would rather grind away at a cheap set while learning. I do believe in an 8” grinder for many reasons. I choose the Delta variable speed and have a white wheel for my turning tools.

[sacherjj]

I do think grinding on a $30 set of tools to learn makes much more sense than messing up my Delta set and most likely a few tools even better than that.

[Jim Boyd]

I have the HF and never really had a problem with the stand but can see where some would. The absolute best use I have found for the pivoting head is for using buffing wheels One thing about your turning tools set is they don't appear to be HSS.

[sacherjj]

I have the HF and never really had a problem with the stand but can see where some would. The absolute best use I have found for the pivoting head is for using buffing wheels One thing about your turning tools set is they don't appear to be HSS.

Interesting, Jim. I believe you are right. I don't see anything on the Delta toolset as HSS. I think I might be upset with that if I paid full price ($104) for them. So the question is, should I start with Delta set or the HF set. In other words, which should I mess up. I paid $24 for the Delta set and $38 for the HF set. If the Delta isn't HSS, it should get dull quicker, which should allow for more sharpening practice, right?

[Jim Boyd]

Interesting, Jim. I believe you are right. I don't see anything on the Delta toolset as HSS. I think I might be upset with that if I paid full price ($104) for them. So the question is, should I start with Delta set or the HF set. In other words, which should I mess up. I paid $24 for the Delta set and $38 for the HF set. If the Delta isn't HSS, it should get dull quicker, which should allow for more sharpening practice, right?

If you only paid $24 then go ahead and grind away I was warning because of the $100+ price tag

[maxparot]

I have the HF and closed in the stand making it into a small cabinet for some tools and accessories. I used some hardboard and sheetmetal screws to enclose it with 4 hinges riveted to the frame and doors. A mag catch in the front. A piece of plywood to make a shelf and a couple of furing strips and another piece of plywood for the top of the box. This has made it seem a quite bit more stable.

[sacherjj]

I have the HF and closed in the stand making it into a small cabinet for some tools and accessories. I used some hardboard and sheetmetal screws to enclose it with 4 hinges riveted to the frame and doors. A mag catch in the front. A piece of plywood to make a shelf and a couple of furing strips and another piece of plywood for the top of the box. This has made it seem a quite bit more stable.

I was planning on making something like this for the PSI if I go that route. I think that is where I am heading. I would probably make it with locking casters to roll out of the way in my limited space shop.

[sacherjj]

I'm excited. I had the first of my two turning classes on Tuesday. We used the Jet Mini, which looks almost exactly like the PSI Pro that I ordered. It seems like I have been waiting forever, but my PSI Turncrafter PRO just went into Shipping Soon status, so it will probably be here before the weekend.

I've got one last huge log of Cherry to cut up. Time to figure out what in the world I'm gonna make.