Midi Lathe suggestions

[Warren]

I think i'm gonna bite the bullet and learn to turn. Years of woodworking experience but, I never had an interest in turning before. You guys create really nice stuff and seem to have a lot of fun doing it. So. . . here I am. Pretty well uninformed and totally inexperienced.

I've got a budget of around $250.00 but it's flexible. I'm somewhat limited on space (who isn't?) but can find space for another tool if I must. I understand that turnng can become addictive. I'd like to start turning legs for coffee table, maybe a few pens but i want to eventually move up to dinng room table and chairs. If I can keep the initial investment around $500.00 for tools, a good rest (since most of you guys seem to feel that stock rests don't cut it), faceplate, etc. I can probably swing it.

So, I'm turning to the gods of turning for advice. Any and all will be welcome and thank you in advance.

[tribalwind]

i already have a fullsize powermatic but wanted something small and portable.
all my reading(and reading and reading) has left me with an order at amazom.com for a Jet mini-lathe,$200 shipped.after rebate. non variable speed(the vs isnt true vs anyhow ) you could get the extension bed to do up to 40" spindles.

i think 500's a Plenty big enough wad to get started. get the HSS tool set at harbour freight,(and a face-shield if u dont have one) if you have a slowspeed grinder youre set,if not theyre about $75?the dual-speed i got at woodcraft was 125 maybe,
pen mandrels cheap,think i paid $25 for the jacobs chuck.40 for the 4-jaw chuck.

id just made another post for a nifty indexing system available for this lathe.

[sacherjj]

I budgeted around $350 to get started. For this I figured that the PSI Turner Pro and Extension was the best deal for me at $200. The rest needs to go towards chucks, tools, etc.

[Warren]

Matt: If I understand what I've read the Jet VS model gives you some speed control via electronics but for major speed changes you still change pullys. Similar to speed changing on my drill press. And the non-VS still allows speed changes through a pully only choice. Is this correct?

Joe: I've not heard of PSI. I'll google. Thanks!

(Shrug of the shoulders and a slap of the forehead.) Penn State Industries. Them I've heard of. Are you referring to the Turncrafter Pro? The one they're out of until the middle of the month (of course). Are you happy with the heft and quality?

[sacherjj]

I haven't received mine yet, just ordered it. I am pretty much where you are, learning to turn. I have read as much as I could find online and most consider the quality to be similar to the Jet lathe.

[tribalwind]

warren, yes thats right. most have said this feature isnt worth an extra $100.
i dont know what good it does to change speeds that little. maybe some of the guys here that have it can say.
on my big lathe, the speed change is also the on/off switch. i use the fastest speed only for sanding/finishing really. and the way the jet changes pulley speeds looks very quick to do.. my first lathe you had to looosen 2 bolts with a wrench then crank up on the upper pulley with a big screwdriver to set tension,took like 3 minutes and was quite annoying at first,but even that went fast after a while. i also learned it wasnt necessary to be changing speeds so often

[leehljp]

Rikon lathe

I just bought the Rikon lathe and have only used it to turn a couple of quick pens. I like it but I am dreaming of a different tool rest already. The stock tool rest is good but I was used to the one on my Taig pen lathe. I did not realize that a tool rests could have an individual "feel" to it but they do.

The Rikon has a 12 inch capacity which is the primary reason I went with it. It is fairly easy to change belt speeds. I do not know how to compare it to a Jet as I have not used a Jet. I think I am going to really like the Rikon. The extra 2 inches of turning diameter should allow me room to "grow".

You can see it below and also at woodcraft.com. Woodcraft had a one day 10% off everything sale in early February, so I ordered it then - around $225.

http://www.rikontools.com/Products/Lathes/Lathes.html

I picked up some chisels at HF for about $35.00. They are OK but needed sharpening real bad. I also ordered a pen mandrel, which has not shipped yet. I picked up another one at PSI. (I wanted 2 mandrels anyway.)

Check out the picts and specs of the Rikon at the web site above.

[DonHo]

I've never turned but like you, I've decided to learn. I had decided on the PSI turncrafter pro which they sell for $169 + around $35 shipping. I found the turncrafter pro on Amazon for $169 with free shipping + i was able to use the $20 off deal for over $120 bringing the cost to my door to $149 instead of around $200 from PSI. FYI this lathe is out of stock both places but PSI says it will be in stock around 3/20/06 and amazon says that's my est. shipping date .

DonHo

[sacherjj]

I'm a little behind. My Amazon shows 3/29 as the earliest date on shipping for my PSI Turncrafter Pro and Extension.

[tribalwind]

well looks like my lathe shipped out yersterday. but whats puzzling me is why the arrival estimate is over a month away!?!!
Fedex Status: In transit Shipment Date: Mar 02, 2006 Destination: baldwin, NY, US Estimated Arrival: Apr 12, 2006
Track your package Date Time Location Event Details Mar 02, 2006 10:42:00 PM MIDDLETOWN PA US Arrival Scan Mar 02, 2006 07:20:00 PM MIDDLETOWN PA US Shipment picked up from seller's facility Mar 02, 2006 04:57:00 PM MIDDLETOWN PA US Departure Scan

[sacherjj]

If Amazon doesn't have the item in stock, then the estimates are really wild. I've had an estimate off by over 2 months. I changed the method of payment on mine and it went from Mar 29 - April 5 to April 9 - April 13. Why in the world should that effect the ship date? Just weird.

[tribalwind]

yes i got a letter back form cust service saying its a technical error

its in newark NJ now so might have it monday or tues im hoping