Lathe owners/ users

[Doug Jones]

Who here is an actual lathe owner and uses it regularly?
Sound off if you would and let us know your level of experience.
Thanks,,,,

I am a hobbiest, started out on a Wilton mini, bought a Jet mini, sold the Wilton, bought a Delta 46-715, sold the Delta and now have the PM 3520B. I am not all that good at turning but enjoy it very much. I can truly say that I don't get too serious with turning as I want to keep it fun and interesting. I have been turning for a while now and most is self taught either through woodworking shows, or Q & A on forums and I have had a handful of one on one teachings with some friends (K.G.)
What about you?

[DonHo]

I have the PSI Turncrafter Pro, I've had it about 4 months. I've only turned pen and a few small bowls. I love it but I see a problem, I'm soon gonna have all my friends and family over stocked with pens and bowls so will have no reason to keep turning
Just kidding about not keeping turning but not about there being a limited need for pens and small decorative bowls. I guess I could try some of the small lidded boxes but don't think I've developed the skill to do them yet.
DonHo

[kwgeorge]

Oh I own a few lathes. I have the heavily modified Nova 3000, Jet VS Mini and my 9X20 Metal lathe. Don’t know how good I am with them but I get by and the wife likes the results.

Ken

[DonHo]

Ken, you may not know how good you are on a lathe but the rest of us do If I ever get close enough to sniff the neighborhood your lathe skills are in, I'll be a very happy man!!

DonHo

[RayintheUK]

I started with a really cheap and well-used single-pole lathe, just to see if I would like turning - I did!

I've now got a really great lathe - Hegner HDB200XL - with all the add-ons and I love it.

I've turned all sorts of stuff on it, from pedestal tables and newel posts to very large bowls. I'm currently turning 12 matching decorative post tops for a fencing job.

Ray.

[Ken Weaver]

I've got a 1940-48 Delta, found it in a barn and restored it. Still learning how to make things round.

[guycox]

I've got a shopsmith 510 with the heavy duty tool rest and a Oneway Talon chuck. The headstock developed some bearing slop so until I can get the quill bearings replaced it has been relegated to running the Beal Buffing System.

I'm now doing all of my turning on a Jet Mini Lathe with the Nova chuck. I'm turning more and enjoyin it more -- maybe it's the chuck (even with the tommy bars instead of the key) -- there's a lot less slippage with the Nova.

I sure with there was as VS kit for the non-VS equipped jet minis....

Just guess I wait until I can afford a big Powermatic or a Oneway.....

[gerti]

It all started with a pen turning class at Rockler about 3 years ago... I a Harbor Freight 34706 lathe and a Talon chuck. Turned pens, bowls, boxes, platters, tool handles, kaleidoscopes and assorted odds and ends. This year I finally joined the local chapter of the woodturners association. Should have done that much earlier, the small membership fee payed for itself many times over.

[dale]

I've got the HF model with the movable head; don't recall the model #. Very much a beginner.

[bigsteel15]

I started with a really cheap and well-used single-pole lathe, just to see if I would like turning - I did!

I've now got a really great lathe - Hegner HDB200XL - with all the add-ons and I love it.

I've turned all sorts of stuff on it, from pedestal tables and newel posts to very large bowls. I'm currently turning 12 matching decorative post tops for a fencing job.

Ray.

That's quite the machine Ray.
A little beyond MY budget for a lathe. WOW!!

[WoodButcher26]

I love to turn!

Currently using a Jet JWL1234 after wearing out a Craftsman that I bought new. Have been turning now since 1988, think it's got to be the most relaxing form of woodworking. Especially like to turn when I'm stressed--seems like the troubles fly just like the chips.

Really enjoy turning green wood, would strongly recommend to anyone--just be sure to keep your tools sharp. Next big area of exploration is segmented turning--to combine saw work and turning.

[Jim Boyd]

Lathe? Whats a lathe?! I think I have several and used to turn frequently. Must have been in a previous life

[Rayclav]

I have a Oneway 1640. A very nice machine.

Ray