need a lathe

[Howard]

You won't believe it. LOML actually told me she WANTED me to get a lathe so I could make some bowls for her. Almost fell over backwards. I have never used a lathe before. Seen the guy on DIY, Saturdays at 9:30, and he can make it dance. What recommendations do you guys have for a lathe? I know its a big question. I don't expect to be making anything like baseball bats or things that size. I understand the chuck is just as important as the machine itself. What can you get for under a $1000 verses over $1000? BTW, used my new Festool TS-55 I got for Christmas and it is fantastic! Thanks for "turning" (this is "turning talk" isn't it?) me on to Festool!

[Popeye]

If you get 20 replies you'll probably get 20 different lathe recommendations but..... I bought this one a month or so ago and have been real happy with it. Don't see myself out growing it any time soon.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0462. Not a $1000 lathe but not a bad one and I had some bucks left over for a decent chuck and some cheap HF turning tools to learn on. Pat

[DonHo]

Just my 2 cents worth as a new turner myself. If you have room start with a larger lathe like the one in the link Posted by Pat because it won't be long until you will be wanting to turn more and bigger stuff I haven't looked into larger lathes because I just don't have the room ( yet) but I do know you can get a larger lathe from anywhere around $149 from HF to over $3000 for some of the large Bowl lathes, I think just from looking the one Pat posted about would work for you for a long time. Also consider that for bowl turning you will want a chuck and some "special" tools like bowl gouges and scrapers as well as a basic set like the one from HF. I'd also suggest you watch a few videos by Richard Raffan or some other pro turner to get some ideas on how to go about turning a bowl. Another good resource is The Turner's Shop http://www.theturnersshop.com/ by Ken George(a member herre).

If you are limited by space and need to go with a smaller lathe I'd suggest you look at the Rikon at WoodCraft. I personally have the TurnCrafter Pro from PSI and have been very happy with it but you get a 12" swing vs a 10" and you also get 12 position indexing vs no indexing on the TurnCrafter. The Rikon is not much more expensive so if I had it to do over I'd probably go with the Rikon.
Good luck, it's a slippery slope you are about to step on
DonHo

[Howard]

I looked at the NOVA DVR XP and it's quite a machine for $2000. I guess you have to add a chuck and decent set of knives so now maybe $2500 or so. Pretty cool, though. Anyone have any experience with this model?

[wassaw998]

In the 2007 Grizzly Catalog I just got they have a new EVS Lathe - It is $1295 - Model # G0632. (16" x 42"). Looks like it has the same legs as what Pat linked, but a different top / headstock/tail stock. Were I in the market I'd look hard at that one, if the $$ was not too much.

Here's the link: http://www.grizzly.com/products/g0632

[Whit]

New lathe

Howard, check with the Woodcraft in Addison to find out if they may be planning on having a sale on the Jet 1642 with EVS. It requires 120Volts instead of 220 for the Grizzly. Last year Woodcraft had the Jet on sale for about $1600. I have been pleased with mine.
Good luck with what ever you decide to get.
Whit

[bigsteel15]

Howard, check with the Woodcraft in Addison to find out if they may be planning on having a sale on the Jet 1642 with EVS. It requires 120Volts instead of 220 for the Grizzly. Last year Woodcraft had the Jet on sale for about $1600. I have been pleased with mine.
Good luck with what ever you decide to get.
Whit

Not sure who sells General in you area but for that money I think you can get the 25-650 VS
http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/25650a.html

Looks like a trip to San Antonio if you want the General. According to their site only Jointech and Woodworkers Service & Supply have the products.

Anyways, I love mine.
I'm pretty sure though that a Grizzly version probably comes off the same assembly line.