help finding the best midi lathe for $$$

[blame]

i'm looking to get my wife a midi lathe (ok its for both of us)

she wants to start turning pens and other small stuff

id like to find something along the lines like the turncrafter with a bed ext.

it needs to be simple,usable, and fun

what do you guys/girls use?

thanks blame

[drumpriest]

By far the most popular is the Jet mini. I have a "m-power", which is the turncrafter rebranded and sold at Rockler. I got the lathe and a set of turning tools on sale there for 200$.

[reddog552]

wood lathe

Grizzly has there G8690 variable speed on sale for $144

[Russianwolf]

Whichever you go with make sure it is a MT#2 machine. Some have a MT#1 which is fine, but has fewer accessories available. The MT#2 will allow you to change the accessories over to a large lathe if you ever go bigger also.

I have a used PSI turncrafter Pro that I got off ebay due to a crack in the bed (I paid less than $100 and the guy had already put mending plates on it)and for small turnings it does great. It's not as nice as the Jet in the finish department, but they are basically the same machine. If you can find a used one or they run them on sale alot since coming out with the VS model, I'd jump on it.

[sacherjj]

Here is my review of the PSI Turncrafter Pro and Jet Mini.

[Russianwolf]

Too bad you aren't close to NJ

http://cgi.ebay.com/PSI-Woodworking-...QQcmdZViewItem

That would get you started in the right direction. Even delivered that's about $220 worth of stuff.

[DonHo]

I have the turncrafter pro and am happy with it. I think those who have the jet are happy with their choice also. If I were looking for a new lathe today (and still wanted to stay in the midi range) I'd give the Rikon from Woodcraft a hard look. It has a 12" swing instead of 10" and it has a 12 position indexing head + a few other options that make it attractive. I believe some BT3er (maybe Hank) has one, hopefully they'll share their opinion.

DonHo

[blame]

Too bad you aren't close to NJ

http://cgi.ebay.com/PSI-Woodworking-...QQcmdZViewItem

That would get you started in the right direction. Even delivered that's about $220 worth of stuff.

ouch $100 in shipping alone

thanks for the replies i'm still looking for a deal but i'm running out time

wife wants her toy and i have a 120 year old pump organ i need to get done soon

[Habe]

I have had the Rikon from Woodcraft for a bit over a year. I have added the bed extension. If you watch for a sale its about 250.00. I would buy it again as it has given me no problems. It is MT #2 so any add on can be used if I upgrade to something bigger.

[blame]

hey everyone

i finally took the plounge on a lathe i bought the one russianwolf posted for $177.50 includes shipping

what i figured was from psi website 199.00 + 65.00 shipping = $264.00
just for the lathe and the bed ext.

include the $19.95 for the mandrel and $21.99 for the gouge $41.94
total of $305.94 total new

i checked out the rikon from woodcraft and it was like $270.00
plus the mandrel would of been $290.00 plus whatever shipping would of been
i looked at the rockler version it was 139.00 plus 55.00 shipping 194.00
add the pen mandrel 213.95

so i figured the turncrafter on ebay was the best deal
Thank You everyone for all your input and help

what else do i need to turn pens
going to need a bushing set , also going to have to order so pen guts and finish products. do you have to have the barrell trimmer and pen press?
i have plenty of trees growing around me for the pen blanks and i burn wood so i always have a large wood pile to pick pcs out of for larger turnings (before anyone comments on the wood stove its outside my shop)
not that i'll be turning anything over 4" in dia on this .
i need to find a chuck too, anyone have any deals on a chuck for the turncrafter

thanks
later blame

[Russianwolf]

hey everyone

i finally took the plounge on a lathe i bought the one russianwolf posted for $177.50 includes shipping

what else do i need to turn pens
going to need a bushing set , also going to have to order so pen guts and finish products. do you have to have the barrell trimmer and pen press?

Congrats on the lathe. I like mine, but then I like my old Jeep too.

Bushings: will depend on the pen kits you get. They cost about $5 per set max.

Kits: check PSI, penkits.com (berea hardwoods), rockler, and woodcraft. I like getting the sample packs from PSI. In most cases they send you everything you need to work on that type pen (bushings, drill bit, some blanks, kits).

Finish: I'm still playing with this area myself. Pass on anything you learn. For the moment I'm trying to stay away from CA, but who knows where I'll wind up.

Barrel Trimmer?: Not needed but you have to have a way to "trim" and square the blanks. You can do it on a disc sander if you have one. I use the barrel trimmer in a drill press.

Pen press: not needed. You can use a drill press (with a block added to protect the finish) or I've been using a quick clamp.

More tools: You'll likely want to pick up a few more turning chisels. gouges are for rough work mainly, so a skew and parting tool would be good additions. I honestly don't know if I'm using the skew correctly, but it's working for me.

Chuck: I don't use mine often, but I got a utility chuck from PSI for free (due to one of the Amazon glitches) I like the size. There are better ones out there, but you can spend more than you've spent on the lathe package.

A quick way to jump in would be PSI's pen starter pack. It's $75 and would give you everything you need to make 10 slimline kits. A backup mandrel with bushings, 10 kits, pre-cut blanks, barrel trimmer, friction polish, set of basic chisels.

Do I sound like a freakin' PSI commercial yet?

[blame]

[QUOTE=Russianwolf;272850]Congrats on the lathe. I like mine, but then I like my old Jeep too.
i like your jeep 2 also would like that chunk of wenge

Bushings: will depend on the pen kits you get. They cost about $5 per set max.


Kits: check PSI, penkits.com (berea hardwoods), rockler, and woodcraft. I like getting the sample packs from PSI. In most cases they send you everything you need to work on that type pen (bushings, drill bit, some blanks, kits).

i'll have to check these out

Finish: I'm still playing with this area myself. Pass on anything you learn. For the moment I'm trying to stay away from CA, but who knows where I'll wind up.

whats CA?

Barrel Trimmer?: Not needed but you have to have a way to "trim" and square the blanks. You can do it on a disc sander if you have one. I use the barrel trimmer in a drill press.

most likely we will git the barrel trimmer

Pen press: not needed. You can use a drill press (with a block added to protect the finish) or I've been using a quick clamp.

More tools: You'll likely want to pick up a few more turning chisels. gouges are for rough work mainly, so a skew and parting tool would be good additions. I honestly don't know if I'm using the skew correctly, but it's working for me.

i have a cheap lathe too that i'm going to convert to turn bowls and stuff i bought a cheap 8 pc set but i'm always looking at gitting better stuff as the the wife needs it (HA HA HA more tools there all mine)

Chuck: I don't use mine often, but I got a utility chuck from PSI for free (due to one of the Amazon glitches) I like the size. There are better ones out there, but you can spend more than you've spent on the lathe package.

Lucky!!!!!!!
A quick way to jump in would be PSI's pen starter pack. It's $75 and would give you everything you need to make 10 slimline kits. A backup mandrel with bushings, 10 kits, pre-cut blanks, barrel trimmer, friction polish, set of basic chisels.
hmmmm seems too high for what u get

Do I sound like a freakin' PSI commercial yet?

yes LOL

[Russianwolf]

CA is superglue. Some use it to get a gloss finish on their pens. I did one and it looks okay, but it does give a plasticy feel to it IMO. I've been doing alot of reading over on penturners.org lots of specific info there.

Got my micromesh sandpaper today (1500-12000 grits) so I need to get more kits to play some more.

Oh, I'll have more pics of my Jeep up soon. I'm giving it a $20 paint job. Hey, I only paid $600 for the whole truck.

[blame]

Hey, I only paid $600 for the whole truck.

now theres a deal!!!!!!!!!

what color r u going to spray paint it?

blame

[Russianwolf]

I've been driving it over a year now, so I think it's already paid for itself.

I'm going with the original two tone paint scheme, but with colors that are readily available. Gloss white up top and Allis Chalmers Orange on bottom. When I finally get around to restore it the way I want, I'll use Jeep colors from 1973 (even though she's a 1970, they didn't have orange that year), Champaign White and Renegade Orange.

And I'm not spraying, I'm rolling her. The white needs one more coat, but already looks nice.

Oh, I looked at PSI's site and that starter kit is $67 plus shipping, then you could resale the mandrel (keeping the bushings) and probably have paid $50. Oh, the package also has 2 part epoxy for gluing the tubes in the blanks. It's not too bad of a deal if you need everything in the pack like I did.