Lots of lathe questions

[atgcpaul]

3 years ago I bought a brand new Rikon mini lathe to turn bowls. We also had our first kid. Probably not a good idea to pick up a new hobby (turning, not making kids). I also got a set of turning tools (Benjamin's Best). The same year, my Uncle died and the following spring, my Aunt gave me his lathe--a Delta 46-715. I guess it's a midi-lathe. It also came with a Vega wood duplicator and some of his turning tools.

The Rikon is still in the box, I don't have a grinder to sharpen chisels, and my Uncle's lathe is still in pieces from when I brought it home.

Anyway, the Delta has its own legs and I'd have to make a stand for the Rikon. I've read so-so reviews about the Delta because of its Reeves drive but it can turn larger pieces if I ever get around to it.

So I already see a few problems. I think I want to use carbide chisels because to sharpen on my own means buying a grinder and learning how to use it. Needs more bench space, etc. The sets by Capt Eddie seem affordable and I'd be ready to go out of the gate.

Other than not having the space for two lathes, should I keep both of them or sell off one of them? I'd feel bad selling my Uncle's lathe but it's not like he used it much. I guess the duplicator is nice but that's another thing I've got to figure out. And then there's the question of compatibility. I don't think chucks, etc, for one will fit on the other. I don't need to fall into two vortices. OTOH, I may want that extra swing and power. The reviews seem to be either you love it or your hate it. I bought the Rikon because it was reviewed well in print and on-line.

OK, I'm just rambling. What do you think I should do?

Thanks,
Paul

[JimD]

Try them both before making a decision. I'm assuming you could put the Rikon on a bench for a trial. With respect to sharpening, I think you should get a WorkSharp 3000. I have one and have used it for knife, chisel and plane sharpening and it works surprisingly well. It is also intended for lathe tools and I suspect it works well for them too. I would not go with carbide tools. For some operations it is nice to have a real sharp tool and the carbide is not something you can easily "improve". I think high speed steel is the right material for lathe chisels both due to cost and ease of sharpening.

Jim

[capncarl]

Carbide tools do not mean that you do not have to sharpen them. It just means that they should stay sharp longer, and will require different ways of sharpening than you may be use to. A dull tool is still a dull tool regardless to what it is made out of.
It is a shame that your tooling and accessories will not interchange. The Rikon may bring you more cash on re-sale. It is always nice have a larger machine than you need, rather than try to figure out how to turn a 12 inch bowl on a 6 inch lathe.
capncarl

[BigguyZ]

If you ever want to turn pens, the smaller lathe would probably be handier. And would probably have a higher top speed, which I like when finishing on the lath.

Of course, pen turning is it's own bottomless pit within another bottomless pit, so if you're light on time, space, and money, it may be good to stay away.

[phrog]

I've read so-so reviews about the Delta because of its Reeves drive but it can turn larger pieces if I ever get around to it.


Thanks,
Paul

The HF 34706 that a lot of people on this site have, has a Reeves drive. I've never had any problem with mine although I have read that it can be hard on belts. I started turning really small stuff and now I'm getting into bigger stuff - it happens. Believe me. Most anything you can do on a smaller lathe you can also do on a larger lathe but not vice versa.

Most lathes use either MT-1 or MT-2 accessories; so it may be that the accessories for one will fit the other but you will have to try them to see (or read the manuals).

[leehljp]

IF - you find that you like turning, I think you will appreciate two different lathes.

As to the tools, IF you really get into it, especially some detail work, I also think you will find that you will need the precision of fine tuning the chisels.

I personally have more trouble with carbide on chisels than non-carbide. Carbide tools have the cutting heads higher up level with the top of the shank. I can and do use them but go back to my finer non-carbide for finish work.

Some hints: Practice practice practice. Try to make something and then again. Then look at the mistakes, write them down and go back to that point and practice pracrtice practice on what has been giving you trouble. Do not think about making anything at this point, just focus on learning how to overcome that area of difficulty. Maybe 2 or 3 hours or maybe 5 or 6 hours or more.

Notice that hard wood requires a different chisel than soft wood for smoothing out (before sandpaper). Little thinks like this make a big difference in the outcome and experience.

[sscherin]

From what I can tell both lathes use a 1" x 8 tpi spindle nose and MT2 taper in the tail..

Whatever you get for one will fit both in regards to chucks, drives and centers.

Tool posts are different.. 1" on the delta and 5/8 for the Rikon.

As for practice I would try a few pen kits.. PSI has some nice starter sets that come with the drills and bushings.. Just add wood..

No need to get all the fancy mandrels.. I do 90% of my work between centers. Drill my blanks on the lathe. too.

If you screw up new tubes are not much $$ and you don't have to assemble the kit till you get finish one you like..


Don't be like me and order a Carbon fiber blank right off and plan to turn it after a few wood ones... Good $15 lesson there..


As for sharpening lathe tools.. I use my belt sander. I may not be the best example to follow

[JR]

I'm a very inexperienced turner, but one thing I know is you have sharpen the tools. Frequently. All the time. Before, during, and after turning.

If the Rikon is no. 70-100, it has a 1" x 8tpi spindle nose. That's a very common size, and is likely what the Delta has as well. This would make most spindle chucks compatible between the two. It looks like it has a fairly standard cast iron base, so tool rests would be compatible, too.

The Rikon is small enough that you probably don't need a stand. It could handles pretty easily to place it on your bench. As has been mentioned, it would be handy for smaller projects, especially pens. Plus it has a 12-position index head - a very nifty feature.

The greater swing of the Delta will be nicer for bowl work. It looks like the Delta has reversing head, making it possible to eventually do large bowls. The extra length plus the duplicator (be still my beating heart!) would be great for spindles.

Summary: after verifying their compatibility, keep them both. You have to learn to sharpen anyway.

edit: Oh, and FWIW, the turners I know say that once you're on top of the learning curve, a great aspect of it is that you can go in the shop with little planning, chuck up a piece of would and go at it. If you have only 20 minutes available and a jones make some shavings, turning is a great activity.

[JR]

Tool posts are different.. 1" on the delta and 5/8 for the Rikon.

Ah, I didn't catch that. It's possible the bases for the tool rests could be moved from machine to machine, if necessary.