Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
About to push the button
Carole in VA
>On a Jet Mini. Am also ordering the bed extension. Problem is, I don't want to get the lathe and not have any turning tools to try it out with. What is a good start that won't break the bank? I want to turn pens, ornaments, a column for a candle stand (an immediate need!) and eventually some small bowls. Any suggestions on what to get and where to get them? I am ordering the lathe from Amazon, but doesn't look like they have much of a selection of tools.
Re: About to push the button *LINK*
Andrew Hilton
>Good choice on lathe. It should serve you well for a long time and a large variety of projects.
An economical and worthy starter set of tools can be found at Harbor Freight. These are the sets that I have for my students that don't have tools yet. They work well enough, are safe, and the spear-point tool on the larger set can be reground into another scraper.
Small 3 piece set good for pens and smaller turnings for $10 US ...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47100
An 8 piece set for $35 US ...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=47066
Once you become familiar with the tools, your skills and what you are really interested in, you can fill in that set with individual namebrand tools later.
For bowl turning, I would suggest a namebrand Sorby, Crown, Hamlet, etc. 3/8" or 1/2" bowl gouge from another source (A local store, Crafts Supply, Packard, Woodcraft, etc. etc.) to start with. You'll be looking at around $35 - $60 for that tool alone but it's worth it even from the beginning.
Harbor Freight
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Dick Hines
>You just couldn't stand it any longer. Now you will be one of us over on the dark side. Maybe I should not tell you this until you get your lathe but once on the dark side you can never return.
You will lvoe the Jet mini. I don't knpw how I get along before I got mine. I would not give up my PM 3520 though.
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� Joe Millsap
>Go buy you a good brand of tools. Dont buy any carbon steel just high speed. I would get a 3/4 in roughin gouge for pens. That is all that I used and have taught others to turn pens. A parting tool,spindle gouge and bowl gouge and you can turn about anything you want to turn.
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Barry Turner
>You will like the Jet mini. I know I do. I have a Stubby on order, but plan to keep the mini. As for tools, buy quality rather than quantity. I would suggest brand name HSS tools like Sorby, Hamlet or Crown. To start, a 1/8" parting tool, a 3/8" spindle gouge and a 1/2" skew will get you started. Later you could add a 3/8" bowl gouge and perhaps a 1/2" spindle gouge. Or you could get a starter set of tools. Have fun.
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Jesper, Denmark
>I will second this recommendaton. Stay away from carbon steel as you will get frustrated enough to strat with without having to deal with overheated tool edges from grinding.
Did I say you will be sharpening a lot?
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Barbara Gill, Remlik Virginia
>Welcome to the round side. You might want to buy Bill Grumbine's DVD.
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Tony - Memphis
>Hi Carole. I've really enjoyed my jet mini. I'm not a "turner," I mostly do furniture parts. Still learning! I took advice from the forum and bought the Sorby tools. I read Bill Grumbine's article and got pretty much the tools he suggested. Matter of fact, I was out in the shop hacking on some maple legs on my mini last night. These legs are 2 1/4 square and over 30" and the lathe performed very well. Hope you enjoy your new toy. I'm still hoping to take some lessons someday to see what I'm doing wrong. One thing I learned - sharp tools make a big difference.
Tony
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Carole in VA
>Thanks all! I ended up ordering the Henry Taylor Basic turning set from LV to start. It includes 4mm, 6mm and 9mm spindle gouges, a 13mm skew chisel, and a 3mm parting tool. Just went to the library and got what books they had on turning (all 3 of them.) Now I know why I have been saving all those cut offs and scraps! LOL
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Keith Tompkins
>Hi Carole, get the variable speed model....you will be glad you did....Packard Woodworks is great to deal with for tools....Hint! detail gouge!
