getting started???

Re: getting started???

Carole in VA

>You'll be sorry! LOL I have a whole shop full of woodworking tools, then I had to go and buy a Jet mini last week. It is my first lathe. I have not touched my other tools since I got it except to cut blanks. I am sure the experienced turners will answer your question. I really don't know enough yet to help you, but I can tell you one thing...it's FUN!

Re: getting started???

J L

>Can we say can of worms?? It depends on what your budget is. Take a turning class or two, attend a couple of local turning club meetings. Look before you purchase and look again. Everyone has a preference, but you can't buy everything. You may conside starting with a Jet mini - it is lower in cost and quite capable. If you really get bitten by the bug, you may upgrade later and keep the mini as something to turn small stuff.

Re: getting started???

Tom In Red Deer

>Don't Do It !!!

It is way too much fun ! That can cause medical problems. You can develope "inchitis" always wanting more lathe capacity. That can cost money. You can become a "wood scrounger" causing all your friends and neighbors to ban you from their yards and acreages.

You will lose sleep thinking of new projects. You will spend hours reading this forum getting ideas and solving problems.

I guess the worst thing that could happen is that you will enjoy yourself, learn things, develop your own style and heaven forbid, you might actually end up with somebody wanting to buy your work!

I started like you, just over a year ago. Now,

the car lives out in the snow, I have 3 lathes to feed, there is a vacuum cleaner inside the kitchen door so I can "sanitize" myself every time I come in the house.

I wouldn't change a thing. I love every minute I am turning. The only thing I would do different is bite the bullet and go for a big lathe to start. I have a Jet mini, a 12x36 no-name and a metal lathe. Although they all work well and I have now made over 300 pieces on them,none of these are big enough for what I really want to do.

If you can afford a big machine to start...go for it..if not, then it is all experience.

Tom in Red Deer

Re: getting started???

Walt C

>My advice? Don't buy a cheap lathe.

It doesn't take much to spin wood around. It takes a lot to avoid vibration, have easily adjustable controls, tool rests etc, and that is what makes the difference.

I used an old lathe inherited from my dad, and it worked OK, but I spent a lot of time adjusting to the machine.

I bot a new Jet 1442 and am delighted with how it will set up and do what I want. If you want a cheap lathe, get a small good lathe for about $300 , and then sell it if you outgrow it.

Turning is about skill with the tools, sharpening them right, reading the wood and generating pleasing shapes. Why frustrate yourself with an unresponsive tool?

My $.02

Walt Cheever, who is trying to get bowls done for his Christmas list.

Re: getting started???

ChuckS

>Find a class or a turning club! Woodturners like nothing better than bring another person along. Helps us to justify our insanity. No-- makes us feel better by watching them spend lots of money on new, gotta have tools.... No, that's not quite it, either. It's satisfying to see somebodly develop skills & have fun.

Where are you?

If you can't find a warm body to show/teach, videos, preferably on DVD, are a good start. Spread the word that they make good gifts.... Craft Supplies USA

http://craftusa.com/

has good selection, as does Manny' Woodworker's Place,

manyswoodworkersplace.com

Your local Woodcraft store should also have some for rent.

A Jet Mini, Harbor Freight HSS tools, an 8" grinder, grinding jigs, a face sheild, and something like a Resp-o-rator, will get you going without completely breaking the bank. That comes later...

Have fun,

Chuck

Re: getting started???

John Weeks

>All of the previous responses provide good advice. My two bits with respect to choice of lathe is this: get either the Jet Mini or Delta Midi (which in fact is a mini - virtually the same size as the jet) OR skip the models coming in pricewise between these and $1000. For a bit over $1000 you get greater capacity and a electronically controlled variable speed motor - the Delta 1642 (which I have), the comparable Jet model and the Nova 3000 are the kinds of things to look at.

But I think the Jet Mini is an excellent way to get started - I've still got mine!

Re: getting started???

Roly (So Cal)

>Lessie, you are about to embark on a never-ending journey, which will change your life. I think the best way to get introduced into the turning lifestyle is to actually visit an active woodturner, have him (or her) explain the lathe pointers, then show you an actual turning process. That is how I get interested potential turners involved, and what better way than to get that bowl or platter spinning and let the newbie hold the tool and peel away the unwanted wood themselves. I know when I started, I found it an extremely satisfying passtime, and enjoy it to this day. You will find yourself sketching designs in your spare time and then transferring them to the whirling wood on your newly purchased lathe. Enjoy, and join the club of happy turners.

Roly Nelson, (been rollin' all my life)

Re: getting started???

Dick Hines

>Unlimited funds would nice. I have had lots of bugs in my life but this one has cost me more and given me more pleasure than most.

I have spent my money on, bass boats, canoes, kayaks,fly fishing equpemnt, volleyball, motorcycles and bonsais just to name a few. Of all them wood turning is the most habit forming.

Onec you start you may never stop.