Newby-Power Tools?

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Scott Greaves, Blackfoot Idaho

>Would you be better off with a variable speed lathe? Yes. But not enough that it is really important. Lots of people turn on a non-VS lathe every day, and turn things more beautiful than I ever will!

Now, things that will make a difference are other people who have been where you're at, to help guide you along. This place is great for that! And since you mention you're into pens, I'd also suggest Penturners.org. Just looking through the photo albums there will provide you an endless supply of inspiration!

Good Luck!

Scott.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Carole in VA

>I got the non-vs Jet mini. Spent the extra $$$ on turning tools, pen mandrel, kits etc. Doesn't bother me with pen turing cause I have gotten to where I usually leave it on it's fastest or next to fastest speed all the time anyway. I just hope I remember to slow it down if/when I decided to put some sort of off balance blank or something weird in it!

Drill press...I use a Delta 16.5" floor model but if all you are going to turn is pens (famous last words!) just be sure the quill travel on whatever you buy is great enough to drill your blanks all the way through. And I would think run-out would be a pen turner's worst enemy since it would ennlarge the hole that the brass tubes go into.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

J L

>DOON'T buy cheap for your drill press. Look at the quill or spindle travel and figure the maximum distance you might ever want. The Jet 17" has about 4 3/8" of quill travel and one of the Delta 16 1/2"s has about 4 3/4". This may be enough for what you want. The smaller Deltas and Jets have lesser amounts of quill travel (around 3"). Sears does have similar models as does Grizzly. You will want one that can do what you need it to do. If 3-3 1/4" works - get a small bench top. If you need the extra inch or so - it will be a floor model.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Wood Spinner

>Welcome and glad to hear from you.

Get some help from an experienced turner and join a club.

I agree with JL, "dont buy cheap" but that goes for all power tools. First you will need a method to sharpen your tools. A slow grinder and a Tormec if you can afford both. Get a table top or floor drill press with 3"+ travel. If you can afford it get a band saw also. The next is a chain saw and then a table saw.

Just my opinion but I use all of the above. I put them in the order of what I consider the most important.

This is a great Forum, ask all you want to know.

Good turning and be safe

Bill in Casa Grande, AZ.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Barry Turner

>By "entry-level", I hope you mean Jet Mini and not the Jet Pen Lathe. The Mini is a fine entry-level lathe and is an unbeatable value. It is solid, smooth and quiet. The Jet Pen Lathe is just barely what you need to turn a couple of pens. It almost looks like a toy. If this is what you have, and it was a gift, thank the giver profusely, then quietly sneak it back to the store and swap it for a Jet Mini. you won't be sorry.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Barry Turner

>As for VS, don't worry about it. I have the belt and pulley model. In the sizes of stock that you can turn within the capacity of a Jet Mini, VS is just not that big a deal. Oh, it's nice, just not a really great advantage.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Dick Hines

>I also have a Jet mini along with a 3520 PM. Both hace VS. The Jet is on the high speed pullies and if I need a slower speed I uesily change belts. Very seldom use the VS. Now if I am going to turn big chunks or off balance stuff I will go to the Pm. I will also use the VS control. I only turn big stuff as fast as I think it is safe.

As far as grinders get a good 8" grinder and you don't need a slow speed either. The paper work with the Wolverine systme recomends a grinder with a speed of 3450RPM. The Tormek is a good system but takes to long to sharpen your tools. I free handed my tools until just resently and then broke down and bought a Wolverine system. Kick myself in the but every time I use it for not getting one earlier.

Re: Newby-Power Tools?

Barry Turner

>You have the best of both worlds. A Mini for small work and a 3520 for everything else. My Jet Mini stays on one of the mid to high speed pulleys 85% of the time. If I am roughing a bowl blank, then I go to the slowest speed. I doubt VS would be much of an advantage for the type of turning that I do.....lidded boxes, wine stoppers, paperweights, ornaments, a few pens, etc.

About VS

Scott Greaves, Blackfoot Idaho

>In my earlier response to you I indicated that VS was nice but not all that important. Since then a lot of people have said that VS is not important, and they are not wrong.

But to say that you'll not use the VS feature if you were to get it is wrong. I have the Jet Mini VS, and I also have a Oneway 1224 that has VS. Mostly I turn pens, and I have to say I use the VS a couple of times on every pen. I particularly like the VS on the Oneway because it goes down to about 50rpm, which is real slow. Real slow is nice for applying a CA (Super Glue) finish to a pen, as it doesn't tend to flip the glue back in your face!

I like to "dial in" the speed for turning pens. Some materials just turn better at different speeds. If it doesn't feel just right, I adjust the speed, and it usually helps.

So don't sweat it if you don't get Variable Speed. But also realize that if you get it, you will enjoy it!

Scott.