Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
big lathes
John Lucas
>When I started turning everyone had 12 x 36 lathes with 1/2 or 3/4 horse motors and we were all resonably happy. How did we get from that to all of us wanting 16 and 20 " swing or bigger and 600 to 900 lb behemoths? Has woodturning changed that much.
Maybe we all just grew?
Dominic Greco at home in Richboro, PA
>
John,
When I say "grow", I mean out grow the smaller lathes that used to me the "norm" for woodworking. The Jet 1236 and comparable Delta come to mind. Having owned the Jet 1236, I can attest that I outgrew it pretty rapidly.
One reason was that I wanted to turn larger bowls. But I also craved the stability of a more massive lathe. Getting a chance to turn on Bill Grumbine's Poolewood will do that to you! :>) All that cast iron made for one steady lathe and a very pleasant experience.
And I think that Delta, Powermatic, Jet, Nova, Vega, and the other manufacturers saw the demand for more massive, yet still affordable machines and started making inroads into that market.
Just my thoughts on the matter.
See ya around,
Dominic
Re: Maybe we all just grew?
John Lucas
>Dominic
My first real lathe(after the shopsmith and a homemade lathe) was a Delta 12 x 36 variable speed. I liked it and turned a lot of stuff. It would dance around the floor and I'd chase it and turn a bowl.
Then I got to turn on my friend Joe Looper's modified metal lathe. The Loopty loop as he called it had a 5 horse motor a 30" swing and wieghted as much as my car. It spoiled me so I see what you mean by we grew.
Maybe the lathe size needs to match...
Clem Wixted
>the size of the turner?!:-)
Re: Maybe we all just grew?
JamieDonaldson
>John- what has happened with Joe's big red machine-is it still trapped in the room where he built it??
Re: Maybe the lathe size needs to match...
RonZ
>the size of the ego?
Re: big lathes
Ruth Niles
>John,
My first lathe was the Craftsman monotube, 12" swing. I turned on that for 10 years and would probably still be using it if I hadn't found the woodturning discussion forums! I had no idea there were so many other lathes, after reading about what this one does or that one's advantages, I was convinced I could be a better turner on a better and bigger lathe.
I now have a General 26020 and a Jet Mini and, you know what, I believe I'd be just as good a turner if I'd kept that Craftsman and just kept learning how to be a better turner. Don't misunderstand, I love my General.
I believe lathes are like everything else in this world; we are easily convinced we need xyz by advertisers, merchandizers, other turners or endorsements. But isn't it FUN to buy a new lathe or tool!?!
Ruth
Re: Maybe we all just grew?
John Lucas
>Jamie
Deryl Duer who is the current president of the TAW bought it. He's now turning on a Oneway 2436 so I guess the Loopty Loop is just sitting. If anyone want's it I'll ask him if it's for sale.
Re: Maybe the lathe size needs to match...
John Lucas
>I was going to mention Bill Grumbine on the first one I understand he's at least twice the man I am, but I don't think the Ego one fits him.
Re: big lathes
John Lucas
>Ruth
Rule #1. Never pass up a chance to get a new tool. After getting my Powermatic and turning everything on it for a while I am now going back to my Nova Comet for my smaller work. The ease of moving the tool rest and tailstock make the job go faster. I can also stop that lathe almost instantly to inspect the work, which I do often. I have wait for the Powermatic to use the electronic brake to slow down. It doesn't take long but when your in production mode you don't want to wait.
Re: big lathes
JL
>My motivations for a bigger lathe were stiles and legs. You can't turn a 35" leg on a 36" lathe that comfortably. The 1 1/2 hp motor also makes a difference.
Cause and effect
Fred in NC
>In those olden days we had no internet . . .
we had paper catalogs, and we had to send for them. To send for them we had to know the manufacturer existed, and had a catalog. Most of us had the Sears catalog, with all the Craftsman tools in them.
In those olden days we had no Badger's Pond, and no Woodcentral. We had no idea that somebody out there had a bigger, beefier lathe, and was making bowls bigger than ours.
In those olden days we had no AAW and no magazine with pretty ads for colorful lathes.
In those olden days we had not heard of stores like Woodcraft, etc. with shiny tools lined up near the window.
Etc.
Just my $2.22 opinion indexed to the price of gas.
Re: Maybe the lathe size needs to match...
RonZ
>I'm 5'5" and own a VL300 shortbed with 1 meter extension, both on factory original base. It wasn't my ego, I was making a one time purchase and wanted to get all that I can in one shot. If I were to do it all over again I'd get the VL200 long bed. The VL300 is to big for me and I have to stand on a box I made to turn.
Re: Cause and effect
JamieDonaldson
>Opinion value news, both good and bad- mine dropped to $2.05 when I filled the Highlander yesterday!!!
