Hi I am new to the forum and have been turning during the warm weather of the last few years. This winter I want to get a lathe for inside the house. I am renter and can't rewire my house, (without getting in evicted). I can't set up shop in my living room (without killing thousands in AV equipment or losing my girlfriend) nor can I stand to be outside most of the winter in the cold and wet that is central ohio (due to bad knees and less than Ideal turning conditions). I am looking for a lathe and Dust collection system that will fit against a 6 foot wall with some space to spare on either end. This will be in my laundry room which measure a total of 6x12 most of which is taken up by W&D, chest freezer, and a sink. I also need to keep the noise down because my rental is a duplex and my work space will be adjoining the neighbors laundry room (can't annoy her she is hot and may one day be a girlfriend).
My first thoughts are to get a mini lathe as I won't be making anything bigger than pens or christmas ornaments in an inside shop. I prefer to stay with 1x8tpi with a #2mt as my chuck and centers are already that size. What I would like to hear any opinions on is how the delta midi or jet mini compare to the PSI mini or anything bad about the PSI. The delta and jet are both good lathes but considerably more expensive that the PSI. Since I don't do much work from november through february as a landscaper I need to consider my budget. I already have a good lathe so I am not in the market to replace something either. If anyone has big ideas for controling dust in that small of an area I would love to hear them. My thought is to surround the work area with a shower curtain and have a furnace vent on a box fan. I know this method works for scroll sawing but not sure how it will work for a lathe with produces much for waste and dust.
Lastly I would like some advice on the good pen kits, where can I find them or order them cheapest from. I am just turning them to keep me from going crazy while holed up inside, making money from them comes later. Secondly is a self centering pen drilling vice, assembly press, or other jigs I haven't thought of are they worth the money. And the last item is completely unneccesary for me but I would like to hear any oppinions none the less. I am looking at the PSI super blank cutters http://www.pennstateind.com/catalog/p/045.htm I like the idea of starting with round pen blanks and the ease of making end grain blanks.
Also which would be a better buy a barrel trimmer or small belt sander?
I guess I should also mention for when I need them in my outside shop I have A radial arm drill press, radial arm saw, 14" bandsaw with risers, 5hp compressor, 18" chainsaw, and various other tools with no turning applications. For inside work I also have a mini drill press band and scroll saws.
My first thoughts are to get a mini lathe as I won't be making anything bigger than pens or christmas ornaments in an inside shop. I prefer to stay with 1x8tpi with a #2mt as my chuck and centers are already that size. What I would like to hear any opinions on is how the delta midi or jet mini compare to the PSI mini or anything bad about the PSI. The delta and jet are both good lathes but considerably more expensive that the PSI. Since I don't do much work from november through february as a landscaper I need to consider my budget. I already have a good lathe so I am not in the market to replace something either. If anyone has big ideas for controling dust in that small of an area I would love to hear them. My thought is to surround the work area with a shower curtain and have a furnace vent on a box fan. I know this method works for scroll sawing but not sure how it will work for a lathe with produces much for waste and dust.
Lastly I would like some advice on the good pen kits, where can I find them or order them cheapest from. I am just turning them to keep me from going crazy while holed up inside, making money from them comes later. Secondly is a self centering pen drilling vice, assembly press, or other jigs I haven't thought of are they worth the money. And the last item is completely unneccesary for me but I would like to hear any oppinions none the less. I am looking at the PSI super blank cutters http://www.pennstateind.com/catalog/p/045.htm I like the idea of starting with round pen blanks and the ease of making end grain blanks.
Also which would be a better buy a barrel trimmer or small belt sander?
I guess I should also mention for when I need them in my outside shop I have A radial arm drill press, radial arm saw, 14" bandsaw with risers, 5hp compressor, 18" chainsaw, and various other tools with no turning applications. For inside work I also have a mini drill press band and scroll saws.
