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new lathe

J

Jude

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Jul 6, 2006
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Hey yall
I just got up enough money to get a new lathe. My problem is which one. I am currently looking at 2, for now, turncrafter plus, and the grizzly g8690.
I onmly have about 200 to spend and I know I have to get a new mandrel for it also. Does any one have any input or steering directions :p
Right now I am turning pens but would like to get into bowls cups and thinghs.
I would realy like some help.
Thanks Jude
 
Third Option

Jude said:
Hey yall
I just got up enough money to get a new lathe. My problem is which one. I am currently looking at 2, for now, turncrafter plus, and the grizzly g8690.
I onmly have about 200 to spend and I know I have to get a new mandrel for it also. Does any one have any input or steering directions :p
Right now I am turning pens but would like to get into bowls cups and thinghs.
I would realy like some help.
Thanks Jude
Click to expand...

I've not seen a descent tube-bed lathe (aside from a VB-36, of course) that was worth the effort to take it to the dumpster.

The turncrafter "plus" has a minimum speed for 750 rpm which is way too fast.

The TurncrafterPro midi for about $40 more (still under $200) would seem a much better option since you can't step up to a JET. With a 10" swing, 500 rpm low speed, and 80 pounds of weight to lessen vibration, you'll be better off there at $178. Go to www.pennstateind.com , click on lathes, and scroll down the page.
 
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Hi Jude,

I'd personally recommend skipping both of the lathes you listed and getting a Mini from a reputable manufacturer such as Jet, Delta, or Rikon. I've heard many mixed stories about the Grizzly and other inexpensive lathes, sufficient to give me the impression that you will have lucked out if you get one that works well, consistantly, and acurately.

The general statement "you get what you pay for" applies to buying a lathe. If you spend $200 on a big lathe with lots of bells and whistles, you can pretty much guarantee that they've made their money on it through quality reduction. If you spend the same $200 on a mini or midi, you're looking at a solid little bombproof lathe that you will continue to use many years down the road, even after you get your high end lathe. (and trust me, once you get started, there's no turning back and you WILL end up with a $2-6000 lathe someday) Also, that little mini will turn an amazingly large and out of balance piece of wood safely and without breaking. I still use mine at least as much as I do my big lathe.

Don't forget that you're going to have a solid investment in tools, safety equipment (faceshield and respirator), tools, tools, tools, and sandpaper. One hint on saving some money. Don't buy any wood. Unless you live in Antarctica or a desert, there will be plenty of trees around to harvest chunks from (and there's cool alternatives at each of those locations including bones, cactus skeletons, and ice). The only folks I know of that still buy alot of exotics and fully milled and dried woods are the folks who do minatures, pens, segmented turning, and various "dodads and gewgaws" like perfume sprays and keychains.

Finally, pick up the phone and call the president of your nearest AAW turning club. I can almost guarantee you that you'll have more help and support landing on your doorstep than you know what to do with.

Good luck and welcome to the VORTEX.
Dietrich
 
since you can't set up to a JET.

ACtually, you can get a Jet non VS for around $200 and it will often include a chuck or bed extension as extra. I personally like them as much or more than the VS since the VS doesn't give you any advantage on lowest speed and you don't give up your torque like you do with VS drives.


Also, if you check with your local woodworking stores, they will pretty regularly sell their display or floor models at a pretty good discount. Got my Mini that way 6 years ago for $200 when they were selling for 3.

Dietrich
 
Dietrich,

The PSI "pro" is a clone of the straight JET at $50 less. `From people I've spoken to PSI seems like a reasonable outfit to deal with so since he's not going to grab a used JET mini [people keep the cute lil' buggers] the PSI seems his better bet at $180.

No?
 
I hear ya barkin, Mark. I haven't had any experience with the PSI lathe. I do know that Penn State is similar to Grizzly in it's line of products. Sticking to the general value/price rule, $50 less on a Jet clone would get you a relatively similar lathe that will probably work just fine. Just make sure it has the horsepower and low speed range, and isn't some funky spindle size or not morse tapered.

I know the inexpensive PSI and Grizzly chucks have gotten fairly solid reviews. Not fancy, not "sweet", but functional and safe. It's just those " 14", variable speed, full bed, rotating headstock, alarm clock, coffeemaker, all for only $200" lathes that worry me, not so much for safety as for all the little problems and limitations you're going to run into that can take turning from a fun to a frustrating experience. That said, a friend uses one and has had no major problems beyond being underpowered.

I'm just a fan of getting the best product you can get for the money, even if it means "giving up" features that you want. Usually I find that the extra features don't make up for a lower quality product overall. With a lathe, I'm really hesitant to compromise as tollerances and machining are soooooo important.

Dietrich
 
you don't want the turn crafter plus. I think it is a mistake for anyone who is seriously considdering turning as a hobby to be buying anything with 3/4"x16tpi spindles and mt1. A $20 immediate savings is no bonus when you realize how much it costs you in the long run.

I do have experience with the turncrafter pro and it is a very good lathe for the money. I bought mine on amazon for $10 less with free shipping. PSI's service is going to be better though if you buy it directly through them should something go wrong. My friend and I both broke our tool rests the same week and when we called them to get replacements they sent him one right out and told me I had to send it to them and they would examine it and determine the break was my fault (it was) or a material failure and I had to pay to ship it and for return shipping. The only difference between the two sales was I bought mine on amazon he bought his directly. Before any of you come down on the rest breaking take a look on all the forums and see how many people break the rest on their jet minis (the number is quite high). Otherwise my PSI service on things bought directly through them was impecable. I simply replaced the rest myself with one from woodcraft.

However right now i am not reccomending people buy this as too often woodcraft has non VS minis with nova midi chucks for very cheap. All I can say about the rikon mini that is out that was commented on is it hasn't been on the market long enough for me to be comfortable about reccomending it, especially since I was less than pleased with my rikon 18" bandsaw i recently bought.
 
PSI pro

for this lathe I can not find out to change speeds do you have to move belt to a pully or does it have a dile.
And I know this is a dumb QT , forgive me I'M still new , WHAT IS A FACE PLATE? :confused:
As you can see I am using this drill lathe, Which by the way I just burned up my drill.
Thanks again Jude
 

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there is a door in the back and top so you can manualy move the pulley. It is a quick process. 1) release the tension on the belt by turning a leverand lifting up which moves th motor pulley close to the spindle pulley. 2)move the belt where you want it by open the doors 3) push the lever back down and tighten it up. I can change speeds in under minuite without giving much thought to it.

you screw your work piece to the faceplate and then screw the faceplate onto the drive spindle.
 
Thanks

:D I realy thank all yall.
I made my choice I went with the psi pro from penstate. The problem is I just went outside to see if it is here yet AND IT'S NOT why is it taking soooo long to get here :eek: . lol
Now all I have to do is wait and wait seince I burned up my drill motor. Oh well.

BUT THANKS A BUNCH YALL REALY HELPED ME.
Jude
 
My 20

I live in Mandeville Louisiana. It's about 30 miles from New Orleans.
 
Well, wierdly enough, there doesn't seem to be an AAW chapter in New Orleans but there is one in Lafeyette. Give them a ring (look on the chapters list on the main page). Just call the president or VP's number and ask for some mentoring. You'll be up to your eyes in offers in no time at all. More valuable than any tool or lathe is some hands on work with others.

Good luck,
Dietrich
 
And my point is made. Thanks, Mark.

Dietrich

P.S.(this site is just soooooo cool and you guys are all great, sob, sob, but that's another thread) :o
 
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