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Newbie takes the plunge

R

rechilcot

Joined
Jun 11, 2006
Messages
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Location
Woodbridge, VA
On Fri. I purchased my first lathe for my shop. I have been considering a midi lathe (Jet, PSI, and etc.) since I generally do flat projects and my shop is relatively small. But an email deal reared its ugly head. Harbor Freight sent me a 20% off coupon any one item. Grabbing my keys to my truck, I was off to HF. Upon arriving, I noticed thier HF34706 was on sale for $199 and with the coupon it was $159. It was a deal to good to pass up, since I was just wanting to augment my woodworking skills with a few turnings. Armed with a couple of lathe turning instruction videos, a few HSS turning tools, and a few pieces of 2x2 pine. After a couple of minutes, I turned a fairly decent spindle and honey dipper. I was amazed not only with my ability to do anything on a lathe, but also with the lathe. From first hand experience with a drill press, I have considered HF tools to be bottom feeders on the quality food chain, but this lathe appears to be different. While the castings are not a work of art, the fit and finish of the tool is quite passable.
Well it is off the shop to make more shavings. I fear I am on a slippery slope. To be continued...
 
rechilcot said:
Well it is off the shop to make more shavings. I fear I am on a slippery slope. To be continued...
Click to expand...

Your fears are well founded, keep wallet locked in safe that only LOYL has the combination to ;) ...........have the same lathe, has been doing anything I've asked of it so far. Not the most powerful tool but more than adequate for this hobbiest to learn on.

Jim
 
you're doomed!! You've fallen into our vortex never to return to the flat world again. Sell your table saw before it becomes just a table and, most inportantly, welcome to the round world!
 
Texian said:
No, don't sell that table saw. You will want it when you eventually get into segmented turning.
Click to expand...
Nah, I use mine for a table. Since it has a 48" fence, it make a nice large stable table, to set my turnings on.
 
First woodworking flu, then tablesawitis, jointer jaundice, bandsaw backache, planer pneumonia and now virus turnensis, what's a fellow going to do? If I contact any more diseases, SWMBO will use a rough gouge on my head.
 
:p
Not sure I can find mine (TS) anymore...

I wanted to rip something down this weekend, but gave it up when I saw all the stuff piled up on it.... I figure I'll rip it today at the cabinet shop.

Welcome to the vortex, and many happy returns of the day!
 
Remember the secret greeting - Hi I'm (fill in name), I'm an wood turning addict! :D

I've owned that model lathe for over 3 years - it's nothing fancy but sure got me started off right. Now that I upgraded to a much bigger unit it has become a dedicated buffing station/backup unit.

Welcome to the addiction!!

Wilford
 
Thank you one and all for the warm greetings. BTW: I'm Rich Chilcot and I am woodworking, wood turning addict and tool junkie. Somebody help me :D
 
Rich,

Welcome. I'm new to turning also (7 months) and my addiction is growing worse. :eek:

I will say that the members in the AAW forum are a friendly and helpful bunch. You'll get LOT'S of help and good information here.
 
Rich, there is only one way out at this point. If you stop now before you get in too deeply then there is hope. Once you start turning wood and making bowls, pens, vases, etc, then you will be totally immersed. Soon you'll start thinking:
  • "hmmmm, that burl on my neighbor's tree is probably causing that tree a lot of harm, I wonder when they are going to cut it down".
  • those tree trimmers are making a lot of progress on my neighbor's tree, they probably won't mind if I take just a few pieces
  • SWMBO didn't really want to use the garage for cars anyhow, now that it is 3/4 full of wood and tools
  • you might justify certain expenses like the annual symposium as something you NEED in order to eventually make a profit
  • if I just had xyz catalog, it would round out my woodturning catalog collection so that I would have the full complement of 50 turning catalogs

The nice thing about this obsession is that you will eventually start to make stuff and give it away. I have not met single person yet who has turned down a free bowl/vase/pen.
 
Welcome to the Abyss, Rich! I, too, am a new turner. I didn't get the HF unit, although it was a consideration. I wound up with the Wilton 99177 (mini lathe available through Amazon)---my wife got it for me for my birthday. I've had it now for about 3 weeks, and am already:

--looking for a spigot/tenon chuck
--considering an 1MT Jacobs chuck
--considering an 1MT center set
--looking for a good caliper set
--wondering about various grinds of scrapers, and how to acquire them
--thinking about crank-necked hollowing tools
--wondering how I'm going to make my first "wood score"

Good luck!
 
Rich,

We are your support group, dude, so don't hesitate to call on us for help through the tough times. Now that you have tried some softwood, you may be wanting to experiment around with some hard wood, but don't go solo on this one, man. Call on a friend when you feel the need to do some hard wood. There is probably a support group (woodturning club) near you and they can show you the safe way to "do wood". Also, be cool and don't snort the wood dust -- it's a killer -- use a dust mask. Finally, it is important to acknowledge that you really are a "woodie" -- it is the first step in your progress towards dealing appropriately with this condition.

Bill
 
How quickly it infects...

It seems odd to me just how immediate the infection takes hold. It was the same for me, a few cuts and that was it. And this thread has also reminded me that I have a table saw! Two in fact! Now where can they be? Surely not under that pile of seasoned blanks ready for mounting?

Good luck with your turning. I hope you won't miss flat work too much :)

Andy
 
Yah, it's kinda like smallpox or anthrax in that way. Progression from exposure to full infection, to disability status is pretty rapid. Ah well. At least we end up with shavings and goodies instead of puss.

Dietrich
 
Sell your table saw before it becomes just a table and, most inportantly, welcome to the round world!
Click to expand...

Never, ever, ever sell or get rid of a tool, especially a power tool! Unless of course you replace it with a newer/bigger/better model. Remember, "He who dies with the most tools wins..."

brian
 
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