Printable View
Ok guys, I'm considering getting into some turning and of course brushes would be one of the things I would be turning. I know absolutely nothing about them, so could you educate me? What do I look for? I want quality, but not necessarily top of the line as who knows if I will like it. I don't want to buy junk as I wouldn't be giving the craft a proper chance...get my drift? Your experiences are appreciated.
By no means do I qualify as "experienced".... But I'm Ok with my harbor freight special. Is cheap enough that if it breaks it's not heart breaking but IMO it's a good starter lathe.
I have an old craftsman that was my dads. I haven't used it enough to know anything but I do like it and will keep it until I feel I need an upgrade. My next step would be a Jet. A big upgrade for me right now would be turning tools. They can cost more than what makes the wood spin and from what I gather makes a huge difference. Or go all out and get a machine lathe. Don't forget to consider used. Well made used tools can be real gems for the price.
Oh and carbide tip chisels are a good idea too might have to modify your tool rest or have one made to properly use them though
Peruse Craiglist, buy old amercan steel, rockwell, delta.even some of the old craftsmen stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
My old rockwell 450-50 runs like a clock, is 40 yrs old,just put new spindle bearings in it.40 bux, will run another 40 yrs.
If your doing small turnings, you should look for a mini lathe. I do all my brush turning on a Delta LA200 shopmaster Midi lathe. Most of the mini lathes have a 10" swing, meaning you can turn a maximum diameter size of 10". It's all you need and the spindle size is one of the most common on these, meaning chucks, face plates, drill chucks, Morris taper,you'll have no problem finding accessories that fit. It also has speed ranges from 500rpm-3700rpm. Other brands that are good, Jet, General, Rikon, Oneway, Grizzly, PSI, and all have lathes Identical to the lathe mentioned above.
For head stock spindle sizes I would look for something with a 1" x 8 tpi Right hand thread, Morse taper #2. Tailstock with a Morse taper #2 as well. This is the most common sizes and every company that makes accessories,makes them in these sizes.
Edit, as Pixel has said, local classifieds is a woodworkers best friend when it comes to tools. I got my Delta for $250 all most brand new cause the previous owner had no idea how to operate it.
I have an Atlas 6" lathe - turns every material you can think of. Late 1950 - early 1960's model, very strong and very well built. It can get pricey depending on your accessories. They are somewhat collector items and they are all around great machines. I have a new variable motor and speed dial for precision, a few tool rests including one for hand tools. I make my own tools on a grinder. I found mine for $100 at a garage sale - put maybe $100 into restoration. Now it runs daily without problem or fail.
I broke the first two Harbor Freight machines I got. The first one in two days. The head stock is softer steel and stripping the key holes are easy. Smaller model was too light to support the weight of larger blanks, causing it to rock a little. I wont buy tools there at all now.
Harbor fright anything is all crap.JMO
I have two old Craftsmen lathes from the 40's-50's - my main issue with the one is it uses oil cups nothing wrong with that but it means it's using brass bushing's, which makes it sloppy (back and forth movement) tried snugging it up but it still has slop. I found the second one with bearing's. whether someone installed them or it came with it, it makes for a more true turning so I have had less issues. Another thing with the old lathes you could be stuck with an MT-1 taper, limiting your options, like Andrew said MT-2 is more readily available.
Is nothing wrong with Babbit bearings and oil cups, my southbend made in 1938 has been rebuilt twice by me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trimmy72
It will turn better than any lathe made today.
Good for you Scott! Are you set on only turning wood? That would obviously be a factor in choosing a lathe...
Shane
Agree, mine just has a lot of slop. I would like to restore it eventuallyQuote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
Ya, wood is my only intention at this time. I've been considering it a while, now I have to fine the one that is "just right".Quote:
Originally Posted by RoyalCake
Is there anything to look out for? Pitfalls? Bonuses? I plan on buying used.
Watch a lot of videos!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
#1 wiggle the spindle back and forth. anything over a dime's thickness is requiring some work.
Wiggle the spindle up and down, anyting like a click is work to be done.
Plan to use face masks and respirators immediately. I am sensitized to most hardwoods and pine and cedar because my bosses didn't think such things as filters and dust collectors were necessary.
Starting with a cheap lathe and good tools is a good idea. Do not plan to make money with it!
A lot of guys are doing very nice work and selling it now.
But who knows, you may come up with a great idea using it and then.................
Above all, Have fun looking for and playing with it! Find a mentor and you can save time and accidents!
~Richard
Another key think to check is that the headstock Centre, and the tail stock Centre line up perfectly. Slide the tail stock up to the headstock and the two points should line up. If they don't, you can make adjustments to fix it, but I would move on.
I passed on a wood lathe over the weekend because I have an old Atlas metal cutting lathe I need to get from my mothers house & it will serve both purposes, metal & wood. I passed on the wood lathe because of space. Once I get my metal cutting lathe over here, I'll be having all sorts of fun like I used too.
I don't think I'd buy any major tools from Hazard Fraught, but I got a nice little trim router for $20-$30 that works just fine for what I needed.
I had a similar problem. My solution was to get a set of shims from McMaster Carr & put one under the tailstock. Voila! Problem solved.Quote:
Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY
Restore that baby & do something positive with it. I just need to get mine over here....................25 miles away. My Harley is my only transportation so I'll need a friend with a truck to help me get it here. I have some brush handles I want to make.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trimmy72
I picked up a Jet JWL-1236 with tools , a drill chuck and a Nova Chuck for $450 off of CraigsList. It has no reverse, but is variable speed and fun to work with. I've been messing around with different pieces of wood from work and the local Wood Workers Source. Bought a bunch of $3-$5 pieces of Maple and Oak.
I also found a nice Maple Burl bowl blank for $15. Haven't decided on using it for something large or cutting it into smaller pieces to turn. It's about 10" wide by 4" thick.
The tools I have now are part of a package deal that Jet had with the lathe, I am looking to buy some better tool eventually , just not sure when yet.
If you want a smaller lathe, there are some 1015's for sale here locally.
The jet will serve you well,practice and learn how to sharpen your cutting tools.
No wood lathe that I have ever seen has reverse,cannot cut in reverse:) have fun
That's a nice lathe. You should be able to do fabulous things with that one. As for tools, the ones you have should work fine for many years. Just remember to keep and edge on them at all times. You'll find that certain tools become favorites, and you'll use them more than others.
And remember, ride the bevel! :)
Edit, about the tools. The only difference between good HSS tools and cheaper ones is you'll be sharpening more often with the cheaper. I have some delta ones that are OK, but don't hold an edge near as long as my Sheffield made tools.
Some do, and I wish mine had it. It's for sanding. The delta 46-460 has it and is a very nice mini lathe.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
You can sand and apply finishes in two directions.
Totally disagree, Harbor Freight doesn't make anything near as good as crap. Turds can be polished :-). I will admit to owning one piece of Harbor Freight gear. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I got it. It was a challenge project for machine work. I didn't have room for a proper dedicated horizontal band saw. There are groups on the Internet where people re-engineer and re-manufacture some Harbor Fright crap for fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by pixelfixed
To get my horizontal band saw to perform well, I did something to all of it except the casting:
1- Lathe turned the blade wheels to true up.
2- Replaced all of the bearings including those in the gear box (could not stand the grinding noise).
3- Pulled the gear box apart and tumbled the worm gear assembly.
4- Pulled the blade tension mechanism apart, replaced the tension rod and knob.
5- Designed and built a hydraulic load cell to measure and control blade tension.
6- Built a lubricant system for the blade.
7- Redesigned the blade tracking system and re-adjusted.
8- Designed and welded up a new stand for the saw.
9- Replaced the joke of a blade with a good bi-metal blade.
10- Built an adjustable hydraulic blade fall system to replace the joke of a spring.
It was a fun project to see if a total piece of &^%$ saw could be made to work correctly. Did I mention this was brand new?
It will cut a four inch blank to within about .004 inches top to bottom. I true it up on a lathe. It does what I need and I knew I was starting with garbage.
Friends don't let friends shop at Harbor Fright...
Best,
Ed
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ thats funny:)
You could make yourself a brush and matching bowl with a piece that size. Maple burl has wonderful grain and is not too difficult to turn.Quote:
Originally Posted by PHANTZM
That's a good idea. I'll have to find a way to cut it though , no band-saw ..........yet. 8)Quote:
Originally Posted by irish19
You could use a hand saw. It'll just take a bit longer.
Finially stuck back $500 and was doing some real looking for a good used lathe...a friend calls me up about a gun. Starting over on a great gun deal. Now I am starting my lathe fund all over again :banghead:
Well now that we're all so involved, you gotta tell us the specifics on the gun. :) What kind?Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
Perfectly understandable.Quote:
Originally Posted by shooter74743
New, unfired, Glock 19 with hi-cap mags for $475. I have a couple of G-26's for my wife and I when we travel, so it fits nicely with my collection. It's a gen 3, but still a good deal on a unfired weapon.Quote:
Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY
Glock or lathe ...... hard choice there.
I would like both! It depends how many firearms ya got there I guess but a man can never have enough guns. I would go for the gun but ya need to set aide a lathe fund!Quote:
Originally Posted by PHANTZM
Ya only need one gun (that you know how to use) cannot have to many lathes:)
Attachment 181041
Glock or lathe is easy for me. Not a fan of the Glock ( I know I'm one of very few) I prefer my XD tactical. Have a die hard Glock friend who took a few mags through the XD out of curiosity and ended up purchasing one the following week.
As far as lathes go, I'd like one here soon lol
Just do it,with a Glock you can Kill stuff,or punch holes in paper,with a lathe you can make things:)
With a Glock,, you can make people do a lot of things,,,,:shrug:
Honestly, I am not a "fan" either as no poly weapon feels right IMO. What I do feel about the glocks is that I respect them as a super durable tool, it's the ak-47 (great fun rifles, not accurate at all, but go bang every time too) of the pistol world. I have lots of tools for lots of tasks, but not a lathe...yet. That will be my goal for 2015Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake77
When Lathes are outlawed,only outlaws will have lathes,The feds will have to pry my cold dead hands off my custom made carbide tools:)
Make chips.not war.
Attachment 182077
