Thread: Help! Looking to buy a lathe

Looking to buy a lathe for myself and seeking advice. This will be a first. Budget is around $500. There are a few options at this range:

Jet JWL 1015:Amazon.com: Jet JWL-1015 Wood Working Lathe: Home Improvement

Nova Comet II
Amazon.com: NOVA 46300 Comet II Variable Speed Mini Lathe 2013 Edition, 12-Inch x 16 1/2-Inch, Silver: Home Improvement

Grizzly GO624
Amazon.com: Grizzly G0624 Cast Iron Bench Top Wood Lathe, 10-Inch: Home Improvement


Rikon 70-100 (currently out of stock)
Amazon.com: RIKON 70-100 12-by-16-Inch Mini Lathe: Home Improvement

Not planning to quit my day job but would like a unit to learn on, put out some small projects.
From the beautiful work I see on this sight I trust your expertise and opinions.
Thanks
B.

Personally, get the midi lathe size from whatever vender. A lot more room to work and there have been some threads where the person added a shaft and made a sander buffer combination.
Maybe Randydancer will chime in.
~Richard

For the hobby guys,the jets are nice little lathes,but consider the tooling you will need can be the same cost if not more than the lathe.
My tooling for both my lathes far exceeds what they are worth

I have a harbor freight lathe. Its basicaly a jet in green paint. With coupons and sales igot it for about . $200.

I bought my Jet 1236 lathe for $500 off of CraigsList. I have spent about $1200 on turning tools, a grinder/sharpener, a miter saw and other necessities.

You will surely want a chuck too. Luckily the lathe I bought came with one that has several jaw sets with it.

I have a lot of fun making things. I made a lot of spinning tops to start with learning how to use the tools and other equipment properly. Little kids love them too. 8)

~Gary

Like Pixel said, the tools and accessories you will need will cost just as much as the lathe. As for the lathe, as Geezer said. A Midi sized is all you need. I would also recommend your local classifieds. I got my midi lathe, full set of tools, face plate, drive spur, and bed extension for $250. Best thing I ever did! Here's my setup with some of my accessories.



Ya I didn't clean up from the last project.

I bought the carbide bits for turning and made my own turning tools for a fraction of the cost. Butyou willneed the chuck.

Here are the carbide bits. You can get them online cheaper than what I paid. $15. Each but the tool alone are $100 and up the only difference is the length the bits are the same.

Very nice,love the handles.I was able to buy just the shafts with Bits because I wanted to make larger handles for them.
Been using the same Bits almost every day for maybe 8 yrs.
Are real easy to Re-sharpen.

Nice. How did you buy just the shafts and bits