Thread: Kid in a candy store!

I have a dilemma, gentlemen...

In the space of the last 24 hours, the following have come into my life:

- some G10, faux ivory, bone blanks, and honey horn blanks from Masecraft
- a mini lathe
- some yellowheart turning stock, a forstner bit, and a brush knot from Lee Valley
- a 35-lb hunk of soapstone

No prizes for guessing whose tax return came through the other day...

So where do I start? Scales for the half-dozen or so naked blades sitting in my drawer? Have a bash a turning a brush handle or two? Attack the soapstone to see what it turns into?

I'm feeling paralyzed by too many options here, so suggestions are more than welcome...

I think I can tell by the quality of your dilemma, that you're doing just fine! I'm curious to see what becomes of the chunk of soapstone! The way I end up doing things, it would take 35 lbs to end up with a two ounce pipe tamper!! lol! I say break in the lathe and make some chips fly.

Which lathe did you get?

Originally Posted by Joegags

Which lathe did you get?

The cheapest one I could find. Normally that's exactly the opposite of what I do when buying tools, but there were several factors:

- I only want to do small projects, in this case shaving brushes
- I have *very* little space
- it was on clearance for $99 (for anyone else in Canada, it's on sale at Rona)

It's a Housemann 4"x10".

Haven't tried it so I don't know if it's any good yet. I suspect it's a piece of crap, but that's exactly what I expect for that price. If nothing else I figured it's a cheap way to see if I enjoy turning.

OK... change of plans. The lathe is going back to the store tomorrow. It's really, really crappily made so I'm not even going to try it out. However, now that I have some turning stock and a couple of gouges, I clearly need to buy a better lathe.

I know your at leevalley frequently, what about the mini lathe that they have there? Their stuff is always high end, its going to be good!

Originally Posted by HARRYWALLY

I know your at leevalley frequently, what about the mini lathe that they have there? Their stuff is always high end, its going to be good!

I thought about that one, but passed because it needs an external motor and I'm *really* hard up for space. So for now I'm really looking for something small but well made and with an integral motor. And, since I'm just trying out this turning thing, I'm hoping for something towards the cheaper end of the scale. Don't want to loose my shirt if I decide to sell on.

I may just bide my time and wait for something to come up on kijiji.

Start with what you believe is the easiest. Complete the task, this builds confidence for those difficult jobs ahead & shortens the task list.

I have this problem when I want to start new projects; jumping into the deep end immediately , only to have to swim to the side & catch my breath.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Start with what you believe is the easiest. Complete the task, this builds confidence for those difficult jobs ahead & shortens the task list.

I have this problem when I want to start new projects; jumping into the deep end immediately , only to have to swim to the side & catch my breath.

That's always good advice.

The epoxy is setting on Cangooner Enterprises' first ever brush: hand-carved soapstone handle with a badger knot. I'm looking forward to trying it out tomorrow. The only problem is that I made that from a small chunk of soapstone I had kicking around, so I'm still none the wiser as to what the big chunk will turn into. Figuring that out might keep me busy for a while.

I don't know if you have Harbor Freight up north, but I just bought their cheap variable speed lathe for around $80US - special price, plus a 20% coupon. It is Asian low end quality, but it does work reasonably well - it is actually my second one - the first one lasted about 4 years. I turn brushes and pens with it, plus an occasional bowl, etc.. You do probably need to get a chuck for it - the one I have cost more than the lathe. Harbor also has a multi-pulley lathe, better quality, for around $195. I'd have gotten that one, but all the tooling I have is Morse taper #1, and it is #2. Good luck, and post pictures of the stone brush.