I want to start woodturning

[sawdustalley]

I've been meaning to ask this for a long time. I want t get started in woodturning but not spend alot of money in case I don't like it.

So I saw this product and thought is it worth getting one, it's a drill powered lathe. Now I don't know if any of you have ever seen/used one but there only £25 over here in England.

Heres the link:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/default.asp?part=APTCL605

What do you think worth it or not?

Also if you were to pick me 3 woodturning chisels/gouges/skews or what ever what would they be ? Or should I just buy a BASIC set?

Thanks in Advance.....

http://clix.to/sawdustalley
:) James :)
http://clix.to/sawdustalley

"let's see what were gonna build next time..."

[dicklaxt1]

http://wowjoke.com/gif/white/1332.gif I can't advise youon this but tonight Limey will be aboard and he ill certainly tell you up front we have others as well but Limey may know of this slave lathe as he is from your neck of the woods

dick

[volleyheads]

I think Limey once mentioned he had one of these too. I don't think the report was very favorable though. I would say, to get a taste, you have a few options. The first would be to get a Jet/Delta etc mini-midi lathe for about $300. I think these (and several other brands) are pretty strong machines, especially for the money. Plan #2 is to buy a used lathe, most can be had for about $200-300 or less (mine was 250 with outboard free standing tool rest and other things) Option #3 go to a woodturning meeting of the AAW in a nearby chapter. They should be able to help you get where you need to go. They usually have a way of knowing if any lathes are for sale in the area, they often have helpful clinics you could go to and try out turning, or some member may say come on over and give it a shot a their house. Option 4, some places like woodcraft and some local schools have classes you could sign up for and give it a try. Any of the above will work, just check around. If you need any help finding a AAW chapter, let me know.

Best Regards,

Bill

"If it is worth doing, it's worth overdoing"

[Isaac Hart]

Bill-

I might be crazy, but I think James wont find a chapter of AAW near him. Possibly UkAW ? :)

James-
I have a Grizzly lathe that is fairly large that I bought from their catalog online for $150. I think that runs to about £100. As for euros...well you have to figure that one out yourself. We americans dont do meters and we dont do euros :+ It is a fairly sturdy lathe for the money, though building up the stand, and weighing it down helps.

The only problem you might have is your power supply. We here in the States use a 120/240volt 60Hz system. Unless I am mistaken you use a 240 (maybe 208?) 50Hz system. How ever the motor is DC, so you might be ok if you get a 120v converter. Ill look through some of my motor controll textbooks and check on that, unless Sonny knows off the top of his head.


Hope this helps, but Im gonna go turn some wood!

Isaac

[volleyheads]

Well okie dokie then. There is the equivalent AAW version out there too, I beleive it is the UGBW or something like that. I have the link at work if there is any diffilculty in finding it, let me know. Sorry to lead you astray.

Best Regards,

Bill

"If it is worth doing, it's worth overdoing"

[Sonny Edmonds]

I'm pretty sure our friends in Great Britian are pertty much with 240 volt, 50 hertz Isaac.
To us, putting a 240 volt electric razor to our faces is a scary thought. But over there, it is the norm.
Incidentally, I used to say "Green is ground the world around." Then I found out the Sweed's use RED for ground. Sure popped my bubble! :)

James,
I belive I would advise against a drill powered lathe young chap.
Try and locate someone who turns near abouts to you and inquire. No dought they would be more than willing to help you decide. Show you the ropes, so to speak.
And that same fine Gentleman might know of where you could aquire a machine for yourself, should you desire to persue it, for much less.
If you fall into the affliction as I have, you will need a few more tidbits for your newly aquired lathe.
But I have no dought it will broaden your thoughts on woodworking. I'd dare say you would even like it. :)

:D

Sonny Edmonds
"Precision Firewood Specialist"
http://home.earthlink.net/~sonnypie/
God Bless America !

[Limey]

Hi there,
Well James, I started with a Wolfcraft clamping system for my Electric drill, It was basically a collar that held the drill horizontal and another similar that held a cheapo revolving centre.
Never did find a way of accurately lining them up.
Tool rest was made out of plywood and so you can tell the system was very crude.
But I managed to turn small stuff like lace bobbins and little knobs etc. Even managed a small saucer out of Sycamore.
Trouble was I burnt out two drills...motors were not as robust 20 years ago.
The noise of a drill going continuously is also a pain.!!!
So its a good way to see if you like Woodturning and I suggest that you devise your own clamps and save 25 quid.
BTW I made a skew and a scraper from some old files.
If you get to think you like it then look in Trade and Mart for a second hand lathe.
I bought one of the Taiwan ..Nu Tool lathes for 50 pounds and sold it three years later for the same.
They really are the best way to get a flavour for turning...no you wont be able to go with heavy chunks or anything exceeding about 9" diameter, But starting off too ambitious and failing can kill the enthusiasm because you got to learn to drive before starting to emulate Michael Schumaker.
There ought to be a few lathes out there from people who have retired and others who bought one on a whim etc.
The only two important things to check out are. Does the bed (tube) have wear so that it prevents the tailstock clamping up in the same position in relationship to the Headstock every time. If it does good, you can then align it. Is the motor good. That is, run it for a while and feel it for excessive heat and the smell of burning.
There may be play in the bearings but I promise you that this is not a biggie to fix provided the housing holding ther bearing is not worn,
Unlikely. I found that mine took Washing Machine size bearings and when I fixed in new ones it was brilliant.
Took all of an hour start to finish.
So I hope you have some food for thought here, I know your budget is zero to minus so don't be disheartened. There is a way if you look hard enough without lashing out pots of money on a lathe.

hope this helps

Limey

[sawdustalley]

Well last Night I was looking on Ebay for lathes and turning sets. I also thought about the constant sound of the drill being a bit loud.
So i'll look for a proper lathe

http://clix.to/sawdustalley
:) James :)
http://clix.to/sawdustalley

"let's see what were gonna build next time..."