i see this is another topic that pops up all over on many threads so why not consolidate it in one thread. i know we have many turners here. use this to show off what you use and talk about techniques and turning tools.
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
well to kick this off here is a pic of my setup. a jet midi vs lathe. cabinets above hold pen blanks and glues and finishes. the cabinet below holds tools and everything else. heres a little peak inside my (drawers) !
working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.
This is my setup. Hidden deep in the base is a bunch of leftover stone for ballast. Works great, no vibration. The bottom drawer has a slider insert inside for added storage. The cabinet is for blanks, stock, parts, whatever. The other two drawers are for turning tools, layout tools, sanding supplies, etc.
I built up a sharpening station on the end. It uses the wolverines sharpening system on a slow speed grinder with CBN wheels that I got from Woodturnerswonders.com
An LED magnetic base light and Rockler’s dust scoop round it out. I drop a 4” flex line from the ceiling and attach it to the dust scoop using MagPort brackets.
My preferred technique is to turn the inside of the bowl larger than the outside and watch as it disintegrates before me. Face shields are a good thing…
I also use the HoldFast vacuum chuck system from time to time. Since ducky asked about it, here’s the link.
Ryan/// ~sigh~ I blew up another bowl. Moke told me "I made the inside bigger than the outside".
My first lathe was a JET Variable speed Mini with the extension bed, with a swag of carbon steel chisels that all novices get sucked into (hey there was a time when I was shekel conscious). The JET had a 1" 10TPI spindle, just to screw me up as all available accessories came as 1" 8TPI! Must have been some anti imperial 8TPI conspiracy by JET importer. It is now just a pain to move out of the way when I want to access my slow speed buffers behind it, and for the bed extension, I have just spent the last 30 minutes cleaning up after years of neglect hidden in a corner. with elbow grease and "Silver Glide".
Today, my primary lathe is a NOVA DVR, M33 spindle, (on a custom built rolling stand... on BIG wheels). It has been fitted with the Outrigger unit, for all those BIG bowls that I will never make and a swing away Extension bed, that is invaluable when I use my lathe's router guide jig for long, large diameter dowels,
Now as far as I'm concerned, I doubt if there is anyone out there that can convince me to replace my lathe(s) with one similar to theirs or vice versa, however, I'm sure many may be interested in the different accessories one may use to help them. Often it's not so much the brand that I'm interested in, but rather the concept (except where that item/concept is brand specific). As we still don't have a Review topic I will list some of my items ideas, so if you're totally complacent with your setup, skip the following onto the next comment post. While the following may be ho-hum for the lathy veterans, novices may glean some benefit if they read on... may!
The JET Mini :- It is rigged with a TechnatoolPrecision Midi chuck, and backed up by a beefier TechnatoolSupernova 2 chuck, both fitted with theInfinity upgradefor quick jaw replacement. Had this "brilliant" idea of using paint rollers as buffers...
their cleanliness after 10+ years is proof of success of that idea... but that may be due to my investment in the Beall system.... originally sounded good on paper.
The NOVA DVR :- The Nova sports my EWT Easy Chuck, and this quick change jaws is much more user friendly than the NOVA Infinity. Love the quick open/close ring on the chuck.
I couldn't stand the original rest, and replaced it with a "tubed" set of rests (various lengths), I use wooden spacers to adjust between different heights for quicker/repeatable set up, I used to use a remote controlled powerpoint to control the lathe's dusty, but found it was never where I last put it and was always out of reach. I rigged up a pull switch above/near my head that is always in the same spot and easy reach to toggle the DC on/off, that controlled power to a LBD hacked mini extension cord, (above hack should be done by a qualified sparkie).
My NOVA lathe swing away extension bed is as it says and also used to hold the DC chute on an articulated arm and a light source,
Additional accessories are the Beall Buffing System, used "as one" for smaller pieces or individually for larger pieces, I have set up some smaller buffs for items that are stained black, to prevent my normal buffs from getting contaminated by the stain. The stain can be buffed out by vigorous buffing of raw timber (without wax) till the black transfer stops, but that's too much effort for me.
I make pens and built up a swag of accessories. I shall limit them to those directly related to my lathe.
My goto chisels are this set of Ricon, with interchangeable heads, bad move for both beginners and "seasoned" turners as you spend half your time changing heads. I bought an extra handle which nearly cost me more individually than a full set. If you decide on these type of chisels with interchangeable heads, do not buy ones with just a short heads like these Sorby ones, I've found the attaching mechanism impeded my comfort zone. Optimum rest position (close to stock), comfortable chisel position (coupling mechanism doesn't impede maneuverability)
... you decide. My backup chisels (directly behind me when facing the lathe), all HSS or carbide tipped, Those dodgy handles were my first turnings... and I prefer shorter handles.
I have a large collection of mandrels and centres, with some of the mandrels dedicated to my more popular pens (cigar and Sierra Elegant Beauty). For pen turners, this Woodpeckers mandrel set is one of my favorites, comes with a swag of popular pen bushes. I believe a Jacobs chuckand a complimentary live centred Jacobs chuck is not a must but bloody handy,
For those that have the facility to tune their lathes, this head/tail stock alignment gizmo is handy,
and those dirty MTx's need cleaning with this Taper Mate,
This Chinese collet set, has got me out of many scrapes to grip dowels tight without marring with standard chucks..
Another handy addition to the lathe are these inflatable sanding drums, Bugger to secure at the tailstock end... however, I have this live centre for pen mandrel holding that if I pop the centre out, the taper is just right for the drum,
Final bit of kit that I have found handy around the lathe is this spindle tap, held using the 3/8" Beall collet chuck, great for making sanding discs for the lathe.
None of the above accessories are mandatory, other than some sort of a chuck, however, these are some of the gizmos that have made my life easier...
Now if you want to mention pen turning accessories... that's another long drawn out novel.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD
Here's my old delta rockwell on a modified craftsman base. 2 inch beech for the wood. At some point i need to add more weight but it works good. This is just after I got the stand done, its no where near that clean now.
Great to peek in here! I loved turning in JHS wood shop, but don't have the time or space right now for a setup. Definitely a post-retirement bucket item.
I do have a "lathe", inherited from my FIL. Can't beat Monkey Wards for quality, 4' bed, 120 dB universal motor with self-adjusting speed, and enough power to turn wax candles.
Have a full set of "General" tools (precursor to HF tools) and the spousal unit bought me a basically identical set of Delta when we moved in here some 20+years ago (they have a picture of the Norm on the box!).
So, yes. Someday. A local turner is "world famous" and teaches classes, etc. so I'll check with him at some point when I start down the dark path.
Side question, Pottz, why do you throw meat balls at your clip board?
