Thanks for another very excellent video. The only thing I would add is that once a decision is made on what lathe to buy, look for a used one. The large majority of people doing woodturning are retired and will be selling their equipment in 15 years or so. Lathes have a long life expectancy so used lathes are still good investments. I bought an 8 month old Powermatic 3520B about ten years ago for $1800 when new ones were about $3700. My lathe would still fetch close to my puchase price, making it a very good investment.
As someone very new to woodturning, there are a lot of things you mentioned that I never considered. Thank you for this video and others for both the educational and how to you show.
I haven't turned a bowl since HS woodshop. I find your site the best I've seen. I just built a shop and I'm thinking of getting a wood lathe with your helpful site. Thanks.
Kent - Real Good Advice for new turners. Recently our Turners Club decided to replace seven of the Midi lathes as they didn't have enough power or weight when we brought in a teacher for a weekend group. They would move around or bog down when trying to turn a simple bowl of six or eight inches. So your point about "Size Matters" is spot on. I know you have a lot of teaching on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and that is the next step for a new turner. So, if you are reading this comment, look through Kent's lists of videos for safety gear. You'll be glad you did. 😉😉😉 Lowell
Hey Kent! Good advice for new turners! So I started on a Harbor Freight 1236 to start out 12 inch by 36 inch. So next thing I realized I want more stability was a bit Rocky!😂 You get my point so I bought a Nova MIDI lathe 14 by 24! Works awesome I actually enjoy turning on this lathe! Back to the Harbor Freight lathe that lathe has outboard features that in the past learning bowl turnings mostly from you my brother. Anyhoo can now turning a rough blank to the size I need to fit that 14 inch midi. Thanks Kent for your teaching back then and now! Happy Turning man! ✌🏼
Thank you for the excellent information. I've been wanting to buy my husband his first lathe but I didn't really know what to look for. This makes me so much more comfortable in making an informed decision
@@TurnAWoodBowlHello, we are looking to purchase a larger midi model, we noticed that some of them are 110 in, but the motor has an inverter that runs the motor at 220 3-phase. What is your thoughts on that kind of design? Will it give better performance? Thanks in advance!
Its great that you brought up ergonomics in this discussion. It will save wear and tear on your body, make things easier and generally allow you to turn more without fatigue and or pain.
For your viewers who have limited space... My turning studio measures apprx 12ft by 7ft. I do not have space for a full size lathe and all my equipment has to be precisely located given the restriction. I purchased a Laguna 12/16 with bed extension and mobile stand. It is 1 horsepower, MT2, 1by 8tpi. The bed extension attaches both on the tailstock side to increase bed length and outboard on the headstock side to turn larger diameters outboard with an included banjo extender. The banjo takes a 1 inch post so robust tool rests fit. It took a lot of planning and study to find the lathe that worked for my space limitations. I like this video because it encourages careful study before purchasing a lathe. While I would love an extra 1/2 horse, I am overall very happy with the 12/16. With sharp tools and careful technique, 1 hp has done quite well. Most of my projects are inboard, but the option to go outboard for larger projects is nice to have. Thanks for the video.
Thank you. I been looking into buying a lathe to start wood turning projects to enhance other design projects. This is important information to know as I am limited on my work space. Appreciate you sharing this.
I already have mine. I bought it from Penn State Industries. It's a Turncrafter Commander 10", variable speed, 1hp motor. All the reviews I've found give it good marks. So, for starting, I think I'll be able to do what I want. I want to do bowls and inside out turning. I still need to get a gouge and a sharpening station. I should be able to do that over the next 2-3 months before warm weather arrives allowing me to work outside.
Did you order your Penn State one direct from them online? If so, how did it arrive and was it all ok? How is their customer service, return policy? And do they have an ample amount of accessories like and extension if needed? Sorry to ask so much, but I am just starting out after taking a couple of classes and was looking at their Turncrafter Commander 10 in. Variable Speed Midi Lathe, for $489/free shipping. Not bad for one that has a variable speed, work light, etc. I like the JET as that is what the shop class had, but they are $800. And the Laguna is very highly rated, but pricey as well. I am also looking at Rockler. They have a 10-18 one for $300, same basic one as what Harbor Freight sells under the Central Machinery name and also sells under the Excelsior brand online and even at Rockler. So basically that lathe is manufactured by a company that others sell under their brand. I am not to keen on that as I work for a company that does that for BBQ grills so it can be a pain if something goes wrong and you need service!
@@FunAtDisney First, I have to apologize. Mine is a 10", as is what you're looking at. If I remember correctly, there was one plastic item that was broken. PSI replaced it immediately. The lathe itself has been perfect. I've turned many pens on it, both wood and acrylic. And I've even done some with inlays. I've recently received a 4 jaw chuck and a drill chuck, from PSI. I foresee no problems. The chuck has 3-4 sets of jaws. I highly recommend it. As it has a 10" swing, I can do some reasonably good sized bowls. I've been watching many videos. Just to help get ready, I'll be taking a class at Woodcraft in February. I'm really looking forward to learning to turn bowls.
@@johnslaughter5475 Thank you for that information! That is where I took my classes, at a Woodcraft here in Orange County, CA. I was able to turn a a small bowl and it was fun. I mainly want a “starter lathe” where I can get into it and do all kinds of things, even at smaller size, but not a huge investment. I couple days ago there was a Zoom session I did with This Old House Tom Sylva who has become quite a good turner (not surprisingly!). I asked about lathe sizes and he said even starting with just a mini or pen lathe you can learn a lot. I will check more into this Penn State model but I think it may be the one! Thanks again, and any other information or advise you can give me I’d look forward to that!
I picked up the Laguna 12/16 lathe the week of the Covid shutdown and had a great time with it for a year. Then the bug got me and I started looking for something bigger and more powerfull and found a deal on a Powermatic 2020 and bought it. I was able to sell the Laguna to another member of the AAW for near enough to what I paid. My point is get something that fits your budget, interest level and space constraints. You can always resell a quality lathe in good condition and move up.
When I first set up my wood shop, some 30 years ago, every single book I read commented that any motor 1 hp and above should be run on 220 volt circuits. I trust that info, and experience says it works. For bowl turning, I consider 2 hp to be plenty. I have turned on one of the Jet 16 inch lathes that ran on 110, and it was pretty whimpy... I do prefer 3 speed ranges, which my AB has since it was one of the first ones. One reason is that low range is a bit slow for smaller bowls, and high speed does not like bowl coring, so mid range is perfect. Not mentioned is long bed vs short bed lathe. I prefer short bed, which means a pivoting or sliding headstock. This allows you to stand straight up to turn and the ability to keep your arms in close to your body so you have better tool control rather than the arms extended away from your body like Stuart Batty does. One other consideration is headstock design. Best one to me, is the Vicmark lathes where the mount is right on the headstock tower rather than in a bell housing like Robust or Oneway, or the cones like you find on the Laguna lathes. It is a feature that 'allows better clearance' for accessing the back side of the bowl. By cantilevering out, this can induce more vibration. Note here, there is no vibration issue if the tailstock is engaged. I prefer to turn mostly without the tailstock. My favorite bowl lathe is the Vicmark 240 which has the pivoting headstock. For any sliding headstock lathe, check out the pressure plate on the bottom. If it is the same size as the ones on the banjo and tailstock, don't get it. The headstock needs a much better and bigger pressure plate since that is where all the stress of bowl turning happens. My Robust had a full length plate the same size as the headstock tower. My old PM 3520A had about a 4 by 6 pressure plate. No vibration issues with it.
Such good, clear information! Two points, chuck jaws have far less options about which manufacturer's hole pattern will fit which chuck. Then, get the calculator out when you buy tool rests, posts, and collars. Make sure the metric or SAE sizes offered will fit your unit.
Great video Kent this is very useful for any new woodturner. Something else to mention is sigle phase and 3 phase. I live where you don't have 3 phase wiring so I had to buy a bigger lathe that was single phase. Take care and GOD BLESS 🙏🏻!
Nice one Kent. I am in the UK so the criteria are a bit different, always 230v for example. I have just installed a new lathe and found I spent the most time on checking out the strength, flexibility and even existence of bowl turning arm or attachments. You can’t even move the headstock on many lathes so I had to teach myself all about that - which lathes have movable headstocks and which don’t.
Good video, Kent. Some really well thought out info you gave here, and you explained it well. I would love to have a full-sized lathe - budget was the main factor that sent me to the midi. Fortunately, the Rikon 70-150vsr that I got has 1 HP with a 1" tool rest post and MT2. If/when I can get a full-sized lathe, I won't have a problem with the 220/240V aspect as I do have the availability and the know-how to supply a lathe with the needed power and my existing chuck(s) will still fit.
Fantastic tips, K. I started with a Jet mini (10" swing) and now have Grizzly with 16" swing - and the head rotates for an even larger bowl but have never used that feature. So fun to turn. Thanks for sharing
Kent, just watched the 5 important things to remember when buying a lathe / great video. I don’t know whether you have ever looked at at the Harvey line of lathes but they do have a model T-40 (they refer to it as a turbo) it’s a mid sized lathe (approx 185lbs) & I think 14” max turning -EXCEPT- you can move motor & headstock to the end & swing everything outwards for turning bigger materials. The SERVO motor is 220 volt / 1 HP but mfg Chaim’s instant change to 3HP when needed - a fairy pricey machine and I’ll still be without a proper table height - I can make that happen but after your video I’m thinking bigger. The real crux is the I’ll be 85 years old my next birthday….you get the point. If you have time to check out the review of the T-40 lathe on TH-cam and share your thoughts I would very much appreciate it. Thanks Kent/ Dick Hampton / Charlotte NC Lastly / I’m OK with used or refurbished
Dick, Thank you for writing and sharing! You're turning 85 so you're just getting warmed up, right? That's what you meant! ;) All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Great info Kent. I will also re in-force your comments about swing and Power. The more the better that you can afford. Height wise. we have a couple of modified wood pallets to bring the people height up to elbow height for a couple of our club members.
I've been turning on a 3/4 hp and 12" swing lathe for a year now. I think it's time for an upgrade. I recently bogged down the lathe with a large chunk of wet hickory. Only way I could make it work was to speed up the lathe so the momentum would work for me. My next lathe is likely to be a Record Power Herald, it has a little more swing (14") and while it lists 1hp motor, the word on the street is that it's actually 1.2-1.3hp. Plus it has outboard turning ability for larger diameter pieces like platters. Plus it has variable speed, 3 belt settings and ability to spin backwards. And when I will have enough money for a full sized lathe and a dust collector system I'll go for a full sized lathe. But that's some other time. Right now it's wheel the lathe outside and use a fan and a little blower for cleanup.
Hi Kent. First, many thanks for your video series. I have learned so much from you. You have provided an invaluable resource for so many. Second, I'm with you. Homey don't mess with electricity. My advice , you'll want 220 before you know it. Go ahead and get it and pay an electrician to do it right. I'm looking to upgrade from my midi. It looks like you're turning on a Robust Sweet 16. Have you been happy with the 2hp and weight of the Sweet 16 or would you recommend the heavier 3 hp AB? I have learned so much from you .. Thanks again sir
George, Thank you for writing and sharing! Yes, leave that electrocution stuff for others. ;) Yes, thrilled with my Sweet 16. You can't go wrong with the AB either. All the best to you and Happy Turning! Kent
I think that for a beginner is the smaller motor is a good idea because until you experience a few catches and learn how to avoid them it will only stop the lathe from spinning instead of doing any damage.
Great video. But one thing you forgot is that Mini and Midi lathes also have 5/8 tool rest posts. I have a 12x36 and a 14x20 that have 1 inch posts, and both my jet and shop fox are 5/8. They are all 1x8 tpi and Morse taper 2, so I can use all of my accessories on each of my lathes.
Thank you for your many very professional and helpful videos. Checked here to see wether I should buy another lathe. Have been turning on old Delta spindlelathe construction items for over 40 years am now retired and will finally indulge in bowls. Can turn up to 14" diameter and have reworked machine with proper adjustable motor. Have seen you turn oversized bowls and wondered how you could manage a large plate. With the section removed from bed the banjo has to be extremely angled forcing the talestock to be too far?? back to support a thin blank. A swingable Delta banjo extension arm part# cwl 43 out of heavy cast accommodates the rests. I have a spare. Have you ever considered breathing air supply? I hate respirators but also compressors. For a breathing disorder during sleep - arapnoe - this medical device with filter is adjustable and lets excess air escape out of nosepiece. Almost noiseless machine could be placed outside. Extension air supply 3/4" garden hose or whatever. Cost of total medical supplies needed about $300.oo how about this?
Spindle length should also be considered. Also, your spindle height recommendation is correct for face work turners, but will be too tall for spindle work turners. You should qualify your recommendations with the provision that they are for bowl and hollow form turners.
What about speed selection on a lathe …. Really though you’d mention that …. I believe digital would be best, like in a drill press where one can refine your RPM to best match your material… just recently started watching you , find you very educational. Thanks
I really enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from them. I was hoping that you would have also discussed variable speed motors versus fixed with stepped sheaves. BTW, I think I could benefit from saying what rpm you are using for your turnings. Thanks
I know it's not exact, but machining cutting speeds use a formula of (3.82 * material value speed on chart) / diameter of part. Im gonna use metal as an example because i dont know the chart value for each wood... Stainless steel would have a value of like 60 so, (3.82*60)/3"= 76 rpm You can imagine the skepticism when turning it for the first time, but it works well. Harder metals requires slower speeds, and that concept should hold true on the wood side here. Hardwoods will typically require a slower speed than soft woods, but not significantly. I'd imagine no more of a difference of 300-500 between them on average. Which would make sense why I've yet to hear anybody really harp on this seemingly important aspect of turning. Personally, ive been lingering around 1200-1600 on most projects, but have only really worked with cherry, pine, hickory, and olive wood in my short experience. Food for thought
Thank you, I bought my first lathe with idea that if I really like turning I could up grade, I have a mini lathe and it is limited in its scope. but I have turned a bowl that 9,25 inches, 3/4 HP motor. I am looking at upgrading to a midi, I really don't have the budget for much more than that? in fact, I need to sell some of my other toys to afford even that, I have learned a lot since I purchased this one. I expect that I will buy a full size at some point in the distant future. my mini uses a MT2 so some of my accessories I can use on the newer lathe, to my surprise the midi I am looking at has the same size post for the tool rest as the full size lathes, So I will wait until I buy the new lathe to get any new tool rests. I had a full size lathe but none of the newer accessories will fit it, so its going away. If anything I am discovering I need to simplify my shop to just do the things that I really care about and let the rest go. thanks for the videos, I have watched a bunch of them.
1.) Size matters - mini, midi, full size. Keep in mind your swing size, headstock thread measurement for your accessories, Morse taper size (MT1 MT2 or MT3), tool rest post size so you can change tool rests as needed, and don't feel obligated to marry a brand name. Buy whatever brands you like that catch your eye 2.) Power - make sure the outlet provides the voltage required of the motor, and the breaker is suitable for the amperage draw. To modify the voltage from 110 to a higher voltage, hire an electrician. Higher voltage = more power. Green woods require more power. Aim for at least 1 or 2 hp motor, but get the higher hp motor that you can within reason. 3.)location - position the lathe so that it doesn't restrict your movement. This includes vertical height and maneuverability around the lathe. Height should be approximately at your elbows while you hug yourself ideally. I guess i missed the other two, or wrapped them into the other categories
I have had a mini and midi lathe. I turned a 14.5 inch bowl on my midi, the outboard capacity is 15 inches max. It didnt have an issue really. I didnt need to buy a $5000 full sized lathe to turn a bowl. My mini lathe capped at 8 inches a d i would regularly do 7 inch bowls... biggest issue was the small motor.
Similar for me, 8 inch max on my mini lathe. Turn lots of 6 and 7 inch bowls with no issue. Wish I had a band saw though so I could get my blanks nice and round. Would save a lot of time!
Buying a Grizzly G0462. 16 inch swing 2 hp Variable speed. Problem 600 rpm lowest speed. In your opinion is this going to be a problem to turn wet bowls? I don’t plan on turn more than 14 or 15 in wood. This is my first lathe. I’m retired and enjoy woodworking. 11:30
Looking to buy my first lathe and was considering the Delta 46-460. I had a custom wood shop for over 25 years making custom cabinets and canopies for large marine aquariums and I have a full range of Delta tools ... Uni saw, 14" bandsaw, floor 6" jointer, 12" planer, floor disc/belt sanding station, floor drill press, etc etc. I don't plan on making large bowls or hollow forms but rather plan to focus of one-of-kind cast resin/wood pieces that won't be over 10" in diameter. Do you think this is a reasonable choice? Not planning to do as a business either as I'm retired and done working .. lol.
Do you know anything about the Grizzly G0842 lathe? I’m looking to get into wood turning and this lathe is for sale in my area. I can’t find out a lot about this lathe on the internet. Thanks for any info.
Yes, absolutely! You will need to make some work arounds, but it's all very doable. Mounting the lathe in a position that is best accessible is the key. This can be made custom, but there are lathes that can accommodate you seated as well. Robust makes one, check it out. www.turnrobust.com/scout-new-lathe/ All the best to you and Happy Turning! Kent
Kent very good. I do have a few questions on placement and overhead height. I have a Robust American beauty and love this lathe. I was thinking of putting it in an area of my garage that has an overhead loft area. The height is 6’ but I am not sure if this is enough height. I’m not really tall 5’7” and there is plenty of light. The area I have my lathe now takes up part of the wife’s parking space. So I’m looking to move my beauty. What do you think you think. Am I creating a hazard? Thank I always welcome advice.
There is a significant issue w many upper end lathes that have a variable frequency drive (VFD). These lathes are not compatible with circuits that GFI, which includes modern garages, true for both 120 and 220 v motors. For many home woodturners working in their garage this can be a significant hurdle, especially if you want to be within current electrical code. I have not seen this issue addressed by anyone.
Thanks, great info. However, when you started talking about electricity, you showed your age. 110v changed a few decades ago. So that you know, the voltage will be changing every decade by 5 volts until the USA gets to 150v.
You forgot the part about how to go about telling your wife or partner that you want to buy another woodworking tool that takes up floor space in an otherwise crowded garage.
It's a little disingenuous to say your not gonna be able to turn bowls on a mini or midi I def know of thousands of bowls up to 10-12 inches that were turned on mini n midi. New turners are not going to have 2500 bucks to dump on a full size
Thanks for another very excellent video. The only thing I would add is that once a decision is made on what lathe to buy, look for a used one. The large majority of people doing woodturning are retired and will be selling their equipment in 15 years or so. Lathes have a long life expectancy so used lathes are still good investments. I bought an 8 month old Powermatic 3520B about ten years ago for $1800 when new ones were about $3700. My lathe would still fetch close to my puchase price, making it a very good investment.
I would add, to take someone knowledgeable to check ALL operations on a used lathe
As someone very new to woodturning, there are a lot of things you mentioned that I never considered. Thank you for this video and others for both the educational and how to you show.
I haven't turned a bowl since HS woodshop. I find your site the best I've seen. I just built a shop and I'm thinking of getting a wood lathe with your helpful site. Thanks.
Kent - Real Good Advice for new turners. Recently our Turners Club decided to replace seven of the Midi lathes as they didn't have enough power or weight when we brought in a teacher for a weekend group. They would move around or bog down when trying to turn a simple bowl of six or eight inches. So your point about "Size Matters" is spot on.
I know you have a lot of teaching on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and that is the next step for a new turner. So, if you are reading this comment, look through Kent's lists of videos for safety gear. You'll be glad you did. 😉😉😉
Lowell
Hey Kent! Good advice for new turners! So I started on a Harbor Freight 1236 to start out 12 inch by 36 inch. So next thing I realized I want more stability was a bit Rocky!😂 You get my point so I bought a Nova MIDI lathe 14 by 24! Works awesome I actually enjoy turning on this lathe! Back to the Harbor Freight lathe that lathe has outboard features that in the past learning bowl turnings mostly from you my brother. Anyhoo can now turning a rough blank to the size I need to fit that 14 inch midi. Thanks Kent for your teaching back then and now! Happy Turning man! ✌🏼
Thank you for the excellent information. I've been wanting to buy my husband his first lathe but I didn't really know what to look for. This makes me so much more comfortable in making an informed decision
Excellent! I'm glad to help. Happy Turning!
@@TurnAWoodBowlHello, we are looking to purchase a larger midi model, we noticed that some of them are 110 in, but the motor has an inverter that runs the motor at 220 3-phase. What is your thoughts on that kind of design? Will it give better performance? Thanks in advance!
Its great that you brought up ergonomics in this discussion. It will save wear and tear on your body, make things easier and generally allow you to turn more without fatigue and or pain.
For your viewers who have limited space... My turning studio measures apprx 12ft by 7ft. I do not have space for a full size lathe and all my equipment has to be precisely located given the restriction. I purchased a Laguna 12/16 with bed extension and mobile stand. It is 1 horsepower, MT2, 1by 8tpi. The bed extension attaches both on the tailstock side to increase bed length and outboard on the headstock side to turn larger diameters outboard with an included banjo extender. The banjo takes a 1 inch post so robust tool rests fit. It took a lot of planning and study to find the lathe that worked for my space limitations. I like this video because it encourages careful study before purchasing a lathe. While I would love an extra 1/2 horse, I am overall very happy with the 12/16. With sharp tools and careful technique, 1 hp has done quite well. Most of my projects are inboard, but the option to go outboard for larger projects is nice to have. Thanks for the video.
Thank you. I been looking into buying a lathe to start wood turning projects to enhance other design projects. This is important information to know as I am limited on my work space. Appreciate you sharing this.
Glad it was helpful, Andrew! Please subscribe, and Happy Turning!
I already have mine. I bought it from Penn State Industries. It's a Turncrafter Commander 10", variable speed, 1hp motor. All the reviews I've found give it good marks. So, for starting, I think I'll be able to do what I want. I want to do bowls and inside out turning. I still need to get a gouge and a sharpening station. I should be able to do that over the next 2-3 months before warm weather arrives allowing me to work outside.
Did you order your Penn State one direct from them online? If so, how did it arrive and was it all ok? How is their customer service, return policy? And do they have an ample amount of accessories like and extension if needed? Sorry to ask so much, but I am just starting out after taking a couple of classes and was looking at their Turncrafter Commander 10 in. Variable Speed Midi Lathe, for $489/free shipping. Not bad for one that has a variable speed, work light, etc.
I like the JET as that is what the shop class had, but they are $800. And the Laguna is very highly rated, but pricey as well. I am also looking at Rockler. They have a 10-18 one for $300, same basic one as what Harbor Freight sells under the Central Machinery name and also sells under the Excelsior brand online and even at Rockler. So basically that lathe is manufactured by a company that others sell under their brand. I am not to keen on that as I work for a company that does that for BBQ grills so it can be a pain if something goes wrong and you need service!
@@FunAtDisney First, I have to apologize. Mine is a 10", as is what you're looking at. If I remember correctly, there was one plastic item that was broken. PSI replaced it immediately. The lathe itself has been perfect. I've turned many pens on it, both wood and acrylic. And I've even done some with inlays. I've recently received a 4 jaw chuck and a drill chuck, from PSI. I foresee no problems. The chuck has 3-4 sets of jaws. I highly recommend it. As it has a 10" swing, I can do some reasonably good sized bowls. I've been watching many videos. Just to help get ready, I'll be taking a class at Woodcraft in February. I'm really looking forward to learning to turn bowls.
@@johnslaughter5475 Thank you for that information! That is where I took my classes, at a Woodcraft here in Orange County, CA. I was able to turn a a small bowl and it was fun. I mainly want a “starter lathe” where I can get into it and do all kinds of things, even at smaller size, but not a huge investment.
I couple days ago there was a Zoom session I did with This Old House Tom Sylva who has become quite a good turner (not surprisingly!). I asked about lathe sizes and he said even starting with just a mini or pen lathe you can learn a lot.
I will check more into this Penn State model but I think it may be the one!
Thanks again, and any other information or advise you can give me I’d look forward to that!
Great advice did not know a few of these before getting my first midi lathe .now I see how important these few tips can be.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks. I've been considering upgrading from my mini lathe to a full size. This really helps.
Excellent. Thank you, Stephen. All the best to you and Happy Turning!
I picked up the Laguna 12/16 lathe the week of the Covid shutdown and had a great time with it for a year. Then the bug got me and I started looking for something bigger and more powerfull and found a deal on a Powermatic 2020 and bought it. I was able to sell the Laguna to another member of the AAW for near enough to what I paid. My point is get something that fits your budget, interest level and space constraints. You can always resell a quality lathe in good condition and move up.
When I first set up my wood shop, some 30 years ago, every single book I read commented that any motor 1 hp and above should be run on 220 volt circuits. I trust that info, and experience says it works. For bowl turning, I consider 2 hp to be plenty. I have turned on one of the Jet 16 inch lathes that ran on 110, and it was pretty whimpy... I do prefer 3 speed ranges, which my AB has since it was one of the first ones. One reason is that low range is a bit slow for smaller bowls, and high speed does not like bowl coring, so mid range is perfect.
Not mentioned is long bed vs short bed lathe. I prefer short bed, which means a pivoting or sliding headstock. This allows you to stand straight up to turn and the ability to keep your arms in close to your body so you have better tool control rather than the arms extended away from your body like Stuart Batty does.
One other consideration is headstock design. Best one to me, is the Vicmark lathes where the mount is right on the headstock tower rather than in a bell housing like Robust or Oneway, or the cones like you find on the Laguna lathes. It is a feature that 'allows better clearance' for accessing the back side of the bowl. By cantilevering out, this can induce more vibration. Note here, there is no vibration issue if the tailstock is engaged. I prefer to turn mostly without the tailstock. My favorite bowl lathe is the Vicmark 240 which has the pivoting headstock.
For any sliding headstock lathe, check out the pressure plate on the bottom. If it is the same size as the ones on the banjo and tailstock, don't get it. The headstock needs a much better and bigger pressure plate since that is where all the stress of bowl turning happens. My Robust had a full length plate the same size as the headstock tower. My old PM 3520A had about a 4 by 6 pressure plate. No vibration issues with it.
Such good, clear information! Two points, chuck jaws have far less options about which manufacturer's hole pattern will fit which chuck. Then, get the calculator out when you buy tool rests, posts, and collars. Make sure the metric or SAE sizes offered will fit your unit.
This vid is very informitive & just saved me some money, i just decided the mini is right for me & ill be making small items.
Enjoy and Happy Turning!
Great video Kent this is very useful for any new woodturner. Something else to mention is sigle phase and 3 phase. I live where you don't have 3 phase wiring so I had to buy a bigger lathe that was single phase. Take care and GOD BLESS 🙏🏻!
Nice one Kent. I am in the UK so the criteria are a bit different, always 230v for example. I have just installed a new lathe and found I spent the most time on checking out the strength, flexibility and even existence of bowl turning arm or attachments. You can’t even move the headstock on many lathes so I had to teach myself all about that - which lathes have movable headstocks and which don’t.
Wasn't aware of the headstock threads. (I don't own a lathe and have been thinking about getting one). Appreciate this video.
Good video, Kent. Some really well thought out info you gave here, and you explained it well.
I would love to have a full-sized lathe - budget was the main factor that sent me to the midi. Fortunately, the Rikon 70-150vsr that I got has 1 HP with a 1" tool rest post and MT2. If/when I can get a full-sized lathe, I won't have a problem with the 220/240V aspect as I do have the availability and the know-how to supply a lathe with the needed power and my existing chuck(s) will still fit.
Fantastic tips, K. I started with a Jet mini (10" swing) and now have Grizzly with 16" swing - and the head rotates for an even larger bowl but have never used that feature. So fun to turn. Thanks for sharing
Great video I have a nova 1624 its a great mid size lathe with a 16inch swing and the head also swivel,s.
How's the lathe so far! Any regrets? On market for a lathe ATM, 16"-18" .
Kent, just watched the 5 important things to remember when buying a lathe / great video. I don’t know whether you have ever looked at at the Harvey line of lathes but they do have a model T-40 (they refer to it as a turbo) it’s a mid sized lathe (approx 185lbs) & I think 14” max turning -EXCEPT- you can move motor & headstock to the end & swing everything outwards for turning bigger materials. The SERVO motor is 220 volt / 1 HP but mfg Chaim’s instant change to 3HP when needed - a fairy pricey machine and I’ll still be without a proper table height - I can make that happen but after your video I’m thinking bigger. The real crux is the I’ll be 85 years old my next birthday….you get the point. If you have time to check out the review of the T-40 lathe on TH-cam and share your thoughts I would very much appreciate it. Thanks Kent/ Dick Hampton / Charlotte NC
Lastly / I’m OK with used or refurbished
Dick, Thank you for writing and sharing! You're turning 85 so you're just getting warmed up, right? That's what you meant! ;) All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Great info Kent. I will also re in-force your comments about swing and Power. The more the better that you can afford. Height wise. we have a couple of modified wood pallets to bring the people height up to elbow height for a couple of our club members.
I've been turning on a 3/4 hp and 12" swing lathe for a year now. I think it's time for an upgrade. I recently bogged down the lathe with a large chunk of wet hickory. Only way I could make it work was to speed up the lathe so the momentum would work for me. My next lathe is likely to be a Record Power Herald, it has a little more swing (14") and while it lists 1hp motor, the word on the street is that it's actually 1.2-1.3hp. Plus it has outboard turning ability for larger diameter pieces like platters. Plus it has variable speed, 3 belt settings and ability to spin backwards. And when I will have enough money for a full sized lathe and a dust collector system I'll go for a full sized lathe. But that's some other time. Right now it's wheel the lathe outside and use a fan and a little blower for cleanup.
I’m so glad I ran into this video. Very helpful.
Hi Kent.
First, many thanks for your video series. I have learned so much from you. You have provided an invaluable resource for so many.
Second, I'm with you. Homey don't mess with electricity. My advice , you'll want 220 before you know it. Go ahead and get it and pay an electrician to do it right.
I'm looking to upgrade from my midi. It looks like you're turning on a Robust Sweet 16. Have you been happy with the 2hp and weight of the Sweet 16 or would you recommend the heavier 3 hp AB?
I have learned so much from you ..
Thanks again sir
George,
Thank you for writing and sharing! Yes, leave that electrocution stuff for others. ;)
Yes, thrilled with my Sweet 16. You can't go wrong with the AB either.
All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Kent
Hi Kent,
love to live in central Europe: 220 Volt is standard! metric 33 mm is standard for head- and tailstock, .......😉😊
I think that for a beginner is the smaller motor is a good idea because until you experience a few catches and learn how to avoid them it will only stop the lathe from spinning instead of doing any damage.
Totally agree with ya, never used a lathe and would love to get one and yes I am concerned about kickback so a smaller lathe would be the best starter
Wish i had seen this earlier.. good info.
Thank you, well you've seen it now. Better later than never. ;) Happy Turning!
All good and necessary advice.
Great video. But one thing you forgot is that Mini and Midi lathes also have 5/8 tool rest posts. I have a 12x36 and a 14x20 that have 1 inch posts, and both my jet and shop fox are 5/8. They are all 1x8 tpi and Morse taper 2, so I can use all of my accessories on each of my lathes.
Not all. I have a Rikon with a 1” post.
Thank you very much for that very useful information!!!
Thank you for your many very professional and helpful videos. Checked here to see wether I should buy another lathe. Have been turning on old Delta spindlelathe construction items for over 40 years am now retired and will finally indulge in bowls. Can turn up to 14" diameter and have reworked machine with proper adjustable motor. Have seen you turn oversized bowls and wondered how you could manage a large plate. With the section removed from bed the banjo has to be extremely angled forcing the talestock to be too far?? back to support a thin blank. A swingable Delta banjo extension arm part# cwl 43 out of heavy cast accommodates the rests. I have a spare. Have you ever considered breathing air supply? I hate respirators but also compressors. For a breathing disorder during sleep - arapnoe - this medical device with filter is adjustable and lets excess air escape out of nosepiece. Almost noiseless machine could be placed outside. Extension air supply 3/4" garden hose or whatever. Cost of total medical supplies needed about $300.oo how about this?
Spindle length should also be considered. Also, your spindle height recommendation is correct for face work turners, but will be too tall for spindle work turners. You should qualify your recommendations with the provision that they are for bowl and hollow form turners.
Great video Kent.
What about speed selection on a lathe …. Really though you’d mention that …. I believe digital would be best, like in a drill press where one can refine your RPM to best match your material… just recently started watching you , find you very educational. Thanks
I would suggest that the lathe have variable speed dial, as well as a light on a flexible stem.
I really enjoy your videos and have learned a lot from them. I was hoping that you would have also discussed variable speed motors versus fixed with stepped sheaves. BTW, I think I could benefit from saying what rpm you are using for your turnings. Thanks
I know it's not exact, but machining cutting speeds use a formula of (3.82 * material value speed on chart) / diameter of part.
Im gonna use metal as an example because i dont know the chart value for each wood... Stainless steel would have a value of like 60 so, (3.82*60)/3"= 76 rpm You can imagine the skepticism when turning it for the first time, but it works well. Harder metals requires slower speeds, and that concept should hold true on the wood side here.
Hardwoods will typically require a slower speed than soft woods, but not significantly. I'd imagine no more of a difference of 300-500 between them on average. Which would make sense why I've yet to hear anybody really harp on this seemingly important aspect of turning. Personally, ive been lingering around 1200-1600 on most projects, but have only really worked with cherry, pine, hickory, and olive wood in my short experience.
Food for thought
Some great tips in here
Great video. What about lathe speeds? I was hoping you would comment on this.
Thank you,
I bought my first lathe with idea that if I really like turning I could up grade, I have a mini lathe and it is limited in its scope. but I have turned a bowl that 9,25 inches, 3/4 HP motor. I am looking at upgrading to a midi, I really don't have the budget for much more than that? in fact, I need to sell some of my other toys to afford even that, I have learned a lot since I purchased this one. I expect that I will buy a full size at some point in the distant future. my mini uses a MT2 so some of my accessories I can use on the newer lathe, to my surprise the midi I am looking at has the same size post for the tool rest as the full size lathes, So I will wait until I buy the new lathe to get any new tool rests. I had a full size lathe but none of the newer accessories will fit it, so its going away. If anything I am discovering I need to simplify my shop to just do the things that I really care about and let the rest go. thanks for the videos, I have watched a bunch of them.
Great information, but as I turn from a chair ( I have mobility issues), some of things need to be adapted.
The Robust Scout allows for seated turning and deserves a look
1.) Size matters - mini, midi, full size. Keep in mind your swing size, headstock thread measurement for your accessories, Morse taper size (MT1 MT2 or MT3), tool rest post size so you can change tool rests as needed, and don't feel obligated to marry a brand name. Buy whatever brands you like that catch your eye
2.) Power - make sure the outlet provides the voltage required of the motor, and the breaker is suitable for the amperage draw. To modify the voltage from 110 to a higher voltage, hire an electrician. Higher voltage = more power. Green woods require more power. Aim for at least 1 or 2 hp motor, but get the higher hp motor that you can within reason.
3.)location - position the lathe so that it doesn't restrict your movement. This includes vertical height and maneuverability around the lathe. Height should be approximately at your elbows while you hug yourself ideally.
I guess i missed the other two, or wrapped them into the other categories
Excellent
dry, aged wood also can also require more hp since it hardens up and requires more force to cut than soft green stuff.
Thank you
I have had a mini and midi lathe. I turned a 14.5 inch bowl on my midi, the outboard capacity is 15 inches max. It didnt have an issue really. I didnt need to buy a $5000 full sized lathe to turn a bowl. My mini lathe capped at 8 inches a d i would regularly do 7 inch bowls... biggest issue was the small motor.
Similar for me, 8 inch max on my mini lathe. Turn lots of 6 and 7 inch bowls with no issue.
Wish I had a band saw though so I could get my blanks nice and round. Would save a lot of time!
what is the screen you have behind you to stop the chips from going everywhere and where did you get it thanks
Buying a Grizzly G0462.
16 inch swing
2 hp
Variable speed. Problem 600 rpm lowest speed.
In your opinion is this going to be a problem to turn wet bowls?
I don’t plan on turn more than 14 or 15 in wood.
This is my first lathe. I’m retired and enjoy woodworking. 11:30
Sounds like a great set up Darrell. Enjoy and welcome to the fun! Happy Turning!
Definetely it will be, or you already found out. 200lower rpm is the best for large bowls, specialy if is not balance well.
One thing I wish I knew is center alignment adjustment. My lathe has no adjustment screws so it was pretty tricky to get it lined up properly.
You can shim the headstock housing to get it into perfect alignment.
Going over 14” at least in canada the price nearly triples, my 14x45 was 900, 18x40 jumps to 2699$
Looking to buy my first lathe and was considering the Delta 46-460. I had a custom wood shop for over 25 years making custom cabinets and canopies for large marine aquariums and I have a full range of Delta tools ... Uni saw, 14" bandsaw, floor 6" jointer, 12" planer, floor disc/belt sanding station, floor drill press, etc etc. I don't plan on making large bowls or hollow forms but rather plan to focus of one-of-kind cast resin/wood pieces that won't be over 10" in diameter. Do you think this is a reasonable choice? Not planning to do as a business either as I'm retired and done working .. lol.
Do you know anything about the Grizzly G0842 lathe? I’m looking to get into wood turning and this lathe is for sale in my area. I can’t find out a lot about this lathe on the internet. Thanks for any info.
I'm not familiar with that model, but the brand is okay.
Do you think a person confined to a wheelchair could take up wood turning with any success?...I am interested, but skeptical....thanks for info.
Yes, absolutely! You will need to make some work arounds, but it's all very doable. Mounting the lathe in a position that is best accessible is the key. This can be made custom, but there are lathes that can accommodate you seated as well. Robust makes one, check it out. www.turnrobust.com/scout-new-lathe/
All the best to you and Happy Turning!
Kent
Kent very good. I do have a few questions on placement and overhead height. I have a Robust American beauty and love this lathe. I was thinking of putting it in an area of my garage that has an overhead loft area. The height is 6’ but I am not sure if this is enough height. I’m not really tall 5’7” and there is plenty of light. The area I have my lathe now takes up part of the wife’s parking space. So I’m looking to move my beauty. What do you think you think. Am I creating a hazard? Thank I always welcome advice.
There is a significant issue w many upper end lathes that have a variable frequency drive (VFD). These lathes are not compatible with circuits that GFI, which includes modern garages, true for both 120 and 220 v motors. For many home woodturners working in their garage this can be a significant hurdle, especially if you want to be within current electrical code. I have not seen this issue addressed by anyone.
eg of dimensions that lie within the definitions of midi versus full size lathes?
Many Midi size lathes have 5/8” tool rest posts.
Where would you rate the older Delta 3400?
Greg, sorry I'm not familiar with that machine. Happy Turning!
Thanks, great info. However, when you started talking about electricity, you showed your age. 110v changed a few decades ago. So that you know, the voltage will be changing every decade by 5 volts until the USA gets to 150v.
Will usa also be changing to better sockets and plugs....they always feel so flimsy.
Please tell me one disadvantage of direct drive lathes?
Electronic components! Think about the new cars!
You forgot the part about how to go about telling your wife or partner that you want to buy another woodworking tool that takes up floor space in an otherwise crowded garage.
And be ready to tell your wife that is big, she will be delighted ! Space for? Always works out!
It's a little disingenuous to say your not gonna be able to turn bowls on a mini or midi I def know of thousands of bowls up to 10-12 inches that were turned on mini n midi. New turners are not going to have 2500 bucks to dump on a full size
I turn 10-12” bowls on my midi turncraft commander