JonB
Halcyon member
I try to post all my Off Topic posts in the "so waht ya doin today?" thread, because this is a bullet casting forum and I have a little OCD which prevents me from cluttering a great bullet casting forum with Other Stuff, LOL. BUT, I don't want this to get buried or lost in that thread. Also, I figure there is some craftsmen here who turn wood.
OK, that's out of the way.
I've turned a few items over the last 30+ years...very few, like 5 or 10 items. Most were turned on a very old wood framed wood lathe, which looked like it might have been made from a kit advertised in a Popular Mechanics magazine in 1900. It originally came with a flat belt pulley, like it may have been driven by a old external flywheel engine. Anyway, I never knew what I was doing, I didn't read any books and I didn't have a mentor. I didn't know how to properly use the tools and I found it difficult to keep the "work" (turning item) attached to that antique lathe. I sold that lathe a couple years ago ...and sold the DIY tools(I made them the early 1990s when I had access to a sheet metal shop, but I didn't know much about that either, LOL). Since then, I have been looking for a lathe that would better suit what I think I need. I won't go into all that now, but what I can say is...
I made the next step into turning. I ordered some new Benjamin Best tools and a HF 10x18 wood Lathe. From the used vintage (or not vintage) Lathes, that I've seen in the various classifieds, for their price if it's a good one, I figured one from HF would be the best bet for the money...and the 10x18 has surprisingly good reviews, it's suggested by many to confirm alignment and a few other things, before the 90 days return/replace warranty is up...but if you find a good one, it should last a good long while for a hobbyist.
Now my reasoning for starting this thread, if it's not obvious, I need to learn. So besides youtube, I'm looking for a real paper book to acquire and also the Best woodworkers forum with a good section of wood turning. AND, of course any basic hints/tips/tricks I may need while getting started.
OK, that's out of the way.
I've turned a few items over the last 30+ years...very few, like 5 or 10 items. Most were turned on a very old wood framed wood lathe, which looked like it might have been made from a kit advertised in a Popular Mechanics magazine in 1900. It originally came with a flat belt pulley, like it may have been driven by a old external flywheel engine. Anyway, I never knew what I was doing, I didn't read any books and I didn't have a mentor. I didn't know how to properly use the tools and I found it difficult to keep the "work" (turning item) attached to that antique lathe. I sold that lathe a couple years ago ...and sold the DIY tools(I made them the early 1990s when I had access to a sheet metal shop, but I didn't know much about that either, LOL). Since then, I have been looking for a lathe that would better suit what I think I need. I won't go into all that now, but what I can say is...
I made the next step into turning. I ordered some new Benjamin Best tools and a HF 10x18 wood Lathe. From the used vintage (or not vintage) Lathes, that I've seen in the various classifieds, for their price if it's a good one, I figured one from HF would be the best bet for the money...and the 10x18 has surprisingly good reviews, it's suggested by many to confirm alignment and a few other things, before the 90 days return/replace warranty is up...but if you find a good one, it should last a good long while for a hobbyist.
Now my reasoning for starting this thread, if it's not obvious, I need to learn. So besides youtube, I'm looking for a real paper book to acquire and also the Best woodworkers forum with a good section of wood turning. AND, of course any basic hints/tips/tricks I may need while getting started.
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