Good Afternoon everyone,

 

My name is David and I am new here and also new to woodturning. I am an Army vet looking to woodturning for therapy. My question is: What is a good reasonable starter lathe that I can buy that is not going to break the bank? Also a decent set of traditional tools to get started with?

 

Thank you for your time

Welcome to the forum, Dave...and thank you for your service. There are quite a few good turners here (I am not one of them) who can suggest a lathe. Enjoy!

I have had the Delta 46-460 for 6 or 7 years and love it.  It is a good midi lathe if you aren't planning on turning long items although there is a bed extension available if you are.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-12-1-2-in-Mini-Wood-Lathe-with-Variable-Speed-46-460/203313763?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&mtc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_9_PORTABLE_POWER-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-PortablePower_PLA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_9_PORTABLE_POWER-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-PortablePower_PLA-71700000034127218-58700003933021540-92700060764889375&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb6IBhAREiwAgMYKRiFiofVufC9xhbXqx6uxpPJHFR3IbHkTsErfOGf1t0lgPZte23Dr6hoCxJkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

2 hours ago, HandyDan said:

I have had the Delta 46-460 for 6 or 7 years and love it.  It is a good midi lathe if you aren't planning on turning long items although there is a bed extension available if you are.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Delta-12-1-2-in-Mini-Wood-Lathe-with-Variable-Speed-46-460/203313763?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&mtc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_9_PORTABLE_POWER-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-PortablePower_PLA&cm_mmc=Shopping-B-F_D25T-G-D25T-25_9_PORTABLE_POWER-Multi-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-PortablePower_PLA-71700000034127218-58700003933021540-92700060764889375&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb6IBhAREiwAgMYKRiFiofVufC9xhbXqx6uxpPJHFR3IbHkTsErfOGf1t0lgPZte23Dr6hoCxJkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

 

Lowes usually has this available too, and both offer military discount.  Compare prices and what's convenient to your location.  

 

Also, I have a set of Penn State Industries chisels (PSI Woodworking LCHSS8) in the case, never used.  You can have them for $50 plus shipping, but I don't know how to arrange for that.

Howdy and welcome from Texas.  Thank you for your service. 

 

It would be helpful to know what kind of things you want to make.  Other details like 110v vs 220v can also make a difference. 

 

.40

Hi, and welcome aboard.Thank you for your service. I know less than Fred about turning (I have yet to try), but there are many artistes on the lathe here.

David,

 

If you want the option of doing more than just turning look at a used Shopsmith. A 34" lathe is just the beginning of what you get with one of these. Craigslist and other similar forums should have them listed and the prices for used ones are more than reasonable. With the Shopsmith you get quite a few major tools in one relatively small package.

 

Check out the Shopsmith forum here and see if that might suit your needs. Plenty of folks to assist in anything you might need regarding these machines.

 

Welcome aboard.

 

Tony B

Welcome from Massachusetts Dave. Not a turner myself but we have some very talented turners here. Great group of people, willing to help where help is asked. No attitudes or critics.

Welcome aboard. First you might want to post future woodturning questions in the woodturning forum. Maybe the moderator will move this one. Good lathes at a "reasonable" price are hard to come by. You did not say what you want to spend so I will assume under 800.     1. The Delta that Dan mentioned is a good investment and if you upgrade is easy to sell.

2.  Also in the same class is the Jet JWL-1221VS 12'' x 21'' Variable Speed Wood Lathe but at 900.

3.  There is also a 10 inch version of the Jet for around 550.

 

Note these are not the only options but I usually recommend buying the best you can afford and maybe a little more than . Cheap will turn you against turning real soon. The Benjamin's Best from Penn State are good starter tools. You will be buying more expensive ones soon after you learn they do make turning easier. Now beside the machine and gouges there will be grinder , measuring tools and chucks in there somewhere but please make those each in separate posts so we can address it properly.

Welcome aboard David, glad to have you here.  And thank you for your Army service.

Welcome home, veteran.  And, thank you for your service from one veteran to another. 

 

I am not familiar enough to talk about lathes except for the Shopsmith.  As Headhunter pointed out a good used one is often about $500 depending on location and model.  The 510 and 520 will be more expensive.  A new one is prohibitive at $4500.  When you inquire on a used one, check for turning equipment such as a tool rest, drive spur, tail stock, and live or dead center.  Also ask if it comes with any gouges.  Check it out and make sure it runs and goes through all the speeds.  Also see what other accessories come with it.  Some buyers get rid of all the turning attachments and other owners keep only the turning attachments.  

Most Shopsmiths come prepared to receive only 110 v.  The start speed is 750 rpm which can be reduced to about 150 with a speed reducer.  A speed reducer will take about 6 inches of our linear space.  However, if you have 2 of them, your bed is greatly extended. These machines built in the 1950's until today have parts that are pretty easily gotten via the mother ship or on someplace like eBay.  Call your seller if you can and talk before buying. Ask away any questions you may have.  You have received some wonderful information here.  Looking forward to your purchase and participation.  

Steve brings up a very good option of buying used. Most medium to small lathes can be found at half the new price. Larger in demand lathes will be at about 3/4 the new price.Remember there are always exceptions. Try looking at estate sales, local clubs may have members with lathes for sale. Also look at Facebook and Craigs List.