Well, our site is getting some great new changes. It is now easier to navigate, use, and to know when members post discussions, photos/videos, and blogs. Let’s take advantage of these new changes and start uploading more of our turning projects!

I’ll start with what was completed over the weekend, in my little shop-

I’m sure you folks made something!! Let’s See It!!

All of the other forums are always gloating over their new toys or what they have in their shops- how about we do the same! We turners are not to be grouped with Banjo players- we are good people! Let’s show off our lathes, lathe tools and homemade jigs. Are you making something right now? Take a couple of photos and write a short blog. I know it takes a couple of extra steps but all of us can learn from each other- mistakes and all!!

The gauntlet has been thrown, show us your stuff!!

We're Waiting...

Safe Turning!

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Those are the nicest pins in the country Lew. Outstanding! Yep, lets hear yall turners! Step up don't be shy. The Patriot Woodworker needs you! You know, kind of like Uncle Sam Needs You, I know, you got it, nuff.

Lew, as discussed, I hope to have a lathe sooner then later, I am almost there in my savings, and a new lathe is getting closer and closer, your gonna have plenty of company here when I get it!

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Back to the top!

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Very Nice,

Makes me want to finish hooking up my lathe, (motor got flooded out from hurricane Wilma as rest of shop)  and get back to turning again.

This may sound stupid but I'am not sure if I know how to put that all to gether and would like to know, please and thanks

Bob Shields

USMC

Bob, are you talking about the rolling pins?

Bob Shields said:

This may sound stupid but I'am not sure if I know how to put that all to gether and would like to know, please and thanks

Bob Shields

USMC

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Douglas, makes me want a lathe!!!! I should be getting one soon though, after I finish a couple jobs, it does look fun!

Douglas Helliesen said:

Very Nice,

Makes me want to finish hooking up my lathe, (motor got flooded out from hurricane Wilma as rest of shop)  and get back to turning again.

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Bob,

There is a several part blog here on the site explaining the process of building these rolling pins and making the jigs- http://www.thepatriotwoodworker.com/profiles/blogs/rolling-pins-part-1-the-jigs. If you have any questions, please let me know!

Bob Shields said:

This may sound stupid but I'am not sure if I know how to put that all to gether and would like to know, please and thanks

Bob Shields

USMC

Yes I was talking about the rolling pins, and I hope with my ongoing bad hands that I could make something like your rolling pins, if that would be ok

 

Bob Shields

USMC

Absolutely, Bob! Need any help, just let me know!!

Bob Shields said:

Yes I was talking about the rolling pins, and I hope with my ongoing bad hands that I could make something like your rolling pins, if that would be ok

 

Bob Shields

USMC

My interest is mostly tools and tooling, but I do a little turning.  I thought I would pass on a good way to get a decent lathe with just a little ingenuity.  Most of my tools are older American made, but a friend of mine usually drags me to Grizzly's tent sale each Summer.  I bought one of their mid-sized vs lathes with the circuit board burned out.  I found the open and tried to solder it, but it immediately burned again.  The replacement board was about $140 so I opted to try something different when I figured the board was a weak design.  All of the lathes on the pallets had the same issue.  Several articles have been written about using treadmill motors to power shop equipment.  My lathe already had a DC motor so all I had to do was supply power to it.  I found an older treadmill that was not digital and removed the motor controller and choke.  The choke looks similar to a transformet but only has two wires.  It is supposed to help smooth out the DC.  I used the original rheostat on the lathe.  To fortify the system a fan was added to keep everything cooler.  All the new stuff wouldn't fit into the Grizzly box so a new larger metal electrical make-up box was found and mounted in the same location.  In hindsight I wish I had mounted it elsewhere, but I didn't have my cast iron base at that time.  The unit has been running for about 1.5 years and helped produce several pens, tool handles, tops, and a spindle cover for an old Atlas drill press.  The only quirk to the system is you have to turn the rheostat to zero each time you want to stop and start.  The paddle switch functions but turns everything off including the fan.  I use a power strip to contol the whole unit.  The tach still functions.

Daniel,

Thank you for taking the time to post this information! My background is in Electronics and computers and having this information is a real help to me.

Daniel Coleman said:

My interest is mostly tools and tooling, but I do a little turning.  I thought I would pass on a good way to get a decent lathe with just a little ingenuity.  Most of my tools are older American made, but a friend of mine usually drags me to Grizzly's tent sale each Summer.  I bought one of their mid-sized vs lathes with the circuit board burned out.  I found the open and tried to solder it, but it immediately burned again.  The replacement board was about $140 so I opted to try something different when I figured the board was a weak design.  All of the lathes on the pallets had the same issue.  Several articles have been written about using treadmill motors to power shop equipment.  My lathe already had a DC motor so all I had to do was supply power to it.  I found an older treadmill that was not digital and removed the motor controller and choke.  The choke looks similar to a transformet but only has two wires.  It is supposed to help smooth out the DC.  I used the original rheostat on the lathe.  To fortify the system a fan was added to keep everything cooler.  All the new stuff wouldn't fit into the Grizzly box so a new larger metal electrical make-up box was found and mounted in the same location.  In hindsight I wish I had mounted it elsewhere, but I didn't have my cast iron base at that time.  The unit has been running for about 1.5 years and helped produce several pens, tool handles, tops, and a spindle cover for an old Atlas drill press.  The only quirk to the system is you have to turn the rheostat to zero each time you want to stop and start.  The paddle switch functions but turns everything off including the fan.  I use a power strip to contol the whole unit.  The tach still functions.

Slowly but surely I'll get back into turning.

My old Delta lathe is lacking for tooling, and in need of a rebuild.

It's another of my old machines waiting for attention. I keep telling it someday.

It was given a ray of hope a few months back, when a vintage set of chisels found their way to it.

 

 

They don't appear to have been used much.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Very nice pins, I want to start doing some turning also. Could anyone tell me the best lathe for purchase but with a low price

 

We will be expecting to see some of the turning, from the chisels, here soon!!

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Tony,

Turning can be addictive! There are many fine lathes out there and the prices can have quite a range. For most general turning (pens, rolling pins, small bowls and short spindles- 20" or less) a nice Midi lathe will fill the bill. Look for something in the 1 hp motor range, about 10" max diameter turnings, #2 Morris taper. Electronic variable speed and reversible motor is really nice. Woodcraft and Laguna Tools both have lathes as well as many other suppliers. 

Tony Greenway said:

Very nice pins, I want to start doing some turning also. Could anyone tell me the best lathe for purchase but with a low price

 

Hey Lew, don't you have a blog that Bob could look at for some info on making the celtic knot pins?

Lewis Kauffman said:

Absolutely, Bob! Need any help, just let me know!!

Bob Shields said:

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

---

John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker
Proud Supporter of Homes For Our Troops and Wounded Warriors Project

Sent him the link!

John Morris said:

Hey Lew, don't you have a blog that Bob could look at for some info on making the celtic knot pins?

Lewis Kauffman said:

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Lew,

It'll be awhile,

The old lathe needs some work, and I need to get some tool rests and other items for it.

The chisels came from a friend, he said he didn't like the feel of them. He uses a set of Robert Sorbys.

I'm sure they'll be fine for me, and I couldn't beat the price. ( Any cheaper and I would have gotten paid for taking them )

It's been about 40 years since I did any turning.

( Now I feel Old )

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Lewis Kauffman said:

We will be expecting to see some of the turning, from the chisels, here soon!!

---

Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Tony, whenever anyone wants to get into turning for cheap I cringe. Reason being when I try go cheap I just get frustrated and end up spending money twice. Turning is anything but cheap. I would however take a few classes in wood turning before you spend a dime and if it appeals to you then buy quality tools and it will make the craft more enjoyable & cheaper in the long run.

Look on craig's list and in a lot of cases you can find a lathe in good condition at a fair price. I wouldn't buy a Delta at this time due to the decline in customer support. If your looking for a Midi lathe I would highly advise staying away from harbor freight and Penn State Industries, the quality is hit or miss. If you want to start with a Midi lathe take a look at the new Jet Midi lathe that was just released. http://www.jettools.com/us/en/home/  It has features that I wished were available when I bought my Jet.

Woodcraft usually has pretty good assortment of lathes. 

Tony Greenway said:

Very nice pins, I want to start doing some turning also. Could anyone tell me the best lathe for purchase but with a low price