My first real try - Woodworking Talk

Weird Woody · 09-16-2009, 12:29 PM

I picked up my first lathe a couple months ago after a long search.
Ive been lurking this thread for a while to get an idea about what type of lathe i would need. I came to the realization that the Jet 1236
would be the one that would fit my needs. But at 799 was never in my budget. So I was shopping Craigslist for a used one for what seemed like forever and could not find one for under 500.
Then i saw an listing for one that was 350. The picture of it was small
and grainy. There was no description, just a number to call.
From what I could see in the pic, all the parts seemed to be there.
So i call to see what was wrong with it. Turns out to be a Jet distributor selling a display model.

I couldn't get there fast enough!
It had a pre-turned piece of wood mounted in it but had never been used. Still had a pristine layer of sticky protective coating on it.
I couldn't believe my luck!
Raced it home and mounted it on my workbench. (the legs on that
model are kind of flimsy)
Long story short, this is my first "real" piece.
Its a log i got from my fire wood pile to play with (big leaf maple)
I may never burn another log from that pile!

john lucas · 09-16-2009, 12:49 PM

OH man, now your hooked. Hang on to your wallet. One of the best things about turning is being able to use firewood and other free wood. That's good because all your money will go toward tools and other gadgets so I guess in the long run it's a wash.
good piece by the way.

slatron25 · 09-16-2009, 12:53 PM

Sweet find there Woody. Nice first piece also. Welcome to the vortex.

Weird Woody · 09-16-2009, 01:19 PM

Thanks guys, and I can see why I it will be a pocket burner, I only
have 2 tools for it that i got from a neighbor, a gouge and a parting tool. and even they are kind of cheap. I also want to get an adjustable chuck for it. any suggestions on good tools and chuck for this model?
Oh, and i need a good coring tool as well.

Mitch Cholewinski · 09-16-2009, 02:48 PM

Woody
That is a teriffic looking first effort Woody. Keep em coming. Mitch

dbhost · 09-16-2009, 06:16 PM

For starting out, which is what I am doing. I am getting good results from the 8pc set of turning tools from PSI (They are labelled Benjamin's Best or something like that). My chuck is a WoodRiver chuck from Woodcraft. While not a Barracuda chuck, the $70ish dollars it laid me back after tax was money well spent. it grips like a pit bull on a steak... I need the wide jaws for it, just haven't gone and gotten them yet.

I am using sanding sponges with my setup at this point. I know I need better, but it's what I have...

I have been spending so much time on other projects as of late that the lathe is sitting idle. A pity really. I have had a 6" bowl blank chucked up and going nowhere for about 2 months now... I need to get caught up NOW!!!!

phinds · 09-16-2009, 07:02 PM

Boy Howdy that sure is some nice chunk of firewood.

Nice job.

lumber jock · 09-17-2009, 04:47 AM

Kenbo · 09-17-2009, 08:32 AM

Very nice piece. I like the shape. Great job.
Ken

jdixon · 09-19-2009, 01:01 PM

Woody, great find on the new lathe! That's awesome. As others have said that is probably the cheapest part!

Your first piece turned out great, keep it up. My suggestion would be to try and locate a turning club in your area. Learning how to use your tools correctly from the start will certainly make turning more enjoyable and save you lots of time in the learning curve. Good luck and have fun!

John

jdixon · 09-19-2009, 01:06 PM

http://www.woodturner.org/community/...alChapters.asp

Here is a link to where you can find local chapters. Hopefully one of them is close to you. In the drop down menu just choose your state and it will come up with all the chapters for you.

John