My Craftsman 12" lathe isn't working for me anymore. It still turns OK, but getting belts and replacement parts is nigh impossible.

I don't turn long spindles, so a benchtop model would be fine... 12 or 14 inch swing and 24" between centers would be more than enough.

I realize I could spend thousands and get the best of the best. But I can't really justify that much money for a hobby tool.

Grizzly is right down the road. But I'm not sure their quality is up to par.

Mike

You are indeed a brave man, turning dead tree carcasses and probably knowing that they are a fire hazard. Because of that I have switched many years ago to a metal lathe, and try to work as little as possible with the brown stuff

I've turned many a dead tree carcass on a metal lathe. And I would just as soon have one. Then I could work metal, wood, horn, etc...

But any kind of decent metal lathe is $$$

Mike

Actually I did turn a small oak dowel today for a tool insert to jewel a bolt on one of my rifles. so i guess that counts as working with dead tree carcasses.

I have a JET Mini-lathe and like it so much I bought one for my son. Smooth, quiet, and you can even get a bed extender if you need to turn anything longer.

Moosetrot

Thanks Moosetrot. The JET was in my price range but I didn't know enough about them to know if they were worth the money. I'll take a closer look at them.

Mike

Mike I bought a G4003 gunsmith's metal lathe from Grizzly put adjustable feet on it and leveled the ways, very satisfied with the precision. Way more money than you're talking. If their wood lathes are anything like their metal lathes and the price is right go for it. I would buy from them again in a split second.

Check out the AMERICAN BEAUTY LATHE !!

mines home made from scrap. old window fan motor drives it. I use it mostly to make oak or maple fishing pole handles.

Been using a Jet Mini for several years now and have been well satisfied with it. I added the bed extension, but have seldom used it. I mostly turn game calls and pens/pencils, but have made a couple lamps, a "priest" for my fishing bag, and a few other projects.

The good thing about Grizzly is that their showroom is within driving distance. So I can go in and actually get some hands-on time with prospective purchases... That's a big plus.

And I agree that their higher end machine tools are nice.

May have to take a little road trip on my next day off.

Mike

Good gravy!!! Those are nice. But for that kind of money I would get a benchtop metal lathe... Maybe a lathe/mill combo.

Mike

That takes me back to a happier time Danny. My grandpa had a very similar setup in his workshop.

Before I inherited this Craftsman lathe I had an old Singer sewing machine bench with the foot treadle. I considered making a simple lathe out of it but never found the time or parts to make it happen.

Mike

That's 2 votes for JET. If I can find a dealer nearby that has models on the floor I will definitely look close at them.

Mike

From the hobbyist point of view is a variable speed drive a must? Or is it just a nice feature that really isn't worth the cost for a hobbyist?

Mike

Delta 46-460 is pretty nice.

I'll check it out. When I Googled that model it says my local Lowe's has it.

Mike

Just get link belts. What parts ever need replacing on a wood lathe?

If you're just in the mood for something different get old, heavy and cast.

Belt's, Bearings etc can be had from most any industrial supply house, main castings shouldn't break anyway.

started turning game calls on a big old thing that lasted till all he bearing went. switched over to the minis and have been using them ever since I have 2 one set up for pot calls the other for water fowl and predator calls. one day I will think about a delta or jet I guess.