Starter lathe tools and new lathe from PSI

[Prashun Patel]

Anyone hear about this lathe?

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLC12VS.html

Also, I'm getting a 'starter set' of turning tools. Anything recomendations? I've been counselled to buy individual tools and not a set. Words of wisdom?

- shawn

[Jamie Straw]

I started with Benjamin's Best from Penn State -- we used those tools in the starter class I took from Bonnie Klein. They work just fine, and are inexpensive, which takes the pressure off when you're learning to sharpen! I now have the confidence in my sharpening to pay more for a chisel, but I'm sure glad the first skew I bought was under $20.:D

Although I usually advocate buying individuals rather than sets (router bits for instance), Penn State has a couple of 6-piece sets that seem to be a good selection and price (look on this page (http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lathe-chisel-sets.html)). If you consider getting a set, examine the specs carefully and make sure you're not looking at a "mini-tool" set.

[Rob Cunningham]

Philadelphia Furniture Workshop had a few Turncrafter lathes when I took their turning class. They had replaced the the plastic handles on the tool rest and tail stock with regular Allen head screws because the handles broke. Other than that, they seemed to work well for the stuff we turned in the class.

[John Keeton]

Shawn, are feeling the suction of the vortex??:D

Several creekers recommended the Harbor Freight Windsor tools, and that is what I got. There are two different sets.

This one (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47066), which is the one I got. And, this one (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35444) which is apparently just a tad bit heavier, and $25 more money. I am happy with the ones I got, and my theory was I could regrind the flat skews to scrapers, and reshape the scraper if needed. That leaves the parting tool, roughing gouge, large spindle gouge, and the small spindle gouge - all of which work fine.

Watching with interest the comments you get on the Turncrafter lathe. I did a lot of research on the existing models, and noticed the new one in the catalogue.

[gary butcher]

Hrm, I have the little turncrafter pro (all $180 of it) and it;s a nice little lathe but it's time to upgrade and I was planing on getting the delta midi. Now this comes along with the same power, even lower speed, digital readout and 200 bucks cheaper....

No reverse drive but still, that's a lot of lathe for the cash. I'll definitely be looking into this closer.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I would say that would be a great starter lathe and a nice upgrade from a mini. That is $200 cheaper than the Delta with the same hp, the lowest speed is lower with digital readout and indexing. You can live without reverse if you can master your tools.

[Richard Madison]

Looks like the two speed ranges might be more convenient than the Delta's rather narrow speed ranges. The break between 1st and 2nd range would be very unhandy for me. Jack, are you reading this?