What Next ?

[Nick Mastropietro]

After the lathe and some turning tools, what was your next lathe accessory purchase? Just trying to prepare myself for the inevitable!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Well lets see. Sharpening system and face shield would be number one for me.

[Curt Fuller]

A good chuck.

[David Christopher]

angle sander and maybe a vacuum chuck

[Nick Mastropietro]

Hi Bernie - I have a Worksharp 3000, would that sufice as a sharpening system? and I havee a face shield as well.

Curt - what do you think of the Baracuda2 T/N? PSI will have it on sale for 199.95 with a bunch of accessories.

[Nick Mastropietro]

Dave what do you suggest as a vacuum chuck?

[Reed Gray]

Best Christmas present I ever bought myself was the lathe, and am now on #3 and 4. Next best was as big bandsaw, or was it the centralized dust collection system, or maybe the chainsaws, or the chucks? Not really sure. Don't have a vacuum chuck yet.

robo hippy

[Harlan Coverdale]

The Worksharp 3000 will work, but not as well as several other more common methods for sharpening turning tools. A wolverine jig and 8" grinder with decent wheels will get you better and more consistent results.

The WS3000 is a nice tool, but it's just not real well-suited to sharpening most turning tools easily. It's much better with plane irons and bench chisels.

The PSI chuck you mentioned is a good one, and a pretty good value, considering it also includes a few different jaw sets. But if you can find a Nova or Oneway or Vicmark chuck on sale, one of those would be my recommendation. I've seen recent mentions of the Supernova 2 on sale somewhere for something like $120, but I don't remember where. At that price range, you could get a SN2 with an extra set or two of jaws for about the same as the Barracuda 2, and have a better chuck in the end IMHO. I've owned and used both, and I prefer the Nova.

[Rob Holcomb]

I'll 2nd Bernie's comments. I just bought my first lathe and turned my first piece last night. It didn't come out great but I didn't expect it to. As I was turning, I could notice my tools becoming dull and my safety glasses fogging up. I have a grinder but didn't dare try to sharpen the tools freehand. When I was done, I went online and bought a faceshield, an aluminum oxide sanding wheel and Wolverine sharpening jig. I also think a woodworkers apron would be a good investment. You get covered with shavings!

[John Keeton]

It is Woodcraft that has the SN2 on sale. With the #2 jaws, but without the insert, I think it is $120. The insert is about $23. Sometimes the PSI chuck is on sale with all 4 sets of jaws included for about $200 - and, may be now.

I haven't been turning long, but I think you would rarely use all the jaws, and for the money, I would prefer the SN2. I have 2 Nova chucks, and it is so much handier than when I had one. Might even buy another!

I bought the Cole jaws, and I do use them frequently. However, I think I would prefer to make a set with more capacity now that I have the Delta and can run at a slower speed.

I would get a Stebcenter drive, a mandrel for doing Christmas ornaments if you think that may interest you (they are kind of quick and fun!), and I would probably look at a curved tool rest. I ended up with the round bar "S" shaped one from PSI, but do not care for it.

Then, I would NOT get a bunch of other cutting tools until I used the lathe for awhile. I ended up buying a few tools that I never use. Seems a lot of folks end up with 4-5 tools they use all the time, and others have a dozen or more they use. So, I think you need to learn what is going to be right for you and buy more as you learn. I now realize I need a couple more that I didn't think I would need.

[Dick Sowa]

I think I would go a slightly different route than some have said. With only the lathe and tools, there are some other basic things you can use. You don't really NEED a chuck, although they are nice to have.

-Get several faceplates. I have some set up with different size glue blocks, that I turn for jamb chucks. One is permanently mounted on a doughnut chuck, etc.

-Get some dust protection...good quality face masks or respirator. Your lungs will thank you.

-Jacobs chuck with morse taper, that you can mount in the tailstock to bore out your blank.

-The worksharp might work for lathe tools, but most folks opt for a Wolverine jig...very fast and convenient.

[Sean Hughto]

I all depends upon what you want to make. If you want to make table legs the answer is different than if you want to make a 15" diameter bowl and different again if you want to make a hollow form vase.

Pick a project, and you'll get more useful answers.

The 1642 comes with a large faceplate and a decent live center.

[Sean Hughto]

The guys above are right that no matter what you need: safety equipment like a face shield and I would add a respirator (or at least mask to keep the dust out of your nose and lungs); and a good sharpening system.

Tools and work holding devices are the things that are much more project specific.

[Gary Chester]

Got wood??? All that other stuff won't do you much good without some wood.:D:D

If you're brand new to all of this, get a 2x4, cut it at 18" and cut that in half lengthwise and practice. Do a search on Craig's list for "firewood" or fire wood"... ya never know what you might find...

[Thom Sturgill]

Some good answers, some maybe not. As was said about gouges, do some turning and find out what you use and could use if you had. Sets are a waste except for a few pieces. They do let you practice sharpening and can often be adapted to other tasks. And that leads to the second purchase - a grinder and wolverine system.

I also agree about getting a decent chuck. I bought the PSI with the extra jaws and while I do use them on occasion, I also bought their dovetail jaws and find that I greatly prefer the dovetail to serrated ones. that would be the next major purchase after the grinder/jigs.

As to buying multiple face plates, I would suggest buying a tap and using threaded wood for your glue blocks, donut chucks, etc. OR buying some large nuts and epoxying them in a recess in a glue block. I have one face plate and it has only been used once or twice at most. YMMVG

[Steve Kubien]

I'm going to go a little against the grain on this... I agree with Bernie about face shields and sharpening equipment. You cannot do anything without either of these.

I would say no to the chuck. Learn to turn without it using faceplates and glue blocks. I have never dismounted a properly glued piece yet I have launched lots of properly mounted pieces from a chuck. A couple of faceplates and a ton of thick CA and accelerator can be had for the price of a good chuck. Oh, and changing jaws with a glue block...not going to happen. For the hollowforms I've been working on, glue-blocks have been VERY liberating.

Steve

[Jake Helmboldt]

Hi Bernie - I have a Worksharp 3000, would that sufice as a sharpening system? and I havee a face shield as well.

Curt - what do you think of the Baracuda2 T/N? PSI will have it on sale for 199.95 with a bunch of accessories.

Nick, the Barracuda won't fit your new lathe (if I recall you're getting a 1642?). The Barracuda would require an adaptor since it is threaded for a 1x8 spindle.

A lot can be done without a chuck, so it isn't needed, but it sure makes things easier and more versatile.

[Gary Chester]

No disrespect to Steve at all, but a chuck is just easier, and it's not about how you do it... it's about what you create.

[Reed Gray]

When it comes to glue blocks, face plates and screws, and chucks, I have had equal success in sending things flying. There are ways to make them all work, and a learning curve for each. For efficiency, the chuck is far faster. No screws, no screw gun, no face plates, no glue blocks, no glue. Drill a recess on the top to turn the bottom, then turn a recess for remounting. My chuck never comes off the lathe when I am turning and coring bowls.

robo hippy

[Bernie Weishapl]

Hi Bernie - I have a Worksharp 3000, would that sufice as a sharpening system? and I havee a face shield as well.

Curt - what do you think of the Baracuda2 T/N? PSI will have it on sale for 199.95 with a bunch of accessories.

Have a look at Woodcraft. They have the super Nova 2 on sale for $119 reg priced at $174. Great chuck and a lot of people have them. I agree with Reed a chuck is easier to use and yes glue blocks, face plates, etc. have there place. I can say I have never used glue block yet. Never needed to use one. I am like Reed my chuck very seldom comes off the lathe except when I turn between centers.

I don't think the WS3000 isn't to well suited for woodturning IMHO. Most have the woodcraft or other slow speed grinder and the wolverine jig.

[Curt Fuller]

Hi Bernie - I have a Worksharp 3000, would that sufice as a sharpening system? and I havee a face shield as well.

Curt - what do you think of the Baracuda2 T/N? PSI will have it on sale for 199.95 with a bunch of accessories.

I have that chuck and use it on my Delta Midi. I've had no problems with it at all. Check the price on Amazon, sometimes they sell it via PSI for less.

[Steve Kubien]

Oh there is no doubt in my mind that a chuck is faster and more convenient. I'm just relating what I have noticed lately in my shop. There are lost so of accomplished turners who have more chucks than I have shavings (Richard Raffan comes to mind). I'm not saying chucks are a bad thing but I am saying I don't think you NEED one right away.

My 2 cents and I probably owe you change.

Cheers,
Steve