What are the best turning related items from Home Depot?

[Derek Gilmer]

This is a bit random I know. But my wife's family got a gift card for my last week from Home Depot for my birthday. I'm pretty set on tools not related to turning. And even if I wasn't the call of the vortex is putting those flat work thoughts away for now. The problem is I can't find much at HD that fits my current addiction for turning. Here are the thoughts I've had.

1. Trade/sell the card to buy turning stuff (wouldn't hurt the families feelings)
2. A grinder, but all HD carries are high speed
3. Oneway chuck, but the one on sale is for 1-1/4" threads not the 1" on my delta and I prefer the talon over the lever tightened one
4. Wood and parts to build a turning cart, but my half garage shop is out of room already the lathe lives on my outfeed table/wood kiln :)
5. Ridgid bandsaw... meh not impressed with reviews and would prefer a nicer grizzly so the green matches my other griz equipment
6. A chain saw - I hear I'll be needing this soon
7. A few gallons of DNA for dipping blanks in

Right now I am torn between trying to trade the card to get a low speed grinder+wolverine jig or a chainsaw and some dna. Are there any hidden gems at HD or on their website I'm missing?

[Roger Chandler]

I would go with the chainsaw..........I think they carry Echo......maybe Husqvarna? Get a big one if you can.........go into the pro line like the husky 359 or up............the rancher 455 is not a pro line saw. Echo makes some good equipment.

If a chainsaw is not in the cards, go with the DNA..........providing you want to stay with the home depot purchase. otherwise, I would see if I could transfer that money to be able to use at a turning related vendor...........much more specialized tools.

[John Keeton]

Other than a chainsaw, HD would be way down the list of places to shop for turning related items, IMO.

[Joe Pfeifer]

The Ryobi grinder isn't a bad deal. The feet per second of a 6" wheel at 3450rpm is the about the same as an 8" wheel at 1750rpm.

[Scott Lux]

Norton 3x sandpaper is good. They stock it in 20 packs up to 220 grit.

[Nate Davey]

Donut chuck and home made vacuum chuck parts.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Other than maybe a electric chainsaw there is nothing turning wise I would buy at least at the HD around here.

[John Keeton]

The Ryobi grinder isn't a bad deal. The feet per second of a 6" wheel at 3450rpm is the about the same as an 8" wheel at 1750rpm.Keep in mind, however, that the wheel selection at 6" is somewhat limited. For instance, the CBN wheels from D-Way Tools come in 8". I am not aware of any other size that is available, though there may be sources out there.

[Scott Hackler]

Don't be under the assumption that all models of chainsaws are created equal. They are not. Huskvarna saws at the big box stores are very light duty and will never be the same as ones boughten from a dealer. You know the ones that guys use for 20-30 years!You could buy sandpaper, finishes, measuring devices (rulers, compass), fortner bits, 4x4 cedar posts for small forms......

[Dennis Ford]

I would vote for a chainsaw. I know that they don't carry a professional chainsaw but if it is used only to prepare turning blanks, should be good enough.

[John W Dixon]

How much is the gift card for? If it's $50 I would buy some sand paper, wipe on poly and maybe sanding sealer. If its for considerably more you might try to sell it but selling gift cards is hard to get the full amount for. Maybe you could get something nice for the house thereby buttering up the wife so you can spend an even more insane amount at a turning related site!

[Harvey Ghesser]

and there it begins......

[Robert McGowen]

shop vac...... you will be surprised where all that sanding dust ends up......

[David E Keller]

You could always get some cold rolled steel, drill bits, taps, and set screws to make some hollowing tools...

[Bill Bulloch]

You are not restricted to the stuff in the store or catalog; they do special order. Pick out something you want in a brand name that they carry and see if they can special order it for you. I got Lowes to special order my Delta 46-460 and got to use a 10% off coupon and no financing by paying it off in 6 mothes.

[Reed Gray]

I seldom go to the big box store (best one here is an Ace Hardware). I get 55 gallon 3 mil trash/shavings bags, easier than the cans, and fold up when not in use. I get jobbers packs of Norton 3X sandpaper which some one mentioned. Titebond 2 glue. Screws and fasteners. Floor grade poly finish, and solvents. Two part epoxy. Gas can, bar oil, and fuel mix. A 25 ft. by 1 inch tape measure or 3, I prefer the ones that lock as they come out, and then you push the button for it to retract. Carpenter pencils. Utility knife. Face shield and/or safety glasses. Splitting maul and plastic wedges (if you ever get the chainsaw pinched when cutting up a log, you will know why you need these, though a sledge and wood wedges will do the same). Speed square, both 6 and 12 inches. You may be able to order a 2 speed or slow speed grinder from them. I have a metal frame rolling cart with metal shelves that I have found to be a 'must have' tool in the shop and for demonstrations. Dust masks. I am sure there are other things there, that is just all that comes to mind for now.

robo hippy

[Scott Hackler]

Awe shoot, Robert has it and I didn't even think about the Shop Vac. +1 for buying the biggest, most powerful Shop Vac they sell and make sure it has a "real" filter and not the "barely a paper towel" filter. If you get one of the "big hose" models you can rig up the hose right behind your work and collect most of the dust while sanding on the lathe. Great suggestion!

[Derek Gilmer]

Awe shoot, Robert has it and I didn't even think about the Shop Vac. +1 for buying the biggest, most powerful Shop Vac they sell and make sure it has a "real" filter and not the "barely a paper towel" filter. If you get one of the "big hose" models you can rig up the hose right behind your work and collect most of the dust while sanding on the lathe. Great suggestion!

This and the sand paper are two things I never really thought about. I've got a vac now but she isn't up to the task of cleaning up my shavings.

[Kevin W Johnson]

I just purchased this very shop vac. So far I'm very pleased with it for $99. Its a great balance of suction to noise. It rates 9 suction and 4 noise (their comparison to other models) with 10 being the best suction, and 4 being low on the noise scale. Has 2 1/2 inch hose which is great for smaller tool dust ports
.
You mentioned the 14" band saw.... It's junk, the vibration in that thing is horrible. I bought one on clearance, ended up taking it back. Blade wheels weren't balanced, the belt is horrible and causes even more vibration.

http://www.homedepot.com/buy/appliances/vacuums-floor-care/ridgid/14-gallon-pro-vac-wd1450-25910.html (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/appliances/vacuums-floor-care/ridgid/14-gallon-pro-vac-wd1450-25910.html)

[Ken Whitney]

They do carry Oneway chucks on their website and occasionally they price them fairly competitively.

[Baxter Smith]

This and the sand paper are two things I never really thought about. I've got a vac now but she isn't up to the task of cleaning up my shavings.
I will ditto the reccomendation on the 1450 shop vac for suction vs noise. I have two of them, one fixed that I switch between a disc, spindle, or belt sander, and one I drag around the shop with a dust deputy attached. But if you really get into turning, they won't cut it for the shavings. You need the biggest shovel they carrry!:D

[Lee Koepke]

They do carry Oneway chucks on their website and occasionally they price them fairly competitively. learn something new! I will have to keep an eye out once and awhile.

I tend to find some things at HD, last Christmas I had a similar dilemma .... stores like HD dont cater to a specialty like turning, but do carry plenty of the accessory items. With my $50 card, I ended up with new batteries for my cordless that had finally lost its life, also ended up with some 36" Jorgy clamps on sale. you can never have too many clamps.

[Dick Wilson]

Derek,

I keep Home Depot in business:D. Seems every time I go to HD it is something turning related. The possibilites are endless, many of which others have mentioned. As I think about my turning a Dremel Tool stands out. Seems I use it for something on a daily basis. If you are a beginner turner and have interest in turning finials or spindles, cheap 2x4's work great for practice. If you keep your shop as clean as I, a really good purchase would be a snow shovel:rolleyes:. A dust pan of any size would be futile.

You didn't mention the value of the gift card......................based on all the suggestions I hope it was big:D.

Oh, by the way, welcome to the vortex.

[Ian Jeffcock]

I have a couple of their heavy duty wire storage racks/shelves that work great for drying my rough's.

[Mark Cothren]

Derek, you'll be better off buying DNA in a 5-gallon can than the individual gallons. You can get a 5-gallon can from Whitt-Davis in Greenbrier for less than $50.00 (before tax). Plenty of other uses for DNA besides turning, as you likely already know.