Pens

[Bob Yarbrough]

Took a pen turning class Thurs. nite. Only 2 students. Was able to make a pen & pencil. What a kick!! Off to the local Woodcraft for a lathe. They have both the Rikon & Jet Mini-VS for +/- $100 more then the Rikon. Any suggestions?

Bob:D

[John Hart]

......Any suggestions?

Bob:D


Wooo Hooo!!! Suggestions? Only one....Have Fun!!!!:D

[Joe Melton]

Well, your life is going to change.
In a few weeks or months, you will realize the cost of the lathe is not as significant as it appears today.
Without doubt, get a variable speed lathe, one you can change the speed of by turning a knob. It will cost you a hundred bucks or so more, but you'l never regret this extra expenditure.
I don't know the Rikon, but have never heard a negative comment about the Jet, and manifold postive ones. Be sure it is variable speed, though.
Good luck, and tell your wife you'll see her less now.
Joe

[Blake McCully]

Good luck, and tell your wife you'll see her less now.

Nah, don't do that! Show her how to make her own pen. Within about three months, you'll be a two lathe family. I know:eek: That's exactly what happened at our house:D

As soon as we get the new addition put on in the spring, hoping for the mustard colored PM, gee, that'll make three, tough break;)

[Andy Hoyt]

Don't know where the thread is/was (pretty sure it was in this forum) but not too long ago there someone who thought most favorably of the Rikon.

[Joe Judge]

Advice?

- Get to know Ryan @ Woodturningz, so that you don't spend a fortune in pen parts from the local stores

- Remember to sleep, eat, go to work, etc -- since pen turning is so addictive, you might forget to do those things.

The upside is: You learn to calculate how many pens you think you could make from various objects you see (tables, chairs, tree stump :-)



-- joe

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Back to the original question about lathes.

I own a Jet Mini and am going to replace it with the Rikon. Since, around here, the non-variable speed versions are exactly the same price, the bigger 12" Diameter, heavier duty frame, tool rest, ease of changing speeds, the indexing, etc. makes sense for me. I also currently own a variable speed lathe and find the variable speed nice, but it is not a requirement to enjoy turning.

Bruce

[Randy Meijer]

VS vs. 6 speed??? You will find folks on both sides of that fence. There are pros and cons to both. Just don't forget that the JET VS is not a true VS machine. It has 3 speed ranges set by changing the position of a belt. To achieve the "FULL" range of speeds you must twist a dial AND move the belt!!