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Randy Long
10-02-2006, 9:00 PM
Hi,
I would like to learn some turning. What would be a good starter lathe. I have very little room or a lot of money.
Corey Hallagan
10-02-2006, 9:27 PM
Well looks to me like you are needing a midi lathe. The jet is pretty much considered the top of the line. The VS version runs about $379.00 and the NON VS version runs about $279. Lots of others that run a little lower, the Delta Midi -299., Rikon -249., Fisch 249., all the way down to the PSI which I have and runs about 179.00 and a VS version that is about 239. These are all 1/2 horse models and still some cheaper lathes available but probably under powered for larger stuff and quality probably starts to suffer. Hope this helps.

Corey
Bruce Shiverdecker
10-02-2006, 11:50 PM
Evening Randy.

Look through the Turning Threads. You will find many on this subject. I'm sure you'll find your answer there.

Bruce
Bernie Weishapl
10-03-2006, 12:29 AM
Randy I would definately look at the Rikon at Woodcraft. It is on sale for $219.99 this month. I don't think you will find more bang for the buck especially if money is short.
Mark Pruitt
10-03-2006, 8:37 AM
Randy,

The replies so far have pretty well covered the bases mostly. I'm not sure what you mean by "very little room;" i.e. are you pretty much limited to a mini or do you have room for a smaller floor model. I have a Harbor Freight 34706 which is a good starter lathe; it's inexpensive and it's a respectable machine. (You have to be really choosy with HF stuff; this is one of their "good" tools.) Here is a post I made to another recent request for info: http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=437301#post437301

Good luck with whatever you purchase!
Jeff Myers
10-03-2006, 9:06 AM
Randy,
There's another post in this forum from Pete Jordon about a new lathe
by General(model 25-200) that is supposed to come out this month.
It really looks like a small footprint workhorse with some nice features.
3/4hp,VS, a headstock that pivots and an outboard set of ways at the headstock end to be able to turn larger diameter outboard..
I've got an older Jet mini(not a VS model) that i love, but i would've
bought the General for the features it offers over the Jet if it were
available at the time. Their website is www.general.ca (http://www.general.ca) and i believe the
25-200 is under $400 so it's in line with the Jet VS.
Corey Hallagan
10-03-2006, 10:40 PM
Man I missed this. Thanks Jeff, this is a nice looking lathe! Kind of looks like .... move over Jet.... a new King is in town! $400. looks like a good price!

Corey
Mark Pruitt
10-04-2006, 11:08 AM
Kind of looks like .... move over Jet.... a new King is in town! $400. looks like a good price!

Corey
Corey,
I think you're right. But then, if Jet is planning a re-design of their Mini (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=440221#post440221), the inhabitant of the throne may remain a question for a while.;)
Mark
Art Mulder
10-04-2006, 11:38 AM
Man I missed this. Thanks Jeff, this is a nice looking lathe! Kind of looks like .... move over Jet.... a new King is in town! $400. looks like a good price!

Corey

Corey, don't get your hopes up too high...

If you would read further in Pete's thread:
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=43658

You'll see that the actual price for the new general 25-200 is US$529 at Woodcraft. The $399 price was for a different one.