Advice please

[Legin]

Hi all
My name is Nigel Cannard just joined the site recommended to me.
I'm a retired carpenter and joiner.
My interest has taken me in this direction .
I have little space but would love to start making pens .
But with all the lathes out there and tool's to start, getting a little confused.
So any advice on what might be my first lathe and what I would need to start This remarkable hobby.
Thanks all

 

[Hallelujahal]

Small to medium sized wood lathe is what I use, something with a 2 morse taper for projects other than pens like bowls etc.
However, lathe is less important than good sharp tools.
Don’t forget that blanks need to be drilled. There is no better way in my experience than on the lathe itself - best purchase I ever made was a set of pen jaws for my chuck. So a decent chuck package also important.

Below is a lathe and chuck package that I started out with.

Nova Comet II Dr Lathe & G3 Chuck - Norfolk Saw Services

Buy quality woodworking machinery and carpentry power tools here online. Choose from a range of leading tool brands and get them delivered to your door in the UK.

www.norfolksawservices.co.uk

 

[Legin]

Thank you I'll take a look

 

[flexi]

My first suggestion would be to find a local club.... A wealth of knowledge and second hand bargains, but you will be able to see what suits your space and budget...
Alternatively a good store to see what's to be had again budget's and space... Tooling wise tbh I started with 3 chisels, a skew, a gouge and a parting tool, I still only use two... A mandrel to turn on and a pen blank end mill... Over time you'll see other things which may or may not be better but you need to start somewhere.....
Where abouts are you?

 

[Legin]

Hi thanks for your comments.
I'm in Banbury Oxfordshire.

 

[alan morrison]

Nigel, welcome to the forum.
If shopping for a lathe you should be looking at one with a 2 Morse Taper and variable speed control.
Pen jaws and compression mandrel are recommended.
I did very little turning before making pens and started using carbide tools until I became more proficient with woodturning chisels. I am still using carbide and see very little wrong with them. Your startup cost will be a lot less with carbide than chisels and sharpening tools, but it's your budget and your choice. Others may steer you towards chisels which may well do a better job if kept sharp and I would not disagree with them.
Enjoy your new hobby.
Alan

 

[Legin]

Thanks for this really appreciate everyone's comments.
Thanks again Alan

 

[Padster]

Firstly welcome.....

There are a lot of great answers and knowledge from people here with far more experience than myself.
I started my pen journey not that long ago with a proxxon mini lathe and it did a job, what I would say though is that I was a 'lapsed woodworker' and pens re-invigorated my desire, which also got me back into turning and meant I then got a larger lathe, so it could be another consideration before buying kit.... do you envisage wanting to turn other things once you get into it.... just a thought as we all spend too much on our hobbies

Regards

Padster

 

[Legin]

Hi thanks for your message
I've been a joiner carpenter all my life use to the finer details.
Yes love the idea of making pens, not got a lot of room at home,do this would suit me fine.
Had some great advice from guion this so many thanks to you all.
I'll check out the lathe you started with.
Thanks again

 

[Penpal]

Nigel greretings from Australia I can but fully support you finding,joining a wood group and make haste slowly but sure pays huge dividends,the camarade is precious to me.

 

[Legin]

Nigel greretings from Australia I can but fully support you finding,joining a wood group and make haste slowly but sure pays huge dividends,the camarade is precious to me.

Hi thanks for your message great to hear from you.
Well need to get things sorted and start this new adventure.
Thanks

 

[geordie0928]

Welcome Nigel. I gpt my lathe from Rutlands, they have some good one's there. They have some fo the beginner's and also thaey some time add tools to help you start turning.

 

[Neil]

Nigel, welcome to the forum.
If shopping for a lathe you should be looking at one with a 2 Morse Taper and variable speed control.
Pen jaws and compression mandrel are recommended.
I did very little turning before making pens and started using carbide tools until I became more proficient with woodturning chisels. I am still using carbide and see very little wrong with them. Your startup cost will be a lot less with carbide than chisels and sharpening tools, but it's your budget and your choice. Others may steer you towards chisels which may well do a better job if kept sharp and I would not disagree with them.
Enjoy your new hobby.
Alan

Alan, what’s the logic behind your comment that you should look for a 2MT Lathe?

 

[Legin]

Alan, what’s the logic behind your comment that you should look for a 2MT Lathe?

Hi Alan
Many thanks for your comments it's much appreciated.
Had great advice from all members.
There is a club not far from me,
I will contact them next week to see if I could have a few days with them.
Thanks again

 

[Legin]

Welcome Nigel. I gpt my lathe from Rutlands, they have some good one's there. They have some fo the beginner's and also thaey some time add tools to help you start turning.

Thanks for this
I'll take a look .

 

[Rich Aldrich]

Welcome. Carbide tools get you up and going faster than high speed steel. I started before carbide tools were main stream. A bit of a learning curve using HSS and sharpening. Clubs can really help. The cheapest item in woodturning is a lesson. Pay attention to the safety equipment. Protect eyes and lungs. Please wear a face shield. Some choose a metal lathe and some choose a wood lathe. Either are fine. Depends on what else you would like to turn.

 

[Legin]

Welcome. Carbide tools get you up and going faster than high speed steel. I started before carbide tools were main stream. A bit of a learning curve using HSS and sharpening. Clubs can really help. The cheapest item in woodturning is a lesson. Pay attention to the safety equipment. Protect eyes and lungs. Please wear a face shield. Some choose a metal lathe and some choose a wood lathe. Either are fine. Depends on what else you would like to turn.

Hi Rich
Many thanks for your help and advice.
I have decided to turn just pens
Love the idea of making these.
I've been a carpenter joinery all my life so sharpening is second nature to me. Not a lot of room but have seen a small lathe that may do the job
Just have to contact them tomorrow for advice.
Thanks again for your time and comments really appreciate it.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Welcome to the family Nigel from another retired joiner.
There’s some good advice given above. Joining a club tops the list, have a lesson is a close second. You will learn so much by doing both.

 

[Legin]

Welcome to the family Nigel from another retired joiner.
There’s some good advice given above. Joining a club tops the list, have a lesson is a close second. You will learn so much by doing both.

Hi Bill
Yes decided to call a club about 45 minutes from me tomorrow and see if I can have a few lessons with them.
Decided to turn pens only little space to do much more.
Yes had some great advice from members, and really appreciate it.
Thanks again for your help
Regards Nigel

 

[MikeC]

I use a corner of my garage
Home made custom size bench to my necessary dimensions and a Charnwood lathe inc viper 2 chuck with 3 sets of interchangeable jaws
It has 1 mt but I’ve never found that to be a problem
I now use carbide tools. A set of 3 for £73
Most of all enjoy your hobby
Mike