Got a Lathe Today

[sergemoat]

Got an email last week from the woodcraft store for a lathe that was 200 dollars off. So long story short, I think my first few projects will be tampers.

They were out of stock so I'll get to pick it up in a week or so.

 

[shaintiques]

Nice I'm loving mine. Tamper turning is fun, but it has revolutionized pipe making

 

[hawk60ce]

Lucky..

 

[cortezattic]

Nice pick-up! :clap: I wish I would have purchased one years ago. I hear that they make a big mess though.

 

[hfearly]

Good buy!

 

[sergemoat]

I've always loved woodworking and I think this will be a good foray into the hobby.

 

[gnatjulio]

Very cool. What's the learning curve on that piece of machinery? Looking forward to see your projects.

 

[winton]

Cortezattic, why would you think a lathe can make a big mess. This is a picture of the results of one saturday of turning maple logs into roughed out bowls. Seriously, the chips fly everywhere. I hang a tarp behind me when I am using the big lathe for bowls. Forget the broom, I use a rake to clean the shop. I wish I had a pitchfork.

Sergemote, the lathe you bought is a good one from the reviews I have read. Tampers are a great way to learn.
Winton

My woodworking business cards show my title as Senior VP of Mulch Production.

 

[ssjones]

Neat, can't see what you turn out!
I was at a plastics shop we use for some restaurant supplies. They've been in business since the 40's (owner was my Scoutmaster). His son is having a big equipment sale next week with a few lathes. I asked what they would go for, he's hoping for $10,000-$15,000 each, so I won't be getting one of those. He did have some dual-arbor 1725 rpm polishing motors, hoping to get one of those.

 

[flmason]

I hope all goes well when your equipment is delivered and installed in your shop.
I have never used one but I have watched others create beautiful items

 

[ejames]

Congrats! Now you get to spend a bunch of money buying tooling!!

 

[philip]

I think my first few projects will be tampers.

Cool! I know someone in your pipe club who would love to have a new tamper for his collection.

 

[acme]

@Al

What kind of lathes were they selling? Were there any Olivers?
@Winton

I didn't know that you were a real woodturner! What other kinds of things do you make?

I find that the little stuff gets through the tines too easily. I use a snow shovel for clean up, but not even that if there is a way to avoid it short of employing fire.
anthony

 

[winton]

Acme, I have turned bowls, rolling pins, canes, pens, light pulls for chains, and other assorted items. Recently I have been making tampers. I have tried making pipes, but not too well yet. Mostly, I have been using the lathe to relax and explor various woods. It is a fun break from work.

 

[acme]

I made a couple of sets of light pulls in the last while. The shape of acorns. With Osage Orange caps and Briar nuts. Drilled a hole through the stem in the cap. You unscrew the acorns, feed the string or chain through the cap, tie it off, and then screw the bottom back on. Made a real nice effect. Sold a pair of them, but someone saw them, before I could deliver and wanted a pair also.
There was a guy a few years back. All he did was turn light pulls - litterally. Said he had turned several hundred thousand of them. When I heard of him he was getting trees that had been damaged during the Normandy landings and turning pulls out of them. Who would have thought there were that many lights out there that needed pulling.
anthony

 

[winton]

If you have any interest in making light pulls, check the tool below. Once you have this $30 driver, you only need to buy the chain portions. It makes the job much easier. Then you can find a use for all the 2" pieces of scrap that is too nice to burn / toss. Your acorn pull sounded really cool.
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/5/-/25/107/-/2271/Axminster-Light-Pull-Drive-Center/light+pulls

 

[sjpipesmoker]

I'm on the hunt for one...I been eyeing one a harbor Freight, (probably a bit cheap) and keep looking on craigsllist...
Hope you have fun with it!

 

[pipeinhand]

I am just waiting for the right one to come along, maybe after Christmas sales. Nice looking turner.
@Winton, very nice pillow you have there. :laughat:

 

[winton]

Pipeinhand, my wife prefers when I turn bowls rather than tampers. I produce more mulch for the gardens with bowls.