lathe help

[Clayton717]

I'm almost ready to purchase my mini lathe. Need to save just a little more money. But now the question, should I spend the extra money to buy a variable speed model or will the regular one do? I plan on making a few pens and just turning some odds and end things for some of the projects I make. Any help would appreciated.

[Firedkm]

Clayton I dont have a lathe but I would think you would want a Variable speed. Just like scroll sawing you use different speeds for your cuts. Depending on what your cutting.

[Travis]

I don't have a lathe either, but if I was to buy one, I'm thinking I'd like to have variable speed. One thing about VS lathes, though, you still need to change belts. The VS is variable within a range. Then to get to another range, you change the belts again. So your controls really don't go from zero to max. My understanding is that even the non-variable speeds, changing speeds with the belts go pretty quick.

 

If you're looking at the Jet, one complaint with the VS is the speed control casing makes access to the belts a bit difficult if you have large hands.

 

So I guess, if you can afford it, I would go for it. But if you can't, I wouldn't worry too much about it. In the end, it doesn't make a huge difference.

[dankc908]

On my VS lathe I, typically, leave the belt on the "middle range" and vary the speed within this range. There have been a couple of times I wanted to go slower and I did move the belt. The high speed of the middle range has been all the speed I needed.

 

Dan

[Clayton717]

thanks Dale,Travis,and Dan. You have helped me make up my mind.I will buy the VS model.

[Dan]

Good move, Clayton. You will find the variable speed to be worth it. Let me know what kind of lathe you get and how you like it. I'm going to start looking soon.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

Claton, I mentioned this on another site that you asked this question but will reitrtate it here in case it helps others who are thinking of learning to turn. Turning is very addictive and you will quickly find out that the lathe is actually the cheapest part of the tool list. I have the Jet 1014vs and a Jet 1220vs and I would recomend Jet any time. Delta has come out with a new lathe and sorry but do not have the model but it is getting high marks for a great lathe. It has a larger motor and is reversable and VS also. It is still a mid-lathe too. The VS on a lathe to me is very inportant if doing small items because I change speeds to sand and to apply my finishes to a piece such as pens. Heat can be an enemy when sanding both wood and acrylics. Bering I do mainly small items they go rather quickly so it would be a pain to keep changing belt speeds. I too find the middle range belt setting to be what I mainly keep it at and work the VS within that range. Changing pulleys is not that hard once you do it a couple times. The good thing about turning is you can incorporate turning and scrolling and create projects that many people can not because it takes both items with a bit of skill to use. But like in any use of tools get to know the tool and work safely. A midi lathe may look less intimindating that a larger one but it too can hurt you bad. Safety is always the key. Hope to see some pens and other things coming off your new lathe and keep us informed as to what you bought. Good luck.

[Clayton717]

thanks for the info John, my lathe will have to wait just a little longer. I had to use some of my lathe fund for some shop supplies I need maily wood.

[Travis]

...my lathe will have to wait just a little longer. I had to use some of my lathe fund for some shop supplies ...

 

 

That's the story of my life...LOL Everytime the fund gets closer to purchase, something comes up to drain the fund.