Which lathe n chisils

[Richard F]

Hi all, ok I know this is the most asked question from a beginner but which lathe do I buy I live in Republic of Ireland so getting things from UK and be a real pain in the nuts especially now your not in the EU. So my budget is low, this is just gonna be a hobby, the Lumberjack 12 inch variable speed lathe is £283 delivered hopefully I wouldn't have to pay import tax. Or the Axminster aw305 which I can only buy through the irish partner company at £444. Has anyone used this Lumberjack lathe. Big price difference for me. Also advice on which set of chisils to start with. What about the set from Axminster for £180 odd do I need to spend that much on chisils Thanks all.

 

[Sachakins]

What's the used market like in your area, worth while a scout around to see what's available.
You may not need a full set of chisels to start with.
Other things like some kind of grinding facility, protective gear, masks, face shields, ear defenders needed. Chuck nice to have but not necessity to start out, so other costs over and above lathe and a few tools need consideration. A grinder or sharpening system is necessary, as HSS tools dull rapidly.

 

[Stigmorgan]

Maybe worth looking for a local turning club or even a mens shed

 

[Richard F]

Thank you both for advice, nothing in my price range 2nd hand and haven't found any turning clubs. Yet !

 

[Diver Fred]

Turning tools - to start I think you only need 2 - a Gouge, say 1/2" or 5/8" and a Skew Chisel, say 3/4" or 1".

Try https://menssheds.ie/shed_county/munster/co-clare
Menssheds are a useful source info and knowledge - I'm sure you will find some help in one of those.

 

[Richard F]

Thanks for that. I'll give it a try

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Keep an eye on the for sale section here

 

[William2020]

I would get hold of a copy of Keith Rowley’s book Woodturning A Foundation Course. Very informative, talks about all the tools and gives you some great projects to practice on. I still use the grinding jig I made following his design. A quick search returned copies available at £3.60 and £5 so not a big outlay…
As for the Lumberjack lathe you mentioned, I don’t know it personally, but it appears to be very similar to a Perform CCSL lathe, which I’ve had for a long time and still use (originally purchased from Axminster Tools). It was a great introduction to turning and I’ve made all sorts on it, but it is limited if you start to get into bowl turning and/or want to do bigger things. I ended up getting the bigger version which offers much greater flexibility.
If you can stomach the extra cost, the AW305 has some useful features over the Lumberjack lathe. I would say don’t underestimate the usefulness of the handles at each end. You’ll invariable end up moving a small lathe around and proper handles can make all the difference between a safe move and a clumsy/painful/costly mistake…
The really big feature though would be the variable speed control. The lumberjack lathe you’ll have to move the belt, but if it’s even a slight faff, there may be a tendency just to ‘get on with it’ and not worry about adjusting to the correct speed for what you’re doing. Besides the risk element, it may also make it harder to learn if you’re trying to turn something at the wrong speed (you’ll be more likely to get a catch). I’m not for a moment suggesting you’ll do anything unwise, but just reflecting on my own journey.
I’ve also found Axminster’s customer service to be very friendly and incredibly helpful any time I’ve had a query on something.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck and hope you enjoy it. I started out woodturning to repair some old chisel handles and it opened up a wonderful and immensely enjoyable pastime!

 

[Richard F]

I would get hold of a copy of Keith Rowley’s book Woodturning A Foundation Course. Very informative, talks about all the tools and gives you some great projects to practice on. I still use the grinding jig I made following his design. A quick search returned copies available at £3.60 and £5 so not a big outlay…
As for the Lumberjack lathe you mentioned, I don’t know it personally, but it appears to be very similar to a Perform CCSL lathe, which I’ve had for a long time and still use (originally purchased from Axminster Tools). It was a great introduction to turning and I’ve made all sorts on it, but it is limited if you start to get into bowl turning and/or want to do bigger things. I ended up getting the bigger version which offers much greater flexibility.
If you can stomach the extra cost, the AW305 has some useful features over the Lumberjack lathe. I would say don’t underestimate the usefulness of the handles at each end. You’ll invariable end up moving a small lathe around and proper handles can make all the difference between a safe move and a clumsy/painful/costly mistake…
The really big feature though would be the variable speed control. The lumberjack lathe you’ll have to move the belt, but if it’s even a slight faff, there may be a tendency just to ‘get on with it’ and not worry about adjusting to the correct speed for what you’re doing. Besides the risk element, it may also make it harder to learn if you’re trying to turn something at the wrong speed (you’ll be more likely to get a catch). I’m not for a moment suggesting you’ll do anything unwise, but just reflecting on my own journey.
I’ve also found Axminster’s customer service to be very friendly and incredibly helpful any time I’ve had a query on something.
Whatever you decide, I wish you luck and hope you enjoy it. I started out woodturning to repair some old chisel handles and it opened up a wonderful and immensely enjoyable pastime!

Thanks that is all very interesting and helpfull, so are you saying that if I want to turn bowls I need a more powerfull lathe, and the aw 305 is more suitable for that. At the mo I'm more interested in bowl turning. The idea of handles is very useful to me due to the lack of bench space I have, shame it doesn't come with a stand.

 

[Orraloon]

The Keith Rowley book is a must for new turners. Also has a plan for a good lathe bench/stand. Even with handles it would be a pain always having to lug a lathe around.
Regards
John

 

[Richard F]

Thanks, will need a stand because of lack of space on worktops and shelves. I'm away on my hols at the mo but will bite the bullet and spend some money when I get home in a couple of weeks and get all the stuff I need to start turning. Thank you all for the advice. Much appreciated

 

[pe2dave]

Turning tools - to start I think you only need 2 - a Gouge, say 1/2" or 5/8" and a Skew Chisel, say 3/4" or 1".

Try https://menssheds.ie/shed_county/munster/co-clare
Menssheds are a useful source info and knowledge - I'm sure you will find some help in one of those.

I posted mine on the for sale section, may be of interest.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The club lathes had five tools on them that covered 95% of turning - a skew chisel, a 3/8" spindle gouge. a 3/8" bowl gouge. a parting tool and a roughing gouge. Be aware when buying that that spindle gouges are measured by the outside dimension, bowl gouges by the width of the flute - of those two mentioned the bowl gouge will be much larger and heavier.

Edit - it can be an advantage NOT to buy in sets - they're easier to identify with different handles.

 

[Sachakins]

If your leaning towards bowl turning, a coronet herald is a good lathe.
Small enough for small shop, big enough to handle bowls easily.
I know it's above your budget, but your not likely to outgrow it either.

As they say, you can do small stuff on a big lathe, but you can't do big stuff on a small lathe.

I have a mini size lathe, and stepped up to a coronet within 6 months, as I too enjoy bowl turning.

I kept the midi to do small work, like pens and bottle stoppers, but do that on the coronet now too.
My midi collecting dust now, need to get it sold on here soon.

 

[Orraloon]

Pretty much nailed the essential tools but I would argue a set is not a bad option for a beginner as they get to grips with sharpening turning tools. After that buy better tools as the need arises. Later on most of the set gets reground to different profiles for special jobs. Must admit however that the oval skew has just sat there for 20 years unloved and unused.
Regards
John

 

[Sachakins]

Pretty much nailed the essential tools but I would argue a set is not a bad option for a beginner as they get to grips with sharpening turning tools. After that buy better tools as the need arises. Later on most of the set gets reground to different profiles for special jobs. Must admit however that the oval skew has just sat there for 20 years unloved and unused.
Regards
John

Yep, same with mine, never have been a skew lover!

 

[recipio]

You can have cheap lathes or quallity lathes but not both. I would prioritise a lathe with a good chuck otherwise you are limited to spindle turning or using a faceplate. Variable speed is nice but not essential - I have used a Tyme Avon for 30 years and it does all I want.
Start with a bowl gauge, a spindle gauge , and a roughing gauge and build up a collection as you go along. You probably know The Carpentry store in Naas for Axminster stuff or try Roynanes in Thurles. Also try done deal although It's rare to get a bargain .

 

[Hugh M.]

My skew chisels ended up in the workshop bin several times. The word “catch” as in what you do with a cricket ball doesn’t really do the actual event justice! The only reason I removed them from the bin was to sell rather than throw away.
Then, one day I was messing with some old pine and the flat skew with no name, I noticed a pile of beautiful shavings under the lathe. The finish on the old, dry pine was better than I had thus far managed with sandpaper.
Don’t give up (as Kate Bush said) on the skew when you try one. I don’t think she said that bit. I still get the odd catch. Probably down to the tool being a bit big for the workpiece.

 

[johnnyb]

I always put any skew problems down to them requiring a much sharper edge and corners to be" reet". The other tools work fine off the grinder. The skew much less so.

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Skew chisels
I shyied away from the skew, but then I was turning a lidded bowl, and decided to try the skew, now I have three different sizes.
Lathes I started on dad/( mums really but she let dad think it was his) old Axminster 1992 lathe, 12 inches between centre
Turned legs for stools progressed to bowls recently had a newer and bigger Axminster