(Part 2) Best power lathe parts & accessories according to redditors

This happens to all lathes where the head stock rotates, including the 1624. It is really easy to fix, just loosen the headstock, realign the points and tighten it again. Nova even sells a tool to simplify the process if you want.

That Rikon is a great little machine and it's on sale for $299.00 here ($43 shipping though, but still, it'll save you a little).

We were talking gouges over in /r/woodworking this morning and the harbor freight set actually got a pretty good mention in terms of good steel and edge retention. It's an $80 set, try to get a 20% off coupon & bring the cost down to $64.00.

So we've got ~$90.00 left, and I would use part of that for a bowl gouge because I was looking at the harbor freight sets just now and they don't really include one of those. The Hurricane tools on Amazon seem to be getting good reviews and since your budget will likely allow for just one, I'd recommend this 3/8" one as the most useful all around size.

That leaves you around $50.00 or so.

ETA: I have the Rikon so let me know if you have any more questions about it. The belt changes are easy on it.

Pen turning is an excellent hobby! For making pens, some things you'll need might include:

• pen blanks, a pen kit, and bushings for that specific kit
  
  
• a way to drill the blank to glue in the inserts. If you don't have a drill press, then you can drill on your lathe with a chuck, a face plate, and a way to hold the blanks like some pen jaws. If you do have a drill press, then to ensure that you're drilling vertically, some people use a pen vice
  
  
• Once the blank is drilled and the insert is glued in, you need to to trim it with a barrel trimmer
  
  
• then you put it on your lathe by putting the bushings on either side of the blanks, and sliding the whole thing on a mandrel
  
  
• Then you turn it, finish it, and assemble it. Some people use a pen press
  
  Note: Of course there are a million ways to do everything. I don't promote any of the links, they're just examples to show what the tools look like.

While you could attempt to forge your own tools, I'd steer as far away from that as possible. Unlike hand tools, turning chisels can be subjected to an extreme amount of stress in the even of a catch; enough stress that I've personally snapped milled steel tool rests in half, snapped cheap chisels (hello shrapnel!) at the tang, and caused more than a few well mounted pieces of wood to turn into high speed ballistic objects that can maim or even kill.

You are far better off utilizing that craftsman's skill and ability to create amazing pieces on the lathe :)

Check out the wiki on this sub to learn some more about carbide vs traditional tools. I personally prefer traditional, but I own several carbide tools as well and they have many great uses.

As a side, note, there are only three tools you really need for bowls: a bowl gouge, a round-nose scraper, and a parting tool. Those three are more than enough to learn bowl turning. As you want to expand your capabilities and tools, you can continue to add individual tools to your collection.

Make sure you have a way to sharpen your tools. The preferred method is a jig and a grinder (either slow speed bench or wet-grind system), which if you need to buy can set you back another few hundred dollars.

This is the set I got.

The great thing with these is that when they eventually get dull you unscrew the bit and rotate it to a new edge and tighten it back down. I’ve made 20 or so wands and am about to replace my first rougher bit.

I couldn’t believe the difference when I got these compared to the cheap steel from HF. Love the lathe, but wish I could return the tools

Another vote for the G3. You can get the insert type and use it on any lathe by simply swapping the insert to whatever thread count you need. I THINK you need the 1 1/4" 8TPI but you'll need to confirm that (could be 1" 8TPI, but I don't think it is).

Thanks brother! Have fun trying to find stuff that is 1MT. Slim pickens compared to the 2MT stuff that is out there.

Rockler did have a 1MT pen mandrel though.

And I found a spur center and live center on amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DD5AG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01B2OIEKK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks! Yes I have the hand tool rest turned around backwards, I just put it there out of the way since I didn't need it, I have teh mounts on the part in question set up so that I can remove it without sliding it off so that I don't have to remove the end and wood rest every time I want to use it. It looks like I am missing the lower ring as seen here, currently I am using some nuts as spacers to get the tool to the proper height.

That would be a tool holder holding a cutting tool mounted on a cross slide vice like the other poster said, usually used for metal work. If you wanted to use wood tools by hand you would need a tool rest to mount in a holder. It looks like you may have the holder for that, on the bed, between the vice and tailstock, turned around backwards, its partially hidden by the wood so I can't tell.

Any recommendations? I would probably get this one left to my own devices

I almost got this one and it's only $44. Not as thick, but a bit wider so it will still be a massive piece of steel to absorb some chatter.

I bought this one and it works pretty well, especially for beginner stuff. I can answer questions about it too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CS30G5K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That chuck is designed for a metal lathe... what you need is something along the lines of this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CS30G5K/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483137526&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

Not sure if your chuck can be adapted to fit the 3/4" 16tpi threads on the HF 8x12.

I got these. I think they’re the same ones your looking at. They are good. Don’t need to be sharpen often


3 piece Carbide Mini Turning Tool Set With Foam Lined Case Perfect For Turning Pens Pencils Tops Goblets Acorns Bottle Stoppers or any Small to Mid-Size Turning Project (3pc Carbide Tool Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FWEX6OA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_w-c0DbWD7NS7Q

I don't have great information for you about your question, but I've got a 3.5 year old, and a 5 month old. I just got my lathe and can confirm that pens are -amazing- as a project that you can do relatively quickly and are fun to make. I've really gotten the bug. I'm also dipping my toes into small bowls, wands (Christmas presents for the niece and nephews), and chopsticks (for my wife's hair).

Generally the things you'd need would be:
Mandrel - I got this one because it had a mandrel saver. I kind of regret it a bit though as now I'm not sure how I'll turn some of the Berea kits that require a thicker mandrel. Anyone else figure out a way around this? Anyway, the one I linked also includes a 7mm bit and five 7 mm bushings.
Bushings - You need bushings sized appropriately for the kit you're making. If you make a bunch of the same style of pen kit, you'll only need one set. I picked out 2 styles of kits to get started and a few variations of pens within those styles.
Drill bits - I'm not experienced enough to know if it's worth buying them from the pen kit manufacturers or not. I did, but for my next order, I'm just going to use some that I have already.
Barrel trimmer - This is what you use to trim your pen blank down square to the brass barrel from your pen kit. You can buy them or make small jigs for something like a disc sander. The drill/chuck mount ones typically have a reamer as well that clears out any excess glue that got into your tubes.
Consumables - This is stuff like CA glue or epoxy to glue in your tubes, sand paper, more CA or some other kind of finish, and more. Lots of people seem to use lots of things.

There's stuff I left out because it seemed like you may already have some tools. A drill press or pen jaws + a jacob's chuck for your lathe is nice for drilling out your blanks, a table/band saw for making your own wood blanks if you so desire, and more. It can seem like a lot, and it kind of is, but there's a million ways to do everything if you've already got some tools.

Anyway, that's all I've got. I'm definitely still new to this myself. Maybe start with things like wands/chopsticks to see how much you enjoy things before you buy stuff for pens. Seriously though, pens are super fun. I love them... too much.

Get the Nova adapter.

https://www.amazon.com/ILNS-4-Inch-Thread-Insert-Adaptor/dp/B0064JJ746/ref=pd_sbs_469_4/147-7947463-7046817?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0064JJ746&pd_rd_r=3621754d-a41d-11e9-8d7b-65f6631cf204&pd_rd_w=XCGi5&pd_rd_wg=PK5wX&pf_rd_p=588939de-d3f8-42f1-a3d8-d556eae5797d&pf_rd_r=CYAXCTVJXVR7ZP2EBVEV&psc=1&refRID=CYAXCTVJXVR7ZP2EBVEV

Robert Sorby.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002IXQHO?vs=1&vs=1

6 piece set above is $200. Use the rest for a slew speed grinder (woodcraft has a nice one that regularly goes on sale for $99). Save up for a wolverine jig.

Always remember that the lathe is the cheap part-it's the accessories that hit you right in the wallet.

Center Finder

Drilling the holes straight is another thing, but there's a few tricks. Or get a laser to attach to your drill.

Are you talking about this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html ? It is variable speed, you just have to stop and change the belt to a different pulley. (though that's not electronic like you said)

The best thing about this lathe is that it's the same lathe a handful of manufacturers sell so you can get parts and accessories pretty easily. For instance I got a bed extension so I can turn table legs on it now.

Thanks for the response. Yes, to clarify I'm looking for a comparison between HSS from say Shop Fox (example) or Robert Sorby (example)

That's sort of what I was thinking. I can't even find many other cases of a spindle/bowl gouge breaking. Not saying it doesn't happen, but a lot of people seem to say there could be a defect in the steel.

You mention how far it could hang off the tool rest. I don't have a curved tool rest, so I was probably closer to 5 1/2" off the rest. Is that pushing it?

I'm trying to contact Hurricane, but I don't really want another of their tools. Maybe I can get a refund and buy a nice Robert Sorby 1/2" bowl gouge

Thank you, the handle dimensions are for the tools that have 9in handles like this tool selection.

https://www.amazon.com/48202-WOODLATHE-CHUCK-WOODWORM-INSERT/dp/B0037M8M3U

I'll be completely honest and say that I still use a round nose scraper for most of my bowl work.

Something like this Hurricane scraper will do a good job of hollowing:
Hurricane Woodturning Round Nose Scraper, High Speed Steel, 3/4" Nose https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWR2MX8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GucBCb5W6YAX8

Here is the desktop version of your link

3 piece Carbide Mini Turning Tool Set With Foam Lined Case Perfect For Turning Pens Pencils Tops Goblets Acorns Bottle Stoppers or any Small to Mid-Size Turning Project (3pc Carbide Tool Set) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FWEX6OA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_D0M4Db1K7H88N

or

Rockler Carbide Pen Turning Tool 3-Piece Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QU08ALK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_T1M4DbS3RN54X

Here is the mobile version of your link

What speeds is it capable of? I'd be most worried about the headstock and tailstock getting out of alingment. It's hard to tell from the picture how well it will hold togething having only a single rail. My guess is that the base of the tailstock relies on the top of the stand to stop it from torquing. You may want to look into a Headstock Alignment pin. The one linked is for 2MT (most common), but they can also be found in 1MT. This will help ensure that the headstock and tailstock are aligned which will reduce the wobble or vibration.

You can expand the spindle capacity on the HF using a bed extension like this one. I also started with the HF and then upgraded to a Nova 1644 to get a bit more power and swing. The biggest drawback for a beginner is the limited speed range. It would be a near perfect machine if it had lower rpms.

To your biggest question of HP - turning a 10" bowl on a 1/2hp machine will be slow but doable. Most anything smaller than that will be fine. Pens and rings require very little power.

Beyond that picking a lathe is about the features, the fit and finish, and price.

Variable speed is a 100% must. Don't buy a lathe without it. Reverse is a nice feature for sanding and finishing.

As others have said tools are equally important. Starting off with a simple carbide set like THIS is a safe bet for small turnings. You can pretty much take them out of the box and do several projects before even rotating the cutter heads to a sharper edge.

I ordered this one, I have the discontinued small variable speed hf desktop lathe and an old craftsman which both have the 3/4 16tpi so it’ll work for both.

nova 48202 g3

1, 2 & 3. Kinda. Traditional scraper, you need to be able to use it without bruising the rest of the piece, and needs to have a small enough amount of metal that can be rolled over for the burr. So, for the inside of bowls, a straight 90 degree would catch the piece on the bottom side. Too shallow of an angle wouldn't support the burr enough. Too steep and it's not going to be easy to re-establish that burr.

4. I picked up a hurricane heavy round nose scraper and ground it to a negative rake scraper (I think I used something like a 25 top, 70 bottom - so close on the bottom to stock for less grinding to try it out, giving an included angle of 85 which is close to the recommended 90) and it's worked exceptionally well. I highly recommend giving it a shot as that was a cheap tool off amazon that has been great. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008B86BWY/ Can't really go wrong at $43 for a massive scraper like that.