A Wood Lathe is now in the shop

[woodeye]

I've wanted a good wood lathe for years and now have one to use. Lots of research in deciding which lathe to get, LOTS. Many projects that I'll have are small and that means I wouldn't need a full size lathe. But then what if I decided that I wanted to make a bigger project? My final decision was to get a lathe that can make virtually any size of project that I will ever want to make. It was a major effort to get this thing into the shop, the total weight of it is approximately 750 lbs. It took me a week to get it into the shop and completely assembled, but it was worth the effort to me. 

Crate unloaded and sitting on my trailer.


Parts on the move into the shop.


Heaviest part in the shop, I'm using 3/4" metal pipe to roll it along on the floor to the area it will reside.


Assembly complete, it will always be right there in that spot.


I bought almost all the woodturning tools without handles, so I'll make my own.


Have the tool handles all made now.


Made a few little walnut bowls for practice.


I glued some scrap boards together for practice bowl blanks.


A practice bowl I made from the scrap boards I glued together.


Boards glued for a practice plate.


Practice plate completed.


Same practice plate, just a side view of it.

[chrysanthemum]

Wow, Woodeye. Congratulations on the monumental feat of getting a full-sized lathe unloaded and set up safely. You’re obviously already making some impressive creations for your “practice.” Congratulations on such an accomplishment. I hope you have many hours of happy and safe woodturning.

[rdback]

woodeye Now that's a wood lathe T-Man! What an awesome piece of equipment. It looks like this wood-turning thing is old hat to you. You're pumping out quality pieces right from the start!

[woodeye]

Thank you, chrysanthemum & rdback. I've watched countless Youtube how-to videos and they have helped me tremendously. 

I had a Craftsman lathe back in the 80's but never made any bowls or plates. I used it for sanding various projects with the balloon sanding attachment that fit onto the lathe. I did try a bit of spindle work way back then, but was not interested in it enough to learn much about it. I've got enough scraps to last me for awhile, so more practice projects will be started just as soon as I have the time...🕰️

[heavyhitterokra]

Woodeye,

That was awesome! Several amazing accomplishments there, namely, getting the lathe into the shop in the first place, and wow! what nice things you've already turned out! You are an amazing craftsman, it's always a pleasure to read about your projects.

Thanks, for posting all the photos too. I really enjoyed seeing those.

[woodeye]

Thank you, heavyhitterokra, I appreciate it. I got caught up enough to start practicing some more and then got a message from June, she needs more chicken show trophies for December. Hopefully the trophies this year will be somewhat easier, I'll have the full month of November to get them finished.

By the way, June is recovering well from back surgeries she has had this year and reports that she is doing much better now. She was not able to have a garden this year. Hoping the best for her full recovery!