Products Made on Bench Lathes

[jamison]

I've never owned a piece of shop equipment but I have a strong interest and desire to learn. I just noticed a bench lathe on Amazon for $168 shipped with decent reviews.

I'd like to buy this machine and learn by doing. Therefore, my question is:

What relatively simple wood based products would be good to master and then sell during my free time in an exercise to learn and merely earn back my investment into the lathe and materials?

For example, I saw people turn wooden pens and sell them for about $25 each, but it required a fair amount of other materials and I don't have any interest in pen design/quality. I'm not eliminating this option, but I'd like to see what else is possible.

Any suggestions would be so amazingly helpful, I appreciate any help; I love this forum.

 

[Stuey]

Handles, knobs, chess pieces, bowls, table legs, chair legs, and beads. Pens are of course what a lot of beginners make for gifting and resale.

In my opinion, it's not a good idea to buy a tool and figure out what to do with it later. Come up with project ideas first and then buy the tool to get you from point A to B.

But you might not want to listen to me as I just bought a micro lathe for random non-concrete projects.

 

[rsanter]

Shall bowls
Vases
Cups
Small plates or platters
Spindles
Pens
Really big golf tees

A wood lathe is a great toy. Very relaxing because you can do small projects that are done in an hour or more complex ones that take a several hours.
Makes for a good hobby

Bob

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

If you can make anything that can be used as an accessory for a tablet, then those are hot. A tilt up stand, wooden frame to surround your tablet, props, stylus pen, etc. I've seen some craft dealers at shows do very good money in heavy leather cases for the iPad and Galaxy S Tab. The tablets may be sleek and cool, but guys like heavy leather to hold them with.

 

[Stuey]

If you can make anything that can be used as an accessory for a tablet, then those are hot. A tilt up stand, wooden frame to surround your tablet, props, stylus pen, etc. I've seen some craft dealers at shows do very good money in heavy leather cases for the iPad and Galaxy S Tab. The tablets may be sleek and cool, but guys like heavy leather to hold them with.

How do you make a leather tablet case with a lathe?

 

[SteveL]

I would strongly suggest visiting some of the woodworking sites like Woodnet.net, Sawmill Creek etc and check out the lathe forums. They are almost addictive and can **** your wallet dry faster than you can say spindle gauge. You will need a decent set of turning tools like the HF set of high speed steel, a slow speed grinder for sharpening and a three jaw chuck unless all you plan on making are spindles.

I have a full wood shop and have almost bought a lathe about five times but each time I add up the total cost to do it right , I get cold feet.

I rigged up my small Sherline lathe to turn small stuff and bought the HF tool set and it is a blast. You can get in to turning pens for about $100 for the mandrels, pen sets and some wood blanks. Here's a few things that I have done so far. Wine bottle stoppers out of rosewood & mother of pearl & palm.

Scratch awl and marking knife out of maple:

Vise handles and knobs for a couple of bench vises that i restored out of cherry & brass:

Hand plane screw driver out of tiger maple, brass and steel rod:

Like any other piece of equipment, get the best you can from the start. Jet and Delta both make really good mini lathes that will do just about anything up to 6" dia. Woods lathes are all about the size of the swing and hp. Variable speed is a huge plus. Good luck with the new venture and remember to post some pics of your work.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

How do you make a leather tablet case with a lathe?

The hardest part is getting the cow on the lathe.

 

[Kevin54]

You can make all sorts of items on a wood lathe if you work with wood. But.....if you get a metal lathe, you can do wood AND metal.

Once you get a lathe, you get it cleaned and get it set up. Then you'll scratch your head wondering what to make. Then it will set for awhile doing nothing. Then one day, you'll decide to make some knob. Then maybe a pen or two. Before you know it, you'll be wondering why you didn't have one a few years ago.

Before you pay $168, shop around on CL or FleaBay. Wood lathes come up quite often. Moreso than metal lathes.

I'll try to find the link as I have it marked on my other computer, but there is a guy on Practical Machinist that has just got finished drawing plans up to make a wood Kaleidescope. I didn't spell it right, but you know what I mean. I'd like to do one in wood, but I'd also like to do one in aluminum or brass as I'm more accustomed to working in metal.

But anyways, shop around. Lathes can be bought reasonable. Tooling is what adds up, then right behind that is materials. Go one YouTube and type in "Turning Wood" or "Turning Metal" and spend an hour or so watching what some guys do. If you're really serious about it, you'll find that it is more fun than work. To take a piece of raw stock, whether wood, aluminum, steel, or whatever, and turn it into something useful, gives you a great feeling. Fabricating, no matter what the material, is an art. You'll make mistakes, get frustrated, and maybe even toss the **** against the wall. The best of them have at one time or another. Just part of the learning process.

But before you buy, do shop around. You can get quite a bit for the money. And when you get a few pens made, let us know. I like a good feeling pen and prefer a finepoint

 

[kazlx]

Kevin pretty much nailed it. I think that's exactly how it went for me. Ended up with an 11" Logan and now I'm looking for something bigger a couple years later. They are amazingly handy, even for stuff as simple as chucking up things to clean and polish to making spacers and one off stuff. Not to mention the tools you can make....

Then, after that, the options are only limited to your imagination. That and internet surfing ability.

 

[Richard D]

Metal lathe would be better.

 

[tininjun67]

i'm happiest making something on the lathe. The wife loves hand made gifts. Made her a ring, then a bell, then an aluminum pen. Made my wedding band out of a scrap of titanium. I can't tell you how many jams I've gotten out of by fixing something made of unobtanium.

 

[Bobhdus]

I'm like some of the others, I have no use for a "wood" lathe, but I do have a Sherline metal lathe and use the heck out of it. If I come across something that is wood, I can still use my metal lathe. Sherline has a LOT of tooling (including wood working stuff) and of course is made in USA. I also have their CNC milling machine package I found on CL. Shop Fox (SF) is a decent brand. HF, SF and other brands for that money will help you determine if you want to want to take the hobby serious. I have my own Locksmith business outside of my main employer and do a lot of small scale lock repairs and modifications. I'm working on a fixture right now to be able to duplicate the high security side milled keys on my Sherline Mill. While we're on this topic, I used to have a SMITHY 1324 Granite 3 in 1 (for metal and wood). I will never do that again. I'm used to dedicated Mills and Lathes in my main job as a Maintenance Mechanic in a factory where I work, and with the 3 in 1's it's such a hassle to change your set-up over to be able to use the mill or lathe etc... It was a nice machine though. As far a projects, are concerned, I have always wanted to do "metal spinning" which can be done on a wood or a metal lathe.

 

[Kevin54]

I'm like some of the others, I have no use for a "wood" lathe, but I do have a Sherline metal lathe and use the heck out of it. If I come across something that is wood, I can still use my metal lathe. Sherline has a LOT of tooling (including wood working stuff) and of course is made in USA. I also have their CNC milling machine package I found on CL. Shop Fox (SF) is a decent brand. HF, SF and other brands for that money will help you determine if you want to want to take the hobby serious. I have my own Locksmith business outside of my main employer and do a lot of small scale lock repairs and modifications. I'm working on a fixture right now to be able to duplicate the high security side milled keys on my Sherline Mill. While we're on this topic, I used to have a SMITHY 1324 Granite 3 in 1 (for metal and wood). I will never do that again. I'm used to dedicated Mills and Lathes in my main job as a Maintenance Mechanic in a factory where I work, and with the 3 in 1's it's such a hassle to change your set-up over to be able to use the mill or lathe etc... It was a nice machine though. As far a projects, are concerned, I have always wanted to do "metal spinning" which can be done on a wood or a metal lathe.

It CAN be done, but depending on what it is. If it's some heavier metal, you're putting a lot of pressure on the compound and headstock. Better to use a dedicated spinning lathe. One thing about spinning, it is an art. When I forst started out in Tool & Die, my Mentor asked me if I wanted to try spinning. Wanting to learn, I tried it. Over the period of a few months I learned to do some, but believe me, it's a dirty job. And it does take some learning. It was one job that after doing it, I was not interested in it at all.

 

[Bobhdus]

Metal spinning is cool but I get bored really quick and I would need to go larger than my Sherline lathe would allow. In the original posters case, he ought to check out some wood working magazines at his nearest Barnes & Nobles for project ideas (I like the Homeshop Machinist and Machinist Workshop mag's). In my experience though, most tools in this category allow me to spend a lot of time to save myself from spending a few $'s on a small part. Custom Pens are pretty cool though.

 

[lilscorpion]

In my opinion, it's not a good idea to buy a tool and figure out what to do with it later. Come up with project ideas first and then buy the tool to get you from point A to B.

Agree 100%. I'd expand that statement to include "buying a tool with the assumption you can sell what you make on it". Unless you're gifted, I'd recommend just buying it because you want it and take a few turning classes. If your justifying it to the wife by saying "It'll pay for itself", you're likely gonna end up eating those words. Wood, metal, plastuc, etc. turned parts usually require repetition. Most buyers don't want drawer pulls, staircase spindles, and bowls that all look different...normal buyers that is. Many of your first pieces will be junk (others might just say interesting) so realizing an ROI will take a while. My .02 is that a wood lathe is a hobby tool and, for most, ends up staying that way - if not collecting dust shortly after purchase. Don't get me wrong, get one, just set expectations accordingly. I have a lathe and I use it. I've used it for profit and made a buck or two but I spent plenty of hours getting there and wasted a lot of material in the process. As a new owner I'd be looking for the best learning projects and not worry about making money learning.

 

[camarotoolman]

I don' t know, but all the wood chips and sanding dust would make a mess out of a metal lathe? Used wood lathe aren't that much, I sold 1 awhile back for like 150. While metal lathes are pricey. I've made wooden bowls, cups , vases, table legs, chairs, bed posts, base ball bats, bongs, pipes, all kinds of cool stuff. Check etsy for selling ideas. You can buy turning blanks on feebay. Have fun!

 

[Bobhdus]

The mess problem depends on the lathe. Sherlines are a pretty open and simple design so they're easy to clean. Wood shavings and sanding dust is hard on any machine tool though.

 

[heyutokyo]

I want to learn how to use one of those bad boys.

 

[Kevin54]

Here's a little bit of machine ****. Machines made on machines. The second link is unreal as far as the work that went into it. I'm hoping that once things get settled around here a little bit, get through Christmas, and get my garage back together, that I can try my hand at something like that, or start making some miniature engines. I may try pen-making just for shits & giggles. I don't know if I have the link for it, but I either have the link or ran across it that has all kinds of pen making supplies and stock. Some stock is really exotic. I don't know what kind of market there is for homemade pens, but I might whip up 6 or so to see.

http://www.craftsmanshipmuseum.com/oldmachines.htm

https://sites.google.com/site/machi...lanes-home/miniature-bridgeport---drill-press

 

[jamison]

Thanks for all the help. Just to touch on various comments made:

1. I definitely want to select a project and budget for it before purchasing the lathe.
2. I'd scan prices for both metal and wood, used and new lathes before purchasing.
3. No wife to disapprove.
4. This isn't my end-all lathe. I'm saving for a large garage/shop build within a decade or so; I will want to fabricate using a range of machines (lathe, mill, drill press, bending, shearing, CNC if money is available).

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments. It's something I hope to pursue relatively soon, and if I do, I'll be sure to post an update.

 

[Kevin54]

Thanks for all the help. Just to touch on various comments made:

1. I definitely want to select a project and budget for it before purchasing the lathe.
2. I'd scan prices for both metal and wood, used and new lathes before purchasing.
3. No wife to disapprove.
4. This isn't my end-all lathe. I'm saving for a large garage/shop build within a decade or so; I will want to fabricate using a range of machines (lathe, mill, drill press, bending, shearing, CNC if money is available).

Anyway, I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments. It's something I hope to pursue relatively soon, and if I do, I'll be sure to post an update.

Then you would most definitely want to start with a metal lathe as it seems that you are going to end up fabricating with metal anyways, with a mill, shear, etc. You should be able to find a good starter metal lathe for around $1000, that will last you for quite a few years. Mills....maybe around $2000, but also location dictates a lot as far as price. Around my area, it seems that used machinery cost way more than other areas.

 

[lilscorpion]

Learning how to make something you'd otherwise have to buy is how I use the lathe most now. Being a metal lathe, it's much more versatile (IMO) than a wood lathe. Truth be told, I've spun some wood on mine when I had to. My son has a little 4x4 buggy(1:10 scale) and we wanted to buy some beadlocks for it. At that point they ran about $120 for a set of four. Using the mill and the lathe, I made three sets for under $50 using Delrin and some aluminum. Some aluminum rings some Delrin rings.

I don't recall a time my son was more proud. At the races I'd hear him say "my dad made these".

 

[Richard D]

Cheaper and better than "Made in china" ****

 

[Kevin54]

This is the thread I was trying to find before that was on Hobby Machinist http://www.hobby-machinist.com/showthread.php/8977-Kaleidoscope?highlight=kaleidoscope The wood looks cool. I'd like to make one from wood and maybe a smaller one from Aluminum and Brass and Copper combined.