Hobby Lathe

[nukemmcssret]

https://www.grizzly.com/products/Hobby-Lathe/H2669 This is a web site that sells a hobbly lathe. It is drill powered. Has anyone seen it in use or may have used one in the past. Just seeing if it would be worth the money. Thanks Chief

 

[Gary Byrum]

I have only heard of something like this but I doubt if I would be happy with it. Drills only turn so fast and not enough IMO. Sure, it prolly works ok but for an additional 50 bucks and a 20% coupon you can get one at harbor freight that you'll be happy with. This is the one I have and it'll turn a 12" long 4x4 easily.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-x-12-inch-bench-top-wood-lathe-95607.html

 

[cwbullet]

I have only heard of something like this but I doubt if I would be happy with it. Drills only turn so fast and not enough IMO. Sure, it prolly works ok but for an additional 50 bucks and a 20% coupon you can get one at harbor freight that you'll be happy with. This is the one I have and it'll turn a 12" long 4x4 easily.
https://www.harborfreight.com/8-inch-x-12-inch-bench-top-wood-lathe-95607.html

I would concure with this. I have router tables use a drill and dremel. They are just not the same.

 

[bobkrech]

In my opinion no. A drill is not going to have enough power or a good way to hold the piece.

If you need a lathe, get a real wood lathe like these from Harbor Freight which can be purchased for 1/2 price when they go on sale. Always read the reviews but also consider the knowledge of the reviewer because there are a lot of folks who simply turn them on without reading the manual and don't know how to run one and they break it immediately or complain that it won't work right. https://www.harborfreight.com/garage-shop/stationary-wood-lathes.html?dir=asc&order=price

Bob

 

[cavecentral]

Find a drill that was made from an old lathe, and use that to power it ;-)

 

[rockets4kids]

If you want an inexpensive lathe you can build one out of 80/20 aluminum extrusion. A great way to power it is from a motor+speed controller surplused from an old treadmill -- people get rid of these all the time.

 

[boomtube]

With regards to those Harbor Freight wood lathes*; where do you get the cutting heads and other attachments and accessories?
And what would be required if you wanted to be able to turn balsa nosecones?




*Not to be confused with Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Lathe of Heaven”.

 

[Rex R]

sandpaper?

 

[Gary Byrum]

With regards to those Harbor Freight wood lathes*; where do you get the cutting heads and other attachments and accessories?
And what would be required if you wanted to be able to turn balsa nosecones?

HF sells turning tools in a kit. They're not very expensive either. Perfect to learn on. You'll want to remove most of the wood with the turning tools but like Rex said, sanding to the finish is best. Make some sanding sticks from 1/2" popsicle sticks and sanding blocks if you like. I use different grits. The popsicle stick sanders work well to work the shoulder. When you finally get tired of the beginners turning tools, go to Klingspore's dot com https://www.woodworkingshop.com/ and start looking into better tools. You'll want to turn more than nose cones at some point. There's a plethora of videos online using lathes. Check them out before you start. They are very educational.

 

[bobkrech]

With regards to those Harbor Freight wood lathes*; where do you get the cutting heads and other attachments and accessories?
And what would be required if you wanted to be able to turn balsa nosecones?

*Not to be confused with Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Lathe of Heaven”.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/chisels-carving/8-piece-high-speed-steel-wood-lathe-chisel-set-47066.html

 

[Gary Byrum]

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/chisels-carving/8-piece-high-speed-steel-wood-lathe-chisel-set-47066.html

OUCH! Those went up since I bought mine. I only paid 10 bucks for the whole set. They do have better handles on them now and a nifty carrying case.

 

[cavecentral]

There was a cheap and expensive version of the sets when I bought my cheap set.

 

[bobkrech]

OUCH! Those went up since I bought mine. I only paid 10 bucks for the whole set. They do have better handles on them now and a nifty carrying case.

They still have a cheaper 5 piece set for ~$17. https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/chisels-carving/5-piece-woodcarving-chisel-set-95064.html

IMO the more expensive $60 8 piece set with a nice wood case discounted to $43 that I referenced is a better deal in the long run.

Bob