Shopsmith Forums

Although I have been a ww almost 25 years I have never used a lathe. Always paid someone to turn for me.
A good friend of mine gave me a SS that had belonged to her father. I intend to use mainly as a lathe and maybe a second TS on a few occassions.

My question is what are all of the accessories I need to get this up and running as a lathe? All I have is a tool rest and 4 basic tools. If someone can direct me to a good location to get a good idea of what I need, preferably with pictures since I'm not familiar with many of the terms used with lathes.

Woodcamp;
Try to find a mentor if possible. Possibly one of the folks that you used to pay to do the work. You should have a skew, a parting tool, a 3/4" gouge and a smaller gouge. Also curl up for a weekend with a good book on lathe turning. You can probably get one from the local library. Try to do some turning with the tools that you already have a develope a needs list from the experience.
For the lathe you should heve the tool rest and the tool rest arm, a drive center which has 4 prongs for the headstock anf a live center (with ball bearing) for the tailstock.
Make sure the machine is properly lubed and give it a complete checkout before starting.
You will also have to learn to do some sharpening; If you can't sharpen you can't turn !!
Try to avoid the temptation to buy sharpening jigs for now. A lathe book should have some info on sharpening. I wish I had the money back that I spent for sharpening systems, I would have a real good selection of lathe chisels if I did.
One instructor on TV once said that if you don't use a jig for making a cut on the lathe why should you use one for sharpening? It made sense to me and now I am trying to learn sharpening freehand. Not there yet but getting better.
I have turned a bunch of pens and lately I have been turning some bowls and my next step will be doing some segmented turning.
Good luck and come back often.

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Bill V

You'll also want a faceplate or two for doing bowl turning. SS sells various tool rest options - for starters, just work with the stock one that comes with the machine but if/when you get more into it, be aware there are a variety of others available for different needs. Check out the SS page on lathe parts here:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/product_index.htm#lathe

Your location would be most helpful to know. We have members all over the country and most are willing to help you understand both your equipment and potential needs. Jim

You can also put this search in google to search for lathe turning related posts on these forums

lathe turning site:shopsmith.net/forums

Also check the bearings and runout of the spindle of your SS. If you want to turn heavier and larger items, then a 2 bearing quill is advised.

Great answers already provided. Be forewarned that typical wood turners may turn there noses up at a shopsmith. It does have its own set of eccentricities beyond those of a typical lathe. Won't go slow enough, too light, headstock moves rather than tailstock to name the obvious ones.

There are plenty of us here that use SS on a regular basis. Can I turn 30" monster bowls on a shopsmith? NO. But i have seen video of 8 ft long columns being turned on a SS. I have turned up to the max diameter on a SS, with some added weight and a speed reducer, it's very doable.

I attended several of the Traveling Academies and got the basics. Thanks, Rick.
What really helped me improve was watching several of Richard Raffan's videos. His approach is somewhat different. He apprenticed for several months with a professional turner, then went into business making and selling treen (turned wooden kitchen utensils). Watching him work, attack is the closest word I can think of, really helped me. YMMV