Summary of what lathe parts to have

[Anomalocaris]

Been very busy with life lately, but have finally gotten around to unpacking some of the gear that came with my second hand shopsmith. It appears that all of the lathe turning stuff is missing. I am an overwhelmed newbie and was wondering if anyone could list the essential and maybe the nice optional equipment/parts for lathe turning on the Mark V. Already have a set of chiesels, so I am more refering to the parts on the Shopsmith itself.

[reible]

Getting to the basic package that comes with a shopsmith is a good start. Since you are just getting started let me say that if you don't have the Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone (PTWFE) book that matches the vintage of your machine that too should be on your list of must haves.

Here is a picture off the site of the tools that come with the shopsmith now, you might have a different model but in general look at items 10, 11, and 12 as lathe items.

ScreenHunter_165 May. 02 09.37sc.jpg (86.79 KiB) Viewed 2340 times

This next image has those items circled so you can get a bit more information on them.

ScreenHunter_166 May. 02 09.37scm.jpg (163.35 KiB) Viewed 2340 times

Once you have these you can do some turning but in most cases the lathe tools are not likely going to be sharp enough to use effectively or at the very least they will not stay that way long. So figure on getting a why to sharpen them or purchase tools with carbide inserts which you replace when needed.

The tail stock uses a "dead" center and a lot of people find that to be a problem and add a "live" center.

Then if you are going to do face plate type turning a face plate or two will be needed. At this point one might look at a lathe chuck with jaws as well.

If you are going to do anything that involves drilling shopsmith sells a piece that mounts in the tail stock and holds the drill chuck so that is a good addition.

If you are going to turn pens then there are more specialty tools for that function. Want to turn bowls then start thinking new tools designed for that purpose.

This is just a short preview of what you might want to start thinking about. If you have an idea of what you want to do that would help identify an order to getting things and which options are open to you.

Ed

[Anomalocaris]

Appreciated! I am interested in bowls/vases and spindle applications like tool handles to start with. Might eventually get into pens and the like but for now figured that was a good start.

[Mike907]

The Shopsmith live center went on sale today. Any #2 morse taper live center will work, however.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... tem=505602

Mike

[Anomalocaris]

Is it worth springing for the Nova G3 chuck system and the Nova live center package?
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... center.htm
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... center.htm

Would I still need the faceplates if I have the chuck system? Are there other brands to consider as well?

I am considering just using the other 4 mark V functions plus the bandsaw and waiting a bit for funds to free up, then splurging and decking myself out with really good stuff so I don't get "upgradeitis".

[skou]

I've got the Nova chuck system, and consider it quite handy.

Spindle turning with a Live center, is almost stupid simple.

One addition I'd like to see to this live center package, is a
"soft touch" center tip. Captain Eddie Castelin talks about them.
It is a piece of wood, turned into a cone, with threads in the back
side, to screw onto a live center. (If you hit the wooden cone with
a lathe chisel, you'll hurt, exactly, nothing.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u4fipmLQr4

(I think I could watch Cpt Eddie turn all night.
and, I just might.)

steve