I know my questions have probably been answered before, but I could not find any thing specific after doing a search.

What recommendations do you have for a cork lathe? Can you use a rod lathe to do the work?

Thanks for your patience and comments.

Bill

Yes, I've used my Renzetti to turn hundreds and hundreds of cork grips.

Now you're going to hear how you shouldn't turn and wrap on the same lathe. Actually, it's not a problem as long as you're not turning cork and finishing in the same area and at the same time. And there are good methods for removing airborne cork dust from the source as you turn. RodMaker has done many articles and tips on just how to effectively do this.

If you'll look on the photo page at the equipment section under my name, you'll see my original Renzetti lathe with the dust collection system I rigged for use with a shop vac. It's very, very effective and will keep your shop much cleaner.

Now having said all this, I will add that if you have the room and the money and can justify it, having a seperate mini-lathe that you can take outside and turn with is a great addition to a rod building shop. But you can make do rather well with your Renzetti doubling for rod wrapping and cork turning. Many, many builders do just that. It all depends upon how involved you want to get.

....................

Many of us use the Grizzly Hobby Lathe, together with mandrels, for turning cork. Inexpensive, effective and portable: take it outside when using, no mess, stores out of the way. Do a search for Grizzly on this board.

The mini-lathes like Delta, Jet, and Penn State Industries all work really well. Great for turning wood as well. Be ready to shell out between $300-$400 by the time you add chucks, turning tools, shipping, etc.