What extras would you get along with it? I'm thinking get the complete rod lathe package, an extra 3 ft bed extension, an extra rod support, the laser level, live tail stock, tail stock with chuck, & tool rest. anything else?

Santa is coming to town! :)

You can't have too many rod supports. 4 would be the minimum that I would consider. 5 is even better.

The laser guide alignment tool works just as advertised, but I'm not sure I wouldn't rather have an extra rod support in place of it. If I had to choose, that is.

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Definately the extra rod support. I have 3 and I will be buying another after the holidays.

Tom

OK, so two extra rod supports minimum.

Also, what's the difference between the Renzetti & the Clemens?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/24/2004 08:43PM by Clyde Roberts.

The original Clemens lathe was built by Andy Renzetti. The Renzetti Master Rod Lathe is the original. When buying tools, I always consider how long a company has been around, how long they're likely to be around, continuity, availability of parts, etc. With that in mind, the Renzetti lathe just makes good sense.

I'm sure you're aware of the Renzetti line of fly tying vises. Their quality is well known and respected throughout the industry. The rod lathe is no less.


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" The original Clemens lathe was built by Andy Renzetti. The Renzetti Master Rod Lathe is the original. "

So are they the same? Is the Clemens not built by Renzeti now? Just curious is all.

No, it has not been built by Renzetti in something like 15 years now. At least two other people/companies have built the Clemens Lathe since Renzetti was making them.

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i bought the package 1/10 motor solid state foot control. i believe that is standard now. i bought 1 extra rod support, not enough, i will buy one more in charlotte if available.those other acc. are ok if you want to do all those operations on your lathe.i bought a separate small lathe to do all the turning and sanding and so forth.pen type lathe. lot of info on small lathes in the search function.This keeps your wrapping area much cleaner, all the dust and dirt are on your small lathe.from checking on prices i think we are talking the same money give or take a few bucks. i think less. IMHO John

I bought several extra supports and some extra bed length so I could build any length rod I felt the need to. I have the other tools save for the Renzetti lazer( I use the one from my toolbox). They can come in handy. Go for bed lenght and supports first!
Ray

I purchased everything including the "Wonder Weaver." If you weave that is a great tool. I even purchased two head stocks and two motors (I had to reverse the wiring on one motor used to the right so it turned the right way) and 12 feet of bed. I have a head stock on each end so I can wrap under wraps to the left and guide wraps to the right.

If I had to do it over, I would not buy the tail stock and tool rest. A small cheap lathe (Jet or small Grizzly) is much better to turn cork grips. The motors are not strong enough IMO with the Renzetti to turn cork or wood. I tried buying stronger motors and had to buy more pulleys, etc. and ended up spending as much as I would have buying a small wood lathe. Don't get me wrong the Renzetti is a superb rod lathe and if some one stole mime today, I'd order another one tomorrow.

Larry Tysinger

I have one of the old Clemens lathes and the original 1/15 hp motor.I have turned alot of cork,EVA,and hypalon with it.When turning blocks of EVA,I knock off the 90 degree edges to "round it up" a bit first. I haven't tried to use it for wood though. I am not so sure I couldn't use it for that. Someday,I may even upgrade to the 1/10 hp motor. JMHO
Merry Christmas to all,
Chuck

The 1/10hp motor has a ton more torque than the old 1/15. The difference in power is incredible. I've turned plenty of cork and eva with my Renzetti and 1/10 motor. It's a gutsy unit. I would agree that if you plan to turn reel seat inserts that you need to look at a grizzly, jet or delta though.

Agree with all on the extra rod supports. If you do a lot of large diameter rods, the saltwater wheels are good to go.

Also, the 1/10 is a hoss and you would have to sit on it to bog it down turning EVA. I have two 12' setups; one with a 1/15 for wrapping and one with 1/10 for turning grips, etc.

IMHO, have at least 12' of track.

One thing to consider is do you want to be doing cork/lathe work in the same place as you are wrapping. I have the Clemens lathe and starting using for cork and such, but the cleanup is horrible before wrapping. Cork dust is the worst.
So I do all lathe work in a seperate area. Just built a homemade one out of a sewing machine motor.
Just consider that before purchasing all the attachments. After a few more rods, may buy a short Renzetti just for the lathe work.

For those who can't afford two lathes, you can turn and shape cork on the same lathe you wrap with. I did this for many years and never had the sort of dust and debris problems that others speak of. Of course, I also made myself a dust collection attachment so nearly all the cork dust was captured right at the source while I was shaping.

RodMaker has done at least two articles on dust collection and I think one or two of the photos I have on the photo page show my shop vac dust collection attachment on an older rod lathe bench, for use with the Renzetti lathe. You can also fit a cheap box fan with a better quality furnace filter and get the really fine dust, if you want.

And remember, dust itself is not a problem with wrapping and finishing. Only that which is airborne is going to cause problems.

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