Hey guys! I just got a Delta Midi-lathe model LA 200. What do you think of this lathe? What tools would you reccomend i get for turning wood seats and butt caps. I also want to make wood winding checks and trim rings for handles.
Sincerely,
Dan Colville

Nice lathe. Get a gouge around 3/8 to 1/3 inch, a parting tool, and maybe one of those oval skews. Those should get you started and will cover quite a bit of work. Add something as you need it. Get a 3 jaw chuck, a drill chuck, and a ball bearing center. And a good assortment of sanding paper.

Delta makes good equipment, generally a bit higher priced than other companies, but it's good solid equipment. The first "tool" you should get, if you haven't already is Andy Dear's DVD(Lamar Reel Seats on the left). His DVD explains everything you need and he demonstates making a butt cap and reel seat.

Depending on where you live, you could have trouble finding the lathe chisels. Sears does sell lathe chisels, but they are very poorly ground. If you're never used a lathe, like me, it gives you a chance to beat up a "cheap" lathe chisel before you buy a more expensive better one. The Sears parting tool seems to work OK, but I have limited experience with these things. It is a lot of fun though.

Have fun with it.

Just my two cents, but perhaps more inportant than the tool is learning to sharpen it and keeping it sharp. It is a joy to use a lathe with a sharp tool, with some experience you will be able to tell if and when your tools need sharpening from the feel and sound as well as the shavings from the stock. A sharp tool minimizes the need to sand also.

As well as buying tools, you can make specialized tools for fine work from allen wrenches, cement nails, old files and screwdrivers....

Get a jacobs chuck and you can use a mandrel or all thread to make grip shaping a breeze.

The lathe spews out more dust than anything in your shop, make a provision for dust collection...

Make sure you don't wear loose clothing that could get caught and keep your knuckles away from the work piece and chuck, eye protection is a must......

That said, I am sure you will have a ball figuring out things to use it for.......

Joe