I don't know if this will have useful information for anyone, but this morning while I was watching the "New Yankee Workshop" on PBS, it was announced that next week's show (May 19th) will be devoted entirely to lathes. This was aired in central Virginia. I have no idea if the program is shown in everyone's area, or if the same programs are aired in all parts of the country. I inferred from the announcement that the upcoming program was designed for those considering the purchase of a lathe. I suppose it's worth noting that the show is focused on woodworking/furniture building, but I imagine that many of the principles will apply for rodbuilders. Nonetheless, I thought it was worth mentioning here.

Edit: I just did a search and found that you can check at www.pbs.org [corrected] for the viewing time in your area. Click on Programs A-Z, enter you Zip Code, then click on "N". Look for "Lathe 101".
Tight lines,
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2007 02:51PM by Hunter Armstrong.

Hunter...Thanks for the heads up...I'm sure some folks would be interested if they can get the show.


Cheers...Rodge

I'll watch it for sure.

That link takes me to Nortridge Public Schools. Try this one www.pbs.org

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

Ooops, sorry!!! Thanks for the correction, Mike!
Hunter

From ghoulies and ghosties,
and long leggedy beasties,
and things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord deliver us!

HUNTER:
THANKS FOR THE INFO-- I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN ABOUT IT IF YOU HADN'T MENTIONED IT. IT'S ON IN MY AREA THIS AFTERNOON AT 4:00. I'VE BEEN INTERESTED IN LATHES EVER SINCE THE WEEKEND AT LAMIGLAS. I'VE BEEN BUYING PRE-FORMED GRIPS, BUT THINK I COULD DO BETTER.

RON.

Ron I agree with you about the guy at the Lamiglas demo doing lath work
Good Wraps Bob

If you're truly interested in turning then checkout the American Association of Woodturners (http://www.woodturner.org/). From there you can find woodturning organizations in your area. Most local woodturning organizations welcome new turners and have classes at various levels. I've been turning bowls, vases, pens, and stuff for around 5 years and only recently started making grips. There are lots of great lathes in the marketplace these days and each has its pluses and minuses and each is best suited for certain types of turning. Myself, I started on a Delta Midi lathe (decent lathe BTW) and now turn on a 3HP Oneway 2436 (way overkill for cork but hey it works great). Our local club has a 1/2 dozen Jet Mini lathes for class, demonstrations, etc and members turn on just about every type of lathe on the market. And remember, if you venture past turning cork you'll need a decent way of sharpening your lathe tools and that usually costs a few bucks.