Does anyone use their Renzetti lathe for light wood turning? I am thinking of changing to a Renzetti from my Custom Power Wrap. Wondering if I can do light wood turning for winding checks, split grips etc on the Renzetti. Can't turn wood on the CPW.
Anything else pro or con you would like to say about the Renzetti would be appreciated. Seems like I am going to be spending a LOT of money for all the accessories I want.

another question. It comes with 2 standards. Are two standards enough for holding a rod to turn cork grips that are on the rod? I have 5 standards on my CPW to hold big blanks while turning grips on the blanks.

I would really like not have to buy a dedicated mini-lathe for wood but that may be where I would have to go.
Thanks
Buzz



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/2009 10:51AM by Buzz Butters.

Personally, I wouldn't want to turn cork or wood in my rod building room. Just too much dust and possibility for contaminants. That being said, the renzetti will definitely turn cork and I'm sure light wood, but if you can spring for a small lathe, I think that would be the way to go. Just my opinion though.

Cheers
Harold

Dust isn't a problem if you know how to control it - check past issues of RodMaker for the scoop on how to rid yourself of dust troubles even while using the same lathe and same room for turning and wrapping/finishing chores.

.......

The Renzetti is made mostly of aluminum and therefore doesn't have the mass necessary for real wood turning work. You can certainly turn cork and soft woods to make a variety of small trim items, but it won't be your best choice for exotic wood seat inserts or wooden handles and grips. Neither is the Custom Power Wrap, either, of course. Neither of these is really designed for serious wood turning.

..........

The other posts have it right.
Use a light wood turning lathe to turn wood. It has heavy enough components and motors to do a good job.
There is no issue in getting a small wood lathe from a price of $100 - on up.
The on up will depend on size, motor, bed length, accessories and brand.

If you can, get one with a variable speed dc motor. The variable speed makes turning ever so nice.

Take care
Roger

p.s.
Keep the wood turning and dust in a different house or garage compared to your rod building and wrapping room. Yes, you can get dust filters etc. etc. etc. But it is so much simpler to simply have the wood cuttings, dust and mess out in the garage or a different shed. When done turning, vacuum up, open the door, and blow all of the residual dust out the door with the high powered air compressor.

Your special other will thank you for it, if you happen to do your rod building in your house.
Your other workers will thank you if you do it in a commercial shop.