I'm trying to decide weather to buy a power wrapper of a wood lathe to turn cork grips. Those of you who have used a power wrapper have you had any problems turning the grips with a wrapper? I'm leaning towards the power wrapper because it lighter in weight and can also be used as a wrapper. Thanks in . Bill

For myself, I do not turn my cork in the same area as I wrap in. I have a power wrapper partially because it is easier on my wrists overall when wrapping. I use a wood lathe in the garage for all my turning. I really do not want to deal with the cork dust in my wrapping area. If you decide to use the power wrapper for turning, just make sure you use a good method to collect the dust. Cork dust gets in the air so easily and gets everywhere if you do not do something to control it. In the garage, I can get most of the dust with a box fan with a furnace filter taped onto it. It may not get every bit of dust, but it takes care of the majority of it.

I get good results with the Flex Coat cork lathe. You cannot gererate the needed RPM's with a wrapper.
Herb

Well I do. My CPW will easily turn grips. I sand, cut and shape grips on it. Cork, foam EVA and Hypalon....no problem. BUT...I also have an old Delta lathe that I'll use if the grip isn't on the blank. I love having more toys, but if it was only having one, I would never give up my Powerwrap.

Bill,
Buy a power wrapper to do wrapping.
Buy a lathe or lathe equivalent to do handle turning.

Yes, some power wrappers will do an OK job of turning cork, but none will really do the job as well as virtually any of the smaller wood lathes.

I also agree with the other posts who suggest that you keep the wrapping areas and the wood turning areas in at least separate rooms and preferably separate buildings.

Any time that you turn an object - wood, cork or other products dust is generated. Dust floats and goes everywhere, Yes, you can do filters, yes you can do other types of dust abatement.

But, guess what - if you don't have any dust generating items in your wrapping room, you don't have to deal with it.

It is your choice.

You can purchase a small wood lathe at any of the big box stores for about $100 that will do a wonderful job of turning handles.
Sure you can spend more $$$$$$$$ if you like for a wood lathe. If you plan to do much turning of anything more than just handles, you really want to investigate your options and buy the one that will best suit your current needs for handle as well as any future needs, if you have any.

Good luck

Roger

Bill,
Here are a myriad of examples of different lathes. Virtually all of which would do a fine job to turn cork grips:

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Also, be sure to check with the sponsors listed on the left. Many of them carry lathes which work very very well to turn grips.

Take care
Roger

Pretty good list there Roger; one of the links had a pretty sweet 1/3 horse Shop Fox with variable speed for under 200, that would be great fo cork and eva for sure.

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

The Custom Power Wrapper or the Renzetti would be the only wrapping class tools I would consider using for regular turning. If you have the space, you can get a reasonable wood lathe and a power wrapper on sale and pay about the same amount. It really makes the shop more flexible as you can turn inserts and other wood on the lathe that probably would be a stretch for the wrapper tools.

As Mike said, it helps to keep the dust out of the wrapping area. You can employ dust filters to remove it if you are confined to one area.

Terry

Walt,
I have used the shop fox Lathe of which you speak.
You are right - it works very well at a very reasonable price.
Take care
Roger

If you're only turning cork, a rod power wrapper will be more than adequate.

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Like most at the present time I use one of my 3 power wrappers when I turn cork, That well change by next fall (getting a meni lath) Any way your or most power wrappers will work cork. Just do not put a lot of strain on the motor. Take care to eliminating dust to collect on the motor. Jerry rigged a box with a vacuum hose attachment, so it will collect dust and dirt from the cork while sanding. Cork dust collects on everything. Just leave a spool of thread out, say 20 to 30 feet away. Power sand your cork. Now go look at your thread, you will see some dust. Let the spool stay for 2 more days NOW look at the dirt

Good Wraps Bob