Looking at starting to turn my own grips and need help with a lathe. I've googled, searched on here, and done other research but still have too many questions. I understand what a lathe is and does, but I'm lost with all the attachments. Can the experts on here point me in the right direction? What type of chuck is preferred for turning and or reaming grips? Which tools, chisels, cutters, etc. need to be purchased with the lathe? It would be great if a company put together a "rod Builder lathe" that came with all the basics needed to just do grips. lol. Any help is appreciated.

Capt. Craig Freeman
Grading Scales Sportfishing and Back River Rods

RodMaker published an article last year or so that outlined the basics of lathe attachments, what you actually need versus what is simply nice to have.

In short, collets are great if you're only going to be turning on mandrels. I'd go a step further and get a self centering 3 or 4 jaw chuck and equip it with a set of spigot jaws. That'll take care of 99% of what just about any rod builder would ever turn on a lathe. You need a live center for the tailstock (some lathes offer this standard, others don't) and a Jacobs type chuck if you want to bore from the tailstock (you will, eventually).

In terms of cutting tools don't go overboard and don't buy a "set" of lathe tools. Most of them you'll never use. You want a roughly gouge, a Bedan or parting tool and a round nose scraper. Those three tools will allow you to turn just about grip or handle that comes to mind and from any material, cork, wood, acrylic, etc. Pick up a Stanley Sur-form file, too.

..............

The Flex Coat Lathe Setup is a good option if space is limited or you want something to quickly setup outside, let the dust fly, and then break it down and stow it away. All you need is a drill which you probably already have.

[flexcoat.com]

[www.youtube.com]

Flex Coat Company
Professional Rod Building Supplies
www.flexcoat.com

Hello All.

The magazine Tom recommended is "Lathe Accessories" by Tom Kirkman volume 22 Issue 5 page 16.

Tight Wraps & Tighter Lines.

Bob,

New Bern, NC.

Craig,
Just understand that if you get into any serious lathe turning work you will likely end up spending as much or more for accessories, as you have done for the original lathe.

But, if you are only going to start out shaping grips, just get a good chuck, a good live center tail stock, and a supply of sandpaper. A stanley surform file works very well for coarse material - particularly if you are working with cork.

Actually the first set of turning tools that I used with the lathe was a set of wood chisels. For basic turning, this actually works very well.

For example:
[www.homedepot.com]

For a starter set of wood turning tools, and to familiarize you with the various tools, a set like this works as a starter set. Understand that the steel is of mediocre quality and you will need to frequently sharpen the tools; but they will get you going.

[www.harborfreight.com]

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This picture is of one of the first wood grips that I made for use on an ice fishing rod. You can see the various parts of the lathe being used.
[www.rodbuilding.org]

In the picture listed above, here are the following accessories that did not come with the chuck.
3-inch 3-Jaw Taig chuck, with set of full round aluminum jaws, and also a 3/4-16 thread adapter to adapt to the 1x8 tpi head stock chuck.
Keyless 1/2 inch chuck with mt-2 insert to fit the tail stock.
Steady rest - that I made and used with my full length rod lathe, but it also works very well with this lathe to support work.

Good luck and enjoy the hunt.

Thanks for the info. I think my rodmaker subscription lapsed and didn't get that issue. Just renewed and bought the magazine mentioned above.

Capt. Craig Freeman
Grading Scales Sportfishing and Back River Rods