Anyone with a lathe?

[MNRon]

I have a wonderful Powermatic lathe at home. The only problem with it is that at ~600lbs (plus another 300lbs ballast I've added) it's a little heavy to take along in the RV.

I'm looking at smaller lathes to take along to have some turning fun while we travel. At this point it's probably down to a Nova Comet2 and a Delta midi, at 75lb and 100lb respectively. The Delta appears to be a better lathe, but doesn't really have any 'features' over the Comet. Looking for any comments from others that might have packed something similar in their basement. Will I be sorry to lug 100lbs in and out and should go with the Comet? (If weight wasn't an issue I'd be getting the Jet midi, but at 120lbs I've already ruled that out).

Also if anyone has turned on the Comet I'd appreciate your thoughts about it. Thanks for any feedback.

[MNRon]

Thanks for the replies. I did go with the Nova Comet2 (75lb, 12inch) lathe. So far I've built a knock-down stand to easily take it with me in the 5er, made a couple of simple mods to the lathe, and turned a few bowls and plates. While this doesn't compare with my Powermatic at home, I expect to be very happy making shavings with it while on the road. I'll put a write-up on this lathe on http://www.woodcentral.com/woodworking/forum/turning.pl in a week or two if anyone's interested.

[woodgeezer]

After years of turning and owning six lathes, I have two that I take on the road. One is a Sherline mini-lathe. Older and pretty plain, but does a great job with the miniature versions of everyday items. Best thing is using found wood, where ever I am. My second lathe is an older Record compact. Heavy enough to do some nice bowls and spindle work, and with the swivel head it works great on even larger work over the side. It does require tying it down, but there is always something to be used as a base, concrete picnic tables work fine.

The issue is to down size the pieces you make. I keep a buck saw for trimming burls from trees. Roughing out greenwood blanks keeps me sharp, and gives me some interesting pieces with good stories.

[Gjac]

When I was much younger I made a lath out of wood that I had laying around. It was very light weight, the motor weighed more than the rest of it. It worked well for turning soft wood. I did not use it for metals.

[RobWNY]

I also have a Delta 46-460 lathe that I've had for 5 years. No problems with it at all. Very good lathe for it's size. If weight is an issue though, have you looked at some of the mini lathes that pen turners use? Big enough for small bowls and spindle work but smaller and lighter than the 46-460. Google Pen turning lathe and there are many to choose from. I've never thought about bringing a lathe with me when camping but what a great way to enjoy yourself when relaxing around the campsite!

[Jim_Shoe]

My Dad had one with a short bed that was capable of turning a salad bowl or legs for a child's stool. But it was made out of cast iron and took two men and a boy to move it. And it was belt driven by a separate motor. Hardly portable.
Powermatic makes one, but it costs $4,000, weighs nearly 600 lbs. and needs a 220 circuit.
Here's one for $60, but it requires an electric drill for power and probably wouldn't turn anything but toothpicks (but classy ones).
If your interested, Sun N' Fun in Sarasota, FL. Exit 210 off I-75 and go east. They have all kinds of hobbies available, including wood shops. It ain't cheap.

[midnightsadie]

maybe a jewelers lathe ,you could turn out some pretty things for the ladies.

[Kusani]

MNRon, I really enjoy taking my lathe with me at times. It is quiet, yet does cause a curiosity of many campers as they walk by and lends to some great conversations. I usually carry a few 'small blanks' I can turn and use as 'give aways' when people stop by, such as wine stoppers, pens/pencils, book marks, etc.

I am a bit older than you so I do have to watch at what angle I lift relatively heavy objects.

[MNRon]

Thanks OkSixpack and Kusani. The Delta 46-460 is the 100lb one I was considering. I'm 55, and in decent shape that even moving the Jet 120lb one from a table to another one isn't too bad. Lifting it from ground up get's my attention such that I'm questioning if maneuvering it in and out of the 5er basement would be difficult and maybe become very tough on my back as I get older (or maybe accelerate my back getting older :).

I think at this point I'll go with the 75lb Comet2 and put it through it's paces here at home to take advantage of the 30day return policy if I find it lacking.

Kusani - good idea about the dropcloth, thanks.

[Kusani]

You didn't give your age, OP. I also have carried a lathe at times and really enjoyed it but it was for turning between centers and not a bowl lathe. Mine weighted a max of 75 lbs. I think it depends where you are going to store it. I found it quite a strain on my back to load and unload it from a storage compartment due to the angle I had to bend. I suggest you keep your weight to a minimum. I also spread a small tarp below the table when I was turning to be able to collect the shavings and not leave a mess in the campground.

[OkSixpack]

If you are looking at the Delta 46-460, I have one of them and have no complaints. It is mounted on a stand made for it though. Also it is the only one I have used since high school(don't ask!) so I really have nothing to compare it too. I'm by no means an expert, just turning a few bowls while learning the tricks....

[MNRon]

Thanks Dog Trainer, but 75HP is closer to my TV capabilities than the lathe power I expect 🙂 Bet it could make one heck of a bowl or platter though!

[Dog_Trainer]

I am going to be a smart alec here and say that the last lathe I had was 35 feet between centers. We used it to turn steel mill rolls and paper mill rolls. I don't remember what the lathe weighed but some of the rolls we produced were in the 20 ton range. I believe the Lathe was 75HP.