Wood Lathes? - A Couple of Things to Think About When Buying a Used One

Wood lathes come on the used market in a fairly regular fashion and can be a great way to get a good wood lathe for the money. On the other hand some of the used lathes are lemons. Here are a few suggestions for the shopping trip.

First of all have some idea of what you want to do with a wood lathe in your shop. If you are upgrading from your present machine then you have some opinions as to what things are needed. The novice buyer has a harder road to follow.

There are two main ways to turn wood, spindle and faceplate. Spindle turning includes such things and chair and table legs and is normal way to general woodworkers to enter the woodturning world. Making turned legs for a table eventually leads to making a table as an excuse for turning legs. Faceplate work includes pieces such as round table tops, bowls and vases. Most people who take up faceplate work desire to turn bowls and go from there.

Most beginner lathes will be suitable for spindles and bowls. Older wood lathes used a system of working over the bed of the lathe for spindles and at the other end of the headstock worked "offside" for bowls and such. This required faceplates and other materials to have "left handed" threads. In effect, the bother of setting up for outboard turning meant that most woodturners could not be bothered and settled for making the largest bowl that would fit over the lathe bed. Today's manufacturers often compromise with a headstock that rotates and allows for bigger pieces using the same holding equipment as over the bed.

The problem that arises with this setup comes from lathe speeds. Generally spindles are turned much faster than faceplate work. Large bowl blanks, if unbalanced as most are, can at high speeds shake a lathe apart; cause the lathe to walk across the floor; or turn the wood into a projectile. At slow speeds none of these occur. Six hundred rpm is just slow enough for a twelve inch bowl, but slower is better.

So when looking for a lathe, get one that fits your preferred style of turning. For spindles a solid set of ways making up the lathe bed are important. Faceplate lathes should be very sturdy at the headstock, handle a large piece of wood, and have a low speed. Remember that a wood lathe is a basic power tool and look for the finish and quality you would normally desire in a good tool.

Wood lathes are a lot of fun in the woodworking shop. There are some great bargains on the used market and with a bit of insight, a used lathe is a wonderful way to get started in the woodturning craft.

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CNC Wood Router: Things to Consider Before You Buy

CNC machinery is the most significant woodworking invention since the turning lathe. Just as the turning lathe streamlined the woodworking process in the 1300's, so did the CNC machine in the early 1970s. By using a computer to control how wood is cut, it makes processes that were once "hands on" hands off. Today, the move from manual control to computer control is defining woodworking around the world, as smarter router models are designed to assist companies and individuals alike. The difference between buying a CNC wood router as a company and as an individual can be significant.

Cost Factor

Like other elite machinery, computer-controlled routers improve the machining process at a premium price, especially when industrial models are required. Fortunately, many woodworkers need midgrade models for the medium capacity production of small to medium size pieces that require cutting along two or three axes, as opposed to four or five. For those who do need an industrial model, buying used is a meaningful option.

With their rigid design and superior engineering, industrial routers can deliver top performance for decades. In fact, it isn't uncommon for an industrial router to be sold in used condition more than once. To ensure that a used router is reliable, buyers should take a four-step approach:

(1) buy from a professional seller,

(2) check the seller's record at the Better Business Bureau (BBB),

(3) check the machine's official maintenance record,

(4) and inspect the machine in person before buying it. Inspecting a machine firsthand helps you assess its wear.

When is a Good Time to Buy?

Most woodworkers buy CNC routers for one of two reasons: to improve work quality, or to improve production rate while maintaining work quality. An example of the first case is a hobbyist woodworker who wishes to create more professional products, perhaps to sell them. An example of the second case is a professional woodworker who needs a solution for increased product demand, perhaps in conjunction with moving to a new workspace.

For hobbyist woodworkers, a CNC router is a personal investment. It can either be afforded, or it can't, and there is no harm in waiting to make the investment. For woodworkers whose businesses are growing, buying quickly could be crucial to acquiring customers. If this describes your position, purchase a router that is affordable based on the income from the work that you need it for. Overbuying in terms of table size and production capacity risks what every woodworker fears: repossessed machinery.

Conclusion

CNC routers help woodworkers in a variety of ways, with high cutting accuracy, ability to cut intricate patterns, and ability to increase production rate being primary benefits. For most woodworkers, a CNC machine is a significant purchase, one that should be made with regard to present and future finances. If you are currently in the market for a new router, shopping with a professional seller of new and used woodworking machinery that performs machine location worldwide is the ideal choice.

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Wood Lathe Safety: Five Things To Consider For Woodturning Workshops

Of all the power tools in the work shop, the wood lathe is one of the safest. This is still a powerful tool used with sharp tools and care is needed. Ultimately, safety is in the hands of the user. Here are a few safety tips to consider when turning wood.

One of the first things to look for is the general condition of the lathe itself. Many woodturners are amateurs who have only a few hours a week to spend in the workshop and wish to spend most of it at the lathe so that maintenance takes a back seat. Some time needs to be spent on such maintenance as sharpening spur centers, replacing bearings, making sure mounting nuts are secure, dressing the tool rest and so on. Before the lathe is turned on it should be checked to be sure that everything is tightened down and the wood will clear the tool rest as it rotates. Not only does it make the turning more enjoyable, it makes it safer.

While the condition of the lathe is important for safety, so is the condition of the wood turner. Fatigue causes accidents. A wood turner should be well rested and free of alcohol or drugs. All rings and other jewellery should be removed. It is all too easy for rotating wood to catch neck ties or other loose clothing and draw a turner into the lathe or for a caught piece of jewellery to rip off pieces of skin.

The height of the lathe should generally be set so that the center line of the turning will be at elbow height of the turner. This may vary a little with individuals because of varying ratios of arm to leg length, but it is a good working estimate. A height too great or too little easily causes back pain through undue hunching or stretching. Rubber mats on concrete floors also can be a big help in relieving back pain.

With the increase in artistic turning over the past few decades, more and more wood turners are mounting burls, spalted wood and wood with splits and voids in it, particularly in faceplate work. These pieces of wood tend to be fairly large and unbalanced. This sets up a lot of vibration in the lathe and can be inherently dangerous, especially as chunks of wood may fly off the lathe at high speeds if the lathe is turning too fast. Experience and slow speeds are essential in this type of turning.

There are various charts that are used to determine the speeds at which woods of various diameters are turned. These should be approached with caution as not all woods are of the same density and many have knots, hidden splits or other imperfections that will be aggravated by high speeds. It is best to start turning at a slow speed and increase as circumstances dictate.

There is no way to make working with power tools completely safe but a few simple precautions and common sense can make the woodturning workshop a safe place for a long time to come.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wood lathes? -A couple of things to think about when you buy a used one

Wooden Lathes are on the market used in fairly regular and can be a great way to get a good wood lathe for the money. On the other hand some of lathes used are lemons. Here are some suggestions for the shopping trip.

First of all get an idea of what you want to do with a wood lathe in your shop. If you are upgrading from your machine this then you have some opinions about what things are necessary. The novice buyer has a tougher road to follow.

There are two main ways to turn wood, Chuck and front. Turning spindle includes such things and the Chair and table legs and is the normal way of carpenters General to enter the world of the lathe. Manufacture turned legs to a table at the end to make a table as an excuse to turn her legs. Faceplate work includes pieces such as round table tops, bowls and vases. Most people who take different types work the desire to transform the bowls and go from there.

Most beginner lathes will be suitable for spindles and bowls. Older wood lathes used a system of work above the bed of lathe chucks and at the other end of the headstock worked "offside" for bowls and the like. This required forms and other materials to have discussions "Lefty". In fact, the hassle of setting for outboard turning the meaning that most of the Turners could not be bothered and settled to make it the biggest Bowl that would fit over the bed of lathe. The producers of today often compromise with a blade that rotates and allows larger pieces using the same equipment company as above the bed.

The problem that arises with this setting is from tornio speed. Generally chucks are made much faster working different types. Blanks large bowl, if unbalanced as most are high-speed, shake a lathe part; cause the lathe on foot through the floor; or transform the wood into a bullet. Low-speed, none of these occur. 600 rpm is just slow enough for a twelve-inch Bowl, but more slowly, is better.

So when looking for a lathe, get one that fits your favorite style of turning. For chucks a solid set of ways that make up the bed lathe are important. Lathe faceplate should be very robust blade, handle a large piece of wood and has a low speed. Remember that a wood lathe is an instrument of power base and look for the finish and quality that normally would have desired a good tool.

Wooden Lathes are a lot of fun in store. There are some great deals on the second-hand market and with a little understanding, a lathe used is a wonderful way to start in craft lathe.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wood Lathes? - A Couple of Things to Think About When Buying a Used One

Wood lathes come on the used market in a fairly regular fashion and can be a great way to get a good wood lathe for the money. On the other hand some of the used lathes are lemons. Here are a few suggestions for the shopping trip.

First of all have some idea of what you want to do with a wood lathe in your shop. If you are upgrading from your present machine then you have some opinions as to what things are needed. The novice buyer has a harder road to follow.

There are two main ways to turn wood, spindle and faceplate. Spindle turning includes such things and chair and table legs and is normal way to general woodworkers to enter the woodturning world. Making turned legs for a table eventually leads to making a table as an excuse for turning legs. Faceplate work includes pieces such as round table tops, bowls and vases. Most people who take up faceplate work desire to turn bowls and go from there.

Most beginner lathes will be suitable for spindles and bowls. Older wood lathes used a system of working over the bed of the lathe for spindles and at the other end of the headstock worked "offside" for bowls and such. This required faceplates and other materials to have "left handed" threads. In effect, the bother of setting up for outboard turning meant that most woodturners could not be bothered and settled for making the largest bowl that would fit over the lathe bed. Today's manufacturers often compromise with a headstock that rotates and allows for bigger pieces using the same holding equipment as over the bed.

The problem that arises with this setup comes from lathe speeds. Generally spindles are turned much faster than faceplate work. Large bowl blanks, if unbalanced as most are, can at high speeds shake a lathe apart; cause the lathe to walk across the floor; or turn the wood into a projectile. At slow speeds none of these occur. Six hundred rpm is just slow enough for a twelve inch bowl, but slower is better.

So when looking for a lathe, get one that fits your preferred style of turning. For spindles a solid set of ways making up the lathe bed are important. Faceplate lathes should be very sturdy at the headstock, handle a large piece of wood, and have a low speed. Remember that a wood lathe is a basic power tool and look for the finish and quality you would normally desire in a good tool.

Wood lathes are a lot of fun in the woodworking shop. There are some great bargains on the used market and with a bit of insight, a used lathe is a wonderful way to get started in the woodturning craft.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Wood Lathe Safety: Five Things To Consider For Woodturning Workshops

Of all the power tools in the work shop, the wood lathe is one of the safest. This is still a powerful tool used with sharp tools and care is needed. Ultimately, safety is in the hands of the user. Here are a few safety tips to consider when turning wood.

One of the first things to look for is the general condition of the lathe itself. Many woodturners are amateurs who have only a few hours a week to spend in the workshop and wish to spend most of it at the lathe so that maintenance takes a back seat. Some time needs to be spent on such maintenance as sharpening spur centers, replacing bearings, making sure mounting nuts are secure, dressing the tool rest and so on. Before the lathe is turned on it should be checked to be sure that everything is tightened down and the wood will clear the tool rest as it rotates. Not only does it make the turning more enjoyable, it makes it safer.

While the condition of the lathe is important for safety, so is the condition of the wood turner. Fatigue causes accidents. A wood turner should be well rested and free of alcohol or drugs. All rings and other jewellery should be removed. It is all too easy for rotating wood to catch neck ties or other loose clothing and draw a turner into the lathe or for a caught piece of jewellery to rip off pieces of skin.

The height of the lathe should generally be set so that the center line of the turning will be at elbow height of the turner. This may vary a little with individuals because of varying ratios of arm to leg length, but it is a good working estimate. A height too great or too little easily causes back pain through undue hunching or stretching. Rubber mats on concrete floors also can be a big help in relieving back pain.

With the increase in artistic turning over the past few decades, more and more wood turners are mounting burls, spalted wood and wood with splits and voids in it, particularly in faceplate work. These pieces of wood tend to be fairly large and unbalanced. This sets up a lot of vibration in the lathe and can be inherently dangerous, especially as chunks of wood may fly off the lathe at high speeds if the lathe is turning too fast. Experience and slow speeds are essential in this type of turning.

There are various charts that are used to determine the speeds at which woods of various diameters are turned. These should be approached with caution as not all woods are of the same density and many have knots, hidden splits or other imperfections that will be aggravated by high speeds. It is best to start turning at a slow speed and increase as circumstances dictate.

There is no way to make working with power tools completely safe but a few simple precautions and common sense can make the woodturning workshop a safe place for a long time to come.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.