Buying a Used Wood Lathe - Do You Want Accessories With That?

When buying a wood lathe it should be remembered that there is a lot that is seldom included with the purchase. The lathe will generally be accompanied with one or two face plates for faceplate turning along with a spur center and tail stock center for spindle turning. Other tools and accessories are most often not included but are necessary to turn wood. The buyer of a used lathe is often able to get some good bargains at the same time as the lathe is purchased.

Sellers of wood lathes are usually doing so because they are quitting turning for some reason or they are upgrading to a larger lathe. In the first case they have not further use for the woodturning tools and may be convinced to sell them at the same time. Those upgrading to a larger lathe may be finding that their collection of faceplates, centers, and tool rests will not fit the new lathe they have in mind or for that matter have on hand. It is not likely they will want to part with their turning tools themselves, but after the purchase of a new and larger lathe, they may consider a need for some ready cash.

When buying used lathe tools, be choosy about what you purchase. While brand names will give you an idea of quality, most manufacturers have ranges of tools from cheap to expensive and quality will most often vary with the price. Also many turners will put their own handles on tools from many sellers and it will be hard to find a brand name in the first place.

Look for tools with plenty of steel left on them. Sharpening gradually shortens woodturning tools and will eventually make them difficult to use as well as give very little life for the money. Many tools will start with seven inches of shaft. Less that five inches make them a chancy buy and anything from four on down should be free. I think bowl gouges need at least ten inches of shaft and twelve of handle but longer is better.

Examine the steel. Carbon steel is easier to sharpen to a good edge but will not stand the test of time in turning in the fashion of high speed steel. Most turners prefer high speed steel but many have a few tools of high carbon steel because they are a lot cheaper and in days gone by were all that turners could find. In general, high speed steel will be shinier than high carbon and is much less prone to rust. Look for shiny shafts with no rust. Sometimes the shaft will have HSS or M2 or M4 on high speed steel shafts.

It is good to have some idea of what tools are worth when looking at used ones and starting a barter session. Accessories that will not fit the new lathe are usually available at a good price of thirty to fifty percent of new. Turners that are dropping out of the craft will likely throw in their stash for a few dollars more. Always remember that good beginner's sets of tools are often available for less than a hundred dollars before the barter rush hits you.

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