Lathes Archives | WoodWorkers Guild of America

Determining Lathe Height Placement

January 19, 2010 By Reader Submitted & filed under Blog, Buying Advice, Woodworking Q & A.

“I am new to woodturning. I have purchased a used Woodfast, 20 x 16 lathe. It needs a base or stand. My question is, how do I determine the correct spindle height as it relates to me?” Submitted by: tb4x4 WWGOA Editor Response: As a general rule you’ll have the spindle at a comfortable height…

Delta 12-1/2″ Midi-Lathe Model #46-460

January 19, 2010 By David Munkittrick & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

Compact lathes were an instant success when they first hit the market. Their low cost and portability opened the doors to prospective turners who lacked the funds or space required for full size lathes. Unlike most of us as we mature over the years, compact lathes have grown in power, capacity and refinement without putting…

General’s Mini-Lathe Duplicator

August 4, 2009 By George Vondriska & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

If you’re concerned that your turning skills may not be adequate to make perfect duplicate spindles, General International has your problem solved. Their new Mini-Lathe Duplicator, $200, is specifically designed to easily fasten to most mini-lathes with cast bedways, and allow you to make duplicate spindles from either an existing turning, or from a pattern.Like…

Delta Midi Lathes

August 3, 2009 By George Vondriska & filed under Buying Advice, Product Review.

The newest Delta midi lathe pack big features. Have a look, first, at the Midi Lathe 46-460, $599. Electronic variable speed on this machine allows you to dial in the rpms, from 250-4000. There’s no easier way to change speed on a lathe than electronic variable speed. It’s uncommon to see such a low rpm…

Spindle Turning Basics

June 15, 2009 By George Vondriska & filed under Wood Turning, Woodturning Techniques.

Lathe turning can be lots of fun, but I know that some woodworkers are intimidated by the prospect of a piece of wood spinning against a tool at a high rpm. This article will help you overcome some of those concerns and, hopefully, help turn you on to turning. It’ll take you through safely mounting…

George’s Top 5 Must-Have Stationary Woodworking Tools for Your Workshop

September 11, 2008 By George Vondriska & filed under Buying Advice, Tool Education.

I’m asked all the time, “What’s the first tool I should get?” My tongue-in-cheek answer is, “A credit card with a high limit.” But since people really do want advice on stationary tool purchases, I’ve developed “George’s Top 5 List.” It’s important to understand that this is my list of preferred tools and there will…

Cremation Urn: An Unusual Turning

August 18, 0209 By George Vondriska & filed under More Woodworking Projects, Plans and Projects, Woodworking Projects.

Every once in a while, an unusual woodworking commission comes along.This recently happened to me when I was asked to turn a cremation urn in the shape of a Shriner fez. Here’s the project. Hope you can get some ideas and tips for your own projects. Material Selection. Since a fez is red and I’m…