...knowing I don't need something Industrial sized....

...should I go with the Grizzly G9247 or the G8691 ???...

..it seems that the G9247 only opens to 12" ...so I would imagine that the G8691 would be the best bet, ...yes?...

..what should I get as far as basic tools....I'm sure I don't need an "entire set" of something.... HO HO HURRY!!... she said OK!!!:D:D

bloo,
Don't know about the lathes, but to start you probably need a few basic tools.
1/2" gouge
1/2" Skew Chisel
3/4" Gouge for roughing
1" Skew Chisel
Parting tool

Bloo:

My new Grizzly G9247 mini is enroute to RI--I've been a good boy this year. Grizzly's rep said the larger G8691 doesn't have a hole through the spindle whereas the 9247 does have it. I want that for drilling a hole through the center of the plugs. The 9247 will take no longer than a 12-inch stick, but that's plenty. I had wanted the larger capacity and 1/2 hp motor of the 8691, but I want a hole more!

The best price I've seen on a small lathe is the 9247, BTW. The Jet and the Delta are over $200 more for basically the same thing except they have 1/2 hp motors. The best deal I've seen on a lathe is Grizzly's 8691. Now that's a buy, but one with no hole!!!!

I've been making plugs with a big bed sander and am sick of the dust!!

...quote:...

" The 9247 will take no longer than a 12-inch stick, but that's plenty. "

__________________________________________________ _


....is it plenty ??...don't you lose any of the wood on the ends, or can you shape it down right at the attachment ??...

...Thanks for the update Bob, but don't be offended if I put that question out to the established lathe-men....is that enough?...12" ...??? and is the hole that big of an issue, the hole thru center ...??...

thanks in advance .....Bloo

Yes, another one of my mouse messes..:D......

....do you see what I mean about losing inches ? ...can we work the ends like the top diagram, or do we have to work it like the bottom in order to not hit the edge of the tool on the pins that hold the wood?....

I think you're on to something in your bottom diagram: A little neck popper that will go either way!

The bottom picture is the normal way you would go to turn anything. The ends would have to be trimmed. So you would end up with a plug that's less than the length of the piece you started with. I don't use a plug that's much over 8 inches, with the most common being 3 to 6 inches.

I imagine that the piece could be turned right down to the very end of the stick, as in your first diagram. But in this case, you're always going to have to deal with the marks left in the ends of the stock from the gripping device centers on both ends.

If you're through-wiring your plugs, you'll need a hole down through the center of it. Making that hole, either in the unturned stick or in the turned plug, is somewhat of a challenge because it's hard end-drilling on a drill press, and getting it in the middle all the way to the end. So I want a lathe with a bored tail stock so I can run the bit through it while it's spinning on the lathe. Some combination of centrifugal and centripedal (sp?) force helps (no guarantee) the bit find and stay in the center, if you're using a bit that is stiff enough.

Lastly, I think the advantage of a long distance between centers on a lathe is that one could turn six or eight plugs, or more, on one stick, say, three feet long. Then cut them off and go about finishing them. But, depending on the kind of wood the stick is made out of, increased length introduces the risk of the stick "exploding" while you're turning it. This would produce about a million toothpicks of assorted sizes, some of which are sticking into the operator. These things only spin at speeds less than 5000 rpm, from what I've seen. Industrial wood lathes spin up around 15,000 to 20,000 rpm where "exploding wood" is a real danger, expecially for maple, birch, and long-grained woods like oak. I like maple plugs--very hard and dense. Others like cedar or pine, very soft and un-dense.

Just my thoughts.

I have seen some mini lathes with bed extenders. I have a catalog of a pen making supllier that sells minilathes. Theirs as well as some other popular brands have bed extenders. Does grizzly make one for theirs?

By the way I asked for a Grizzly for xmas. I gave the wife the web site. I was looking through the mail the other day and there was a grizzly catologue. It was addressed to my wife. Is this a good sign? I put it back before she noticed that I had seen it. :D I can't wait for Tuesday morning, I am going to Home depot for some wood and paint today, and some lumber to make a new work bench. :cool:

By the way guys, I measured the distance between centers and it's about 14" plus. And you can turn just about to the end on the right side and close enough, 1/4" or so on the left. Why waste an inch of wood? On plugs with thick enough tail ends, you can cut them to finish length to start with like needles.

Specialist:

Here's what I know about the lathes:

1. Delta mini: has bed extender (option), has bored spindle, has 1/2 hp motor, around 12-14 inches between centers (unsure exactly) but out to 3 ft. or more with extender. Cost around $350 with extender. Stand is extra.

2. Jet mini: no bed extender, no bored spindle, 1/2 hp motor, around a foot between centers. cost $300+. Stand is extra. A beautiful little machine, BTW.

3. Grizzly mini: around 12" between centers, 1/4 hp motor, no bed extender option, has bored spindle. Cost $119. Stand is extra.

4. Grizzly 8691: around 41 inches between centers, 1/2 hp motor, no bored spindle, comes with stand. Cost $139. A GREAAT DEAL, IMHO, for a medium duty lathe.

I really wanted the Delta with extender! But that's a lot of money when the little Grizzly is only $119. If I ever needed a long bed, I could also get the 8691 and I'd still be $100 ahead!!

just picked up my delta-mini ..... $299 with bed extension .
:D :D
keep your eyes open for specials ; can't beat a 'deal'
derf

Great price, Derf.

Let me know if you can keep a drill bit in the center by boring it while it's spinning in the lathe. That one's supposed to have the hole in the spindle.

My new Grizzly arrived yesterday and it doesn't have a hole in the spindle, even though the catalog said it did. But, I turned four plugs last night and it works great.

Now I'm going to turn all our furniture into plugs!

I just unwrapped my new Grizzly mini-lathe. My wife got it fir me for xmas :) . I am building a new work bench for it tomorrow, then the fun begins. :D

i ' ve centerdrilled before ...not on this lathe though . unfortunatly for me my new toy has to go to the bottom of the "to do list '......i think my other half figures i will get everything done before i start turning plugs ....yea right !!
will keep you posted .... derf

..Specialist....what model did you get? 8691 ...OR ...9247

..give me your opinion on it, please....


...and what are you using to stay centered?...


..Thanks BLOO...


.....Slip, do you own a Mini 8691 ? .....up top you wrote about a 14" space in between...:confused:

I have the 9247 and I believe it is the same one Slip has. I just built a work bench last night, and still have to clean up and organize my basement a little before I can use it.

yep :D

I got the 9247 too. It's 14 1/4 between centers. It works great!

I've been batching it for two days and have been turning plugs like a mad man!:D

I sent a msg to them complaining that their catalog and web descriptions state that the spindle is bored to 3/8-inch, and it's not. They said it was a mistake; that it's actually bored, but not all the way through! Duuhh!

For those of you who are still looking for a lathe, there is what appears to be a great little unit by Fisch, up in Springfield, MA. It's 15" between centers with a bed extender, both for $329, including shipping. AND, it has a bored tailstock.