Recommendations for a decent lathe for plug turning
 

I must be mad. I need another hobby or project like a I need another plug. But I want to give this a try. I have a lot of wood working tools and have some woodworking experience but no lathe and have only used a lathe a few times. I probably will only use this for plug making. I would like to get one that can accept accessories like a duplicator. What would you guys recommended?

Jet Mini....I love mine.....Takes a Dupicator fine and is reasonable at about $250

A lot of guys use the Jet mini and are happy with them.
I'm pretty sure you can attach duplicators to them.

I have a full size 36" Jet and it works great for me

Are you sure you want to do this Jim? :hihi:
I can't wait to see what you create.

I have a Vega Duplicator attached to mine and it works fine......great for those MOASS Swaps :hee:

Jet Midi and a Vega duplicator... I really like it,,,,,easy to use and set up,,,,

http://www.tools-plus.com/vega-8500.html

I run a Jet mini with Vega Dup..........Love it!!
Attachment 20735

No I am not. I am very concerned about how much time this will absorb. But after going to plugfest I am dying to try a few things. Actually I just finished off my workshop area and can move around back there and have most of the stuff I need to try this.
Also I think my kid may have an interest in doing this so perhaps a good father/son thing. He liked making the jigs and enjoys shop so ...better then playing XBOX.

Have both jet and delta mini's.....delta is far more user friendly....switch is in a better location where you can reach it after the dupy is attached....locking bars are bigger[rubber coated]..wheel is bigger....pulley system is far easier to access..overall I'd say if your buying just one machine.....delta is worth a few dollars more.

Jim, check around the island to see if there are any Shopsmiths out there not being used. I got one at a yard sale in my neighborhood! Saltyric uses them too, He inherited his father's, and then had a guy give him a seond one!:huh: He has one to turn and one to drill thru... lucky bastid

One of these days I have to get one of those modern machines

That would be great if you could get your son involved with plug building and away from xbox
Just be sure to use dust collection and the rest of the safety stuff, and have fun. I think you'll like it, just take it slow.

I have the Jet mini and dont really like it.
- Hard to change belt speed
- Like CS said bad on off switch location
- Underpowered

If I had it to do over I would look at the Rikon
- Indexing head
- easy speed change
- bigger capacity

http://www.rikontools.com/Products/Lathes/70-100.html

To re-iterate what Slip said dust collector is a must











dont do it, "it" will own you

If you have a drill press you could
http://www.striped-bass.com/Stripert...ad.php?t=37103

c'mon do it! All the other cool kids are doing it! C'mon man take a drag uhhh I mean make one...

LMAO, an maybe one of those machinist made dupes. :hihi:

nice the Delta was shipped yesterday :drool:

I won't go skitzo will I?

It's a Possibility

I got the Ricon... LOVE IT.

I know these are wood lathes but has anyone tried to turn aluminum on these mini lathes? Do you think it is doable?

After looking at all of these and getting some PM input from some noteable plugmakers I ended up getting the Delta mini. (mainly because I have a few other delta tools and know I can get parts for them if needed.)

Not Al, but Brass. Low speed with a scraper sharpened like a metal working tool bit.

Santa brought me a new Rikon for Christmas. Nice machine. Makes my old Grizzly look like a toy.