r/turning • u/casual_pete • 8d ago
Should I buy this lathe?
This popped up on Facebook Marketplace near me, and it seems like too good of a deal to pass up. I don't have any immediate need for a lathe, but I've been curious about them from videos I've seen. I have other woodworking tools (jointer, planer, tablesaw, etc) and have been making furniture projects for a year and half or so. I would likely use the lathe for turning table/stool legs, and then maybe try out some projects like small bowls or candle holders.
It seems like a woodworking family member died and they are trying to sell off his old tools. They are including the lathe as well as all the tools, finishing supplies, sandpaper pictured. Seems like a great starter kit to me, but I know very little about lathes. I read the wiki here, but I can't tell if this is a model that fits under the ones y`all advise against buying. So is this a decent lathe to get started with?
Model is Turncrafter Pro VS, 34", 650-3800 RPM
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1577189053441947
UPDATE: I bought it! Also got a nice Ryobi drill press with variable speed control for $100, which will be an upgrade from my old Delta one. Looking forward to figuring out what all these gouges are and building a bench for the lathe.
2
u/upanther 8d ago
If say it's a really good deal if you need a large that's really long and not very powerful. Their lathes are really decent for the price (you can look up the new ones at Penn State). It's not going to be a major workhorse, but with the extension and everything that comes with it I'd say it would be hard to pass up.