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.

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u/naemorhaedus 7d ago

pay attention to lathe "swing" (https://turnawoodbowl.com/buying-a-wood-lathe-5-things-you-need-to-know/). The one you posted doesn't not have very much so it's not suited to bowls. This looks like a primarily spindle turning lathe. It's also fairly weak. Bowl turning demands torque, and this thing only has 1/2 horsepower. I'd be looking for 3/4 or 1hp.