As mentioned, I started turning with what I had, a 1950 Shop Smith all in one machine. It worked, sort of , as long as you did not make anything larger than say 5 inches in Diameter and 7 inches tall. When a newer lathe became available I placed an add in Graig’s List and had an offer for more than the asking price in about 15 minutes.
Then I purchased a Jet 12/36 from Bob the guy who taught me to turn. I believe I was either the third or fourth person to own it. The 12/36, which stands for the width and length you can turn (not at the same time) is a great belt drive almost full size lathe that will get you from learning to know what your doing (or at least enough to get in trouble).
Well I started actually selling my bowls and Allison, wife of Wood Guy, decided it was time for me to invest in a bigger long term lathe. Once again there I was on Craigs List and sure enough in just one or two days it was sold to a guy wanting to move up to a full size lathe who lived in S. Carolina.
Well this opened the door and entered the Laguna 18/47. A really Big Direct Drive Lathe that would allow me to turn a bowl of about 18 inches over the bed or, using the outboard extension about a 30 inch bowl. The Laguna arrive the day before the Jet left and so that worked out great. I had to wait for 220 electrical to get installed in the garage but that was minor.
So this pretty much brings us up to date on the Lathes…The Laguna has been everything I had hoped for (after a few phone calls and replacement parts from Laguna). It’s solid and stable and above all Powerful. We should be a team for awhile but could a Stubby or Vic Mark or maybe even an Ebo be in my future….time and bowls will tell I guess.
Jeff The Wood Guy
Leave a Reply