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Tool & Jig Making

What do I need next?
BETH Applegate
7/14/2021 12:40 PM

Hi everyone. I was surprised with a gift certificate to craft supplies at the meeting last night. I am wondering if someone can help me pick out what will be most useful to me. I have the 8 piece harbor freight tool set, a bowl gouge, scraper and a thin parting tool. I have the habor frieght lathe on the legs. I have a nova 3 chuck and was wondering if I could get additional jaws or another chuck to hold smaller items.My main desire is to make boxes, bowls and maybe pens. If anyone would like to help me out, I would greatly appreciate it. You can contact me through this thread or my cell phone. 732-890-2379.


It was great meeting people last night! I look forward to meeting more of you at the county fair.

Chris Lawrence
7/14/2021 8:07 PM

If your looking to get a set of jaws and want to turn small stuff i would get a set of pin jaws. Your not going to get them from craft supply though they do not sell nova stuff anymore. I use the 50mm jaws that come with there chucks all the time for small boxes and projects.

BETH Applegate
7/17/2021 9:50 AM

Chris,

Is this what you are talking about??I did not see the tpi stated. I think it is a 1" 8 tpi. Does anyone else have the same lathe and would I need the #2 pen mandrel? The 2nd picture is of my lathe specs, I think I need the #2 mandrel for the MT2 tailstock. Right?? The link is above. I so appreciate everyone's help.


https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/


It is the 8 piece set for 190. I don't know how to get the link to bring you to the actual item.

Chris Lawrence
7/17/2021 6:21 PM

Beth i own that chuck and it is a good chuck. I still use it. It was the first chuck i purchased. The only downside is the only jaws that will fit it come with the kit but for your size lathe it has plenty of options. I use the step jaws alot for small spindles. The threads are 1x8 and it comes with an adapter for 3/4" threads. Your lathe is a 1x8 spindle thread with an mt 2 on the inside.

Kevin Seiler
7/17/2021 8:15 PM

Hi Beth -


A good chuck with a number of jaw sets is one of my buys I would recommend, but I think it may be out of what you were planning to spend. The club bought Penn State chucks, but I wouldn't advise them. I use two chuck brands - Oneway and Nova. I have a OneWay Talon on my smaller lathe - its perfectly sized for small lathes, but gives lots of options with jaws. On my larger lathe I have a Nova SuperNova II. It's larger, heavier and has replaceable inserts, so handles 1" or larger headstock threads.


For a midi lathe, Oneway Talon or the Apprentice from Craft Supply are both good purchases. The both are cam driven 4 jaw chucks that will serve you well.

Bill Stewart
7/18/2021 7:16 AM

Beth – I believe you need the #2MT for the Headstock.  The headstock is the powered part of the lathe.  The tailstock is not powered.

 

Bill

 

Jody Forbes
7/15/2021 9:57 AM
I might splurge and buy a higher end tool... now that you know you like turning a few nicer tools would be a nice investment.  I'd pick whichever is your most used.  Sorby's are a good price point. I find them to hold a better edge and are easier to work with then the cheaper "Benjamin's Best" set we bought when starting out.   A pen mandrel - if you don't have one - something you'll need for pen making.  I dunno how much your GC was for but pen kits and blanks are another lower price point thing you could spend your money on.  
Jody

Bill Stewart
7/15/2021 3:03 PM

Beth – Agree, another set of jaws for your chuck would be the logical choice.  I have a Vicmarc chuck and I have 4 sets of jaws and I use them all.  Unfortunately, as Chris said, Craft Supplies no longer carries Nova chucks so I guess the extra set of jaws is out.  If you are going to make pens, you’ll need a pen mandrel to hold your pen blank.  Craft Supplies has that and here is the link: Apprentice Pen Mandrel | Pen Making | Craft Supplies USA (woodturnerscatalog.com).  This pen mandrel comes in either a no. 1 or no. 2 morse taper.  I checked the Harbor Freight website and it does not say what morse taper your lathe is – my guess is that it is probably a no. 2 but make sure first if you are to get the mandrel.  Anyway, good luck.

 

Bill Stewart

Bruce Perlmutter
7/16/2021 8:22 AM

Beth,

Not knowing what you already have, I would go back to the basics. Do you have a good sanding system? Like a 2" velcro sanding pad that mounts in your hand drill and a selection of disks from 80 to at least 240. If there is one thing that is used on every project, this would be it. There, I said it! (There are some who would have you believe they never have to use anything but 320 grit 🙂).

Bruce

BETH Applegate
7/17/2021 9:55 AM

I have a lot of different grit sand paper and disks. I just have to use them.

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