Hello - I've been a restoration carpenter for the last thirty some odd years, and finally caught the turning bug. I'm mainly interested in simple stuff like pens and the like, although it would appear that this could be a rabbit hole I won't be able to dig myself out of.....
In that pursuit, I found a Central Machinery 95607 on Craigslist for $30, and snagged it. Seems to work fine, and the headstock and tailstock line up well. The tailstock was missing the hardware that tightens it to the rails, but I took an old 3/8" carriage bolt and modified it to work with a nylon nut and washer. It's not perfect, but it holds down tight.
My question is was it worth the thirty bucks, or will I regret going the cheap route? I have ordered a mandrel and some pen kits which haven't come in yet, so I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Any advice or tips with this machine would be appreciated.
Thanks!
In that pursuit, I found a Central Machinery 95607 on Craigslist for $30, and snagged it. Seems to work fine, and the headstock and tailstock line up well. The tailstock was missing the hardware that tightens it to the rails, but I took an old 3/8" carriage bolt and modified it to work with a nylon nut and washer. It's not perfect, but it holds down tight.
My question is was it worth the thirty bucks, or will I regret going the cheap route? I have ordered a mandrel and some pen kits which haven't come in yet, so I haven't had a chance to try it out yet. Any advice or tips with this machine would be appreciated.
Thanks!