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jleiwig

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Joined
Jan 10, 2007
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Monroe, Ohio, USA.
Ok..so recently I got a Nova G3 chuck for a good price. The only problem is that I don't have a lathe for the chuck!

Now...my question to you all is this:

Should I sell the chuck to one of you fine people here for a discount and put the proceeds towards the purchase price of the mini lathe or should I keep it and keep saving for the lathe knowing that it's probably going to be after the new year when I get one?

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Second question. Should I sell my Craftsman tablesaw as well? I don't do much flat work and the saw scares the crap out of me to be honest. I watched my uncle chop off his thumb on a tablesaw. Seeing that thumb in a bag of ice on the way to the hospital still haunts me to this day!
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Eventually I want to get into making bowls and platters and other stuff, so I'll need the chuck eventually. However, right now the most I've ever turned was a mini baseball bat in shop class many moons ago with a spur drive.

I have the turning tools, and I'm working on the sharpening aspect as we speak. I know there is other things I need and I'm buying them slowly as time and money allow. I'm still in negotiations to turn part of my converted garage/man room into a woodturning workshop with the CEO. She's not thrilled and wants me to work out of our storage shed which doesn't have power, lights or heat/insulation!

Anyway, any opinions you could offer would greatly help because I'm torn with no real good logic on my part one way or the other.

Thanks,

Justin
 
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Save the chuck

If you are going to get into turning bowls and what not save the chuck since you got it at a good price. If you are trying to raise cash for other tools you might want to sell it but you will end up buying a new chuck in what sounds like a short time which will end up probably costing you more in the long run.
As fas as using the garage/shop. Go to the home improvement center near you and price out what it would take to improve your shed to a level that you could use it as a shop. I did the same a while back and after pricing it out we realized that it was better to make our garage into a 1 car with shop space. You just have to plan work flow/storage into the layout.
 
Justin, with the correct training and atitude, combined with using appropriate jigs and safety devices a table saw can be used safely. I use a table saw on a daily basis and always have the memory of cutting two of my fingers on one a number of years ago. However, if you don't see yourself doing any flat work then you would be better off selling the table saw and buying a decent band saw. You will find a band saw far more versatile a tool as a wood turner.

As far as the chuck goes, if you are eventually going to get into bowls etc, then you will need a chuck. However, at the moment it is useless without a lathe. I'd be inclined to sell it and put that money towards a lathe. Once you have a lathe you can keep yourself busy turning pens and other small projects without a chuck for a long time.
 
Last first: Tablesaws scare the poo out of me also. When I use mine, it is with extreme caution. But, all tools have the potential of injury if you are careless. The alternative is to live life locked in a closet. I, and most here, choose not to.
After the first of the year isn't far away. Once you get your lathe you will want a chuck. Keep your good deal and enjoy using it when you get that lathe.
 
i would also say "keep the chuck" if you want to get into turning. i would be lost without mine.
on the other side i could trade you a decent starter lathe for the chuck. pm if interested
 
I would keep the chuck and then you should take a class to learn how to properly use your table saw. I have done just that and it made me very aware of the potential for damage from any tools, hand chisel, screwdriver through table saw. If you learn to use tools properly you will be safe by doing it correctly. If you want to make platters, etc. a table saw will be good for segmenting, cutting larger pieces, jigs.
 
Keep the chuck. A friend of mine used to have an old Craftsman tablesaw that scared me to death every time he turned it on. There are safer saws out there, trust me.

Marc
 
Thanks for the opinions everyone. I have decided to keep the chuck and be patient on the lathe.

As far as the tablesaw goes, I'll probably sell it to look for an older cast iron model. I think it's mainly the cheapness of these newer craftsman tools that scares me more than anything. That cheapo aluminum fence deflects horribly when making a cut. All this and it was the "upgraded" anniversary edition!

If I could find an older one with the cast iron wings still intact I'd feel a whole lot better about things, maybe I'll try and trade it for a bandsaw for now and keep scouring craigslist for an older saw.
 
nava1uni said:
I would keep the chuck and then you should take a class to learn how to properly use your table saw. I have done just that and it made me very aware of the potential for damage from any tools, hand chisel, screwdriver through table saw. If you learn to use tools properly you will be safe by doing it correctly. If you want to make platters, etc. a table saw will be good for segmenting, cutting larger pieces, jigs.
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Good advice here... I've done more damage to my hands from a phillips screwdriver than from a table saw... I'm terrified of my table saw, but use it regularly and just make sure my hands and fingers are at lease 6 inches or more away from that spinning blade. I've had one kick back that left me speaking in higher tones for a short while, but still have all my fingers.
 
jleiwig said:
Thanks for the opinions everyone. I have decided to keep the chuck and be patient on the lathe.

As far as the tablesaw goes, I'll probably sell it to look for an older cast iron model. I think it's mainly the cheapness of these newer craftsman tools that scares me more than anything. That cheapo aluminum fence deflects horribly when making a cut. All this and it was the "upgraded" anniversary edition!

If I could find an older one with the cast iron wings still intact I'd feel a whole lot better about things, maybe I'll try and trade it for a bandsaw for now and keep scouring craigslist for an older saw.
Click to expand...

What's the model number of the craftsman? I ask as there are a couple that aren't much better than paperweights, and then there are others that are nice pieces of equipment.

Just remember that if you always approach the tool with a healthy amount of respect, you'll be fine. It's when you get careless or reckless that they tend to bite. That applies to all tools, not just a Tablesaw. In fact the tool that I hurt myself on most often is the philips head screw driver, I can't count how many times I've stab myself with one.
 
My advice would be to keep the chuck, and sell the table saw. Then, you have a few options: 1. use the money from the table saw towards the new lathe - you can use a miter box to cut the pen blanks 2. use the table saw money to buy a band saw.

That being said, if you have good credit, and can commit yourself to paying the bill, I would go to Woodcraft, apply for their credit card, and buy the Nova 1624-44 lathe. It is on sale until 10/31 for $849.99 - a $350.00 discount on a fantastic lathe. I paid $999.99 in June for mine, and I love the machine. If you do this, make sure it gets paid off at year end. I don;t think another deal like that will happen for a long time.

Dan
 
Russianwolf said:
What's the model number of the craftsman? I ask as there are a couple that aren't much better than paperweights, and then there are others that are nice pieces of equipment.

Just remember that if you always approach the tool with a healthy amount of respect, you'll be fine. It's when you get careless or reckless that they tend to bite. That applies to all tools, not just a Tablesaw. In fact the tool that I hurt myself on most often is the philips head screw driver, I can't count how many times I've stab myself with one.
Click to expand...

I don't have the model number offhand. I bought it off of an old man who was going into a nursing home/retirement village type place and couldn't do woodworking anymore. The only reason I bought it is because I got about 10 blades and a dado set with it for the price of just the saw. The blades alone would cost about 3x what I paid for the saw.

I think I am going to sell it, and maybe some of the blades to go with it to put towards the lathe. Anyone need some blades?
 
Here's another vote for keep the chuck.
As for the tablesaw, I use mine all the time. As long as you use push sticks and keep your fingers away from the blade you'll be fine. But I also like DocStram's reply ... sell the tablesaw and buy a bandsaw. The bandsaw will be more usefull if you are going to get into turning bowls.
 
I've had one kick back that left me speaking in higher tones for a short while, but still have all my fingers.[/QUOTE]

I did the same thing once Chuck. That was all it took to stand just off to the left while I'm cutting. I don't mind taking a shot to the hip, after all, a hip can be replaced ; )
 
bad said:
I've had one kick back that left me speaking in higher tones for a short while, but still have all my fingers.
Click to expand...

I did the same thing once Chuck. That was all it took to stand just off to the left while I'm cutting. I don't mind taking a shot to the hip, after all, a hip can be replaced ; )[/quote]

If I had one that hit me in the twig and berries I guarantee you that it would have been torched with lighter fluid and then beat with whatever wrench was nearby just because I was stupid enough to let that mistake happen and needed to take it out on the poor saw :biggrin:.

I follow all safety precautions, but I'm still scared of it as I think all should be. Complacency leads to injury. At least that's what I've always been taught.
 
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