Wood lathes, who knows what?

[hunt4570]

So the wife mentioned she was thinking about getting me a wood lathe for Christmas , Hmmm.. do not know much about them. I played with them in high school but that was almost 40 years ago!
I do have a pretty much complete wood shop, in fact I have 100 acres with lots of trees, a sawmill, and lots of goodies in my shop.. but no lathe. I've thought about them before but now she has me going.
I'm not looking to spend thousands on something I'm not sure how much I'll use, so I'm looking at "maybe" a low end full size one. If I were to get one it needs to be at least big (long) enough to turn table/stool/chair legs.
So I am looking at new and used ones. The harbor freight one keeps popping up, reviews are very good, but people also talk about all the parts you need to replace to get them to work properly. Some of the smaller basic Grizzly/Jet/Shop Fox ones look exactly like the HF one just different paint jobs.
So I guess my question is (sorry I took so long to get here) What type of things should I be looking for on a more basic wood lathe? And what do you have and do you like it and why.. and how long have you been using it?
Thanks...

 

[CADplans]

So I guess my question is (sorry I took so long to get here) What type of things should I be looking for on a more basic wood lathe? And what do you have and do you like it and why.. and how long have you been using it?
Thanks...

A metal lathe is WAY more fun than a wood lathe, and many wood lathe functions could be done on the metal lathe,,

 

[hunt4570]

I just don’t have any metal trees here

 

[MossRoad]

I just don’t have any metal trees here

No ironwood?

Just kidding.

 

[hunt4570]

No ironwood?

Just kidding.

Good one.. not that I am aware of though.

 

[4570Man]

A metal lathe is WAY more fun than a wood lathe, and many wood lathe functions could be done on the metal lathe,,

They’re not all that interchangeable in function. If you want to turn wood you want a wood lathe.

 

[hunt4570]

They’re not all that interchangeable in function. If you want to turn wood you want a wood lathe.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Leebo24]

I have a Jet mini lathe. Love it for small projects like pens, pencils, and small bowls. Check out Penn State industries www.pennstateind.com for all kinds of supplies and projects. I live within an hours drive from them, but their shipping is great. I am not an expert, but I have really enjoyed my lathe.

 

[hunt4570]

I have a Jet mini lathe. Love it for small projects like pens, pencils, and small bowls. Check out Penn State industries www.pennstateind.com for all kinds of supplies and projects. I live within an hours drive from them, but their shipping is great. I am not an expert, but I have really enjoyed my lathe.

I do like Jet tools, I have a Jet shaper and a 16" Jet planer I have been happy with and have been looking at a couple Jet lathes.

 

[4570Man]

I have a jet full size lathe. You’ll definitely want a continuous variable speed not just a stepped pulley variable speed with whatever model you get. Be warned accessories will quickly exceed the cost of the lathe.