13 replies to this topic

[americanfishingguy]

I want to begin making some more professional looking lures and would like to buy a lathe and an airbrush kit. I would like to spend less than $200. I already have a dremel 200 which allows me to make extremely custom and unique lures, but I would like a lathe to speed up the process.

Here are the best values I have found on lathes-tell me if you know of any other values or are selling a lathe yourself.
- http://www.sears.com...22106000P?mv=rr
- http://www.grizzly.com/products/H2669
- http://www.harborfre...athe-95607.html
- http://fortmyers.cra...2816616599.html

Lathe tools-
- http://www.harborfre...l-kit-3793.html

Airbrushing supplies-
- http://www.jannsnetc...airbrush-paint/
- http://www.jannsnetc...ets/460160.aspx
- http://www.jannsnetc...3025000411.aspx

Tell me what you think. If you have any more suggestions, please comment. Thanks!

[Musky Glenn]

The first and forth lathes, I believe are the same type. They only have a 4" capacity which means you only have approx. 2" of clearance from center to bottom rail. This may be large enough for lures, but that is about all. For making lures these would probably work.
Stay away from the drill conversion.
The third one has a six inch capacity which means 3" to the bottom rail from center. This would be my choice.
Those chisels seem to be to cheap to have much quality to them. They will probably be easy to sharpen, but won't hold an edge for any length of time. I would spend extra money on chisels rather than the lathe. You are going to need some type of grinder to keep chisels sharp, therefore consider making your own chisels out of an old file, which has good metal in it. Just grind the file to shape needed and make a handle for it. This is some of the best cheap metal around. When you get into turning you will find you only need 3-4 chisels instead of a full set. Hope this helps, Musky Glenn

[Lincoya]

Musky Glenn, on 08 February 2012 - 03:42 PM, said:

The third one has a six inch capacity which means 3" to the bottom rail from center. This would be my choice.
Those chisels seem to be to cheap to have much quality to them. They will probably be easy to sharpen, but won't hold an edge for any length of time. I would spend extra money on chisels rather than the lathe. You are going to need some type of grinder to keep chisels sharp, therefore consider making your own chisels out of an old file, which has good metal in it. Just grind the file to shape needed and make a handle for it. This is some of the best cheap metal around. When you get into turning you will find you only need 3-4 chisels instead of a full set. Hope this helps, Musky Glenn

I agree with Musky Glenn. Good tools cost good money. The old saying "Throwing good money after bad" holds true. Those tools will just be a headache for you and then you'll wind up going out and buying the good tools anyway.

To make your own turning tools the same thing applies: use good files, In other words, stay away from cheap, off-brand files.

Gene

[americanfishingguy]

So you think this lathe http://www.harborfre...athe-95607.html is the best option. I have a dremel tool with grinding wheels that may be able to sharpen the blades. When you say file, do you mean this http://www.google.co...8&tx=109&ty=117? Also, could you give me a link to a set of chisels that you would recommend.

[Lincoya]

The Harbor Freight lathe pictured will be adequate for what you're wanting to do. However, sharpening your turning tools with a Dremel is not the way to go. Here is a link to a set of Robert Sorby micro turning tools that would do a good job for turning lures. They are well-made and have good steel in them. http://www.ebay.com/...L-/330654090817
As far as the files go, a good Nicholson file that can be purchased at any hardware store will suffice.

Gene

[Sonny.Barile]

I had the Harbor Freight lathe. It is simply awesome for the price. The tools however, are exactly as described above. You will be sharpening every few lures. I had the same set for about $10 and through them away. The lathe is the same exact model as the one sold under the name Big Man tools for over $300.

Get a drill chuck for that lathe and you will be able to drill thru using the lathe. It works great. Have fun........

[americanfishingguy]

If I purchased that $20 set of lathe tools, would the dremel benefit me in sharpening them. Could I easily sharpen them in a short amount of time? Sonny.Barile...I will most likely get a drill chuck(only $15). What brand turning tools would you all recommend?

[bassguy]

For your airbrush, I use the gravity feed type. It just my preference. Here is a site that has inexpensive brushes. Just click on the airbrush.

[CheapTrix]

Since nobody has commented on the airbrush/paints, I will throw in my 2 cents. You are on the right track with Createx paints, they are great for airbrushing lures. As for the Paasche starter airbrush, I had one of these real early on and quickly out grew it. You are better off to buy the Deluxe Airbrush Kit from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfre...-kit-95810.html) as a starter to learn on, especially if you are trying save money. They are only $17.99 and are really pretty decent for the price. I have 5 different airbrushes now and still go back to the HF airbrush every once in a while. If you decide to do this, remember to also buy the air hose from HF......now you can explore the numerous options for compressors......

[nedyarb]

Hobby Lobby carries airbrushes! I google "hobby lobby coupon" every time I go there and use the 40% of coupon. If you have a phone you can just show them the coupon on your phone!

[ROWINGADUBAY]

bassguy, on 08 February 2012 - 11:11 PM, said:

For your airbrush, I use the gravity feed type. It just my preference. Here is a site that has inexpensive brushes. Just click on the airbrush.

I gave this guy a call as I am looking for a new airbrush and he was real nice and informative they seem to have good prices and they give you a free dvd on how to airbrush

[Kazburg]

nedyarb, on 09 February 2012 - 10:10 AM, said:

Hobby Lobby carries airbrushes! I google "hobby lobby coupon" every time I go there and use the 40% of coupon. If you have a phone you can just show them the coupon on your phone!

I have to agree with this. The Neo airbrush made for Iwata works great and with the 40% of coupon it's under $40. You should really get a duel action airbrush and I prefer a gravity feed.

[Sonny.Barile]

I found the HB tools to not hold an edge for very long on hard woods like maple and oak. If your using balsa or pine they will probably hold up enough. If you want to turn PVC Im not sure what you would need. People who machine plastics tend to suggest very sharp tools. As far as sharpening goes, I would avoid using a dremel like tool because it is too hard to control. I had a 3 jaw chuck and put a small sanding drum in it. I held the tool against the drum to sharpen. This was a good setup as It was easy to change grits. Put a little 3n1 oil on the sanding drum just as you would for sharpening a knife. If this is your first experience with a wood lathe you are in for a real treat. It is one of those tools that makes a man feel good when he uses it in a theraputic sort of way.

Have fun and taake the following two suggestions seriously:
1. Get a face shield
2. Turn a peice of cedar at least once. It is an experience all to itself.

Sonny

[Musky Glenn]

It is harder to grind good tools than you may believe. It will take some effort precision to get them right. It needs to be bolted down to a work bench so you can control it better. Here is one example of the style I would recommend. I don't know if this one is any good or not, it is just the style you will need, that has the tool rest to control the chisel. Musky Glenn

http://www.toolbarn....il-3380-02.html