Thank you for watching this video. I will soon be uploading another video where I turn 2 identical pens. One on this Shop Fox and the other on my Jet lathe. The point is you do not have to spend a fortune on a lathe and turning tools to make something really nice. Thanks for the comments.
Hello, I am new to wood turning, and just bought this lathe, however the tailstock is able to wiggle slightly from side to side, so it is slightly out of alignment. Do you know how I would be able to fix this?
Just bought this lathe. Having a similar problem which seems to increase when I use a mandrel saver while making pens. Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you
Sorry for the delay in response. It sells on Amazon right now for about $300. Harbor Freight has the same lathe just painted green. I hope to do a video soon turning 2 pens. One on this Shop Fox and the second on my expensive Jet lathe. There is no difference is quality with the less expensive Shop Fox. Thanks for the comments.
+Scott Leikam I’ve been woodworking as a hobby since I was 9 years old and today (day after Christmas) was the first time I ever used a lathe. I made my first Slimline pen kit using a Purple Heart blank and it turned out ok but not exactly the shape as I had sketched. Hoping to see my skill improved by the time I get to pen kit number 10. Purchased this inexpensive Shop Fox as starter lathe to see if I really want to continue this hobby. Seems a little underpowered but I still prefer this one over the HF model that is almost identical. When my skill improves I plan on purchasing a Jet lathe to do pens, peppermills and bowls. So to answer your question, no regrets so far with this Shop Fox. Thanks for watching and I will be uploading a video of my first pen turning that shows all of the other things needed besides the lathe to make it happen.
Hi Hayden, I hope to make a video very soon using the Shop Fox lathe turning a pen. Other than pens I have not turned anything else. I bought a new Jet 1221VS and so far have made no videos about it but hopefully also coming soon. Thanks for the comments and check back soon.
Thanks for watching and the comment. I have several pen turning videos I still have not uploaded and hope to get to them soon. I have not tried a bowl or goblet on this mini lathe, I do not even have a chuck for it yet but I suspect the motor would be too weak to turn a bowl.
Thanks for watching. I really have not had time to do a lot with this lathe other than have made about a dozen pens. Will put some more videos up soon so please check back.
He doesn't tell you there is a lot of tailstock slop and will not align correctly no matter what you do. You will get vibration on some mandrels making turning pens inaccurate and out of round. Only accepts #1 morse taper. For beginners its a cheap investment. Get one more expensive and of better quality and only spend your money once.Another annoyance is there are a lot of questions in the comment section unanswered. I'll answer them. 1. The tail stock quill is telescopic. 2. It is suited for shaving brush handles. 3. Good for bowls up to 6".4. Motor can not be upgraded. 5. No oil needed anywhere.
Hi Joe and thanks for the comments. So far I have not had any problems making pens due to slop in the tailstock and all of the pens I have made so far are round. Yes, this is a cheap lathe just like the Harbor Freight but a different color and only accepts the #1 Morse taper. I would have preferred something like a Jet 1221VS, perhaps after I get my kids out of college. If comments do not show up in the UA-cam notifications I will likely not respond so thanks for answering them for me. Have a great day!
Agreed. There is significant, visible tailstock “slop”. Enough so that the chatter can cause catches when turning pens. The left side of the pen block, nearest the headstock is fine but as you move to the right or tailstock end, the chatter is noticeable. Bought a mandrel saver but it only seemed to make it worse? I’m reluctant to use it on fusion or inlay blanks for fear of increased catches, potentially resulting in blowouts. If anyone has any thoughts, please share. Thank you.
Lose the background music! I hate reviews that either only have music or have music blaring in the back ground.. then you don't even show it in use! What's the point, we know how to take a tool out of the box!
Waww, you made clear my ambiguty tge way how i prefer wood machine, yet now i thank you
Thank you for watching this video. I will soon be uploading another video where I turn 2 identical pens. One on this Shop Fox and the other on my Jet lathe. The point is you do not have to spend a fortune on a lathe and turning tools to make something really nice. Thanks for the comments.
have you made any thing bigger on it like a bowl or a platter?
I just bought this lathe, to turn shave brush handles. do you think this lathe is well suited for this task?
Hello, I am new to wood turning, and just bought this lathe, however the tailstock is able to wiggle slightly from side to side, so it is slightly out of alignment. Do you know how I would be able to fix this?
Just bought this lathe. Having a similar problem which seems to increase when I use a mandrel saver while making pens. Appreciate your thoughts. Thank you
What's the price of the machine, and where can I purchase it? Please reply
Sorry for the delay in response. It sells on Amazon right now for about $300. Harbor Freight has the same lathe just painted green. I hope to do a video soon turning 2 pens. One on this Shop Fox and the second on my expensive Jet lathe. There is no difference is quality with the less expensive Shop Fox. Thanks for the comments.
How has this been working over the past few weeks? I am thinking of purchasing one of these. Thanks for the video.
+Scott Leikam
I’ve been woodworking as a hobby since I was 9 years old and today (day after Christmas) was the first time I ever used a lathe. I made my first Slimline pen kit using a Purple Heart blank and it turned out ok but not exactly the shape as I had sketched. Hoping to see my skill improved by the time I get to pen kit number 10. Purchased this inexpensive Shop Fox as starter lathe to see if I really want to continue this hobby. Seems a little underpowered but I still prefer this one over the HF model that is almost identical. When my skill improves I plan on purchasing a Jet lathe to do pens, peppermills and bowls. So to answer your question, no regrets so far with this Shop Fox. Thanks for watching and I will be uploading a video of my first pen turning that shows all of the other things needed besides the lathe to make it happen.
Hey I’ve been thinking about getting this lathe, have you turned a bowl or anything bigger on it yet?
Hi Hayden, I hope to make a video very soon using the Shop Fox lathe turning a pen. Other than pens I have not turned anything else. I bought a new Jet 1221VS and so far have made no videos about it but hopefully also coming soon. Thanks for the comments and check back soon.
Hey man how do you think this thing can handle turning goblets or bowls?? Please let me know
Thanks for watching and the comment. I have several pen turning videos I still have not uploaded and hope to get to them soon. I have not tried a bowl or goblet on this mini lathe, I do not even have a chuck for it yet but I suspect the motor would be too weak to turn a bowl.
sweet review
do u have to put oil any were
Please do a video of this carving something.
Thanks for watching. I really have not had time to do a lot with this lathe other than have made about a dozen pens. Will put some more videos up soon so please check back.
Is the tail stock telescopic on this lathe?
I think it will work great for shave brush handles. Yes, the tail stock center is adjustable with the turn of the knob.
He doesn't tell you there is a lot of tailstock slop and will not align correctly no matter what you do. You will get vibration on some mandrels making turning pens inaccurate and out of round. Only accepts #1 morse taper. For beginners its a cheap investment. Get one more expensive and of better quality and only spend your money once.Another annoyance is there are a lot of questions in the comment section unanswered. I'll answer them. 1. The tail stock quill is telescopic. 2. It is suited for shaving brush handles. 3. Good for bowls up to 6".4. Motor can not be upgraded. 5. No oil needed anywhere.
Hi Joe and thanks for the comments. So far I have not had any problems making pens due to slop in the tailstock and all of the pens I have made so far are round. Yes, this is a cheap lathe just like the Harbor Freight but a different color and only accepts the #1 Morse taper. I would have preferred something like a Jet 1221VS, perhaps after I get my kids out of college. If comments do not show up in the UA-cam notifications I will likely not respond so thanks for answering them for me. Have a great day!
Agreed. There is significant, visible tailstock “slop”. Enough so that the chatter can cause catches when turning pens. The left side of the pen block, nearest the headstock is fine but as you move to the right or tailstock end, the chatter is noticeable. Bought a mandrel saver but it only seemed to make it worse? I’m reluctant to use it on fusion or inlay blanks for fear of increased catches, potentially resulting in blowouts.
If anyone has any thoughts, please share. Thank you.
Lose the background music! I hate reviews that either only have music or have music blaring in the back ground.. then you don't even show it in use! What's the point, we know how to take a tool out of the box!