Thank you, John! Funny thing is the Jet 14-42 is the lathe I’ve been given the most access to. It’s not a bad lathe at all. I’m just curious, what of the reason you keep both?
I really like skew chisels, but I can see where a person could get in trouble with them. Speaking of which, I keep going back and forth on pulling the trigger on a 11/4 Thompson. It’s definitely an investment.
I keep two lathes in the shop for several reasons. One, if I'm set up turning something on one and want to make something quick, perhaps a jam chuck or even take a break and work on something else, I can use the 2nd lathe and not disturb the work on the primary lathe. (I know, quite a luxury!) Another example - I can set up a thread cutting jig on the smaller lathe when turning a box and lid on the first - saves a lot of time.
But the biggest reason is when a student is working on one, I can use the other to demonstrate a step or work on something else.
And having two lets me work with more than one person at a time!
I have some Jet mini lathes too, mostly for carrying places, and sometimes for things like on the workbench in the picture - I made a big wooden "skew" and use it and the big cylinder to better show how to position the skew for various cuts. Another reason: if one lathe should develop a problem, I can use the other. Once the VFD died on my only Jet1642 and I was down for a while before I got it working again. Since then I found a used one at a good price and keep it in storage for "just in case". With all three plus a mini I think I can somehow get by.
I built a 24x62' shop and have, er HAD, plenty of space. Now it's pretty tight - but in addition to turning I have flat-wood tools, a welding room, little machine shop, and farm equipment maintenance tools. I think I'm getting too old for all this!
I always start a student with the skew. I've also taught "remedial" skew use to a few older turners who maybe tried it long before and got scared with a catch. I came up with a perhaps somewhat unique method of teaching the skew that so far has been successful - I've never had one get a catch! (I'd knock on wood if I could find any)
For example, this friend visiting from Italy had never even heard of a lathe before. We first learned to use the skew, then practiced beads and coves with spindle and roughing gouges. Then as her first project she turned a very nice ring keeper to take home. Good clean fun!
The taller one in the first pic is the one Susi took back to Italy. I made the other one on the second lathe to show her how.
The second picture shows one from dogwood+bloodwood, and one is olive with a blue acrylic "flame".
Hey, if you've never turned ring keepers they are wonderful, simple, and practical projects. I get lots of requests for them.
They can be short or tall, any kind of wood. The only "specification" is the the top can't be too big - about 1/2" dia is good.
Oh, I think the 1-1/4" Thompson is a great skew. I have some of his others too - the 10V steel holds an edge well. I keep various skews from 1/4" up; my favorites for thin spindles are 1/2".
JKJ
