Best lathe for making border pipes and GHB repairs

[Barry Shears]

Hi everyone, Just a quick message to all the pro and amateur bagpipe makers/ restorers out there... What is your preferred lathe of choice? Wood or metal? what size and what features do you use most often?
Thanks,
barry
www.capebretonpiper.com

[TwitchyFingers]

If you have Facebook, there is a good group called Bagpipe Makers Exchange with a lot of info you might find useful.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Bagp...?ref=bookmarks
Opinions vary greatly between using wood and metal lathes. Myself, I prefer my old Delta Midi lathe, but I wouldn't mind a good machine/metal lathe if I had room in my workshop. If you opt for a wood lathe, you're going to need a scrolling chuck and a steady rest. I prefer them to the 4 jaw independent chucks for ease of use.
https://www.pennstateind.com/store/C...SABEgJqRfD_BwE

[Barry Shears]

Thanks for the link, i think you sent it before, but it is always great to be reminded .( the old greymatter ain't what it used to be)
i sent off a request
barry

[TwitchyFingers]

This also has good reviews. My buddy got one and I helped him set it up and tested it with a dial indicator. It was spot on. I would suggest an extension bed to go with it:
http://www.rockler.com/excelsior-mini-lathe
Now, that said, one of the main advantages of a metal lathe is the tool feed for drilling. You don't have to rig up quite so many extras to do what you want.
Check Craigslist in your area, too. You might find some deals.

[Kevin]

Hi Barry,

I think it depends a lot on personal preference and what you are trying to do but I would guess a survey of many bagpipe turners would result in most preferring a metal lathe, especially if you are producing any significant volume of turned parts.

Having said that, I can do lots of things with my Jet wood lathe and a few add-ons including a Jacob chuck for the tail stock, a three jaw scroll chuck for the headstock and a steady rest. If you can find a wood lathe with a hollow tailstock you can easily bore long holes through your work piece by inserting a D-bit through the tailstock. For short-ish pieces, this may remove the need for a steady rest.

I never have much time to turn things these days but I have considered upgrading to a metal lathe in the past. I ultimately decided that I would keep my wood lathe and perhaps buy a mini metal lathe in the future. I think that combination might be the best of both worlds for any hobby turner.

I hope this helps. Good luck with whatever you decide.
Kevin

[Bob Harper]

Originally Posted by TwitchyFingers

This also has good reviews. My buddy got one and I helped him set it up and tested it with a dial indicator. It was spot on. I would suggest an extension bed to go with it:

I have the Penn State version of this lathe with the extension bed, and think it's a really nice, affordable little lathe. So far I have only made practice chanters. But now, with a supply of seasoned Mopane and the right set of gun drills on hand....

[Barry Shears]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond and make suggestions . I am just a hobbyist ... I suppose making replacement stocks for pipes would be pretty straightforward on a wood lathe or small metal lathe...
certainly less expensive
there is so much to learn about the turner's craft
Barry

[John MacDonald]

Barry

Are you now located in Halifax?

[Green Piper]

Excuse my innocence, but why is a metal lathe better for drilling bores than a wood lathe?

[CalumII]

Originally Posted by Green Piper

Excuse my innocence, but why is a metal lathe better for drilling bores than a wood lathe?

There are a whole bunch of inter-related reasons. First, instrument tonewood is generally hard, as hard as some soft metals, so the power is helpful. Second, many of the operations you do on an instrument are more akin to engineering than standard wood-turning. The freehand bit where you go in with a gouge and create the external profile is a relatively small part of the work.