My Lathe
                               

                            I bought my old lathe for $140 Australian out of the local trading post.  Its an old Craftmaster model that I cannot find any real info on.
                            It does me alright and it works pretty well for a shoddy belt driven unit.  The hinge that the motor pivots off is pretty knackered and one
                            of these days I will get around to replacing it.   But in the meantime it serves me well and I continue to learn about the fun that is
                            woodturning.   I have made lots of odd shaped things between centres and several bowls that are more of a challenge.

                            When it come to obtaining woodturning tools I bought myself a starter kit from my local woodworking supply house to get me started.
                            As with everything else in my workshop i always endeavor to built it myself or source it from somewhere as a raw product and refine it
                            to a finished state myself.   I have done this with several woodturning tools.  I go to flea markets and hunt for old chisels which make
                            excellent scraper style planning type of tool.    I have also bought some D-2 tool steel which I am going to make several turning tools.
                            Darrell Feltmate has several excellent how-to articles on making your own tools.  As he rightly puts it, if your kinda' handy with making
                            stuff its not a big stretch to make your own turning tools - basic skills in metal work and a desire to have a go will get you there most of
                            the time.  If not, jump into the w.w.w and dig around until you find what your looking for.

                            You have probably read or found out from hard experience, but standing on hard, cold concrete is not real great on the legs and the
                            joints.  The best thing you could get is that rubber sheeting that prevents fatigue...but being the thrifty woodworker I built myself a
                            floor mat from Jarrah, which works well, as can be seen above.