[Jewelry making - Article 00339] - Re: [Orchid] Wax lathes

[Karen Goeller]

========[ Invite a Friend - http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm  ]========

    I've only really begun experimenting with the lathe in the past
    year, but the possibilities really excite me!  One of my "casting
    buddies" just completed an absolutely incredible sterling silver
    chess set on the lathe.  The largest piece is about 1/2" high and
    all of the pieces are incredibly detailed -- even down to the bricks
    on the rook and pupils in the eye of the knight.  He used a very
    hard carving wax to start with, then went to a mid-range green as he
    realized it was a bit too brittle. 

    I found a lathe made by Penn State Industries - the Turncrafter
    Plus.  It's a cast-iron mini-lathe with a 1/3 HP motor, 750 - 3200
    RPM and a 3/4" x 16tpi headstock with #1 Morse Taper.  It
    accommodates 12-1/2" between centers and has a swing (max radius of
    a piece) of 7-1/2"   It includes both a 4-1/2" and 7" toolroest, 2"
    faceplace, spur center and live tailstock center, plus the wrenches
    and knockouts you'll need. 

    It retails for $139.95 plus $18 shipping via UPS. 

    According to my machinist-oriented buddies, it's really an ideal
    lathe to get started with and expand with in lathing wax.  Because
    it accepts Morse Taper head-stocks, you can use a wide variety of
    chucks with it if you don't want to use the faceplate.  I've gotten
    a self-centering 4-jaw chuck that can be used to grip a wax rod from
    the outside or a ring blank rod from the inside.  It seems ideal for
    the types of things I'm doing (pendants, rings, and other component
    pieces) 

    In addition to the lathe, you'll need chisels (buy a small set as a
    starter, then make some and adapt some as you develop your style and
    techniques) - expect to pay about $60 for a good starter set of 8
    chisels.  You'll want a bench grinder or some type of sharpener ($30
    - 40) for the chisels, if you don't have one. And, of course, some
    type of shop-vac or targetable dust collector. 

    Penn State Industries is located just outside of Philadelphia in
    Huntingdon Valley, where they have an outlet store (great place for
    any of you in the area - they have everything from dust collectors to
    pen components and used lathes, routers, milling machines, etc.).
    They also have books, videos, and CD-ROMs showing various techniques.
    

    You can find them online at www.pennstateind.com or via email at
    psind AT pennstateind.com and phone at 800-377-7297.  They are really
    friendly and great at giving technical support and advice, both in
    the shop and on the phone. 

Good luck!
Karen Goeller
No Limitations Designs

____________________________________________________________________
T h e   O r c h i d   L i s t
Open Electronic Forum for Jewelry Manufacturing Methods and Procedures
____________________________________________________________________
Orchid FAQ:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/faq.htm
Orchid Archives:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive
Orchid Galleries:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/gallery.htm
Invite a Friend:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/invite.htm
____________________________________________________________________
Tips From The Jeweler's Bench - Article Archive
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/tip_sear.htm
The Jeweler's Selected Bibliography List
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/jewelry-books
Buy Orchid Jewelry:
~ http://www.ganoksin.com/shop
____________________________________________________________________
-Unsubscribe:
-Email: orchid-request AT ganoksin.com Body=unsubscribe subject=blank
____________________________________________________________________