Mike,

The odd thing about a wood lathe is that the first serious woodworking project that I ever undertook was a floor lamp that consisted of a bunch of curvy turnings. It was ninth grade woodshop and I won a ribbon with it. My Mom still has it in the attic I think. (Doesn't fit her decor, at least that's her story.)

For some reason I have just never gotten back into wood turning. If I could get a really nice, heavy wood lathe for reasonable money, I might do it. I was spoiled by that big, heavy, expensive lathe we had in the junior high wood shop.

A heavy lathe with variable speed doesn't really scare me. A 3/4" shaper with big cutters is what scares me. I have developed good safety habits on everything else so I'm not intimidated, just respectful. Hope I don't ever lose any limbs on any of this stuff.

Have a great day,