lathe for pot calls

[dannylang]

hello fellows, i am new here on the forum. my name is Danny Lang. I have been building a neil cost looking box call for about 10 years now. looking for a change, i want to start to learn how to make a pot call. i do not know even where to start. first of all i need a lathe. i have never ran one of these things, so i know absolutely nothing about a lathe. any help or type of lathe would be helpful.
thanks
dannylang

[VECtor Calls]

Welcome to the page Danny. I would highly suggest checking out the tutorial sections, especially the turkey call section.  You will find an amazing amount of information in this forum. I hope you will share some box call building tips with us too!

[dannylang]

thanks for info, i would love to share info about box calls.
dannylang

[dannylang]

do i really have to have a expensive lathe, for a beginner, or can i find a cheaper one. i see harber freight has one, anybody ever used one of these.
dannylang

[B Hoover]

You don't need an expensive one, but you will also get what you pay for.  I believe most of the turners on here use Jet or Nova.  Both are reliable lathes.

[VECtor Calls]

If you go HF, be sure to get the model with MT2 headstock and tailstock, and buy the two year no questions asked replacement plan.

[FDR]

do i really have to have a expensive lathe, for a beginner, or can i find a cheaper one. i see harber freight has one, anybody ever used one of these.
dannylang

Several folks on here have used the HF mini lathe with success. I ran one for 2-3 years with zero issues. Next I owned a Rikon before going to my Jet 1221. The Rikon also gave good service.

[dannylang]

I looked on hf website and cannot find anything there that says anything about a MT2.
dannylang

[dannylang]

what is MT2 head stock and tail stock on a lathe? do not mean to ask a stupid question, but i do not know. i do not want to buy the wrong lathe.
dannylang

[FDR]

I looked on hf website and cannot find anything there that says anything about a MT2.
dannylang

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-speed-bench-top-wood-lathe-65345.html

This is the one you want. Don't forget to use the %20 off coupon.

MT#2 is listed in the specifications for the lathe. MT#2 means the tapered socket in both the headstock and tailstock of the lathe. It is important because more tools are available for the #2 MT socket. An example would be a drill chuck for the tailstock .

[VECtor Calls]

Still can't believe how cheap that is for what you get.

The no questions asked warranty is quite the deal if you have a HF close. Go change it out for a new one every year and 11 months and buy a new two year warranty. Its nuts. They encourage it.

[Brad_23]

I bought the lathe just like the one listed above and have several hours on it without any problems.. I came along on here and asked a few questions to get me started on the right direction. There is a lot of good people on here with tons of helpful knowledge

[dannylang]

thanks fellows for the help. now i am going to hf to get one.thanks so much, next there will be alot more questions about how to get started.
dannylang

[Mann Lock @ Hollow Wing Calls]

I have the 10" linked above.... Its a freaking work horse. I love my PSI Turn Crafter 12" but when I need things done and done fast, I pull out the 10" with a duplicator on it. I can do 50 squirrel calls a week  and about the same with grunts. It holds up really well to the torture of constant repetitive use.

[dannylang]

thanks FDR, i bought the lathe you put on this site. looks like a good machine. i believe it will do me well with my experience on making pot calls, thanks for all the advice here.
dannylang