Photo by Rikon

1. Drive Center

Most lathes come with a fixed drive center (which inserts into the headstock spindle) that has two or four flat spurs and a fixed center point. You’ll get better holding power while turning with a toothed drive center that has a spring-loaded center point. A good choice is the Sorby Stebcentre.

2. Spindle Washer

Place a simple plastic washer over the head stock spindle up against the housing. It prevents the chuck or faceplate from getting stuck in place. Get it from your local supplier or make one yourself.

3. Caliper and Dividers

Calipers and dividers are extremely useful and reasonably inexpensive. Use them as a reliable and straightforward way of comparing and transferring dimensions, especially when turning duplicate pieces. Look for tools with quick-adjust mechanisms that hold settings reliably yet enable precise adjustments, and carbon steel tips for long life.

4. Drill Chuck

A drill chuck, which is inserted into the headstock or tailstock spindle by means of a Morse Taper adapter, is used for drilling applications. It can also be used to hold very small work pieces (by turning a spigot on one end of the work piece and then inserting spigot into the chuck).

5. 12″ Tool Rest

Small lathes typically come with narrow tool rests that work well for bowl turning but are too narrow for spindle turning. With a longer tool rest you have more sliding surface, so you won’t be adjusting the tool rest as often.

6. Grinding Jig

While you can sharpen turning tools without one, a grinding jig speeds up the process, gives you sharper tools at more consistent bevel angles, and prolongs tool life. A good choice is the Wolverine Grinding Jig.

7. Double-Sided Turning Tape

If you do much face-plate turning, particularly with smaller-diameter stock, use double-sided tape instead of screws to hold the turning blank in place. It’s quick, easy, and holds incredibly well – but make sure you use a tape designed for lathe work.

8. Micro-Mesh

These flexible foam-backed sanding pads are ideal for smoothing and polishing. The foam backing cushions surface irregularities, making it easier to remove scratches. They’re available in grits up to about 12,000x.

9. Faceshield

Dust, splinters, stock coming loose and flying off the lathe – it all gets directed in the vicinity of your noggin. Even if the probability of a bowl or spindle taking flight is remote, but when it does happen the results can be catastrophic. Wear a faceshield. If you don’t like wearing a face shield, at least wear impact-resistant goggles.

10. Taunton’s Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning

You won’t regret getting a good reference book, and this guide by Richard Raffan is one of the very best. It covers every aspect of turning for the novice and hobbyist turner.