Equipment

I’m frequently asked what kind of equipment I use in my shop. While there are a variety of hand tools and other things I use as part of my creative process, here are the primary tools I use in my shop.

Lathe

For all my woodturning, I use the Nova Comet II DR lathe. It’s 3/4 HP variable speed motor allows me to turn at speeds up to 4,000 RPMs, and the forward and reverse switch allows me to change directions without moving the piece I’m working on.

Pen Press

When I first started turning pens, I assembled the pens by hand using a quick-release bar clamp. While a pen press isn’t required for pen making, it certainly makes my life much easier and protects the integrity of my finished work.

The Pen Press XL from Penn State Industries allows for both assembly and disassembly of pens, which prevents against breaking costly pen parts, especially if you need to make changes after assembly.

Sander

If you’re getting started in woodworking and you’re on a budget, I can’t recommend the belt and disc sander combo from Central Machinery enough. This tool has served me well for years, and it’s part of my daily working routine.

You can swap between various grit belts with ease, and this workhorse starts at less than $100.

Drill Press

I’m a big fan of Central Machinery equipment for their durability at a reasonable price. While I also use an older Delta drill press that was a family hand-me-down, I purchased this Central Machinery Bench Drill Press to add flexibility to my shop.