Need a duplicator

[Steve Hayes]

I need to turn about 30, 30 inch posts for the porch. Anyone have any idea the cheapest route but still work well. I found one at Sears that should work but I'm just concerned because it's Sears.

[tod evans]

steve, before i got my current lathe i used a home made duplicator with a laminate trimmer for a cutter. scrap mdf and an existing router will serve you as well or better that a poorly designed duplicator...02 tod

[Jim Becker]

I bought one from Rockler a few years ago ostensibly to turn a bunch of spindles for a chair project. In reality, I found it faster and easier to turn them by hand...once you get going, it really can move along. If you really want to work with a duplicator, feel free to make me an offer on the Rockler unit...very low miles, as it were. Original cost was $200 or thereabouts.

[Andy Hoyt]

Accurate repeatablity with a duplicator is achieved by sacrificing skill and time.

Yup, it takes longer; and you just became a machine operator.

And the sanding and prep time is far longer.

Plan on making 35 or 40, turn 'em by hand, and pick the best 30.

Chalk it up to practice and skill acquisition.

[David Richardson]

Steve, don't know where you are located, but...if you're determined to buy a duplicator, I have a nice Delta unit that I'd sell to you very reasonably! Don't know the model # off the top of my head, but I can get it easily enough - let me know if you're interested.