WOODTURNING REVIEW: WEN Wood Lathe 3424T ONE MONTH IN!

#woodturning #lathe #review
*UPDATE (10-22-2021)*
Please understand that this was recorded in June of 2020 and I had only been turning since the end of April 2020. There is so much I have learned since then, but there is some good info here if you are looking to purchase a lathe for the first time. If you are a professional woodturner or have any experience, please keep this in mind as I stumble through naming all of the parts. thanks for watching and please be safe!
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Wood Turning Acknowledgements:
I want to acknowledge a great woodturner who has helped me learn the art quickly and correctly. Robbo helped me and many, many others, individually and in livestreams. I can't thank him enough for the help he gave me and so many others. please check out the channels below!
@RobboRobertson
Jay has had a daily livestream on KZbin for several years and I have learned so much just from watching and listening to stories from a lot of woodturners who participated on his broadcasts. I would not be where I am today without his channel.
@JayWoodenThingsAU
Gary has inspired me to make more than just simple bowls and cups. I really enjoy watching what he will come up with next! He does things the right way and fully explains the what and why.
@ThePapa1947

[@eperry1971]

Being he is in-experienced at using a lathe, also means he has not used other lathe's to compare against. It makes all of HIS opinions meaningless. He does explain the components well but don't take this guys opinion on if this is a good product or not Thumbs down, since he is not a expert.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Edward, I am so sorry that this review does not meet your expectations. You are absolutely correct that I have never used another wood lathe. I would ask if you are an expert review reviewer? I see you have a website www.webreviewtv.com that cannot be reached so I cannot verify if you are a professional reviewer. I do appreciate you watching, commenting and leaving a dis-like for this video. Please feel free to do the same for all 150 of my videos. Thanks so much! By the way, I am an engineer with 30+ years experience designing tools and machines. So I think my OPINIONS have SOME meaning.

[@rickchapman3051]

I disagree with eperry. Sometimes an inexperienced person can see something that more experienced people overlook. Also their needs may be different than a person with long term experience. The been there done that mode closes minds. Hang in there. Your doing well and will get better. I have 2 lathes. A powermatic 2014 and a Robust American beauty. I love the low rpm ability for odd sizes and imbalanced blanks.

[@amazonamazon4872]

Thanks for the review bro! I wanna get a variable but upwards of $500 is too much for now. But you absolutely wanna bolt that thing down!

[@timothyscarcella6513]

Chris, you're making me want to start a new hobby and I'm not sure my wife (or wallet) is ready for that haha! Loving the channel and your videos, I can at least live through you!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Hey Tim! How are you! It has been too long. Come over I give free lessons! And, I happen to have an extra lathe just like mine!

[@barbschuster4246]

I really enjoy watching these.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thanks Barb! If you have any suggestions for what you wood like to see me make, let me know!

[@janelv7188]

Thank you for this video! I just bought that model lathe. I’m a complete newbie to wood turning and this video was very informative and thorough. What a huge help!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thanks so much! I need to do a new one! That has been a while. If you have any questions feel free to DM me on Instagram.

[@Hitswing808]

Thank you for the in depth details of your lathe. I'm in the process of buying one and this guy fits the budget.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

love it! thanks! if you have any specific questions I would be happy to help!

[@freshfarms5491]

Great video Chris! A lot of info. Im still looking to buy one and its good to see some of the features.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thanks! This was fun to make. Plus, the first unboxing video was truly awful!

[@nicladolar570]

I just bought me the same lathe and looking to do jewelry with it as well as bigger things. I’ve never used a lathe outside of a high school wood shop class once. I enjoy that you are honest with what you are showing and doing as well as you don’t edit when you forget something or showing that some things just don’t work. Keep it up!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thank you for your comment! That means a lot! In the future I hope to eventually have some sponsors, but for now this is my money and I dont want to waste it. Or, anyone else's money either! Keep turning and put stuff you make.on your youtube channel! I want to see it!

[@riversmart]

Great informative video for a beginner. Thank you for sharing!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Your very welcome! It is a great little lathe for a beginner! I have had it since April and I have learned so much already. Never used one before!

[@scottpowe4813]

I just bought this one to. And I was having a problem with the wood stopping when cutting and just noticed that my holder wasn't all the way into the wood. So I'm glad I was watching this video and it reminded me to check that.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Glad I could help!

[@RinOnTopYT]

Really good quality! (also thanks for the support on my videos 😁)

[@medicsteele]

Thanks for reviewing....I have the same lathe but with variable speed. After two months I’m satisfied except that the bottom of my banjo broke due to defective casting. WEN honoured their guarantee. Hope to see more videos. Roger

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thats great! I do like WEN because of their responsiveness. Also, how do you like the variable speed? I kind of wish I got that. But I am very happy with my lathe. I use it almost every day!

[@medicsteele]

I love the variable speed but I find I rarely change the belts and stay on the slower speeds as I have only a few months experience and am still learning.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

@@medicsteele good luck and let me know if you need any help! Watch a lot of videos! There are a lot of talented wood turners on KZbin!

[@riceballvlog3977]

Great video thank you!!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@bkm6175]

thanks for the information enjoy watching I might get a wen 3424t

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Make sure you get a chuck. And also, if you want to so longer turns I just looked up a bed extension is $100. I really like this lathe though! No problems and have had it since April. Use it almost every day!

[@killdeer13]

Vast imporvement in sound over the first vid. I really want to see some of the stuff you've made so far! Keep up the good progress

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Yes! I am always trying to improve! My latest video is my favorite, for production value. Check out the rest of my videos!

[@winston2568]

Thanks dude, this was probably the most helpful review of this product I have seen.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I do really like it. Only thing I would have done different is get a better chuck. But at the time I didn't know anything about wood lathes!

[@jolox.]

Thanks for the video! I have the same lathe (and bandsaw!) and am about to try to make my first bowl. Your video was very helpful, and the Wen lathe does seem pretty good. I liked the part that showed how to change the belt as I think it's running too fast. Also, my lathe is shaking and moving around, so I want to attach it to the table. I think I need to take the rubber feet off and screw it in. Hopefully that will help! Thanks again and happy lathing!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

i took the rubber feet off and put wood screws into the wood table I made. if it would have been metal table I could have bolted it up through the bottom. highly recommend fastening it down! thanks for watching!!!

[@birdiesr]

I’d like to see a video of you sharpening your lathe tools!!!! I’m a big fan of WEN tools I have many , I just subscribed! Good video

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I may do that in the future. I need to get a little better at it. I dont use a system, just a angled platform. So may be unconventional. But, works for me! Thanks for watching!

[@radicr]

@@BAILEYWOODWORKS Even bowl gouges?

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

@@radicr yes. I have an angled table I added under my grinding wheel. I grind free hand. Sharpening systems are just too expensive. I will make a video soon! Thanks!

[@robw95]

Great video Bailey, liked and subscribed! Quick question: I’m not sure of what my turning plans are down the road but right now I’m interested in a project where I want to take a 6” x 1.5” piece of wood and drill a 5/8" (or 3/4”) hole 5” into it so a glass test tube fits into it and then hog out the front of the wood so the test tube and it’s scroll (a passage from the Bible) can be seen. Do you think that this lathe can do something like that (provided that I have a 4 jaw chuck and a drill chuck). My other option is to look into a drill press to do the same thing. Thanks much.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I am not sure I am picturing exactly what you are talking about, but it may be that a drill press may be better. As long as the initial hole is centered, the lathe can do it, if it is off center, it can be done, but it gets harder. I do not recommend buying a lathe unless you are able to feed an addiction. Ever since I bought this one, which is a year now, I have used it almost every day! I absolutely love it.

[@thebabayaga9290]

I subscribed because of the pinned comment and after watching 2 videos. I’m as inexperienced as they get and don’t let a darn thing get to me when someone has a negative comment. About the wobble problem on the end of the chuck. Are you cutting a tenon or a mortise? Both need to be flat on the bottom with a slight dove tail. Hope this helps

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thanks for watching and commenting. This is an old video and since then I have learned A LOT more about turning on a lathe. Yes, the shape and length of the tenon are huge. Typically I make tenons, once I. A while mortise. I only let comments get to me when I feel like arguing. Most comments are good and helpful.

[@diamondaxe8]

​ @BAILEY WOODWORKS Hey, I was wondering, is the front mt1 and the tail mt2? or are they both mt1? The amazon link says it is mt1 but in the video you state the tail is mt2

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

They are both the same size. I use a jacobs chuck in both the tail stock and the head stock depending on what I am doing. Mine are both MT2. I fact I bought a pen mandrel with MT1 before I got the lathe and had to then buy a mt1 x mt2 sleeve. On the 3424T anyway.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

The 3421 model has mt1 tailstock taper. Mine is a 3424T.

[@scottpowe4813]

I also like to go down into my work shop and just make things

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I record a lot but some of the best times is late at night with no one waiting and no camera!

[@trep53]

I don’t know squat about using a wood lathe other than what I’ve seen on a few videos. I’m drawn to your videos because I’m possibly going to get a lathe and it so happens I like what I see here and your Wen lathe. This model offers a 23” extension have you considered that?

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I have, and some day I will, but I really only think that would be for baseball bats and table legs. I don't do much of those. Maybe I would. I like doing different things all the time. Thanks for watching!

[@RinOnTopYT]

Also if you verify your account you can make custom thumbnails, and live stream how you get these done. However, on mobile you can only stream to KZbin my using OmletArcade and StreamLabs/StreamElements

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I thought I had to have more subs to verify! I will do that! So, not only do I watch vids about woodcraft, but I also watch a lot of videos about how to grow the channel. I watch a LOT of KZbin!

[@ssilvia4775]

Can you recommend the best most useful accessories to begin with on the lathe?

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Check out my video on "chucks and stuff" then by a starter kit of chisels and gouges.

[@mildredmontag7561]

Im considering getting this lathe along with the 23 inch bed extension. Is this a good idea or should i consider getting a bigger lathe?

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

It really depends on what you are making. I made a fairly large bowl from chestnut (video coming out today at 3pm EST) it is a very hard wood and a large chuck and the lathe handled it fine. I am looking into the bed extension, but have only needed it once so far. If you are making baseball bats, then definitely this is a great lathe. What are you looking to make?

[@mildredmontag7561]

@@BAILEYWOODWORKS first project i have is for the rail line supports that go around the perimeter of an old sailboat

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

This would be a great lathe for that. The only reason to get a bigger lathe would be for larger diameter pieces. I advise to get a good chuck and good tools.

[@williamchristian2361]

Morse taper #2

[@bobsradio6025]

I don't know WHEN I would ever buy a WEN. I have that exact same lathe, but it is green and it says Harbor Freight on it. Since HF doesn't sell parts, it is great that Grizzly Industrial sells the same lathe with their name on it. I bolted my wood lathe to a stand that I built with wheels. A wood lathe throws so many chips around that I needed to take it outside to use. My first attempts at pen turning were done on my metal lathe, and I quickly learned that the gears in the carriage did not get along well with the never ending supply of wood chips. Regardless if the lathe is for wood or metal, I would never use a lathe that was not bolted down.

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thanks Bob! I have bolted mine down recently and it does make a huge difference! I do really like though and don't have much to complain about. probably the biggest thing is the chuck I bought is on the cheap side. But, all in all, I am very happy with the weight of it and the assembly. It will not be the only lathe I own, of course, but for starting out I would give it 5 stars!

[@radicr]

I am looking to buy the same as this and it’s called Bernardo here. All are probably produced in China and just labeled different:) And I also expect I will be able to bolt it to the table

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

@@radicr nice! If you need any help or advise let me know! I use mine everyday!

[@tomt9543]

Tail stock (not end stock) and live center!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Thanks Tom! I really appreciate the feedback.

[@DoubleDeuce2500]

What is the height of your stand?

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

It's home made, but if I put my hand on opposite shoulder, the center line is at my elbow. That's how you are supposed to set it. It may be lower in the video, that was early on. It is higher right now. Thanks for watching.

[@toyotatrd]

I was wondering if this is the right chuck to buy www.amazon.com/WEN-LA4374-3-75-Inch-Self-Centering-1-Inch/dp/B07PX8WKRG/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=wen+lathe+chuck&qid=1604934580&s=hi&sr=1-2 Do I buy the 2.75 inch or 3.75 inch. Im a complete newbie and this will be my first lathe. Thanks!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

I think i answered in another comment, but I would use the smaller one to start out.

[@toyotatrd]

@@BAILEYWOODWORKS Okay, thanks so so much!

[@denisebat6892]

TAIL STOCK...

[@dorianhampton8023]

And bandsaw! 🤣😂😂

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Actually the switch in that light has broken so many times I just bypassed it. So it is just on all the time. But I have all my equipment on a remote control outlet, so if there is a problem I can run out of the shop and turn everything off at the same time. I just grab the remote on my way out. That was a short story made long! Lol thanks again for watching!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Also, if we have the same equipment, where are your videos? I bet you have made some really great stuff!

[@colemahaney4208]

Should have got the variable speed model

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Maybe so, but either way, the motor is easily stopped. With the variable speed, I think it would be much easier to stop unless it was full speed, so I am happy with the performance.

[@aarondrossart6026]

The variable speed model is only capable of doing 8" diameter though

[@chriswalters1014]

Bailey its called a faceplate not a flange

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Yes, thank you. I have seen it listed one place as a flange plate, and in engineering we call it a flange plate, so you can see how i would get mixed up. But, yes, you are correct. Thanks for watching!

[@chriswalters1014]

@@BAILEYWOODWORKS do you have facebook?

[@markbolden4540]

That megaphone alone gets you a thumbs up! LOL

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

That was fun! I am actually traveling with that group this weekend! I have the megaphone with me!

[@colemahaney880]

iam lucky i guess ,i dont know stress at all

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Very lucky! Thanks for watching!

[@dorianhampton8023]

What are the chances we have the same lathe and the same craftsman led light? 🤣

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Lathe and band saw I would say pretty good, but LED light? Probably 1 in a million! That's wild! Thanks for watching!