Buying Second-Hand Woodturning Tools in Ireland: What to Watch For

Buying second-hand woodturning tools and equipment can be a great way to get started, but it can also be very unpredictable, especially when you are new to woodturning.

On the surface, a listing might look like a brilliant deal. A lathe, chuck, extra jaws, sharpening jig and ten woodturning chisels all thrown together for one price can seem very tempting. And sometimes, to be fair, these deals do work out very well.

But other times, what looks like a bargain can turn into a box of problems.

Experienced woodturners can usually spot the warning signs fairly quickly. Beginners often cannot, and that is where second-hand buying becomes tricky.

A second-hand lathe with tools included can look like a great deal, but beginners should check the condition, suitability and missing parts before buying.

Before going any further, it is worth saying that while this post is written from an Irish woodturning point of view, the same issues apply almost anywhere. Whether you are in Ireland, the UK, Europe, America or elsewhere, buying second-hand woodturning tools can be unpredictable if you are new to the craft.

Lathes, chucks, gouges, grinders and sharpening systems all need to be checked carefully, no matter where they are being sold.

Why Job Lot Tool Listings Can Be Hit and Miss

Many woodturners collect tools over years of turning. Some are excellent. Some are average. Some were bought in a rush, inherited, badly sharpened, rarely used, or simply never suited the type of work being done.

When someone eventually sells off a workshop, those tools often get grouped together in a job lot listing.

That might include:

● a few good gouges

● a couple of poor-quality tools

● worn or short chisels

● tools with damaged handles

● tools ground into odd shapes

● tools that are not really suitable for beginner woodturning

● scrapers, parting tools, skews or gouges that the seller may not describe correctly

For someone experienced, it is easier to look at the photos and know what is worth having. For a beginner, it can be hard to tell the difference between a useful woodturning tool and something that will only cause frustration.

That is one reason I usually suggest that beginners understand the basic tools first before spending money.

My post on 3 Essential Spindle Turning Tools for Beginners is a good starting point for that, because it explains why a smaller, better-understood tool kit can be more useful than a large mixed set.

The Lathe Is Usually the Biggest Decision

If a second-hand listing includes a lathe, that is where you need to be especially careful.

A used woodturning lathe may look fine in a few photos, but there can be a lot going on that is not obvious straight away. You need to think about the motor, bearings, speed control, bed condition, tailstock alignment, tool rest, banjo, centres, belts, frame strength and whether the machine can be seen running.

Where the lathe was kept is often a good clue.

A lathe that has lived in a dry workshop and was used regularly may be in decent condition. A lathe that has been stored in a damp shed, garage or outbuilding for years may have rust, electrical issues, seized parts, tired bearings, rodent damage or missing accessories.

Some of the things I would always watch carefully include:

● weak or noisy motors

● double bar bed lathes

● very light frames

● poor speed control

● missing centres or tool rests

● badly worn banjos

● excessive rust

● machines that cannot be seen running

One thing many buyers forget to check is the electrical cable. Follow the cable from the plug to the lathe, and also check any cable running from the headstock to a remote stop button or control box if it has one. Look for cuts, nicks, taped repairs, crushed sections or exposed wiring.

This is easy to miss, but it matters. Sharp tools can fall from lathe beds and may hit the cable on the way down. A lathe can sometimes still run even if a wire is partly cut through.

That happened to me on one of my own lathes. A roughing gouge fell from the lathe bed and partly cut through a cable which was on the floor. The lathe still worked at first because the wire was making just enough contact. Later, when I moved the cable, the lathe refused to run.

For that reason, I would always visually check the cables before buying a used lathe or workshop machine. If there is any doubt, have it checked by a qualified electrician before using it.

I have covered the finer points of buying your first lathe in more detail in my post Buying Your First Woodturning Lathe, so I would definitely read that before jumping at a second-hand lathe deal. Many of the same points apply to second-hand machines.

A Cheap Lathe Is Not Always a Cheap Setup

One thing beginners often miss is that the lathe is only part of the cost.

A second-hand lathe might seem affordable, but then you may discover you also need:

● a chuck

● extra jaws

● centres

● a decent tool rest

● sharpening equipment

● sanding supplies

● finishes

● safety gear

● better tools

● possibly parts or repairs

That €300 or €500 lathe can quickly become a much bigger spend if important items are missing. It also takes up the same workshop space that a better machine could occupy, so choose carefully.

This is not to say you should never buy used. You absolutely can. But it is worth pricing the whole setup, not just the machine.

Be Careful With Chucks and Jaws

Chucks can be very useful second-hand buys, but only if you know what you are getting.

Check the thread size or insert. Please Note: I don't recommend inserts as you are operating further away from the headstock which makes vibration more likely.

Make sure it suits your lathe, or that an insert is available. Check what jaws are included. Look for missing chuck keys, damaged or stripped screws, worn jaws, rust and whether the chuck still operates smoothly.

A chuck with several sets of jaws can be a very good buy. But a chuck with missing parts, odd threads or discontinued fittings may not be as useful as it first appears.

Used Gouges, Skews and Parting Tools

Second-hand hand tools can be excellent value, especially if they are good brands and still have plenty of steel left and are reasonably clean looking..

But again, beginners need to be careful.

This can also create practical sharpening problems. Some woodturning tools are sharpened using a flat platform, and if the tool has become too short from repeated sharpening, the brass ferrule or handle may start to hit the platform before you can present the cutting edge properly. At that point, the tool may still look usable in a photo, but it can be awkward or almost impossible to sharpen correctly without modifying the handle or changing your sharpening setup.

You may be able to make or adapt a platform jig to get around this, but that can create extra hassle and may introduce other problems, especially for a beginner. In many cases, a heavily shortened tool is simply not the bargain it first appears to be.

Look at the grind. Some tools have been sharpened in strange ways, overheated, damaged or altered by someone who did not really understand the tool or have a proper sharpening station.

Also check the handles carefully. Loose handles, cracked handles, damaged ferrules and badly fitted tools are all warning signs. A cutting tool may look usable at first glance, but if the handle is loose or poorly fitted, it can become dangerous very quickly.

I wrote about this in more detail in my post When Not to Use a Woodturning Tool, where I described using a second-hand tool that really should never have been used. It was a useful lesson for me, but not one I would recommend learning the hard way.

If you are not sure what different tools are for, it may be worth reading some of my beginner tool posts first, including Choosing the Right Parting Tools for Woodturning, Which Skew Chisel Should You Start With?, and The 3 Bowl Gouges I Recommend to My New Students.

The more you understand the tools, the easier it is to judge a second-hand listing.

Sharpening Gear Matters

A lot of beginners focus on the lathe and tools, then completely forget about sharpening.

Blunt tools are one of the fastest ways to make woodturning frustrating, and they can make you start hating the whole process very quickly. I speak from experience here, so trust me when I say that your sharpening setup should be treated as just AS important as the lathe you buy.

I talk about this in more detail in my post Sharpening a Spindle Roughing Gouge, which should give you some useful pointers on why sharp tools matter and how much difference proper sharpening makes.

If a second-hand bundle includes a grinder, sharpening jig or wheels, that may be valuable, but only if the equipment is safe and suitable.

With grinders, check the guards, wheels, tool rests, wiring, speed and general condition. If something looks modified, damaged or unsafe, be cautious.

For electrical items or machinery, it is always sensible to have the item checked by a suitably qualified person before purchase or use.

When Buying New Makes More Sense

There are times when buying second-hand makes sense.

There are also times when buying new is the better option.

For example, if you are only saving a small amount on an unknown gouge, it may be better to buy a new tool from a known brand. That way, you know what the tool is, what it is meant to do, and how much useful steel you are getting.

That is one of the reasons I stock Hamlet woodturning tools. They are the tools I use, teach with and understand. I would rather see a beginner buy fewer good tools and learn them properly than buy a large mixed set they do not understand.

Ask Better Questions Before Buying

Before buying second-hand woodturning equipment, ask questions such as:

● Can the lathe be seen running?

● Where was it stored?

● Why is it being sold?

● What is included?

● Are any parts missing?

● What thread is on the spindle or chuck?

● Are manuals or accessories included?

● Are the tools branded?

● Are there close-up photos of the cutting ends?

● Has anything been modified?

● Is collection possible before payment?

A genuine seller should not mind reasonable questions. In fact, you may find that genuine woodturners are still quite protective of their tools, even when they are selling them on. Many would rather see good tools go to someone who understands them than have them disappear into a general clear-out or be abused by someone who does not know what they are buying.

My Woodturning Buy & Sell Page

Because I am often asked if I know anyone looking to buy or sell woodturning equipment, I have started a Woodturning Buy & Sell page on my website.

It is intended as a simple noticeboard for used woodturning tools, lathes, chucks, sharpening systems and workshop equipment in Ireland.

The page is starting small, but the aim is to give genuine woodturners a more focused place to find or move on second-hand equipment. It is not a marketplace, and I do not handle payments or guarantee third-party items, but I hope it becomes a useful resource over time.

If You do End Up With the Wrong Tools

If you buy tools in a second-hand job lot and they turn out to be poor quality, badly sharpened, too short, badly handled or simply not suitable for the work you hoped to do, it is frustrating, but it is not the end of the world.

As you become more experienced as a woodturner, you may find that some of those tools can still be adapted for specific tasks. A tool that is not much good in its original form may become useful later as a scraper, shaper, modified tool or one-off problem solver for an awkward job.

You have also learned a valuable lesson early on. You will know what to look for next time, what to avoid, and which questions to ask before handing over money.

Sometimes a bad second-hand buy is not a total waste; it is just an expensive lesson that helps you make better choices the next time.

Final Thoughts

Buying second-hand woodturning tools can be a great option, but it is not always the bargain it first appears to be.

A lathe, chuck and box of tools may look like a complete setup, but an experienced eye may quickly spot worn tools, missing parts, weak machinery or hidden costs.

If you are new to woodturning, take your time. Learn what the basic tools do. Read up on lathes before buying one. Ask questions. Check condition carefully. And if you are unsure, a lesson or a bit of advice before spending money can save you from buying the wrong equipment.

Used tools can be excellent, but only when they are safe, suitable and properly understood.

Thanks for Reading,

David

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About the Author

I’m David Condon, a woodturner and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. I’ve been working with wood for most of my life at this stage — 11 years as a carpenter and over a decade running my own woodturning business.

Over the years, I’ve learned that woodturning is as much about patience and problem-solving as it is about tools and technique. I work mainly with Irish hardwoods, teach woodturning full-time, and spend most days learning something new in the workshop myself. On this site, I share the same practical knowledge I pass on to my students, shaped by experience, mistakes, and time spent at the lathe. If you’re interested in learning in person, I offer woodturning lessons in Tralee, with details available on my Woodturning Tuition page.

© David Condon Woodcraft – All Rights Reserved.

More Woodturning Pages to Explore​

● Hampshire Sheen - Fine Finishing products that will highlight your project pieces

● Hamlet Tools - Fantastic Woodturning Tools from a well trusted brand

● Woodcraft Hub - View my woodcraft creations for inspiration of gift buying.

● Sanding Essentials - Essential sanding products for Woodturners & Woodworkers.

● Woodturning Blanks - A fine range of Hardwood Spindle Blanks & a few Bowl Blanks too!

● Woodturning Pen Blanks - A huge assortment of Acrylic & Irish Hardwood Pen Blanks.

● Crafter's Haven – A vast range of craft supplies for crafters and gift givers!

Original content © David Condon Woodcraft — Written by David Condon. Please credit and link if shared.