When people at barbecues ask about my woodturning, the conversation eventually lands on “so what does all that gear cost?” It’s a fair question. From the outside, a workshop full of cast iron and sharp steel looks like a serious financial commitment. And it can be. But it doesn’t have to be, and I want to give an honest picture of what this hobby costs — both to get started and to keep running.

Getting Started — The Essentials

Let’s talk about the bare minimum to start making shavings.

A lathe. New midi lathes range from about $500 for a basic import up to $2,500+ for a Vicmarc or Robust. The sweet spot for beginners is $800-1,200 for something with variable speed and enough swing for 300mm bowls.

The secondhand market is excellent. Older turners retire regularly, and their gear turns up on Facebook Marketplace and at club sales. I’ve seen perfectly good lathes go for $300-500.

Basic tools. You need a roughing gouge, bowl gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool, and skew chisel. A starter set runs $200-400 new. Secondhand tools are abundant and usually just need a sharpen.

A sharpening system. Non-negotiable. A slow-speed grinder with a wolverine jig costs $250-400 total.

A chuck. A four-jaw scroll chuck runs $150-250 new. Additional jaw sets are $60-100 each.

Safety gear. Face shield ($30-50), dust mask ($30-80), hearing protection ($20-30).

Realistic Startup Budget

Item	Budget	Mid-Range
Lathe	$500 (used)	$1,200 (new midi)
Basic tools (5-6)	$200 (set)	$400 (individual)
Sharpening	$250	$400
Chuck	$150	$250
Safety gear	$60	$120
Total	$1,160	$2,370

That’s roughly what a decent set of golf clubs costs, for context. And unlike golf, you end up with things you’ve made.

Ongoing Costs

Once you’re set up, the running costs are surprisingly modest.

Timber. This ranges from free (salvaged logs, offcuts from tree loppers) to expensive (premium burls and exotic species from specialty suppliers). Most hobby turners spend $20-60 per month on wood, mixed with whatever free material comes their way.

Sandpaper. You’ll go through more of this than you expect. Budget about $10-15 per month if you’re turning regularly.

Finishes. Oils, waxes, friction polishes — maybe $50-100 per year depending on what you use. A tin of Organoil or similar lasts ages.

Electricity. A midi lathe draws about 750 watts, similar to a microwave. A couple of sessions a week won’t register on your power bill.

Replacement tools and accessories. Occasional. Maybe $100-200 per year as you add speciality tools or replace worn ones.

Club membership. Most Sydney woodturning clubs charge $50-100 per year. Worth every cent for the knowledge, demonstrations, and social aspect. Plus you get access to club lathes and tools while you’re building your own kit.

Realistic Annual Running Cost

For a regular hobby turner doing a few sessions a week: $400-800 per year. That’s less than most gym memberships.

Where the Money Creeps In

I’d be dishonest if I didn’t mention the slippery slope. Once you catch the bug, you start wanting:

• A bigger lathe (there it is, the upgrade itch)
• More specialised tools — a hollowing rig, texturing tools, spiralling jigs
• A bandsaw for preparing blanks ($500-1,500)
• Better dust extraction ($300-800)
• Premium timber — wait until you discover figured redgum or Huon pine
• Courses and workshops ($100-300 per day)

I know turners who’ve spent $15,000+ on their workshops. I also know turners who do beautiful work on a thirty-year-old lathe with six tools. The craft rewards skill far more than equipment.

Can You Make Money From It?

Some turners sell their work at markets, galleries, or online. It’s possible to offset costs or even turn a modest profit, though most would say the hourly rate is woeful if you calculate it honestly. A bowl that took four hours to make might sell for $80-120 at a market. After materials, that’s not going to replace your day job.

Where turners do well financially is in commissioned work, teaching, and building a reputation for a specific style. Some turners have built solid online presences through platforms recommended by groups like the Team400 team, selling through Instagram and Etsy to collectors who value handmade Australian craft.

The Real Cost

Here’s what I tell people at those barbecues: you can get into woodturning for about a thousand dollars if you’re patient and buy smart. You can run it for under fifty bucks a month once you’re set up. And you’ll get a hobby that produces actual, tangible things — bowls, platters, gifts, heirlooms — rather than a subscription fee and nothing to show for it.

The most expensive part of woodturning isn’t the gear. It’s the time. Saturday mornings disappear. Sundays vanish. You start eyeing every fallen tree on your street. You brake for council clean-ups.

But that’s not really a cost, is it? That’s the whole point.