TAIG lathe series

Reviewer: Frank T.

I recently acquired a used Taig mini-lathe. With almost no experience turning or milling metal stock I badly needed information on how to use the machine safely and effectively. These DVDs were just the ticket. Jose Rodgriguez shows you how to do basic turning and milling operations and demonstrates the surprising versatility of small lathes. Rodriguez is a gifted teacher who uses just the right number of words to make his point. His photography and illustrations are first rate. His lessons are carefully thought out and elegantly presented. These DVDs met and exceeded my expectations. I now feel comfortable using the lathe and can see far more possibilities for its use than I ever could have found on my own. Highly recommended.

Reviewer: Martin D.

The first video is pretty good for a basic introduction to the Taig lathe. Jose takes you though some hands on turning, drilling, tapping and threading techniques.

The advanced video is again quite good value, but be prepared for four hours of it. If you're expecting to see anything actually made in this video, forget it. Yes, Jose talks about some of the neat add ons and explains how he made them (it would have been cool if he had shown how he made them), but other than a handwheel you won't see anything but a demonstration of some advanced techniques.

Reviewer: Barry A.

Home gown but high quality and very informative.

Reviewer: John E.

Content was excellent! The video quality was mediocre but I was still able to get all that was necessary.

Reviewer: Josh G.

If you are at all considering buying one of these, it's a great intro. I only rented the first one, but probably it's a good idea to do both at the same time and save the few extra bucks. Perfect for someone just starting out - nice closeups of the work. Not a slick, professionally shot production - which is all the more reason to enjoy it.

Reviewer: Warren C.

Jose really knows the Taig..no doubt about that. But he's just not a great orator or cameraman. Yes, Jose actually films himself using the Taig..with one hand. Listening to him asking for our patience over and over again while he fumbled with one hand was tiring.Hey Jose; you can hear your wife doing the dishes in the background..why not get her to hold the camera while you run us through the paces.

Reviewer: James G.

Mr. Rodriguez is a gifted and creative machinist. He also makes a fine instructor.

For someone new to machining and contemplating getting a Taig lathe, the Basic DVD is invaluable. After you have much experience, the Advanced DVD will give you some ideas about how to expand the capabilities of the machine by making accessories.

There are a couple of minor quibbles. On the Basic DVD I would have liked to see a parting off demonstration. In both DVDs it is sometimes difficult to hear everything he is saying while the machine is running. With the machine off, he is crystal clear.

I found that I got the most from these DVDs by taking notes and making frequent use of the PAUSE key. It's impossible to remember all the advice he liberally sprinkles without making a written record of it.

This set is a tremendous value. I am ordering more DVDs featuring Mr. Rodriguez.

Reviewer: Josh G.

So many great ideas here for making advanced tooling. Good to watch just to see the possibilities of a little Taig machine. (Milling, threading, indexing, etc.) Some seem like a lot of work and you may not want to attempt, but does get you thinking about ideas of your own.

Reviewer: James S.

I though the "Basic Taig Micro Lathe" Was really well done. It had a lot of good pictures to go with the text, making it easy to understand.

Reviewer: Lonny H.

You can always pick out some trick or mod you like in almost every video Jose produces. I just wish he would buy a tripod

Reviewer: Lonny H.

Jose video is most interesting to find what mods he has come up with. But the most interesting thing about this video is how you put 4 hours on a 2 hr DVD

Reviewer: Landon M.

The DVD does presume the viewer will have at least basic, fundamental knowledge about machine tool operations, but it doesn't get into the minutiae and complexities that might be too much for the beginner to digest. I'd say it's definitely geared towards the "advancing beginner". If you're the lucky guy who found a Taig at a garage sale for $50 and have never even thought about machine tool operations before, there will be some things you will hear on this DVD that you'll probably have to google. Given that most people who purchase taigs are already advancing hobbyists, I believe the level of instruction in this DVD is totally appropriate for a beginners "how to" DVD.

One heads up for new Taig owners who haven't ever done any machining before: understand before you rent this DVD that a lot of the operations shown are done using accessories and peripherals that do not come standard with your lathe. These are things that any serious hobbyist will need to buy anyway- some of them are "taig specific" while some of them necessary for machining in general- but be aware that a lot of the instruction on this DVD isn't geared for someone who just "opened the box on Christmas morning" and doesn't have anything else.

Taps and dies, the Taig milling attachment, three jaw self centering chuck, four jaw manual chuck, flywheel cutting, etc- all of these things are addressed on the DVD and will require the purchase (or in some cases, fabrication) of end mills, end mill holders, drill bit sets, taps and dies, lathe die holders, indicator test gauge and stand, plunger indicator gauge, etc...

All in all, I would certainly recommend this to a hobbyist who hasn't ever done any machining before. If you're an advanced machinist who already has a high degree of comprehension of general machine tool fundamentals, this DVD probably isn't going to teach you much that you don't already know, given that many of the Taig operations are the same as any other lathe operations, only in miniature.

Reviewer: James B.

Excellent introduction to the Taig lathe, covering all the basic operations. This DVD is sprinkled with interesting tidbits, so keep a notepad handy and know where the pause button is on your player. Like many good introductions, however, it left me with a lot of questions and points to research. I would recommend this to just about anyone interested in, or starting out with the Taig lathe. Even if you have some experience, you will find a number of interesting points.

Reviewer: Irving k.

Perfect introduction for the first time Taig lathe buyer.

Reviewer: Landon M.

Short review of the "Advanced" DVD.

This is where Mr. Rodriguez really lets his knowledge off the leash. It's very apparent that he has a true genius caliber mind for spatial reasoning and mechanicals- a mind that not everyone is blessed with- so take this into consideration. Also, his vocabulary for technical terms is pretty darn high. Not pompously high, but he does explain things in a very precise sort of way, usually utilizing the proper technical phraseology. No biggie for formally trained machinists, but for self-learners who are advancing, it might cause a Google trip or two for a clearer understanding (I will mention here that the fact Mr. Rodriguez speaks with an accent is absolutely not what I'm addressing here. His overall command of the English language is probably superior to 90% of native speakers and he is eminently understandable in every way)

As with the first DVD, this volume addresses a number of functions that are 'tool specific', requiring peripherals that are more esoteric than those required in the beginners DVD.

Still, if anyone wonders what this little wundermachine is capable of, you really see it in action on DVD #2.

Highly recommended.