Hello everyone I’ve taken an interest in wood turning and have been looking at different lathes trying to decide which one would be best. I don’t know anything about this but it looks very interesting and I would love to learn how to make bowls and different types of wood products even pens. If anyone has any input into this it would be greatly appreciated.
Pens really tiny lathe, bowls really big lathe, we have some very good wood turners here I am sure you will get some great info. I myself am a medium skilled wood turner. I t is fun and you can do many things, I get bored because almost everything winds up"round" so I build other things.
Calling fishingpol Any classes available around you? Might be worthwhile to try someone else's gear before spending money on something you aren't sure about. The lathe is only part of the puzzle. Get a good set of gouges and learn how to sharpen them yourself. That's probably more than half the battle unless you are turning some really precision stuff where a marginal lathe will cause problems. The good news is you can make a ton of turning blanks yourself to practice on. Just go out back to the wood pile and choose some nice straight-grained stuff.
Here is a good thread for pens. Is anyone a wood turner here? I believe JWinIndiana is a pretty good turner from that thread. I'm just a hack that can pull some stuff out of a block of wood. I have a 4 speed 1980's Craftsman with basic chuck and live center on the tail piece. But Lukem is right, sharp tools will make it enjoyable. My son is 11 and took to turning very quickly. He just has a knack for it. Here is his first mallet in pear wood. I think this is his third or fourth small project. Here is a pear I did out of the same tree. It is fantastic wood to turn.
Fishingpol, that pear is outstanding!! Mattjm, I teach Ag. Ed. in a high school setting. I also teach a few sections of woodturning. I will respond later with a good list and some possible suppliers. You have gotten great advice in that large bowls require large lathes. There are also some options. Welcome to the vortex, it will only pull you farther and farther away!!
WoodTurnerinPA doesn't get on FHC often, but he does a good bit of turning and goes to some craft type shows with his creations. Mrs TD wants to get into some turning also.
If anyone is interested, I still have a couple tons of wood chunks in the basement. Is anyone a wood turner here?
Just found this post tonight....sorry if I'm late to the party. I am a longtime woodturner (about 20 years). Its a great hobby and can lead to many new friendships. In woodworking, it is a fairly cheap hobby. Once you own the basics the rest is just extras. At least the wood is generally free (firewood) Lathe(s) A good lathe to start with is one of the "Midi" lathes. Stick with brand names you know (Rikon, Delta, Jet) There are many "off brand" lathes out there and you will have trouble finding accessories (chucks, tool rests, tailstock inserts) for them. Most of the three above are around $3-500 new but can be found used for under $250. A midi lathe will serve you well if you decide to get further into the craft and move up to bigger lathes. I have 5 lathes and still use my midi whenever I do traveling shows or demonstrations. Most of the midi lathes above will allow you to turn a bowl ~12" in diameter and a spindle ~16" long. Tools Start with a basic set of 5 tools. 1. 1/2" Bowl gouge 2. Parting Tool 3. 3/4" Skew Chisel 4. Disc type endgrain hollower (Hunter or Easy Wood) 5. 1" Spindle Roughing Gouge There are two schools of thought on first tools. #1 buy cheap as you will overgrind them and waste them. And #2 buy good tools as you will learn what good quality can do and you will learn to use them better. I fall into the #2 group. I like tools from Crown, Thompson, Hunter, and Sorby. I don't own any Easywood but hear they are good too. I really like the Thompson tools. Grinder. You need a good grinder. At least 80% of producing good turnings is from sharp tools (the other 20% is skill). Most of us use 8" slow speed (1750 RPM) grinders and start with 1" White AO Wheels (60 and 120 grit). As you get more into the hobby you can move up to the exotic CBN or Diamond wheels. Woodcraft has good grinders on sale regularly for around $100. To go with the grinder you will probably need some kind of grinding jig (not required but recommended). Look at the Oneway Wolverine system to get ideas. You can buy one or make your own (well worth the cost). Chuck(s) Holding wood onto a lathe securely without a tailstock is how you turn bowls. A good chuck is required. I use both Teknatool Nova Chucks, and Oneway's Stronghold chucks. Both manufacturers make great chucks with minimal runout. Best advice Look at the AAW website (American Association of Woodturners) and find a local chapter near you. Find a Chapter - American Association of Woodturners A local chapter or club will put you in connection with local folks who have been down the road before you and love to help out. I have been a Member/Officer/Supporter/President of our local club for 20 or so years and can't think of of a better resource for new turners. Best of luck, ---Nailer---
Hi all Just getting into woodturning, Thinking about getting a Nova Comet II wood lathe. Any thoughts? Seem like a good deal for the money.
