This episode is brought to you by:

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For more information on the American Association of Woodturners: http://www.woodturner.org

For more information on the 2020 Turning Symposium in Louisville, June 4-7, 2020: http://bit.ly/2wcI4Me

For more on Janet Collins: http://www.greenmountainwoodturning.com/

For more on Josh Friend: http://jfriendwoodworks.com/

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7 Things I Learned While Doing Youth Turning Workshops by Amy Costello At the 2019 American Association of Woodturners (AAW) Symposium in Raleigh, N.C., I got to participate as an instructor in the Youth turning workshops area.

Question 1: 

From 9miletree:
I picked up a 1940’s Shopsmith a few months ago to use as a lathe. The turning tools that came with it are somewhat small compared to what I see turners using today. They also don’t seem to stay very sharp. I just got a new roughing gouge and it’s a world of difference. 

1: Can you recommend some turning chisels for someone starting out in turning? Sizes and tool types? I’m considering updating either my parting tool or my skew chisel next.
2: How far should I be going with sharpening? I heard in a very old episode of Shoptalk Live, with Richard Raffan, that he only sharpens to some unthinkable grit, 60 or 80 comes to mind! 

	Episode 2: Sharpening Turning Tools Veteran woodturner Mike Mahoney offers step-by-step instruction on how to sharpen a variety of woodturning tools. Episode 3 coming Friday, April 9, 2015.
	See it in Motion: Grind a Parting Tool Watch chairmaker Peter Galbert grind a diamond parting tool

Question 2:

From Andrew:
What are the reasons for having a dedicated scraper versus using a skew at a different angle?  Do I really need to spend the money on a scraper? 

	Scrapers: The Turner’s Best Friend By Ernie Conover #208–Nov/Dec 2009 Issue Reach for this simple tool when others reach their limit
	Scrapers Refine Turned Surfaces By Richard Raffan #148–Mar/April 2001 Issue Some experts say don’t use them, but scrapers clean up ridges left by gouges and greatly reduce sanding time

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Question 3:

From Jason:
I’m making the base for Michael Robbins’s desk in issue #270 and am a novice wood turner. I was surprised to find that the rear stretcher length of 49 1⁄16” is too big for the biggest lathe I have access to. Furthermore, an online search didn’t turn up any lathes that will turn a spindle longer than 48 inches. I was able to make this work by arranging two lathes end-to-end (my makerspace multiple lathes). But how would you make this work using just one lathe? In short, how do you turn really long spindles?

	Making a Sheraton Bed By Philip C. Lowe #113–July/Aug 1995 Issue The challenge is in the posts
	Bulk Up Your Benchtop Lathe by Tim Manney A sturdy stand with a bed extension and sand for ballast lets a bantam lathe function like a heavyweight.
	Low-Cost Bed Extension for a Small Lathe To turn bedposts, you need a long-bed lathe-an expensive tool that uses lots of floor space. For less than $100, I made this bed extension for my midi-lathe
	Woodturning with a Steady Rest with Ernie Conover This important accessory prevents spindles from vibrating. Ernie Conover shows how to use a commercial steady rest and how to make your own.
	Basic Guide to Buying a Lathe By Jon Siegel #149–May/June 2001 Issue What to look for and what to avoid when purchasing a new or used machine

Question 4:  

From Mitch:
I spend all day in the shop wearing the hat of a double bass luthier. Scraps and off cuts from double basses are very large and I can usually make some fun stuff out of bass wastes such as bookmarks, butting boards, kid toys, pizza peels and recently a coffee scoop on my little lathe.  I have a hefty machine room as well as a nice hand tool collection.  

I have one of those small 10″ mini (micro) lathes.  I use it daily for making tapered parts for basses. My question is: is there a hack for these small machines to be able to use gouges and other turning tools like you would with a larger lathe? I would like to expand my range of things I could make on the lathe, it’s addicting.

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Every two weeks, a team of Fine Woodworking staffers answers questions from readers on Shop Talk Live, Fine Woodworking‘s biweekly podcast. Send your woodworking questions to [email protected] for consideration in the regular broadcast! Our continued existence relies upon listener support. So if you enjoy the show, be sure to leave us a five-star rating and maybe even a nice comment on our iTunes page.