Replies

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Dec 31, 2005 12:37am | #1

   Take a class, rent turning videos, read books.

   Alan - planesaw

2. 
   DennisS | Dec 31, 2005 03:30am | #2

   Like Alan says, take a class. Prefereably a one-on-one mentor type session. You can read books for days, weeks but there's really no substitute for having a mentor standing at your elbow coaching you on every aspect of the process.

   A full day-long session like what I took from a local turner included the full Monte - safety, tools, sharpening, workholding and the like. Once you get that under your belt, the books and videos will make more sense. The videos will be frustrating, however. Watching someone like Richard Rafin turn a small lidded box within the length of a running video tape is rather intimidating (grin).

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 01, 2006 04:43am | #3

   Dennis,

   I totally agree.  That is why I put my "advice" in the order I did.

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   DennisS | Jan 01, 2006 06:57am | #4

   Alan -I spent about three months with my first lathe before I realized what you said made so much sense. Some years before having read what you said! (grin) I merely hoped to reinforce your excellent thoughts adding additional weight to the mentor instruction part.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Jan 01, 2006 07:16am | #5

   Dennis,

   We should have added, after the class, " turn, turn, turn, turn,"  then rent videos, then "turn, turn, turn," then read books, then "turn, turn, turn."

   Happy New Year!!!!

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   woodsmanplus | Jan 02, 2006 08:02am | #6

   I have been doing custum woodworking for years and have dicided to try my hand at turning.So don't do what I did and go to a group class.I spent a 100.00 bucks and for what I got out of that idiots class I could have smoked that c note and been happier and I don.t smoke.I have talked to many expert turners  since then and have been told that if you can afford the one on one calss you will learn a great deal more.Good luck with your turnings.