Replies

1. 
   jptenberg | Dec 06, 2004 12:53am | #1

   Get some books by Richard Raffan--they are all excellent with great pics and good writing.  I read them when I was starting to turn, and they were very helpful.

   As far as tools go, don't be tempted by those sets at bargain prices.  If you are doing  mostly spindle work, you need a good roughing gouge, a skew, a parting tool, and 1 or 2 spindle gouges.  iI you're doing a lot of tennons, you may also want a bedan tool. 

   Get a quality brand that is HSS or M2 or some other heat treated steel--they won't be cheap, but quality never is, and you won't find yourself wishing you had saved a couple hundred$ in the ling run.

   Look on the site woodturnerscatalog.com they have an extensive selection of brands and shapes, and their prices are good.

   You will also want to have a grinder and jig set up to keep tools in tip top shape.  I use a cheep 6" grinder with the wolverine jig and quality norton wheels along with a diamond plate for quick honing between grindings.

   Good luck

   Peter

   jpswoodworking.com

1. 
   Patto | Dec 06, 2004 02:41am | #4

   Interesting that you use a 6" grinder. I bought an 8" grinder on the basis that the radius of the bevel was closer to flat and therefore there might be a little more support for the tool edge (It was certainly more expensive, but I couldn't afford a tormek or similar). I have seen some references to sharpening on the side of the wheel (like the the flat wheel setups), but don't know how you would go about keeping the wheel dressed or the tool properly suported.

   Have you compared your results with tools from a bigger wheel, and what are your thoughts?

   Have been looking for a cheap 2nd hand grinder to mount a polishing mop and leather wheel for the carving tools. This would first reduce setup time, and second, allow me to run them backwards so that the tool still approaches from the same side. 6" might satisfy this requirement.

1. 
   jptenberg | Dec 06, 2004 07:28pm | #6

   I haven't used an 8", and had I been buying a new grinder, I probably would have gone that way.  Although, I would rather have a nice bowl gouge for the price difference in 6 and 8" grindders.

   It's true that the larger wheel will give you a bevel closer to flat, but I don't think that's truly an advantage--I take and hone all of my edges on a diamond plate between grindings, and because of the hollow grind, I can get several new "sharpenings" between grinds before the edge becomes flat and I need to regrind.  Plus, the two edges of the hollow act as a guide for my stone so that I know I'm keeping the cutting angle close to the grind.

   I suppose that if you were not to hone, and go directly from the wheel to the wood that a flatter bever would be preferable.

   Peter

   jpswoodworking.com

2. 
   jptenberg | Dec 06, 2004 12:56am | #2

   Alan Lacer also has a good video on the skew--I took a class from him and he was very informative

1. 
   alias | Dec 06, 2004 01:39am | #3

   Thank you ,jp
   best regards bear"expectations are premeditated resentments"

3. 
   DennisS | Dec 06, 2004 08:09am | #5

   Bear -

   No doubt you can learn to turn by reading and practicing technique, but there's really no substitute for having some initial direction to help.

   The AAW (American Association of Woodturners -

   http://www.woodturner.org

   has clubs or chapters in many metro areas. If they have one in your area, contact them and ask if there are any members who provide lessons or mentoring sessions. Attend the meetings (although our chapter doesn't deal much in spindle turning - mostly hollow work) and perhaps you can get some pointers there. They're usually enthusiastic about helping newcomers into the craft.

   As others have hinted, learn to sharpen the tools. Learn to do it quickly and effeciently; it's the art of turning, not sharpening (grin). That said, don't scrimp or cut short the attention to keeping the tools as keen as you can. You can turn a piece of wood with a blunt screwdriver but will spen far more time sanding to a decent finish than you would have spent sharpening a gouge or skew.

   For large sweeping curves and beads of almost any size the skew is, in my opinion one of the best tools. It can when properly sharpened produce the most excellent finish. But is one of the hardest wood turning tools to learn to use properly. Well worth the effort, however.

   As for reading material, I don't know of any books that deal specifically with spindle turning. Raffin's name comes up with regularity with respect to lathe work but all the books I have deal with lidded boxes and/or bowls and hollow work.

   I think you have a fine lathe for doing the kind of work you describe. Congratulations! Practice, Practice .... then go practice some more!

   ...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis
1. 
   alias | Dec 07, 2004 02:45am | #7

   thank you for the reply ,i just ordered the crown pro- pm boxed set of 5- 3/8" spindle gouge, 3/4" roughing gouge, 3/4" skew ,3/4" parting tool. i've had the tormek system for around 6 years, i'll just have to go over the jigs to see which will co-inside with the tool. and have the long island wood turners that meet twice a month at tech school 5 miles away .so resource's you spoke of are there,and easily available. i have to say being in the building trades for 26 years and pretty much seen it all(famous last words), i'm having a hard time remembering. when i was this psyched , for a certain leg of a project. i dont have any lofty expectations but with time, well i'm optimistic to say the least.
   i'm chattering on like a virgin bride, thanks again dennis- and a healthy and happy holidays. slainte' Bear."expectations are premeditated resentments"

   Edited 12/6/2004 6:46 pm ET by the bear

1. 
   DennisS | Dec 07, 2004 10:43am | #8

   Hey, Bear ....One really important word of caution:As soon as you start seeing those shavings fly off the turning wood, your life will change (for the better). There's no turning back and no known cure. Your patience will wear thin with every part of your life that takes time away from your lathe. Enjoy!!...........
   From Beautiful Skagit Co. Wa.
   Dennis

4. 
   BG | Dec 07, 2004 03:30pm | #9

   Bear,
   Attached are a couple of jigs for your files....