Replies

1. 
   jptenberg | Sep 28, 2005 06:23pm | #1

   Congrats on the new tool--

   Richard Raffan has wonderful books on turning.  I believe that he also has a DVD.  As for chucks and tools etc...They really depend on what you want to turn. 

   I suppose that with a mini lathe, you would be doing pens, and smaller spindle work as opposed to bowls, so a good skew, a parting tool, and a spindle gouge are good tools to start with.  Get a live center for the tailstock and Oneway makes a spur-less drive for the headstock which I find particularily useful.

   As far as discount prices--you get what you pay for.  You might look on E-bay, but otherwise, look in the usual places--Lee-valley, Woodturners catalog, Woodcraft.

   Something else to consider is sharpening--there's nothing worse than trying to turn with dull tools.  I find that the Wolverine sharpening system works very well, but it is a decent investment.  A skew and parting tool are pretty straightfrward to sharpen, but gouges are a different story, thus the need for a good jig.  If nothing else, get a good diamond plate, as waterstones are too soft for HSS.

   Good luck.

   Peter

   jpswoodworking.com

1. 
   sawdust | Sep 28, 2005 09:08pm | #2

   Peter,

   Thanks for the good information.  I was looking at Raffen's books, but I do not know who he is or how good his books might be.  I have two sharpening systems, but will need to jig up something for the gouges etc.  Am also thinking of perhaps buying the bed extension for the lathe, in the future, if needed.  I am not interested in making pens so much as small bowls, finials, etc.  Haven't done any lathe work since high school days in 1945 to 1949.  I liked it then, but got into house building and cabinet work instead.  Now retired, I would like to explore the field.

   Thanks,

   Tony

2. 
   Napie | Sep 28, 2005 10:09pm | #3

   Raffen’s books and videos are the best, he is very practical, get them.  You DO NOT need jigs or any of that crap to sharpen, period.  Learn to freehand grind your turning tools, the real joy of wood turning is the speed that things get finished, grinding jigs slow that down and add no value.  Just buy good high speed steel tools, start with a 3/8” spindle gouge, same size bowl gouge, and couple of skews, maybe add a heavy scraper.

    

   Go to the firewood pile, chuck up or place between centers some green stuff and make shavings.  Remember, RUB THE BEVEL, that’s lesson #1.  Wood turning is not cabinet making; it’s not all about precise measurements, let the shavings fly and have fun.  You’ll end up with a ton of firewood scraps, and mulch for the compost pile, but it’s the best way to learn.

    

   Over 2500 bowls and platters, plus lots of boxes, Christmas ornaments, rolling pins and other “stuff” latter, I’m still learning every time I turn on the lathe.  Plus, “firewood” piles take on a whole new meaning. Have Fun!

3. 
   WillGeorge | Sep 28, 2005 11:24pm | #4

   I'd say get some safety glasses and some scrap wood and your tools..

   Make ANYTHING But be careful as you begin.. NO BIG cuts,, Use up all your scrap and see what happens.....
   A turning' class can be had at many colleges and woodworking stores for free on sort of little cost...

   EDIT:: I Forgot to say... DO NOT START because you will want a $3000.00 lathe!

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/28/2005 4:26 pm ET by WillGeorge

4. 
   Steve50 | Sep 29, 2005 05:14am | #5

   With respect to classes, check out http://www.woodturner.org which is the American Association of Woodturners and see if there is a local chapter in your area.  Go to their meetings and get involved.  Local chapters have demos and mentoring programs to help you learn.  They will also bring in expert woodturners to perform demonstrations.  The club I belong to also has a library where checkout of materials is free.

   Chucks and accessories:  Get input from above item and talk to club members.  Be aware that you can quickly exceed the investment in your mini-lathe buying expensive accessories.  There is a great variety of stuff available and you will get a better picture of this by talking with folks that actually own this stuff and make your own decision.  It is not an absolute necessity to have a chuck although they are very convenient.  You will need the ability to sharpen your chisels - for this I highly recommend an 1800 rpm grinder with a 60 or 80 grit blue or pink wheel (not gray) with the Oneway Wolverine Jig and Vari-grind for your gouges.  You should also get a diamond dresser (approx $15).  I do most of my buying from Packard Woodworks (North Carolina) and Craft Supplies (Provo, Utah).  Both offer excellent variety and service.  I have also purchased from Lee Valley Tools and they also provide excellent service. 

   As far as quality lathe chisels at a decent (interpreted low) price, I think these terms are mutually exclusive.  I don't recommend buying sets, buy just the chisels you need.  You really want HSS chisels which are usually M42, ASP2030, and ASP2060.  I usually opt for the M42 steels which are high quality and less expensive than the other two.  I have tried several of the ASP 2030 steels and quite honestly can't tell that they are any better than M42.  Packards has good quality house brand chisels for a reasonable price (in comparison to some others) and Lee Valley Tools carries P&N chisels (unhandled) which also offer a good value.

   Steve

1. 
   sawdust | Sep 29, 2005 04:02pm | #6

   Thanks for the load of information.  I will put it to good use immediately.  The web site sounds like a great start.

   Thanks for your time and effort,

   Tony

1. 
   Steve50 | Sep 30, 2005 03:39am | #7

   An additional good resource for learning is the magazine Woodturning Design.  It has excellent articles for everybody beginning to advanced.  Check it out at http://www.woodturningdesign.com .    Also, I forgot to mention, this is very addictive.

   Steve

1. 
   Ardmore | Dec 09, 2005 10:27pm | #10

   Steve50.

   Do you subscribe to "Woodturning Design"?  I need a copy of an article from Issue #4, Winter 2005 Issue.  The article is entitled:  "Inside out Christmas Ornaments".  I subscribe to the magazine but have missplaced that particular issue.  If you could email that article to me at [email protected] I would greatly appreciate it.

   Ardmore

5. 
   Curtis | Sep 30, 2005 04:12am | #8

   Hello Ive been turning for about 20 years.

   All the advice that was given  so far was good, but What I would suggest is start with green wood, (right from the tree, fire wood, limbs broken off the tree from a storm.)

   I have a general motto; Green wood is FUN! dried wood,is WORK!

   If you are learning, start with green wood, it turns easier. isn't as hard on the tools,or machine, and is CHEAP !. spindles, or bowls, it doesn't matter, Green is the way to start.

   another tip. don't tell anyone what you are making until its done, that way the four poster bed that ended up as a pencil box doesn't look so bad! ;-)

   C.A.G.
6. 
   mike4244 | Sep 30, 2005 04:21am | #9

   I learned to spindle turn by reading Keith Rowley's book A Foundation Course in Woodworking. And a lot of practice. Mr Rowley passed on recently I'm very sorry to say. His books and video are available.Have you considered joining a turning club?There may be one or more near you.I have no idea if they have dues or other types of charges, but if you check the woodturning forums out, they are all good people that can help you more than I.

   As far as tools go, I bought a set of 8 tools made by Great Neck for $69.00. Worked fine for a starter set. I have a few Sorby's and a set from Penn State Industries. The penn State set was a very pleasant surprise, very inexpensive and very good. I would highly reccomend this set for anyone, beginner or pro. You want to learn how to sharpen these tools, a dull gouge or chisel won't do good work. Practice on anything you might otherwise toss out. I turned a lot of beads and coves on 2x4's ripped down the middle to a 2x2 . When you can get contruction lumber cutoffs to look pretty good,then hardwood you turn will come out perfect.

   Read a few books and articles before thinking about a chuck, the only chuck I regularly use is a homemade screw chuck. I have a 3 jaw chuck, I rarely use it.I haven't done much bowl turning, just two small mahogany bowls the cat uses for her food bowls.

   mike