Replies

1. 
   dgreen | Jul 25, 2006 09:39pm | #1

   I went out and tried it, I'm not very good with my left but I did'nt see any problems that practice would'nt cure. It does'nt take much strength.

   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb
2. 
   BG | Jul 25, 2006 10:00pm | #2

   craigpw,
   I'm left handed, and while I'm a newbie to turning,I really don't see any obstacles. If you get a chance to watch http://www.thewoodworkingchannel.com they have some great turning episodes with techniques you'd find beneficial.

3. 
   BruceS | Jul 25, 2006 10:46pm | #3

   I'am glad you filled in your Bio !  Your about 2 hours away,  I'am just outside of Chardon OH.   So if your interested in a little one on one training  I will be willing to give it to you in my Shop.   What type of turning would you like to do?   I would suggest Bowls(my favorite), with bowls, for the most part, you only need to master bowl gouges .  I'am sure we can get you into turning something. May start out with greenwood bowls they turn very easily.  Interested?

   Oh!  My Fee!   A box of donuts for the both of us, I'll supply the coffee

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   craigpw | Jul 25, 2006 11:18pm | #4

   I 'd like to take you up on your offer! What kind of donuts do you want? Or would you like pastries (my wife loves to bake)? Let me know when you have some time - I can usually go everytime now that I am retired.

1. 
   BruceS | Jul 26, 2006 04:32am | #5

   I'am fully retired but still work part-time at the Woodworkers Outlet Store in Chardon.   My schedule is full the rest of this week and the work schedule isn't out for next week, hopefully I'll get it tomorrow and we can go from there.   Do you think you might be interested in Greenwood bowls ?   Pastry !!  I'am a pushover for anything.Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   craigpw | Jul 26, 2006 02:55pm | #6

   Greenwood is fine with me. Let me know when you have a time.

4. 
   SawdustSteve | Jul 27, 2006 04:46am | #7

   As a retired woodworking teacher, I've taught both left-handed and right handed students how to use the lathe, so I will work left-handed or right handed, depending on the situation.

   Don't let a little thing like a stroke slow you down. I've seen a demo of 'one-handed' turning. I don't recommend it if you're not an experienced turner, but it can easily be done. Unless you're turning huge pieces that need extra leverage, I can't think of any reason you shouldn't do some turning. You may have to re-position your work light to compensate for your body being in a slightly different position. Your mind is used to controlling your right hand. It may take an extra bit of time to re-train your mind to do think left-handed. GO FOR IT!!! SawdustSteve

5. 
   Ray | Jul 27, 2006 07:02am | #8

   I'm left-handed, never had any problems.  Really happy to see you're not going to let a silly little thing like a stroke get you down.  It'll just take a bit of practice, take it slow and easy. 

6. 
   Cary_Swoveland | Jul 27, 2006 07:36am | #9

   If you have a lathe with a reversible motor (which often goes hand-in-hand with a electronically-controlled variable speed motor), you could reverse the motor direction and turn from the other side of the lathe, to favour your left hand.

1. 
   TKanzler | Jul 27, 2006 06:21pm | #11

   "If you have a lathe with a reversible motor (which often goes hand-in-hand with a electronically-controlled variable speed motor), you could reverse the motor direction and turn from the other side of the lathe, to favour your left hand."

   That brings up an interesting point.  Running it in reverse would make the threaded faceplates and chucks try to unscrew themselves.  However, my old Delta 1460 lathe spindle has one bearing at each end which are the same.  That suggests the spindle could be removed and installed the other way, making the threads correctly oriented for 'backwards' turning.  You'd need left-handed threads on faceplates and chucks, but that shouldn't be a problem.  It would amount to using the formerly outboard end of the spindle for inboard turning.

   Later versions of my lathe (mine's a 1944) had a double-row bearing at the inboard end, and the spindle may therefore not be symmetrical (Delta even sold a kit at one time to 'upgrade' the spindle and bearings), but I believe the older ones are, and therefore could be flipped over.  It's an interesting thought.

   Edit: Downside to reversing the spindle is that there is no morse taper on the outboard end.  You would not be able to work between centers with the spindle flipped.  But it would still work as a bowl lathe. 

   Be seeing you...

   Edited 7/28/2006 9:29 am ET by TKanzler

7. 
   craigpw | Jul 27, 2006 05:52pm | #10

   Thanks for all the advice. It looks like left-handed turning work fine and I will be able to work around my weak right hand. I will start looking for a lathe. I tried the http://www.thewoodworkingchannel.com and it works neat. I should be able to get a few idea there.

8. 
   mike4244 | Jul 28, 2006 04:56am | #12

   I'm another lefty, I turn with either hand.I see no problem at all. You can use your right hand too for spindle turning, there is not much strength needed for turning.

   Bowl turning will require a bit more strength,the tools are longer and heavier.

   mike