Replies

1. 
   jako17 | Sep 29, 2007 06:01am | #1

   Read all you can .Then ask specific questions

2. 
   arkriver | Sep 29, 2007 05:53pm | #2

   Try to find a turning club near you or a turner you can bug/visit from time to time. Check your library for books and videos. Be careful, it can be dangerous.

3. 
   mike4244 | Sep 29, 2007 06:13pm | #3

   Buy a book or and dvd on turning. Learn how to grind the tools, sharp turning tools work well even on scrap framing lumber. I started practicing on anything free,tree limbs, cutoff 4x4's etc. Learn to turn in either direction.The skew is probably the hardest to learn,mostly because it will gouge the work and scare the heck out of you when used incorrectly. If you think of the skew as planing a board with a turning tool,then you will have a better idea how to properly use it.

   I do mainly spindle turning,not much face plate work like bowls.If you know other turners, they will be glad to show you the ropes.In the meantime, chuck a piece of something between centers and screw it up enough times so it is too small to turn.

   Throw it out, repeat with more scraps.In a short period of time you will have plenty of scraps and a floor full of chips.You also will get a little bit better with each attempt.

   mike

1. 
   genecoder | Sep 29, 2007 07:14pm | #5

   Thank you very much for the advice!!! It all will help.

4. 
   forestgirl | Sep 29, 2007 06:26pm | #4

   Genecoder, you might need more than "tips" -- how about an organized way to learn???  I recently posted a query about learning to turn (1st lathe purchase just recently).  Three recommendations stand out:

   • Find your local turners' club.  Don't know where you live (no profile information), but if you go to this page <click>, you'll find the American Association of Woodturners home page.  Left hand side has a link to AAW Local Chapters, where you can see if there's one near you. 
   • Get one or two good how-to books.  I received (thanks, guys!) R. Pain's The Practical Wood Turner and Rick Peters' Lathe Fundamentals (Popular Mechanics). 
   • DVD's, DVD's, DVD's

   Also, check your local Public Television listings.  There's a woodturning program on Saturday's or Sunday's in our area, might be in your's also.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

   
   

   ---

   Edited 9/29/2007 11:27 am by forestgirl

1. 
   genecoder | Sep 29, 2007 07:16pm | #6

   Thank you very much for the tips I live in Helena MT.

1. 
   forestgirl | Sep 29, 2007 10:15pm | #7

   Helena, MT...Cool!  Hubby and I are hoping to do a quick tour of parts of MT next summer.  All the hunters seem to be retiring there. ;-)

   If you'll be hanging out at Knots for awhile, you might want to fill in a little of your profile.  To do that, you click on My Forums above and then click on My Profile.  A geographical location is often helpful for people who're answering your questions.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   genecoder | Oct 01, 2007 03:58am | #10

   I up loaded my profile and thank you for the information. I got a contract to turn pepper mills for some one. He's going to show me how to turn one then I will do the rest he has a contract in Reno. I'm home schooled so I can do this stuff.

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 01, 2007 06:14am | #11

   Hey, that's great!  There's nothin' wrong with making a little $$ -- helps with the next tool purchase.  I've picked up one "multiples" job along the way, turned out to be much more tedious and less interesting than turning pepper mills. forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

2. 
   joinerswork | Oct 02, 2007 04:45pm | #14

   gene,

   A good way to learn skills is by repetition.  If the order is for more than a couple dozen mills, you will have improved greatly, at least in turning pepper mills!

   Good luck,

   Ray

5. 
   fussy | Sep 30, 2007 07:12am | #8

   Genecoder,

   For a really basic intro to turning, go to http://www.newyankee.com and look for lathe 101.  Video or dvd is about $25 + shipping.  Other than that, read all you can.  Then get some scrap wood and practice.  Above all, be careful.

   Steve

   There are two secrets to keeping one's wife happy.

   1.  Let her think she's having her own way.

   2.  Let her have her own way. President  Lyndon Baines Johnson

1. 
   BruceS | Sep 30, 2007 05:20pm | #9

   I have seen that CD by Norm (watched it 3X) and cringed and laughed all three times.  It doesn't even come up to basic.  Norm may get things round but a turner he's NOT.

   Better off reading Raffin, Darlow and Conover ;-) They are turners!Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

6. 
   PheasantHunter | Oct 02, 2007 06:04am | #12

   As a fellow turner from Montana (Great Falls).  I don't know of any woodturning clubs in Montana (as mentioned in other posts).  However, there are adult education courses offered in many communities.   I learned to turn by reading a few articles in Fine Woodworking, however, watching a few DVD's upped my skills and reduced the mistakes I was making.   Also the Craft Supplies catalog out of Utah, has a list of courses that they offer (Utah isn't very far from Montana, by western driving standards).   Good luck with your turning and if you are looking for turning wood let me know maybe we can work out a trade.

1. 
   Pippins | Oct 02, 2007 03:10pm | #13

   PheasantHunter, according to the AAW website, there are woodturning clubs in Bozeman, Kalispell, and Billings.    

   Steve

   http://www.woodturner.org/community/chapters/members.pl?submit=Chapter+List#MT

2. 
   genecoder | Oct 02, 2007 07:06pm | #15

   Thank you for the information I can not find any wood turning clubs either I would like to work some thing out for trading wood I live in Helena MT. Let me know what we can do to trade the wood.