Lisa Hall's post showing her really fine cedar bowl.......first turning.....was really good. This got me to thinking, what was my first turning. I do remember being overly safe and jumpy. I could just see the cutting tool dig in and everything fly all over. Of course it didn't happen. I don't remember what it was, but it sure was a learning experience for a while.

 

What was your first (keeper) turning?

Great topic, Ron! I'm looking forward to the responses and being able to have this in next week's "Wednesday's..."

Piece if oak I practiced with to make a 7/8 inch dowel. Came out okay but lots of sandpaper used in early years.

I remember not having a clue .  Bought a lathe and gave it a go..  Was so disappointed I quit.  The lathe sat idle for a few years until I found videos on the internet and learned how to sharpen the tools and how to cut the wood rather than scrape it away.  Lots less sanding than my first go round.

My first turning was a practice spindle. Not sure but think these ornaments were the first finished turnings. Now if you ask for first bowl not sure there, but I think it was a piece of pecan for which I did not know how to turn the tenon off so it became the foot.

My first turning was a pen. I made a lot of pens before I got into bowls.

 

My first turning was that of a butterfly to make a handle for a butterfly box made of cedar.  I wish I had a picture.  It was an interesting box with two drawers you lifted out.  It was shaped like a butterfly and I needed a handle to lift the lid off the box.  So, I guess you may say it was the shape of a worm, or spindle.  The little girl loves it to this day and that was 9 years ago.  My second turning was a pair of handles for a pizza cutter and ice cream scoop.  Did lots of scraping in those days before learning that I had a very cheap set of chisels, but I learned how to sharpen on them before getting a better set.  Now, I am looking for better steel.  I have lots of turning to get done now.  

I may have done something in high school woodshop, not sure.  I do remember my first power tool purchase was an old Craftsman lathe, I had plans to do the porch railing and found the lathe for a reasonable cost.  And then I stored it.  Fast forward about 12-13 years and our son wanted to turn some pens.  Not knowing anything about turning pens I was pretty aprehensive, but for Christmas which was fast approaching I bought him a few pen kits and a how-to vcr video from Penn State.  He watched the video once and was ready to go!  I watched the video at least 3-4 times before we tackled it.  It was fun!  James got into making and selling pens, and buying, selling, trading all sorts of pen making materials - boy does that deer antler stink!  Thinking back, I think we did a few simple Christmas tree ornaments prior to the pens too.

Anyhow, after the pens I did make the porch spindles.  By then James had gotten a mini lathe, and no longer needing the larger lathe I sold the Craftsman.

 

I still haven't worked up the nerve to try my first bowl