So after watching about 15 million videos, learning proper hand position (someone really needs to do a series for left handed people), stance, reading the entire wood turner forum, figuring out how to sharpen things, a significant amount of cursing and bitter self-recrimination, something amazing happened...

 

I understood what everyone is talking about when they refer to sneaking up on the bevel.  Properly adjusting the height of the tool rest allows you to go from scraping the workpiece to using the sharp edge to actually CUT the work piece.  With this amazing realization, a number of things came together for me and I was able to actually turn something on my next attempt.  I was able to make a dimensional cylinder (Yeah, I know it is just a fancy name for a dowel but let me have my moment).  Believe me I am nearly as shocked as you are. Dimensions are 3/4" by 5" and deviation is less than .02" end to end, turned from a 1" x 1" x 6" piece of red oak I had sitting around in the scrap bin. It is smooth to the touch without sanding although you can feel slight ridges.  I suspect that this is because of the speed I was turning (too slow @1300rpm) combined with me not being perfectly smooth in my movements. I didn't know there was a speed change between roughing and shaping although it makes sense in hindsight and it would probably serve to eliminate some of the small imperfections on this piece. 

 

 

You done good! Color me jealous, I can never get anything a consistent diameter from one end to the other!

That looks great for no sanding.  When I started I didn't have a computer to watch the videos and not sure there was videos at the time.  I was scraping instead of cutting and hated it so bad I gave it up for years.  Finally saw some videos and decided to give it another try and fell in love with it.  I have had quite a few aah-haa moments along the way.  Once you get the basics down there is still a long journey.  After thirty some years I'm still learning new things and am still fascinated with the craft.  I wish the same for you.

5 minutes ago, lew said:

You done good! Color me jealous, I can never get anything a consistent diameter from one end to the other!

I think I am going to need a LOT more practice to get anywhere near the level of the amazing things that you and the rest of the guys around here do.

Being a lefty, I can tell you. There is no such thing as turning  right or left handed. A good turner goes both ways!   Doing a long straight cylinder is kind of like making a picture frame, simple in appearance  but one of the most difficult things a turner or woodworker can do. Nicely done

I will first echo what Steve said we all turn with both hands depending on the piece and the cut we are doing. Now you done good! Now just think of all the other tools you can master.

Like the others have said, "you done good."  Practice as often as you can and let your imagination begin to show you what to make.  It will work just like finding the bevel and allowing the sharp edge do its job.  Looking forward to projects.