What do you say Patriots?

What would you recommend to a beginning turner who acquired a mini lathe and the turning tools needed to accomplish most tasks.

What project or practice would you suggest to that turner?

Would you suggest chucking up some sticks and turn spindles? Or a block of scrap to get the feel for roughing?

Would you suggest jumping straight into a worthy project to adorn the fireplace mantle for the first run?

Jump on in and lets hear your suggestions!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Bill Wyko has several pieces one might try for practice. (tongue firmly planted in cheek)

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Take a square piece of wood and make it round and the same from one end to the other.

Then try to make a cove and a bead, then try to repeat them and make them the same size.

Those are some good drills to start with. I did that and just used some pine that I cut into square pieces from a 2x4.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

The other things is learn the ABC

A- anchor the tool on the rest.

B- rub the bevel of the tool on the piece.

C-lift the handle until the bevel starts to Cut.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Spindle turning first. There are books available but now days there are so many videos available that a book on the subject seems a waste of money.

Here's a start-

http://www.youtube.com/channel/HCD5CJkdvVrTI/videos

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

After step one - go ahead and finish it off my making a sphere  

John Moody said:

Take a square piece of wood and make it round and the same from one end to the other.

Then try to make a cove and a bead, then try to repeat them and make them the same size.

Those are some good drills to start with. I did that and just used some pine that I cut into square pieces from a 2x4.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Leave the skew chisel till last!!!!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

+1

Lewis Kauffman said:

Leave the skew chisel till last!!!!

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

Great suggestions gents!!!!

How about the species of wood?

Start of with something soft? Hard?

Green?

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

Soft- to get the hang of it. Although the finished surface will probably be a little rough even with sharp tools. Pine 2X material is good. Green is fun- long curly ribbons just peel off. If you use green wood, make sure you wipe down the tools and lathe afterwards to remove the moisture.

John Morris said:

Great suggestions gents!!!!

How about the species of wood?

Start of with something soft? Hard?

Green?

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

I'll say make a block round, then work on beads coves and slopes. Similar to what Mr. Moody said

Edit: If you only find Dry wood that's ok too at least you don't or shouldn't have to worry about it splitting as it dries. .

However, you do have to worry about moisture if the wood is wet. I would say get some paste wax or a really good machine oil and wipe that bed down after turning anything wet. otherwise about once a week is good.

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

I started on pens myself but you can basically start wherever you feel comfortable, here's an idea for a first project, make a set of Napkin rings, it's repetitive and would teach rounding of a bead well.

These are not mine but they are a great example.

These have about a 1 1/4" hole drilled in them but you can make them smaller.

Just a idea

By the way. I agree, leave the skew for last, if you even bother to get one. The way I use them which is totally different from anyone else I know, its great for beads. but not much else in my opinion.

When you do decide to get a skew and work with it, here's a pretty good video to watch.

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

John,

Did you get a lathe?

If so you've got to do the old cartoon number....................................................................make a toothpick out of a tree trunk.

 

Larry

Old Woodworking Machinery Forum Host

Lew and Charles thanks again for the great suggestions!!!!

Larry, I did get a lathe, I'll be sharing it and my experience with is shortly!

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John Morris
The Patriot Woodworker

I definitely think that it's better to start with a spindle, where the blank is held at each end instead of just on one end.  Get a feel for how the tool edge best addresses the wood surface to cut efficiently.  AND REMEMBER TO USE A LIGHT TOUCH..EASY DOES IT!   See how little you can remove at a time, not how much.  And of course observe John's ABCs, and wear protective eye and face gear, keep the tool rest as close to the wood as possible and move it often, and minimize loose clothing or anything else that can catch the wood, or it will be removed ... quickly and painfully.  Don't worry about finished work, just make chips; turn big ones into little ones!  Then, once it feels good, worry about shapes and finishes and the like.

Also, before starting, make sure there is no loose bark on the spindle (they do hurt when they hit ya) and no major cracks in the wood. I made the mistake once (I think I showed it here.) of not checking a bowl blank thoroughly, a piece came off the blank and slapped me in the face, I didn't have a face shield only goggles. Luckily slapping me instead of digging in as it was pretty much wedge shaped, kinda like a skinning blade.

Yea here it is, pretty much completed at this point but the sloped edge is what was left after the piece came loose

This incident right here taught me that there is no place for only wearing goggles when wood turning when you can go buy a $15 face shield and be 100x better off.

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks