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Love the idea of the palm. Will be really interesting to see how it turns out. Perhaps lots of wood hardener? Looking forward to pictures!

Willow can be very pretty, especially if it is a bit rotten. I cut these a while ago and am looking forward to turning them. They are the tops of an old pollard, so loads of crazy grain. Bit of a faff getting a clean cut though!

250w is quite low power, but are you sure the motor is stalling, not the belt slipping? 40mm is very small - I agree with the other replies that it should be possible. Perhaps a gouge would be easier? Teaching is great and will be the better option if you can, but I am self taught and with a...

Going it alone isn't the worst thing. Like @Stigmorgan I taught myself (after a 30 min session at school to show what the different tools did). If it is difficult to get to a club in person that shouldn't prevent you from having fun and making great things. There is no getting around the fact...

PS. Welcome. I am sure you will have a great time turning and the site is a brilliant place to get ideas

I am sure you will hear about plenty of options for lathes from here on a woodturning club. If you are buying new Axminster is an excellent option. They have 2 lathes in that price bracket and you should decide which downside you prefer! The AC355WL has electronic variable speed but a fixed...

Ok, I suppose that does add up! No worse than a tormek and diamond wheel though?

I have no idea about their image / reputation, but from the comment had hoped that they would be a lot more expensive than that!

I am certainly not fixed to any particular shape - after years of sharpening freehand, any kind of jig is going to be a treat, and I have never had a chance to try any of long ground back shapes to have a strong preference. I am also glad to hear you have tried both and don't want to swap. I...

I hope plenty of people with suction cups will do the trick. The upstands are also a bit of a problem. They are thinner and so even more breakable. At least it doesn't matter nearly so much if they get smashed.

I tried to head it off a bit by saying no competitive honing! Apologies in advance if it all goes horribly wrong and descends into the usual philosophical differences...

I am looking to buy a new sharpening system to replace my ancient record scan 150 with a wonky cracked wheel and no option to take jigs. This may be the first "finished" bit of the workshop that I won't want to consider replacing with a bigger better version in some probably fictitious future...

I assume 1.5% is the correct amount of hardener. As Stigmorgan said, you have to be super precise about quantities, and let it set somewhere not too cold or damp. For metal effects, the culr range of pigments from glasscast is good. They do a nice silver. Alternatively you can use metal powder...

I don't really know. You could cut at 5mm if you were careful, but the kerf is huge so you would be turning most of the log into sawdust. Also through and through cutting gives quite a bit of cup. I tend to cut most stuff at 2" or thicker. Do you have an interesting plan in mind?

To be honest I don't really mind the bolt heads at the top. I was thinking of putting a piece of tempered hardboard over the surface so they will be hidden anyhow.

These are very much solid. I was amazed how much they weigh!

Had a pleasant day milling a bit of cherry and some nicely coloured ash. Quite looking forward to making a bowl out of that crotch piece.

Thanks - hat is good to hear. They seem great (if a bit ugly) for workbench tops as they are so solid and flat, but I was a bit worried about the vice dropping off under use! What glue did you use?

I have got myself an old record 53 vice so am finally ready to finish off the top of my workbench. It is an old solid core melamine faced fire door sat on top of a very sturdy chestnut frame that I made. How would people go about attaching the vice? If I glue and screw a spacer block on from...

Adding the sacrificial buffer really helps with this if you are struggling. In an ideal world, tool control would be perfect etc, but this way makes it easier when starting out. Once you have finished and removed them, the purists need never know! Also, once you have made a few square bowls, you...