Advice for a turning virgin...

[Gary S]

Morning all,

I am going to collect an ebay purchase today - a 36" Faithful lathe (FPPWL36 model no.) with a collection of gouges / skew / scraper and parting tools.

I was looking to 'dip my toe' into the world of wood turning so an ebay purchase seemed a better option than spending a few hundred pounds.

I can always sell it back on ebay and upgrade at a later date... :lol: (hope SWMBO doesn't notice...!).

I'm looking for some help on where to start / what to do! I know it's a very, very basic question for the experienced turners on this forum but I'm hoping that your vast experience will shorten my learning curve - especially if you can share some learnings from some of your first mistakes!

Any advice on what size wood to use to start with, advice on speeds to use (dos and don'ts), etc etc will be gratefully received. Any links to good website articles would be great, too.

Cheers

Gary

 

[CHJ]

Obtain Read and Digest This Book Keith Rowleys, Woodturning, A Foundation Course If there is one source of information more useful to a new starter I have yet to find it.

 

[TEP]

Mornin' Gary, and welcome to the obsessive world of wood.

I'll throw in my pennith worth for you. Make sure your lathe is mounted on a solid structure, the less vibration the better. All tools MUST be sharp, which is another learning curve in itself.

Wood, anything that is cheap (free) to practise on, Sycamore, Cherry, or even Pine, which is actually harder to turn that some hard woods. If you can get a good finish on Pine you can turn almost anything.

Sizes, nothing too big to start with, start with small spindles 2" x 2" x 12" approx. turning beads, coves, fillets, ogee's and so on. Once you get the hang of the tools, (not long) mark out the spindle with a pencil into fillets beads and coves, then turn them to the sizes marked. (Tool control)

Speed, always start low (until with experience you can set the speed to the size of blank) then raise the speed until you are satisfied/confident to continue. My preference is for the speed to be as high as I can get it with no vibration, some turners prefer to keep it lower.

You will find that woodturning is a very personal thing, i:e: tool profiles, speeds, technique, and so on are very much set to the individual turner, but you can learn by watching and once you get some practice in you will surely develop your own personal style.

IMO I suggest one of the best ways to 'dip your toe' as you say, is to become a member of a woodturning club. There are always members who enjoy taking new comers under their wing.

Good luck, and let us know how you are getting on. If you have any problems there is always this, and other forums to try and help.

I agree 100% with Chas. Get the book.

 

[Bodrighy]

I was looking to 'dip my toe' into the world of wood turning so an ebay purchase seemed a better option than spending a few hundred pounds.

Cheers

Gary

Welcome Gry,
just a word of warning, no-one "just dips their toe" they dive in, and keep going, even if that is not what they intend at the beginning. Prepare yourself for a lot of pleasure, frustration, wonderful satisfaction and lot & lots of dust and shavings. Remember there are no such things as mistakes in wood turning, only alterations to design and lovingly crafted firewood. :lol:

Pete

 

[caretaker]

Hello Gary,
I am using an faithfull lathe but if it is the one with a long tube, I had to cut it down to get it in the end off the shed.
It works well but I start off with a middle speed for turning (small blanks) then fast for the sanding/polishing.
I have only made 4 bowls so still trying it out.
Oh when you collect it its heave but dos come apart.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Gary,and welcome to the woodturning forum.
I think everything has been said that you need to know,for now.
Just enjoy and take your time.
Anything else there will always be someone here.

Caretaker wrote
then fast for the sanding/polishing.
Reg.I think fast speed is o.k for polishing but not too good for sanding.
All you are doing is burnishing the wood,the sandpaper doesn't have time to do what it's supposed to do.Drop the speed and you will notice a difference.

Paul.J.

 

[caretaker]

Thanks Paul, wondered what all that smoke was...

 

[PaulH]

Gary,

As a new comer to turning myself (2 weeks or so now!) I would also recommend Keith's book. There's also a video to go along with it (not sure if it's available in DVD format - I got the video with the second-hand lathe I bought). The video follows the book very closely so doesn't really add much "teaching" but seeing a moving image rather than still pictures does help you to understand some of the explanations in the book.

I'm basically working my way through the exercises in the book and have just reached the point where I've produced my first real "object" - a goblet . The next "project" is an apple, then a pear and then onto bowls....

Regarding wood - I've simply been using offcuts of construction timber - the sort sold in builders yards. I've found it turns reasonably well and certainly is much cheaper than buying prepared blanks from specialist shops!

I've also found some local demonstrations and have gone along. While way beyond my level in terms of the the work being demonstrated, they are inspiring and give you something to aim towards as well as sparking ideas. They also provide an opportunity to discuss tools and techniques with other more experienced turners. I would recommend going along to similar events.

I hope you enjoy your new hobby as much as I have to date.

Paul.

 

[greybeard]

I can really only emphasise what's been said above....
- the K Rowley book is undoubtedly the classic
- the best wood to turn is free wood!
- any wood can be turned - old wood, green/new wood, firewood, etc etc
- only sharp chisels cut, anything else tears or grinds
- start with spindle turning
- focus on finish, not volume removed!
- always spin your wood by hand to check it's not fouling before power on
- stand to one side when you power up the lathe
- protect your face, spectacles are not enough!

You will of course find out the hard way exactly why most of the above items are on that list!

Happy turning!

 

[Wanlock Dod]

Gary,

Yet another vote for Rowley's book, although I found that his advice on sharpening didn't really get me anywhere.

My advice on sharpening is to get a turner who sharpens their tools freehand to show you, whilst there is a bit of a knack there are far easier (and better for me at least) ways to sharpen gouges than those suggested by Mr Rowley.

Cheers,

Dod

 

[ctb]

.............. treat her gently

 

[Losos]

Gary, Welcome to the forum,

I have a cheap lathe also, and consider myself a beginner in woodturning, several people recommended Keith Rowleys book after i asked for recommendations and had already bought a couple :roll:

Nevertheless I bought it and it is the best of the three I have.

I can only offer one bit of advice - when turning green fruitwood (Apple Pear etc) watch out for the dreaded splits. There are ways of turning green wood and some tips by more experienced people have been posted on here. My first attempt is now sitting on a shelf above the lathe as a perpetual reminder of my folly

 

[Gary S]

Thanks all for the advice - i will certainly get hold of the book you've all recommended.

Watch this space for updates on my progress (or lack of it...!)

Cheers

Gary