Another clueless newbie with a wood lathe

[RobertMP]

I've been watching ebay (along with quite a few others that use the forum I think) for a while now and seeing the range of prices things go for.

I kept thinking a lot of stuff seems to go too high so I started looking elsewhere for adverts. I found this site which seems to list adverts from the likes of loot / daltons weekly (only guessing those titles).

http://193.243.131.17/classhome.php?class_id=33&trader_id=8899&class_name=Tools

The site is adtrader.co.uk but comes up as numbers in my browser. Anyway the ads can be sorted by date and distance from you. You have to phone a premium rate number to contact the seller. I called and asked for their phone number then called back. Premium rate was only 20 seconds worth.

Lots of other machinery ads there as well as lathes (use the keyword search).

Hope that might help someone else that is looking.

What did I get?

I now have an Axminster m950 variable speed with stand, standard 2 rests and arm, live center and one drive center. Great condition with no rust or marked paitwork. I was also given 10 various largish lumps of wood to get me started. The seller suggested I find a woodturning club and by pure coincidence another thread here is for a local club

Cost me £200 for a lathe that is just under 4 years old and looks the same as the current model to my untrained eye. Cost me a bit of effort too as he had a bad back and I had to get it all through his house from a shed in his back garden. Said he has a new Poolwood machine on the way.

So if I can't find the answers for myself expect some very basic questions soon

Now what can I do with no chisels :?:

 

[ike]

I'm in there with you. Now you'll want some chisels, gouges and scrapers, oh and a grinder, and a widget jig to grind the gouges...and then a chuck,...and then.. :roll:

it's going to be an addiction I suspect!

cheers,

ike

 

[RobertMP]

Patience has never been my strong point.

Put it together... checked it worked... then I just had to try something

So armed only with a couple of large files with the ends sharpened I set to on a rectangular piece of wood about 5 inches long.

the lathe

the 'tools'

closer look

And my first ever home woodturning

Last time I turned wood was about 36 years ago at school and I still have the 8" dia bowl I made then. It looks crude and has a crack or 2 but I'll keep it

Got a feeling I'm going to be well and truly hooked by this!

 

[Blister]

Good on yer mate

Way to go

look forward to your future turnings

8)

 

[Anonymous]

Robert that was a good buy!

 

[Mezza]

Well done Robert I hope my first attempt will be half as good.

Mez

 

[CHJ]

Yes You’re hooked, but please at least put some handles on those file tangs, if they catch they could embed themselves in your wrists, or stomach.

 

[dickm]

[snip]

look forward to your future turnings

8)

Agreed, but for heaven's sake get some proper chisels, or a suit of armour before you try anything more!!

 

[RobertMP]

Thanks all

It was surprisingly easy considering the tools. And great fun.

Should have asked the guy what species woods he gave me.


So where do I look for chisels and what do I buy first? I like the idea of a good brand bought used but I'm not averse to buying new. I've read enough here to avoid cheap sets on ebay and probably sets of chisels full stop as they may include ones you don't need?

Trend Airshield is high on my must have list now too

 

[RobertMP]

[snip]

look forward to your future turnings

8)

Agreed, but for heaven's sake get some proper chisels, or a suit of armour before you try anything more!!

I kept moving the rest near the work and played it pretty safe with eye protection etc.

I used to be in business making lighting and many small run special products had metal reflectors made in the spinning shop. They frequently turned wooden chucks in there (sometimes 1 meter in diameter!) and never used anything other than large files with sharpened ends for the wood cutting. So I knew it would work.

 

[paulm]

Try http://www.craft-supplies.co.uk/index.html, the online shop is horrible to use but they have everything you will need and you can always order their catalogue which is a lot better, or here http://www.turners-retreat.co.uk/

Cheers, Paul.

 

[treefella83]

i do nearly all my online shopping at Stiles & Bates i rate them highly.

 

[RobertMP]

Yes You’re hooked, but please at least put some handles on those file tangs, if they catch they could embed themselves in your wrists, or stomach.

Fair comment but I won't be using them again and it was a pretty small piece.

- -- - -
re tools..

I was hoping for suggestions as to what to buy as much as where but all help appreciated

 

[colin macdiarmid]

nice lathe and a nice piece of turning, welcome to the world of I am hooked on woodturning

 

[PowerTool]

Looks nice,very impressive for a first piece
As far as chisels go,I agree with the idea of not buying one great big set.HSS chisels are worth spending the money on (compared to carbon steel) - but depends on what you are making as to what you might need.
There is no reason why you can't buy two or three chisels to start with,and add to them as you discover the need for others - doesn't seem like it costs as much if spread over a few months :wink:
If you want a set,there is the Perform 6 piece set on Axminster for under £50,or Screwfix do a five-piece set for about the same price (I started with the Screwfix set,and have added to it since..quite a lot,actually.. )

Good luck with whatever you decide,and keep the pictures coming.

Andrew

 

[paulm]

If you think you will start mainly with spindle turning (between centres), which is likely to be the case if you don't have a face plate or chuck for the lathe, then would suggest the following tools:

Roughing gouge 3/4"
Spindle gouge 10mm
Parting tool 6mm or thereabouts, possibly diamond profile

These would get you up and running and then you could later add further sizes as needed and a skew.

When you are ready to turn bowls and similar will need to add abowl gouge or two in different sizes and some scrapers of different profiles to start with.

Hope this helps, it's only a personal suggestion so others may have additional/different thoughts.......

Cheers, Paul.

 

[RobertMP]

That size measurement for a gouge - is that the width of the groove shape inside or the overall outside width of the tool? i.e. is a half inch gouge really about an inch wide overall?

I've spent my working life solving design problems and working out how to produce products (but all in sheet metal) and I was wondering if people always buy a tool for a job or (as is my instinct) buy a lump of hss and make the simple shapes yourself?

 

[Anonymous]

I've spent my working life solving design problems and working out how to produce products (but all in sheet metal) and I was wondering if people always buy a tool for a job or (as is my instinct) buy a lump of hss and make the simple shapes yourself?

Take a look at the tool variations on offer and by all means make your own ... I know I can't make a gouge as good as a bought one but when it comes to scrapers, skewchy gouge etc. ... I can and do make my own variations.

I often use silver steel (our local Cromwell tools is the cheapest in this area) for tool making... cheap chinese chisels are a good source for expeimenting with shapes for scapers... if it works then you can consider making one from good quality steel...

measuement... not the overall width, it's the width of the flute...

 

[Taffy Turner]

Should have asked the guy what species woods he gave me.

It looks very much like London Plane to me - AKA Lacewood because of the figure.

Plane is very easy to turn IMHO, and also easy to obtain for free - watch out for the council pruning any trees growing on city streets, or in urban parks, as these are very often Plane trees, as they are very resistant to pollution. Actually, given how windy it has been lately, there should be plenty of free timber lying around - just remember to ask permission first.

Regards

Gary

 

[RobertMP]

cheap chinese chisels are a good source for expeimenting with shapes for scapers... if it works then you can consider making one from good quality steel...

So a 'scraper' is what I was doing with the end of an 18" file - not a whippy bit of sheet steel? Time to get a book I think