bowl turning

[david]

HELLO TO ALL YOU WOOD TURNERS
PLEASE CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I AM GOING WRONG
I HAVE ONLY HAD A LATHE FOR TWO WEEKS AND JUST TRIED TO HOLLOW A WOOD BLANK AND TO MAKE A BOWL SHAPE AND AS SOON AS MY SCRAPER OR WHATEVER TOOL I AM USING TOUCHES THE WOOD IT EITHER JAMS IN THE WOOD OR JUST WONT WORK.
ANY ADVICE ON TOOLS SPEEDS ETC WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED
REGARDS
DAVID.

 

[TEP]

Welcome David, can't really help without a bit more information, but a few hints are - keep your tools sharp - keep the bevel rubbing to control the cut - and no offense intended but try to walk before you run. A lot of new comers think turning is easy after seeing a practitioner some where. As with all things it IS easy once you know how.

Spend some time reading Keith Rowley's. A Foundation Course (link) it will tell you everything you need to know. Also join a woodturning club if there is one in your area. There are always members who are willing to help beginners.

PS Better to use lower case, upper case is considered to be shouting, and it is easier to read lower case print. :wink:

 

[david]

thanks for your reply tam
the lathe is a clarke variable speed lathe
the tools i bought in the shop at the same time as the lathe
they were very cheap
its just that as soon as i touch the inside of the bowl the chisel jumps and nearly comes out of my hand
suppose i should join a club and get some expert tuition before i do myself a injury
once again thanks very much for your reply
david.

 

[TEP]

Hi again david, if that is the lathe with the round centre bed it's OK to begin on. BUT you as you progress you may find yourself looking at better machines.

Without seeing the set of chisels you bought with the lathe I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think you get a bowl gouge with those sets. So you are probably using a spindle like tool. If this is so, that will be your main problem with the digging in. Spindle gouges are just not strong enough for bowl turning, and using those cheap sets is just asking for trouble. [-X

As I have said, before you do anymore turning, or buy any more tools, buy Keith Rowley's book, it gives you all the information you need. Then when you want anymore help post the question here. If you put your location in your description there may be someone on here who could help. Just a thought.

Good luck.

Ps - Just looked at the lathe you mentioned, it will keep you going for quite a while, those machines are very popular and are sold under numerous branded names.

 

[david]

thanks again for your reply
the lathe is a clarke cwl-20-rv and you are right i do not have a bowl gough
so i shall send for one this week and also the book you mentioned.
i really appreciate all the information you have given me
and shall let you all know whether i continue in my new hobby or if it is just too much for me,
by the way i live in the garstang area near preston lancashire.
best regards
david.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello David and welcome
Don't get thinking of giving up so quick,all will come good with more practise.
Take Tams advice,and our other resident experts,myself not included :lol: get Keith Rowleys book and get used to using the proper tools for whatever your turning.
KEEP AT IT.
Paul.J.

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum David, nice to see we still have people willing to give this addictive pastime of spinney things a go, it is one of those hobbies with rather a steep learning curve on the tool control front, however with care, and only attempting the simple things to start with you will suddenly realise that you are doing things a little more automatically. When that happens you will wonder what you were finding so difficult just a few days maybe even hours ago.

Stick with the tools you have whilst learning to sharpen them, although most references agree to a great extent on the best angles etc. you may find after a while that your personal approach is better with a slight difference in grinding, so be it, as long as you are comfortable and safe.

Only buy new tools as you develope and realise that a given form would be an advantage, by the time you have reached that stage you will be able to make a more informed choice to suit you from the differing manufactures offerings, handle legth and balance can vary quite a lot.

Another reference to have a read of as well as Keiths book is http://www.turningtools.co.uk/wtintro/wtintro.html it is just another persons take on the subject but there are bound to be snippets that help along the way.

 

[Bodrighy]

Evening David and welcome to the slope.

Don't gove up, there's not a turner on here that disn't start off making a lot of firewood at first. Personally I think making bowls is jumping in the deep end. Once you get the book, practice wiuth the different spindle excercises KR suggests just to get the hang of sticking a metal thing against fast revolving wood. The best advice I have been given (and ignored I admit) is start by taking gentle cuts it isn't like using a chisel on static wood, let the wood do the work.

Pete

 

[david]

good evening to you all
i am overwhelmed by all your responses and so very grateful for all your advice
i shall carry on turning albeit a little slower ie=walk before i can run.
i have ordered the book tam mentioned and shall study it cover to cover
also i shall treat myself to some new tools for xmas.
thankyou once again for the wonderful advice you have so freely given to me
best regards
david.

 

[PowerTool]

Hello,David,and welcome

When you get round to treating yourself to some chisels,don't forget to budget for some means of sharpening them (if you don't have something already) - I have the Perform wide-wheeled grinder from Axminster,and think it's easy to use and good value.

Andrew

 

[lugo35]

welcome david. sounds like the rest is to far away. cheap tools will cut maybe not great but you should get results

 

[Bob Chapman]

Hi David,

You've had a lot of good advice above, but one thought does occur to me. If your tools are new, did you sharpen them before using them? Its a common mistake for beginners to think that tools are supplied sharp and in a useable condition and they aren't. Just a thought. Good luck with the turning.

Bob

 

[santiniuk]

Welcome to the forum David, the experts will soon have you up and running in no time. I suspect your using a similar set of tools I started with. I think I paid £15 for a set of 8 tools :?

To be honest they worked long enough for me to get hooked but they never stayed sharp very long. A set of HSS ones made a huge difference.

I'm sure with a bit of practise you will soon feel a lot better.

Thanks

Shaun

 

[duncanh]

Welcome David
I've nothing to add to what everyone else has said as it's all such good advice.
Where abouts are you? If one of us lives close by you could perhaps call in.

Also, if you're anywhere near Yorkshire I'd recommend a trip to the show in Harrogate on the 23-25 of this month - http://www.skpromotions.co.uk/north.htm . It should be very inspirational

Duncan

 

[Blister]

HELLO TO ALL YOU WOOD TURNERS
PLEASE CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I AM GOING WRONG
I HAVE ONLY HAD A LATHE FOR TWO WEEKS AND JUST TRIED TO HOLLOW A WOOD BLANK AND TO MAKE A BOWL SHAPE AND AS SOON AS MY SCRAPER OR WHATEVER TOOL I AM USING TOUCHES THE WOOD IT EITHER JAMS IN THE WOOD OR JUST WONT WORK.
ANY ADVICE ON TOOLS SPEEDS ETC WOULD BE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED
REGARDS
DAVID.

Hi , And welcome :lol:

We all have to start somewhere :?

I was in your position a while ago and read the Keith Roley book , That I still have

Also , I joined a club , well worth the time and effort

I also lookes on Youtube and there are lotts of woodturning topics on there to see how its done

so , Have a look at the Clubs near you :- http://www.woodturners.co.uk/branches.htm

Hope it helps

Allen

 

[woody67]

Welcome David Like the seasoned fellows said; walk before you can run. I haven't been turning long so I started with tealight holders or candle-sticks (brilliant fun! ) and THEN went onto bowls, although if you read one of my past threads, you'll note I got scared off due to similar problems as yours ; that is until I got a proper set of HSS tools , and then it really does transform your skills. Take heart from these wonderful people, persevere and please keep us posted.

Mark

 

[david]

hello to you all
just to say i have read the book of keith rowley=a foundation course
as you have all suggested to me
and guess what,,,,i have just turned my first bowl.
wont be up to the proffesional standards that experienced turners make but at least i am getting there.
only problem now is getting the hang of how to sharpen tools correctly and the right angle of the bevel
thanks again for the advice you have all given me
best regards
david.
ps,,,shall post a picture of the bowl when i have figured out how to upload one.

 

[CHJ]

Welcome David to the addiction, best get your shrinks slot booked now because for most there is no turning back :lol:

 

[Paul.J]

Well done David.Will look forward to the piccys.
Everything else will soon fall into place.Just keep turning
Does this mean you're hooked now.
Paul.J.

 

[PowerTool]

Also looking forward to the pictures,David - it can't be too difficult to work out how to do it,as even I have got the hang of it :lol:

Andrew (self-confessed computer troglodyte :wink: )