First turnings - much to learn!

[Sportique]

Hi,

Complete novice.

Don Watson from another forum has very kindly loaned me some tools to get started - I had collected a s/h lathe recently from Devonwoody.

My first atempt ended in COMPLETE FAILURE all going "OK" until I was forming a slight undercut to the lip - using a skew chisel - probably the wrong tool - the trailing corner of the skew caught in the base and threw the chisel outward taking the lip with it :shock: :shock: :shock: see the pics:

You can easily see where the tool dug into the work

The work was "freeform" just a learner trying things out - the digs are frightening :shock:

Maybe the wrong wood for first attempts a piece of oak which already had a few shakes in it. :roll:

However, undetered, on to the next piece:

This time I selected a piece of Beech - seems somewhat easier to turn than Oak?

But, not yet having a multi-jaw chuck, I resorted to using the faceplate for both top and bottom of the piece . How to stick the piece to the faceplate? I tried double sided tape but this soon parted company :evil: . Then I tried using white woodglue with paper between the joint - maybe I didn't wait long enough - but that didn't work either :evil: . Finally just woodglued the piece directly to a false wooden faceplate - this worked fine.

Here's the work - my own critique is that some fine cut lines are still slightly visible - solution must turn more finely :idea: . Finish not great - chose a wax which I put on with a soft cloth with the lathe at minimum speed not the greatest finish. How to improve this? :?:

Comments/criticism/encouragement - all welcome please

Finally thanks again to Devonwoody for the lathe and Don for the loan of tools - soon I shall buy my own.

Thanks for looking

Dave

 

[Scrums]

Hi Dave

ermm....trying to be constructive here - did you know what form you were trying to make when you started attacking those blanks?...a bowl/ a platter or did you just launch into them?

I think, especially as a new starter, you need to have had a good look at the blank you're about to turn and decide just what it is you're going to make, taking into account the size, any flaws and any features it might contribute.

The second of the photos shows something quite good, style's a bit clunky - but shows some promise.

Next errm....the Skew chisel - ? not on faceplate work in my opinion, maybe later on and then in very limited circumstances.

Personally, I don't possess any faceplates - I have a 'face plate' ring that goes onto spigot jaws, which I use rarely. I think you're going to have to save up the pennies for a chuck system.

As I said - they both show promise, stick with it - practice really does make perfect.

Cheers,

Chris.

 

[gasmansteve]

Hi Dave
We have all done our fair share of `dig ins` (and still do ) it just makes you more careful next time.Nice first attempt though keep it up :lol:
Steve

 

[Bodrighy]

I'd echo Chris (Scrums) never try a skew on faceplate work, especially on the inside. Use a bowl gouge only. If you can have a go at doing some simple spindle work first as that will give you a good sense of what the tools will do and there are loads of things that you can make spindle wise. Bowls, if you do them, are much easier with a curved bottom, inside and out as getting a flat bottom is not easy.

Having said that full marks for what you have done. The finish looks pretty reasonable in the image and the outside shape is good. The catch is something we have all experienced ( and still do) so you are now a member of a big club. Scary but all part of the slope

Pete

 

[Paul.J]

Looks to be a promising start Dave.
Finish looks good so you must be doing summat right.
Just keep at it

 

[miles_hot]

There's no need to rush out to buy a chuck (though it's a very good investment).

Hot melt glue (hot enough to drip out of the end) will allow you to glue a sacrificial lump of wood to the blank which can then be screwed to the face plate - this can be knocked off with a chisel and mallet when done.

Have a look at out own Bob's you tube efforts for some items.

I think you can also make a screw chuck (lump of wood with a wood screw glued in) and hold that on the face plate...

Miles

 

[wizer]

There's no need to rush out to buy a chuck

I disagree, trying to turn faceplate work without a chuck is bloody depressing. Save your pennies and get a patriot. I can't fault mine and it transformed my turning when I got one. Trying to turn a bowl with a faceplate and\or glue chuck is a lot of work and the end results will be mediocre, leaving screw holes to cover or lots of work off the lathe to get a good finish.

It's been said about the skew, save that for spindle work and get some hands on training with it. It's the most scary tool in wood turning but useful when mastered.

 

[johnny.t.]

Dave, I agree with wizer, get yourself a chuck,Poolewood have a good deal on patriots at the minute if you have the reddies 8) http://www.poolewood.co.uk/acatalog/Robert_Sorby_Winter_Bargains.html(scroll halfway down the page) Chucks just make life so much easier.

You ask for encouragement but surely the difference between the first and second pieces you have made is encouragement enough,a big difference between the two Every time you make something you will learn and improve,so just keep going.

I wouldn't be wafting the skew at the inside of a bowl though :lol:

JT

 

[Sportique]

Brilliant advice thanks to everyone - I think I shall keep the skew away from the inside of bowls :-k.

Wizer/JT I shall save up for a chuck, but in the meantime I shall try the hot-glue - thanks Miles.

But I need to buy the tools first, can't borrow these I have for ever

and thanks for the encouragement - I shall continue the learning curve (slope) :lol:

Dave