Just started Turning but what.

[caretaker]

I was just thinking what shall I make first on my new lathe, I have had practice runs with table legs, old ones, and B & Q soft wood and read 3 books plus ordered one book.
Now for something more challenging, but not to big.
Can or would it be a good idea to start say with pens, I see the blanks on e bay with different woods, this way would give me a chance to try more woods for not to big an outlay of cash.
Can my lathe do pens?
What is a good starter project?
I will continue practising and reading as well.
My lathe is called a Quality Faithfull or Nutool 5 Speed Roundbed Woodlathe
The nutool BT37
I just can't believe I have got a lathe I just want to make something.

 

[Dean]

Hi Caretaker, best to start off with something small, here is a link for a starter project

http://suprfile.com/get.php?id=6ayijm5

Good luck with your new toy and enjoy :lol:

ATB

Dean

 

[caretaker]

Thanks Dean, how many pens will that make?

 

[Dean]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Eleventyseven if you cut it the correct way :shock:

Here is good page for ideas

http://www.turnwood.net/projects.html

ATB
Dean

 

[wood yew believe it !]

reg, pens as a first project would be fine, but do you have a pen mandrel ?, if not, anything can be a first project, a simple small bowl, or an egg cup, or perhaps a platter. have you thought how you would like to finish the piece as well as there are quite a few different methods depending on the look your going for. let us know what you decide on and keep us posted, good luck

dave

 

[Bodrighy]

HiReg,
welcome to the slippery slope=D> There are loads of things that you can make and I amsure you will get a list from varous people on her.

Enjoy your lathe

Pete

 

[PowerTool]

Hi Reg - what do you have on your lathe to hold timber with,and what size and shape of timber do you have ?

If you have no chuck but have a faceplate,you can still make bowls,for instance - but you either have screw holes in the bottom to hide/disguise (which is why bowls used to have the bases covered in baize or similar),or need to find a way to reverse the bowl to tidy up the base.

Assuming you have a two or four-prong drive for the headstock,spindle work (between centres) may be a better place to start e.g. candlesticks.

As for timber - difficult to make walking sticks if you only have bowl blanks :wink:

Andrew

 

[Paul.J]

Reg.
Seeing as how you have just started i would just keep practicing using your tools and getting used to them.
Do some spindle work as Andrew says doing varying shapes etc.
Take your time don't get rushing into things too quick.
Enjoy
Paul.J.

 

[greybeard]

Another couple of suggestions for you - so you can feel you're making something whilst getting in the necessary practice!

As I'm sure you've already discovered spindle turning is simpler (and cheaper! - rant on - the price of chucks is a rip-off! - rant off), and in a sense more 'user-friendly' because both ends are supported. Which lets you get on with the practice!

I'd recommend you stay with one-offs for a while longer - eggs and fruit work well, cos the real ones are all slightly different! Turning a set of nine skittles could turn (ha-ha!) out to be a teeth-gritting challenge - making 3 identical shapes is an achievement!, nine must be some kind of turning purgatory I reckon!!

Also - a huge encouragement plus point! - non-turners are more impressed by 'natural' forms, like fruit or eggs, than they are by bowls goblets or platters.

What I'm trying to emphasise, as others above have, is that you need to keep your smile on - it's supposed to be fun if it's a hobby!

Don't worry - a combination of the slope and your own creative conscience will ensure you become as obsessed as the rest of us in a very short time - enjoy it while you can!!

 

[Anonymous]

Market research is the answer... I've saved you all the hard work Reg...

everyone seems to get a round tuit ... sooner or later :wink:

 

[Argee]

If you are thinking of pen turning, you might want to take a look at a page I did a little while ago which shows the kit needed and the process - it's here if you're interested.

Please note that you need to know your Morse taper size before ordering a mandrel for the headstock and live centre for the tailstock (if not supplied with the lathe). HTH

Ray.

 

[Blister]

If you are thinking of pen turning, you might want to take a look at a page I did a little while ago which shows the kit needed and the process - it's here if you're interested.

Please note that you need to know your Morse taper size before ordering a mandrel for the headstock and live centre for the tailstock (if not supplied with the lathe). HTH

Ray.

Ray , like your pen turning page , very good , will PM you

Allen , opps sorry Blister :lol:

 

[MrJay]

Mortar & Pestle.

 

[caretaker]

Hello All,
Thanks to Paul, Dean, Dave, Pete, Andrew and Ray plus others.
I will keep practising with the lathe, I have found my first knot, that was scary, the wood split at the end.
I have done something really bad, your going to be appalled with me.
But first I am going to say thanks for the splendid pages on pen making from Ray, I will give this a go soon, I will read this again Ray.
Just one question, Tail stock LIVE centre, is that like an end bit that turns while holding the wood?
Oh the bad bit, how can I tell you, I have cut the lathe down by 8 inches.
It now fits in my tiny work shop a treat, oh I hope I have done the right thing.

 

[Paul.J]

Caretaker wrote
Just one question, Tail stock LIVE centre, is that like an end bit that turns while holding the wood?
Yes Reg that is correct,much better to use.Stops your work from burning through friction.
Watch those knots :!:
Try to use a timber that is free from knots and splits until you feel confident to deal with them.It is off putting.
Paul.J.

 

[CHJ]

everyone seems to get a round tuit ... sooner or later :wink:

That's an good idea Graham, but easier with a chuck.