New to wood turning

[morpheus83uk]

Hello,

I am looking at starting wood turning to make things such as pens, bowls and anything else I can think of. Where would I start with tools? What lathes would people recommend? Are there any courses I could attend? Tools for use on the lathe? Links for good blogs or videos for showing best practice or projects?

Also what would people recommend to start with as beginners projects? I have looked and found that pens and bowls are good to start off with and also with the pens can you buy the parts for the pen separately or do you have to buy specific kits?

Sorry for all the questions just trying to get as much info at the moment and looking for experienced peoples opinions and views.

Thanks

James

 

[Dave Brookes]

Hi James and welcome to an addictive world. Your best start is to visit/join a local club, you can find details on the AWGB website awgb.co.uk you will get endless advice and hands on experience.
You don’t need to apologise for asking questions on here as all members are willing to help and answer queries.
Beware of watching too many videos from across the pond as some of their practices leave a bit to be desired.

Dave

 

[morpheus83uk]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your response. I will check out the site you mentioned when I get home tomorrow properly. Do you know off hand if they have anywhere around Manchester to meet? The internet where I am is a bit scetchy so trying to post is a bit of a nightmare let alone getting to websites themselves lol.

I will check out some videos and you say and be wary. What sort of tools, lathe etc would you recommend so I have something to start looking at?

What would you recommend to start with as beginner projects or where to get appropriate wood for turning?

Thanks

James

 

[Dalboy]

Hi Dave,

Thank you for your response. I will check out the site you mentioned when I get home tomorrow properly. Do you know off hand if they have anywhere around Manchester to meet? The internet where I am is a bit scetchy so trying to post is a bit of a nightmare let alone getting to websites themselves lol.

I will check out some videos and you say and be wary. What sort of tools, lathe etc would you recommend so I have something to start looking at?

What would you recommend to start with as beginner projects or where to get appropriate wood for turning?

Thanks

James

There are a few around your area as stated check the AWGB site and look at the map which shows those near you

 

[MattyT]

Hello and welcome to the forum.
I'd start by watching videos on youtube. Tom Yoder has some beginner tutorials that might give you some ideas before going to a wood turning club. I went to makers central a few weeks ago and my brother had a go at making a pen on a lathe and it came out quite nice! Events are a great way to get ideas, ask questions and buy tools. We ended up buying loads of new tools, I even got this iFixit toolkit for repairing my iPhone screen. https://www.accu.co.uk/en/ifixit-drive- ... EU145307-4.

Maybe pop along to a club in Manchester and have a go with their lathe a few times before investing in your own. It's only about £3 for visitors to attend and they'll give you some guidance.

 

[Dave Brookes]

James,
Have sent you a pm

Dave

 

[pollys13]

Yes welcome to the forum. Lathes I have one of these https://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-c ... the-105116
Lot of features and good reviews, what influenced my purchase decision was a 1hp motor, when I was researching I understood 1hp was the minimum one needs for bowls. Then again, could get a lower power machine and take light cuts, not sure about that though.
Used to call it the Hobby lathe, now renamed it.
Good luck

 

[Honest John]

Welcome to the forum James. Don’t know which side or district of Manchester you reside in, but our club “West Pennine Woodturning Club” meets on the first Friday evening of each month..... which is this coming Friday! We meet in the basement floor of the Methodist Church in Norden, Rochdale from about 1900hrs. You would be very welcome to just turn up, we are a very friendly bunch. If you need or want any details, just PM me with a contact number and il call you back.

 

[morpheus83uk]

Hi all,

Just to keep the thread going I will be attending a AWGB meeting tonight near me for a learn to turn session so apparently I will be hands on having a go. I am quite excited about it so I will let you know if I require anything further after the event (which I probably will! ).

Thanks

James

 

[Tanglefoot20]

Hell to All

I have been given an old woodlathe with a few accessories,but sadly no tools.It is what I think is a sealy SL42....works fine.Justvstarting our on woodturning by I used to be a center lathe turner by trade.
Any info would be graciously accepted.

 

[Spence]

The best advice I can give you is to go to the AWGB website and find your nearest woodturning association club. There you will meet others interested in the hobby, you might be able to get some tools too and see the occasional demo by a guest.
The second best bit of advice is to consider sharpening early on, whether its a grinding jig from ebay or something from more specialised. I'm sure you are aware that sharp tools work far better.
And you should get yourself a facemask and a dust mask.

 

[Tanglefoot20]

Thanks for the advice.... I don’t have tools yet but obviously sharpened ones are the tops.just need to set the lathe up on my bench ...after sorting junk out.i will spend time looking around ebay etc...or other outlets for tools

Steve

 

[Lazurus]

Dont forget something to sharpen them with, I use a slow speed Creusen grinder with white wheels and a sorby jig, fast repeatable grinds in seconds then back to the lathe.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

A copy of this won't go amiss -
https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Book ... 1-_-image1

 

[Tanglefoot20]

Thanks for that Phil.. will look into it