saying hello and learning the basics

[milkjam]

hello.this is my first post.just saying hello.i will be asking quite a few questions as i am a pre-beginner.
so anyway...what exactly are "the basics".i see a few courses offering to teach these.but where should they begin and up to what level should a good course take me,allowing for the fact that i don`t have a machine or a workshop.and i suppose i`d have to factor in any natural ability or lack of.
i am looking at 2 possibilities.the first a one to one beginners course of 12.5 hours spread out as i like with a guy who has been turning for 7 years and the other a ten week course of 50 hours with a lifelong professional in a small classroom environment.(eli avisera).
actually i think i know the answer.
ok. cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Milkjam and welcome to UKworkshop

I would have thought a course would be a good place to start - all woodworking can be dangerous and tools expensive, so it might be best to try it out at little expense before 'going the whole hog'

 

[CHJ]

Welcome to the forum milkjam

Would you mind putting a rough guide to your location in your profile?
It makes it easier for us to offer advice.

There are quite a few members dotted around the country that are into turning and a visit to one of them may be an idea to get your thoughts sorted and a better understanding of which parts of the subject you need to concentrate on first before deciding on a course.

 

[TEP]

Hi MJ, and welcome.

As a complete beginner why don't you check to see if there is a woodturning club by you somewhere. You can pick up a lot from the members, and they may have 'hands of meetings' where you may be able to have a go.

Also pick up the book 'A Foundation Course by Keith Rowley' the beginners woodturning bible.

Good luck!

 

[milkjam]

i haven`t found a club as such.someone local offers courses so i went along to have a look.anyway i thought to myself i bet it`s expensive this woodturning malarkey so i looked on the net for an idea of tool costs and such and on the hamlet website i noticed they had a signature line of tools for an eli avisera so i thought to myself...blimey he must be good if he has his own line of tools so i checked out his website and i find he lives here in israel and he offers 10 week courses at his woodcraft school.so i need to decide if i want to take a short course with a local guy for not too much money or a longer more structured course with a well known professional for a bit more money.

 

[Russell]

milkjam Eli is well regarded in the UK I have watched him demonstrate on several occasions, he does use some slightly different tools to most turners but that shouldn't be a problem. he is very good

 

[Mark Hancock]

Hi Milkjam

Welcome to the forum.

Eli is a well respected turner worldwide and produces some wonderful work. You may find his design of tools a little too specialist compared to traditional turning tools - most of his tools have either a convex bevel or double bevels which he designed with the work he produces in mind such as his dreidel boxes.

If you're interested PM me and I'll put you in touch with another turner in Israel who may be able to give you more information about turners in your area.

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Milkjam and welcome
Paul.J.

 

[Mark Hancock]

You may know of this already but I just found the Israel Association of Woodturners site http://www.israelwood.org/main.asp?cat=site