Warning: Advice for a newbie...

[MarcW]

Hi all,

Having in mind now for over a year to dive in turning, because, mainly making furniture, it is sometimes useful to make a handle or a knob or... I decided buying a small jet wood lathe, the JML 1014 model, maybe with the bed extension, don't know yet. That's definitely my problem, not being aware of what I need. So that's why I ask you, esteemed wood turners, which accessories and tools do I need to get started? What is the minimal equipment without I can't start? Which turning tools? Which chuck, if so? My aim at the beginning is certainly long grain turning. Sharpening can be put aside, I'm well equipped on this side.

Thank you much in advance,

 

[Bodrighy]

Evening Marc,

Most people on here will advise you to get the best lathe that you can afford and don't presume that you will get away with just getting one that is sufficient for turning knobs and handles. I never stops there :lol: To do that you could get one of the small 'portable' lathes made for pen turning but if you can give us an idea of budget, space available etc I am sure that you will be inundated with good expert advice. In the meantime there is a thread with the lathes that we all own on this forum that might be worth browsing through.

You will need to buy good quality tools, you won't need too many to start, but cheap ones are a false economy.

Pete

 

[MarcW]

Hi Pete,

I think the small Jet lathe is best I can afford, but I think too, that tools and accessories are as important as the lathe. The 1014 will swallow half my budget (500 GBP). Space, no problem I could easily install a larger model like a 1442. I limit my own on this small scale model, because actually I want to limit myself on long grain, because furniture making is my main thing.

I like good quality tools, you run into open doors :lol: What do you think of Robert Sorby, I have some chisels which really hold the edge? But which one would I need apart a roughing gouge... :?:

Given the lathe is small, I wouldn't mind selling it later on and upgrading to a somewhat larger model, but at the moment I want to find out if turning is a good slope? :lol:

Thank you Pete and have a nice day,

 

[PowerTool]

Hi Marc - as a basic set of chisels,I would get a roughing gouge,skew,smaller spindle gouge,and possibly a parting tool.
For spindle turning,I wouldn't get a chuck to start with - turn it all between centres,allow a bit spare at the ends,and part off when complete.
All the UK HSS chisel manufacturers (Robert Sorby,Ashley Isles,Crown etc.) are of a good standard,so it's just personal preference from there.

Then headlong down another steep slope... :wink:

Andrew

 

[Bodrighy]

Morning,

As Andrew said, a chuck, which can cost more than a small lathe, is not really a necessity until you start doing a lot of face work. You would probably get a face plate with the lathe as standard anyway. Tools are a very individual thing but you will find that if you can get used to the ones Andrew mentioned you will not really need anything else for spindle work. Only other thing I would suggest is getting hold of Keith Rowleys' Foundation Course, a book that is often on E-bay, really worth having for all sorts of tips and a few projects.

Health Warning

Turning is very addictive and is an extremely slippery slope!!!

Pete

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Marc,

have you considered second hand? I bought a lathe in January; the tools that came with it were worth loads more than the lathe. If I'd have bought new I'd have run out of money well before getting everything I needed.

The free-ads papers (and online sections) are worth a trawl.

Dave

 

[CHJ]

Hi Marc,

There is not a lot to choose between the steel quality in the standard tool range from Sorby, Hamlet, Crown, Ashley Isles. but there is a great deal of difference in the balance in the hand due to the differing handle forms and sizing.

I personally started with a cheaper 'set' but find that half of them are little used now, not because the steel is not good enough but because the balance/sizing is not to my liking, this only shows when you start to leave them in the rack in favour of a different tool. (one day they will get re-handled/ground to differing form or suchlike)

With my hands and methods I get on better with a mixture of Hamlet and Crown tools, these have been chosen from the tool displays when looking for a particular cutting form by handling them and picking the model which felt right in the hand.

Crown tools tend to have smaller handles and are great for maximum feel, Hamlet are usually a little longer but good balance and are easier to control on slightly heavier cuts, Sorby tend to be bigger handled still and of a slightly differing form.

The above comments are just my personal take on tools but I don't think they are misleading, my advice would be to get Keith Rowley's Book Pete referred to and select the minimum of tools shown in that for spindle turning.

Beware of the skew chisels for spindle turning, although a very versatile tool for many tasks it is an art form in its own right for planing cuts and is probably the tool that causes most grief for a newcomer, leave its mastering (for planing cuts) until you understand the cutting action of the other tools.

The advise to look out for second hand kit is very valid, although difficult to assess if you do not have previous knowledge, a quick shout for an opinion hereon the forum regarding any kit found would soon give an idea if it is worth the asking price or should be avoided at all costs for any reason (there are a few lemons out there)

 

[MarcW]

Thank you Pete, Dave, Andrew and Chas. for your input

I had one book on wood turning, it is Keith Rowley's book, just in German. So I have some translation problem but I can cope with I'm actually at ease reading a chuck isn't needed for spindle work, it'll make the day for my budget.

Speaking tools, there are many sizes of each form on the market even by one brand, so I'd be glad you could point me to the right ones, bearing in mind, that I'll make above all small handle scale spindle work. First the roughing gouge, at Robert Sorby it is available in 3/4 and in 1 1/4 inch, instinctively I'd choose the big one, because coarse work, big tool? Good or overkill? The small spindle gouge, a standard 6 mm or a fingernail 10 mm, is there a difference?

Handles generally have holes, sometimes going from end to end. What equipment apart a drill chuck and drill bit is necessary?

Thank you again for your guidance on the slope

 

[Paul.J]

Hello Marc.
Seeing as how your into furniture making,i'd have thought you'd be better off with a bigger lathe for turning legs etc.
You can pick up cheap lathes just to try,but do buy decent hand tools which you can always keep.
Then if you think you are happy with the turning treat yourself to a better lathe if you need.
Paul.J.

 

[MarcW]

Thanks Paul,

That's good advice and exactly what I intended to do

 

[MarcW]

Hi all,

I wanted to thank you again for your good advice. I got the tools on thursday and could do my first two turnings today. Slippery slope has begun 8) :lol:

Cheers

 

[DaveL]

Marc,

Very nice and even better that you made them yourself. =D>

 

[paulm]

Look great Marc and an excellent idea.

What kind of fitting did you use for the bit holders, are they just normal power drill quick release holders ?

Cheers, Paul.

 

[PowerTool]

What fantastic pieces
Both look very professional,and have that quality I much admire in all aspects of woodworking - they make me want to pick them up!

Here's to many more fine turnings ccasion5:

Andrew

 

[Paul.J]

Great start Marc
Looking forward to seeing some more of your turnings.
Paul.J.

 

[MarcW]

Dave, Paul,

Thanks! The bit holder is from Wera, German brand, they have good stuff - www.wera.de - quick release chuck.

Cheers