Joining the dark side

[tvrgeek]

Well, after 50 or so years of hack-work and hopefully some decent woodwork, I have made the leap. Picked up the ubiquitous HF lathe from a very nice gentleman who just bought a big Laguna. Ordered some hopefully OK beginner gouges and will jump in off the deep end. I know, I should take a basic class at least when COVID allows.

 

[Martin Roper]

Good luck.

That's a long way off for me. I have not yet graduated from flat boards and 90° joints.

 

[Mike Davis]

I’m still teaching in Walnut Cove. $90 for a full day of one on one.

 

[tvrgeek]

Mike,
Ironic, a stones throw from where I picked up my lathe. I will keep that in mind as that would probably serve me well. Let me chew on it a bit.

 

[Henry W]

That's a long way off for me. I have not yet graduated from flat boards and 90° joints.

I'm envious that you can produce flat boards and 90 degree joints . Always a challenge!

 

[Henry W]

And good instruction is invaluable for a lathe - sharpening, tool introduction, wood holding.... and what NOT to do!

 

[Raymond]

I would tell you what NOT to do but I am still discovering those DOH moments.

 

[Oka]

I would recommend taking up Mike on some instruction for a day.
I had a guy do that for me years ago and that one day help point me the right direction and saved me alot of heart ache.

 

[tvrgeek]

Reminds me of a story my father told me about grad school. He had a prof. who had started and failed businesses a dozen times. No one can tell you how to make a successful business, but he could tell you a lot of things that won't.

 

[SabertoothBunny]

Slow-speed grinder with those cheap tools, preferably with CBN wheels, and a sharpening jib system like Wolverine's. WEN sells ones a great price point and Rikon usually puts theirs on sale for around $100. Regular grinders overheat the turning chisels, especially the cheap tools. I started with the red handled "professional" lathe tool set from Harbor Freight and it worked great to learn with. No real loss when sharpening failures happen and I have to reshape and lose more steel. Definitely take up the offers to learn to turn from more experienced turners, it is a completely different beast than traditional woodworking.

 

[Mike Davis]

The manufacturer warns that CBN is for tool steel only. If those cheap turning tools are carbon steel best use the old stones on your grinder. I have two grinders, one with CBN for tool steel and another one for carbon steel.

 

[Rwe2156]

I would have sold you my Jet. Its been sitting in the corner for 8 years.......

 

[tvrgeek]

My cheap set are supposed to be HSS. Anyway, I run white wheels on my low speed Rikon. They came today. Seem a little short. Maybe an early project is to make longer handles. A few more days for the Wolverine to get here.

Dr Bob, had it been on Craig's list...

 

[Martin Roper]

I'm envious that you can produce flat boards and 90 degree joints . Always a challenge!

Well, I did say I haven't graduated from that yet.

 

[tvrgeek]

90's I can do. 45's I am still perfecting.

 

[Warren]

NCState has night classes that are worth considering. I took them years ago as days were tied up consulting. Regardless, take classes from Mike or wherever you can.

 

[Mike Davis]

90's I can do. 45's I am still perfecting.

 

[Hmerkle]

View attachment 200317

Is that some MDF you had around?

 

[Mike Davis]

Is that some MDF you had around?

Put on your glasses Hank...

 

[tvrgeek]

Well, it took just a few minutes of Mike's great help to show me all my problems were DSO. ( Dumb Sh** Operator)

I can now move on to making a big mess and learning the skill. I do still think 120 is too course a grinding wheel so will pick up the Klingspor 150 next time I head to town. Looking at my wood-pile with a different eye now.

So I will get busy and then look for further instruction after I get a more "programed" feel.