For those that are more experienced turners (which is likely all of you) what sort of process do you use to get your stock to rough shape? I have been working with what could most kindly be called firewood; My process is very slow.
So far I've used a hatchet for rough trimming and then tried to pick the best line I could on the piece. I then dimple the end for the tail stock and drill a hole for the screw center on the head stock end. I then turn a tenon that my chuck will bite before moving on to roughing the piece to shape.
This works, but often as not I find a low spot where my splitting wandered and I have to scrap my blank.
Am I better to draw knife/bandsaw my pieces close to the shape I want prior to doing the finish work on the lathe?
Please share your technique!
So far I've used a hatchet for rough trimming and then tried to pick the best line I could on the piece. I then dimple the end for the tail stock and drill a hole for the screw center on the head stock end. I then turn a tenon that my chuck will bite before moving on to roughing the piece to shape.
This works, but often as not I find a low spot where my splitting wandered and I have to scrap my blank.
Am I better to draw knife/bandsaw my pieces close to the shape I want prior to doing the finish work on the lathe?
Please share your technique!