New turner looking for info

[ethanferguson]

Hi all,

I just got my first lathe for hobby woodworking. I’m looking for good information to get me started in turning such as books, websites or YouTube channels.

I’ve been working wood for dozens of years (hand tool and power tool) and have wanted a lathe for awhile, so I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube and read a couple beginners books on turning, got home and felt dumb trying to chuck up my first piece. It got done, but wasn’t pretty

 

[Dee2]

Take a class. Go to a turning symposium. F2F and hands-on training are recommended.

 

[Henry W]

Ethan - been there - done that. Bought a used lathe, then looked at it and said - now what?!
(Not quite, I bought it used and the seller gave me a quick lesson and told me about the difference between spindle gouges and bowl gouges).

Gene suggestions of real in person demo and assistance and training is in fact a great thing. You don't list your location, but maybe someone local can stop by with some pointers and assistance. A class is a great idea if you can swing it. Many events that NCWW supports has the minilathes available to use a bit, and that would be a great source. I think Cary store has a anniversay coming up in September, but that is a ways off. I haven't been through the u-tube stuff, but really learned the most reading Richard Raffan books.

Not to be too obvious, but spindle work (grain with the length of the lathe) and faceplate (chuck) with grain perpendicular can be or are very different scenarios.

 

[ethanferguson]

Take a class. Go to a turning symposium. F2F and hands-on training are recommended.

Thanks, I’m looking at classes now. Was wondering what else I can look at in the mean time to get up to speed. Currently trying my hand at turning a replica of the piece on the right.

 

[Mike Davis]

I started 40 years ago with a $10 lathe and a screwdriver as my only turning tool. Made a small walnut vase and lots of tool handles. Then go a slightly better lathe and an old set of Craftsman tools. Burned up the motor turning a cannonball bed frame for my daughter’s doll. 1/5 hp doesn’t go far…


First ever turning made with a screwdriver.

Daughter’s doll bed.

If I can help let me know. When I started there was no internet and no video training to watch. I didn’t know anyone to ask for help. I had to figure out everything for myself.

I don’t want anyone to have to go through that if I can help.

 

[ethanferguson]

Ethan - been there - done that. Bought a used lathe, then looked at it and said - now what?!
(Not quite, I bought it used and the seller gave me a quick lesson and told me about the difference between spindle gouges and bowl gouges).

Gene suggestions of real in person demo and assistance and training is in fact a great thing. You don't list your location, but maybe someone local can stop by with some pointers and assistance. A class is a great idea if you can swing it. Many events that NCWW supports has the minilathes available to use a bit, and that would be a great source. I think Cary store has a anniversay coming up in September, but that is a ways off. I haven't been through the u-tube stuff, but really learned the most reading Richard Raffan books.

Not to be too obvious, but spindle work (grain with the length of the lathe) and faceplate (chuck) with grain perpendicular can be or are very different scenarios.

I’m just south of Chapel Hill, just updated my profile. Thanks for the heads up on grain direction. I’ll keep that in mind before I get there

 

[ethanferguson]

I started 40 years ago with a $10 lathe and a screwdriver as my only turning tool. Made a small walnut vase and lots of tool handles. Then go a slightly better lathe and an old set of Craftsman tools. Burned up the motor turning a cannonball bed frame for my daughter’s doll. 1/5 hp doesn’t go far…


First ever turning made with a screwdriver.
View attachment 230401

Daughter’s doll bed.
View attachment 230402

If I can help let me know. When I started there was no internet and no video training to watch. I didn’t know anyone to ask for help. I had to figure out everything for myself.

I don’t want anyone to have to go through that if I can help.

Awesome Mike! Amazing what you did with a screwdriver.

 

[bob vaughan]

Probably the best suggestion I can offer is to learn how to get your tools razor sharp with what resources you have. After that, turning is easier. A LOT easier.

 

[Michael Mathews]

Ethan, I'm in Chapel Hill right off exit 266 of 40. I'd be happy to give you some pointers on my lathe at my shop. I'll send you a DM with my contact info.

 

[ethanferguson]

Probably the best suggestion I can offer is to learn how to get your tools razor sharp with what resources you have. After that, turning is easier. A LOT easier.

I’ll be looking to get some hss tools soon and learn to sharpen them. For now I picked up a pack of carbide tools from a store in Cary to get started.

 

[tbrad]

Ethan, the Chapel Hill WoodTurners club is an excellent place to get one on one instruction. For a nominal fee they have open turning sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. They have an organized curriculum of skills to learn and you have access to the shop lathes and tools and members are very helpful and patient. That is where I started to learn about a year ago. A great group of people!

 

[ethanferguson]

Ethan, the Chapel Hill WoodTurners club is an excellent place to get one on one instruction. For a nominal fee they have open turning sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. They have an organized curriculum of skills to learn and you have access to the shop lathes and tools and members are very helpful and patient. That is where I started to learn about a year ago. A great group of people!

Thanks Tim! I’ll look into it

 

[petebucy4638]

Hi all,

I just got my first lathe for hobby woodworking. I’m looking for good information to get me started in turning such as books, websites or YouTube channels.

I’ve been working wood for dozens of years (hand tool and power tool) and have wanted a lathe for awhile, so I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube and read a couple beginners books on turning, got home and felt dumb trying to chuck up my first piece. It got done, but wasn’t pretty

A good starting point would be Richard Raffan and Tomislav Tomasic's videos on Youtube.

There are plenty of other good turners making videos too.

 

[pcooper]

All great suggestions, also you might look into a turner's woodworking club, there's several around, they'll give you lots of pointers and demo's that will be good.

 

[kreisdorph]

A good starting point would be Richard Raffan and Tomislav Tomasic's videos on Youtube.

There are plenty of other good turners making videos too.

Both master turners. Richard Raffan and Tomislav both use odd grinds and/or traditional tools used in non-traditional ways. Is it better to learn from them, or from a traditionalist? I don't know, I'm honestly asking that question.

 

[kreisdorph]

For online instruction, I highly recommend Turn a Wood Bowl. You will get a solid foundation, as well as learning some nifty advanced tricks. If you don't mind spending a little, his paid courses are very good. If I had only $90 to spend, I think I would buy his tool sharpening course. Very valuable. His other courses are good, too, but you can get a lot of what is in them by watching his free videos.

 

[petebucy4638]

I started 40 years ago with a $10 lathe and a screwdriver as my only turning tool. Made a small walnut vase and lots of tool handles. Then go a slightly better lathe and an old set of Craftsman tools. Burned up the motor turning a cannonball bed frame for my daughter’s doll. 1/5 hp doesn’t go far…



If I can help let me know. When I started there was no internet and no video training to watch. I didn’t know anyone to ask for help. I had to figure out everything for myself.

I don’t want anyone to have to go through that if I can help.

That is pretty good for a screwdriver!

 

[Bear Republic]

YouTube has some great examples of turning and you can find specifics on one subject or another. That can hold you over until you get a F2F class. Hands on leaning like that can do wonders. Like simple things, leaning to ride the bevel of your tool. It clicked for me in a class. Kingsport and Rockler have classes in Cary, Woodcraft in Raleigh.

 

[bob vaughan]

keep us updated on your progress and new turnings.

 

[mkepke]

Both master turners. Richard Raffan and Tomislav both use odd grinds and/or traditional tools used in non-traditional ways. Is it better to learn from them, or from a traditionalist? I don't know, I'm honestly asking that question.

Yeah, I'm a shade-tree turner, but I wouldn't recommend a starting turner try roughing a bowl without tailstock support - or using spindle gouges for that job (Raffan's video). You'd need to know how to regrind a standard spindle gouge to do what Raffan shows in the video too. Ditto Tomislav's grind from the video.

Tomislav talked about the mediocre quality of the steel in "HSS" turning tools. Those are the only turning tools I've ever bent

-Mark