Turning

[Paul/Sarnia Ont]

Just read through the newest Canadian Woodworking Mag,I was impressed with J.P.Raps turning for beginners article. I am in the process of finishing my dream shop.
My father in law is giving me a full size lathe as a shop-warming present. I have no experience in turning (other than, many many years ago in highschool.) Looking forward to his future articles.
Are there any books or videos out there anyone would recommend?
I will post pics of my shop later on today.

Paul K

[drew Peacock]

Try any of Richard Raffins tapes (LV or perhaps the library)
If there is a guild near you contact them to become a member.

For books agian Raffin is good.
Mike Darlow is pretty good for a beginner too.
There is a turning magazine I believe called "Turning Wood".
There have been some good articles in that over the last year. Again look in your local library for previous copies.

Take your time and practice a bit before you buy too many accessories . Turning is quite addictive.
Everything that is round is not necessarily beautiful. {smile}

p.s. buy a chainsaw- you are going to need it.
Drew

[Brent in Montreal]

Hi Paul,

Like you I have very little experience on a lathe, but it's on the top of my list of machines to buy. I found Ernie Conover's "The Lathe Book" and Keith Rowley's "Woodturning..A Foundation Course" to be good and informative. Both books explain what to look for in a machine and in tools and accessories. They both (but especially Rowley) walk you through your first attempts at turning.

Brent

[Garrett in Victoria]

that I can offer is to not/not start with books and videos.

You won't appreciate the subtleties and you will get frustrated. Worse, you will also establish bad habits that Will be hard to break.

Instead, find a turning club or group in your area and try to join it. For the first couple of meetings listen and watch. You'll soon know who in the group are the most respected. Then approach one with whom you feel you could establish a rapport and ask if you could come and watch him/her (lots of exceedingly good female turners) during a turning session. If you like what you see and the person explains well as (s)he does the work, ask for some lessons or a referral to someone who does teach, and be prepared to pay for them if necessary. Practice techniques until comfortable, and rather than trying to turn your first masterpiece for history, cut the pieces you turn in half to see how consistent they are in thickness and form.

Don't forget spindle turning. The lessons you get there, especially on the use of a skew, will be invaluable on hollow forms.

Once you're able to turn spindles and forms to the satisfaction of your teacher as well as yourself, THEN get the books and videos to continue your journey to the next stage(s).

This probably seems contrary to the oft-repeated expression that "Turning is instant gratification", but believe me, that expression is misleading. Like everything worthwhile, turning gives back just as much as is put into it, and demands skill to turn out well.

Cheers, Garrett
(Who did all of the above the wrong way round...)

[Paul/Sarnia Ont]

Thanks for the advice, I know it will take years to become semi good at any craft. I have been woodworking for 20 yrs and still have a lot to learn. I will seek out turners in my area,

Paul

[Brent in Montreal]

Hi Garrett,

I never looked at it from that angle. Sure does seem like good advise though. When I think back, I was watching and trying things long before I bought my first woodworking book. It gives you an idea of what you don't know and what a book or video can help you with.

Brent

[Bill "Hickory&am]

Paul, the secret to good turning is practice, not projects. I have a many a student turn (no pun) out to be a good turner because he followed directions and practiced using the chisels before attempting a project. All Lathe designs (spindle speaking) is a combination of eith Beads, coves and tapers. Master thes moves and you can master the spindle turning. I have my students (my grandson at the present time) Turn a spindle from a piece of 1 1/2" piece of stock and cut nothing but beads, all exactly the same. When you can make a row of beads the same then turn another and make a row of coves exactly the same. Also make tapers and dowels. Use a parting tool and cut to a measured line. Draw out a pattern and duplicate it. Or make a sample and then duplicate it. Learn to duplicate then the skill develops and you know you are doing what you want to do and not happenstance. Grind up a bunch of wood and master each of the chisels and gouges. then start with a simple project, I have my students start with a Mallot, everybody will need one with a lathe so why not make one. design the head and the handle, Etc. Etc. Practice makes purfect (or so they keep telling me) this holds true for lathe work. Use those (forbidden) books as guides, only. Read some and practice what you read. One tool at a time. Master the tools.

Best thing to do is make designer firewood and then design and make a project according to a written design. Don't become one of those Wanna-Be turners that refuses to make a plan and "Let the wood speak for itself" Bull Crap.

I could lecture on and on but will settle down and wait for specific questions on techniques.

I agree that you shouldn't rely on the books but they are good reference, Don't skip the books but don't try to assimalate all the info at once. Scan the info. Read about one tool and practice that tool till mastered. Then read on, etc. Just like in school.

[J.P.Rap in Hamilton]

Thanx Paul. Thats very kind of you to say.

Did you get the previous articles in the series? There is one more coming. Skew technique. I recieved the draft today and it should be out in the next issue. You may have noticed in each of the articles I stress the need for practice, practice, practice. Although I agree with most of what Bill said, I understand that few people have the patience to stand there and turn beads all day. However, starting out with turning a mallett is a great idea. I have a number of malletts I turned. Each one a little different. It's a great beginner project thats quite usefull when it's done.
Unfortunatly the next article will be the last for me for a while. All my tools are still either in boxes or in pieces. Im going to be way too busy for the next while to find time for writing...but I will be back.

Thanx again and I hope those articles help.
Regards.
J.P.

[Bill "Hickory&am]

Paul & J.P., I'm not advocating an all day marathon of bead turning. My point is to practice making beads, coves and tapers until you fill confident that you can produce them at your command. For some this will be after several of each in succession. Others, this will be the next millium. Far too often guys (gals) chuck up or Spindle a piece of wood and "today we turn Table legs" approach to turning without a clue as to what the final product will be or how to get there. Learn as you go techniques only foster bad habbits. Practice the skills and then make plans and apply them.

Paul I'm Waiting to see some of you work or some of your practice pieces. JP I'd like to see dome of your articles and I'm sure those who subscribe will miss seeing them whilst you "Get your act together"

[J.P.Rap in Hamilton]

I knew what you meant Bill. I was just being sarcastic. http://www.canadianwoodworking.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif
You've seen my work and I think you would agree that Im pretty good but I would be hard pressed to turn a spindle with a bunch of beads or coves all the same... unless I really worked at it.
Although I agree with you, I think the large majority of novices want to dig in and get going. Right or wrong it's whats going to happen most times. Thats why I suggested the mallett. It's a simple functional project thats good practice and if you mess it up, who cares?
Thake care.
J.P.

Oh ya...Thanx for the kind words.