Well, I bought a lathe today! In a very unusual alignment of the stars, a used one in great condition came up for sale here on the west side of Puget Sound (islanders don’t often get such opportunities). So, for someone who knows next to nothing about turning, what book(s) should I get to get started safely?
forestgirl — you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can’t take the forest out of the girl 😉
Edited 8/6/2007 2:10 am by forestgirl
Replies
Hi, Forestgirl,
I love it when someone asks for a book recommendation!
Allow me to suggest a classic book, "The Practical Wood Turner", by F. Pain. Originally written in 1956 and then republished several times since. My copy, bought second hand, was published in 1979 by Stirling Publishing Co. I believe it is long out of print by now, though. I bought this book because it had been praised in an article in a wood mag many years ago.
Mr. Pain, a witty, likable Brit, states in his introduction that he had been associated with wood turning for fifty years. He spent several years in production work and then opened his own custom turning shop. When he retired, he traveled around giving demonstrations.
He said he preferred teaching boys and ladies because they did what he told them. At least about turning! Men, he said, force the tools around, but the tools, he insists, "will do the job if only you hold them right".
Speaking at a teacher's refresher course on education, he told the audience: "Many children who cannot express themselves in other ways such as music or mathematics can excel in wood turning; in fact some who might be called idiots are extremely good with their hands, and that is why I'm so good at it."
His motto is: "My aim is to show you how to cut wood as it prefers to be cut." Notice, "cut", not scraped?! I love Norm Abrams, great guy, but it pains me to watch the flakes of wood come off his turning chisel.
Maybe the two best bits of advice he offers is what profile is best for a tool rest on a lathe and the admonition to hold the tool so the bevel rubs the wood. If the rest is shaped properly, the tool can be held properly. A properly held tool will pull continuous strands of wood like thread off a bobbin. He also discusses the appropriate use of scraping and several other useful techniques.
Collect a bunch of books, and videos too! But try to get a copy of "The Practical Wood Turner", you won't be sorry.
Cheers,
Randy
Randy, thanks for the detailed and intriguing description of Pain's book, I will definitely look for it!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
forestgirl, just a note to pass on the AAW URL. Try posting turning questions there too. Also, there are some local chapters in your area. You should try to attend some of the chapter meetings and you could probably get some hands on instruction.
Our local chapter has books and DVDs in a library available for check out to members.
http://www.woodturner.org/
Steve
Steve, thanks! There's a chapter in Bremerton, which is about 35-40 mins from my little island, on the Kitsap Peninsula. I will definitely check them out!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
FG
"Turning" by Richard Raffan, Taunton Press is a classic. He makes the entire process so clear you "feel" what he is saying.
And, as you say you wish to turn "safely", I would suggest the purchase of one of those face shield/helmets with a battery-powered, filtered blower. I'm not much of a turner but I found that turning dust really affected my allergies.
Frosty
"I sometimes think we consider the good fortune of the early bird and overlook the bad fortune of the early worm." FDR - 1922
Thanks for the tip on the face mask/respirator. I may have to put that on my Christmas list.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Let me second the dust collection and face protection suggestions. Shortly after I started turning I turned some Spanish cedar for fence post tops and the dust was terrible -- headaches, nose irritation etc. Even some skin reactions. The dust gets everywhere, even with good dust collection.Dan Carroll
Forestgirl,
I have the same Jet lathe that you just bought. It has served me well. The best thing that you can do to improve it really easy and WELL worth the few minutes it takes. Get a piece of MDF or plywood and make a shelf to fit in the bottom frame. Then pile as much weight as you can on it. Mine has 7 bags of sand @ 50 pounds each. That will had a lot of stability - you'll need it if you turn bowls. As others have said, turning can be addictive. I agree with earlier recommendations that you play with free green wood if you can find it.
As far as books, I find it was hard for me to learn a great deal from them, but after watching the Raffan video, and one on bowl turning by Del Stubbs, then going back to the Raffan book was very helpful. Also, as mentined by others, see if you have a turners club in your area - turners tend to be nice folks :)
John L
John, thanks for posting! I do indeed plan to watch some videos. Haven't made it to the library yet, but am hoping they have some DVD's there.
Question: Do I need that spanner wrench that's original equipment with the lathe? The guy I bought it from didn't have it, couldn't find it.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
<<Question: Do I need that spanner wrench that's original equipment with the lathe? The guy I bought it from didn't have it, couldn't find it.>>
I don't have one either (I bought mine used too). Maybe the spanner was to remove the faceplate? I just use channel-lock pliers. Not too elegant, but they work.
I have read that weight makes a big difference. I don't have that worry but I know I'll have others. These "I'm new at this" threads are going to be a big help to me too, Forestgirl. Thanks!
I bought a lathe at a tool auction several years ago and just got to actually start using it last year. It started out as a Sears lathe (36") but the past owner replaced the motor with a bigger one, extended it out to 6' long and mounted it to a substantial amount of 1/4" steel plate. It weighs a couple of hundred pounds now (or so my back tells me).
All I've tried is spindle turning. Typically, for me, I went right to it and stuck some walnut on there and have turned out some highly practical rolling pins with only a couple of them that broke in the process.
My big issues are going to be getting it tightened up, if I can, and figuring out how to get different chucks on there so I can try bowls too.
Dan, I hear ya on the dust collection. I, too, can have problems with cedar, and I keep it off my skin if at all possible. Seems like it'd be nice to just build a tent around the lathe, keep the dust out of the rest of the shop!
The gods are conspiring to keep me out of the shop. Just when I thought I'd have some time to get back out there, we discovered ants had invaded one of our laundry room walls where moisture had collected from a leaky gutter, and devoured half the wall. We've spent the last week tearing the wall apart, pulling out studs, and rebuilding. At least we got a new window out of it. Sheesh, it never ends!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
forestgirl,
Sheesh, it never ends! You sound surprised!
Unwritten Law for Homeowners: It never ends or the morgage is cheap compared to the maintenance! Hey that's the fun of homeownership.
Besides we all know how much you enjoy woodworking. It might not be furniture but it has it's own set of challenges.
Just to make you feel better I have a 28' wall that is so rotted out I don't know what's holding it up! I have to tear it all down, excavate, pour a footing-short wall and rebuild the whole thing. B4 snow flies!
In this frost patch of the world that ain't far away.
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Edited 9/12/2007 12:38 pm ET by KiddervilleAcres
Careful of the mold. When we moved into our house, we had some interesting 'brick' press board over the sheet rock. Add a blizzard, a fast melt, some ice dams in bad places and the end result was a great deal of water got in via the bilco door well. The walls behind the 'brick' were black with mold when I pulled stuff off. I kept on going back to the cinder block. After some patching an painting, it nice s=down there, but there is not any 'brick' or sheet rock. Just painted cinder block and no mold. One room is my shop ( I could not talk my wife into the large room with the fireplace). Dan Carroll
There was a defect in our gutter and eaves that was causing the water to go down into that wall. Nick's fixing that, and all the bad studs, sheathing and dry wall are gone. We should be OK. I hate mold!!! :>|forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
All the books mentioned so far are great - I bought them before I had a lathe so "I would be ready." However I do suggest you take the time to find a woodturner - it could be someone in the business of turning - or simply a reference from the local Woodcraft store or similar supply store.
Visiting someone for an hour or so - take a coffee and pastry with you for the turner - will help temendously. Just watch them turn - from setting up the piece - to the final finishing on the lathe.
I was fortunate to introduce woodworking to inner city "at risk" high school students and we always took trips to shops that actually did the work before we attempted it. We were very close to two excellent turners - one who turned baseball bats out of exotic woods that the actual players would buy and give away as presents (Cal Ripkin is a customer). The students saw all the techniques used by the turner and then went back to the shop to try their hand at it.
And the second turner had lathes up to 20 ft. long for reproducing columns on historic homes. And he showed all of us the technique for wet turning cedar bowls - we all walked away with lots of enthusiasm and we married the observations with the lathe texts back at school.
Good luck and enjoy that lathe - it is very relaxing!
One of my Knots/WWA friends gave me a session on his big Powermatic lathe during a visit awhile back. Wish he lived closer (it's a 3-hour or so drive), but I'm sure I'll meet people at the AAW chapter, maybe even someone from the island. Thanks.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Turning green wood by Michael O'Donnell. If you're new to turning I suggest starting with green wood. a- if you're creative you can find the wood free - some cities have wood lots that allow you to pick wood that the city has cut down. b- If the wood is free you'll be lest likely to care if you mess up a project, therefore, you'll be more creative and free to explore the possibilities of turning. b- turning green is also nicer. the long moist shavings coming of a piece of wood is sublime.
that being said, m. o'donnell's book is a well written and useful book.
cheers
I'll look for that book. Fortunately, living where I do (rural-ish, lots of forest), trees come to me. For instance, the huge willow that went down on our property last month. And there are two cherry growth-thingies (senioritis -- I just forgot the word for these) on a tree next to our driveway.
Would you have specific instructions for picking out some good wood from the willow? Most of the trunk has been salvaged, but there's part of the bottom block that isn't splintered, and a few branches, but all are 9" and under.
View Imageforestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Nice lathe! Robert Sorby has turning demonstrations all over the world at various times. I attended one at the local Rockler. I've switched to the Spindlemaster for spindle work and you won't find this tool in any books. There is a demo coming up in Washington, Oct 4 at the Spokane Woodcraft. Two more in Seattle Oct 5-6.
http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/demonstrations.htm
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Thanks for the link, Seattle works for me!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl:
Don't know what the "best" book on lathes is, but I wound up with two copies of "Lathe Fundamentals" by Rick Peters, a Popular Mechanics Publication. It's pretty basic but just what I needed to get started (after a few classes at Woodcraft) I'd be glad to send it to you, gratis.
Also a great website is Woodturner's Resource. Lots of tutorials, message boards, etc.
Dennis Barley
Dennis, thanks! I'll email my addy. Sounds like it'd be a good starting point. Will check out the web site you ref'd too.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I believe that ones life experiences and training determines if any particular book is the "best", the "worst", or somewhere in between. I am a physicist and think like a physicist in everything I do. With that as a warning I would suggest the woodturning books by Mike Darlow. If you read them you will know why you should or should not do anything. Then it is only the "small matter" of letting your skills catch up to your knowledge. One or two lifetimes should do it. Seriously, see if you can take a look at one of Darlow's books. I suspect you will either love it or hate it. Good luck!
I think it's titled: Practical Woodturning. By Dale Nish.
Welcome to the seductive art of turning, you’ll never be the same…
Any book or DVD by Rafan, he is in my opinion the best.
I'd concur with the recommendation of the DVD "Turning Wood," by Richard Raffan. I like to read books about woodworking techniques and I learn a lot that way. But actually seeing it done is even more valuable.
To see Raffan move around the lathe, hold the tools - and especially the speed at which he works and his economy of motion - gave me very good insights into what was permissible on the lathe and what was not in terms of safety, and taking techniques and equipment to their limits.
I still go back from time to time to look at this DVD when something has me stumped about a certain technique. It's not a complete woodturning course. But by demonstrating his practice work and a few projects, you get a feel for how what he teaches can be applied in other instances. In short, it opens up your mind about turning..It's an excellent place to start.
Zolton* Some people say I have a problem because I drink hydraulic brake fluid. But I can stop any time I want.
"To see Raffan move around the lathe, hold the tools - and especially the speed at which he works and his economy of motion - gave me very good insights into what was permissible on the lathe and what was not in terms of safety, and taking techniques and equipment to their limits." Very perceptive, I'm sure watching him will help a great deal. All the Knots insight is making me impatient, but I'll have to get this "home-remuddling" project done first. I'm thinking 2 weeks -- by that time I'll have a couple books in hand too! Thanks, Zolton.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl:When you get a chance to get off of the "Island", take a trip to the Woodworkers Store in Sumner. The have a great assortment of tools, wood and books. There is also a WW Chapter there. Ray
I love the Sumner store! Tha's where I bought my Steel City bench-top mortiser. I was fighting the ferry schedule, so didn't get to browse the books, but will get back there one of these days. Love the island, but love to get out and about too!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Don't overlook your local library(s). Look for books and videos. Welcome to the vortex and kiss your extra $ goodbye. Do hook up with a local turning club and go to the work sessions. Lot of info to be had just for asking and observing
Thanks, I'll be stopping by the library. Have recently seen a couple of forum threads where people are giving very positive feedback on specific WWing DVDs.
PS: Does "arkriver" refer to an Arkansas river?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Yes, I fish the Arkansas here in Colo a lot
Forestgirl, I thought you had every tool a woodworker could have by now? Anyway, Welcome to the wonderful world of turning and how to make even more wood chips than with any other power tool known to man. I'm new myself this last year to turning but really enjoy turning as an addition to my other wood working interests. Let me know how you do with the skew chisel, its been the hardest tool to learn and I'm always looking for advice. Good luck and you'll soon learn the turners definition of a 'catch' [design change].
Yes, I understand the skew is a challenge. The Popular Mechanics book (started with that one, lots of pictures LOL) goes into it extensively (thanks, Oatman, for the copy!). I think I'll try the type that has a rounded profile on the leading corner. Since the skew that came with the lathe needs to be reground (he over heated the tools) I can do that.
I'm sure I used a skew the one time I did a little turning, at Dennis' (different Dennis from Oatman) house. Survived pretty OK, but he was there to correct me the second I started to do something risky.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 9/10/2007 11:46 am by forestgirl
Jamie:
I find the skew most useful when using a "peel cut" with the "pointy" side to the left. This works great for making tenons on lidded boxes, for example. I also think the type of wood makes a big difference when using the skew in the traditional manner. When we used it on poplar at the Woodcrsft class I took it worked great, but at home on Bubinga, watch out! Make sure its sharp and keep the bebel rubbing.
Hope you're having fun making wood chips.
Dennis
The practical wood turner by F.Pain, taught me to use a skew. Learn to use the skew and no other tool will intimidate you.
I have the Pain book too, compliments of a generous Knots member. I expect it will be a great help, and I'll review the skew info before I start!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
The Richard Raffan video and book from Taunton deal with it, too, but I've been nearly dysfunctional with it (the scew, that is).
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