I’ve been doing some turning for a couple of years, trying to learn from videos and books. My results were OK but I always had to use a LOT of sandpaper 🙂
I just took a 3 day beginner’s course at Craft Supplies in Provo, UT. The class was taught by Rex Birningham and Paul Chilton. It was EXCELLENT! I learned so much – there’s nothing like seeing a live demo by a professional followed up by one-on-one instruction at the lathe. If you want to learn turning I HIGHLY recommend taking one of their courses! And the beautiful mountains in Provo were icing on the cake!
John L
Replies
John,
What did you learn that, I assume, reduced your sanding time? Sharper tools? A different angle or type of cut? A different tool? A sanding monkey?
I took a class with Mike Darlow when he was in town and it was great. For me, it was an insense introduction to a skew (I'm a bowl turner).
Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Chris,
Mostly it was the correct way to cut - angle, speed, and direction of the tool. Just a slight change from what I was doing made a huge difference. Something that was easy to learn from a professional turner who watched me and made suggestions but difficult. We did cover sharpening too but I was OK with that before the class.
But I like the sanding monkey idea :)
John
"Something that was easy to learn from a professional turner who watched me and made suggestions but difficult."
John,
This sentence isn't reading well. Did you mean easy to learn but difficult to... figure out yourself?
They sell sanding monkeys in Africa for $50. Replacement sanding mitts cost $5 each though.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
"Something that was easy to learn from a professional turner who watched me and made suggestions but difficult."
I think I understood what he said! But then again it was just plain English!
EDIT:
I typed it and sounds like a fight starting. NOT meant that way.. Sorry!
Edited 11/21/2008 7:12 am by WillGeorge
That's okay - no offense taken.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
Chris,
I guess I should proofread before hitting Post :) It should have read
"Something that was difficult to learn on my own but easy to learn from a professional turner who watched me and made suggestions."
I don't know how I typed the original sentence - maybe I have the "random cut and paste virus"
Anyway, it was a great course and well worth the money, except for the fact that after using a Oneway professional lathe, my Jet 1236 seems rather flimsy. Maybe there's a Powermatic in my future!
John
john,
i tried to learn woodcarving from reading books. it was very difficult. finally i was able to take lessons from none other than nora hall. she pushed me into proficiencies that would have taken me years to discover on my own. later, i was able to glean much from books. i learned to cut dovetails from tage frid's book. the basics are best learned from direct contact with the masters. for me, once the fundamentals are in place, and only then, can i learn from reading and study.
eef
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