Replies

1. 
   bill5335 | Jan 24, 2008 08:31pm | #1

   How do I handle "difficult" grain when turning a bowl?  My method is to sharpen my scraper as sharp as I can, then take as light a cut as I can.  Do you have any better techniques? (Then sand like hell...)

   Typically I try to do a rough turning while the wood is green and finish the turning after it dries out.

   Bill

2. 
   Michigan Dave | Jan 24, 2008 08:47pm | #2

   Please tell me about lathe speed control, especialy when starting with a wood billet to be rounded into a table leg.  Some say start at slow speed, but others say that to round over square edges, faster speeds (mid-range) are better.  It is confusing to me.

   Further, for what operations are the slowest speeds used and for what operations are the fastest speeds used?  I would guess that safety issues come into play as well as quality of cut issues.  Should speed settings vary with the tool being used (ie, large gouges, finger gouges, skews, etc).  Also, do "speed setting rules" vary between stick (between centers) turning and bowl turning?  How does lathe speed vary between outside bowl work and inside bowl work?

   Thanks,

   Michigan Dave

3. 
   kaz | Jan 24, 2008 11:32pm | #3

   David,

   I have watched a few videos on woodturning on the web and on DVD and as a new woodturner I can tell you that no one talks about what goes through their mind as they look at a blank on the lathe and what the end design should / could be. Even pointers on things like ... if this is what you want to make then start with a blank with these typical characteristics. I understand that there are always surprises in the wood that change your initial design but not everytime out. Understanding what the design choice requires in a blank and how that needs to be adjusted as you turn the piece would be very beneficial.

   Thanks for all the great information and help that Fine Woodworking, Finewoodworking.com and the community of fellow woodworkers provide all of us beginners!

   John

4. 
   royh | Jan 25, 2008 03:05am | #4

   I would appreciate a Glossary of 'techincal' jargon used in woodturning
   For example (but not limited to):

   1) What is Swing? Lathes are described as having a 6" swing. Does that mean you can mount a 6" blank maximum or a 12" blank maximum?

   2) Tool types - for example, Gouges: Spindle vs bowl vs fingernail vs roughing etc. Same for Scrapers: left hand vs right hand vs end grain etc.

   Thanks for the opportunity to learn!

   Roy

5. 
   flairwoodworks | Jan 26, 2008 09:13am | #5

   David,

   I think that an article on what makes a great lathe great would be awesome.  I wouldn't focus so much on how brand X is better than brand Y, but more on what key features to look for.  Features like variable speed, mass, runout, Morse tapers, spindle threads, handwheels, horse power, etc.  Many turners make their own lathes.  How about a basic plan for a lathe, which the individual reader can customize to meet their needs.  For example:  provide plans for a lathe with a short (~24") bed with, say a 5" swing over the bed.  A spindle turner could lengthen the bed to 48" or longer, while a bowl turner could shorten or elimate it altogether.  Thanks for asking for ideas - it really gets me thinking.  Now I have another project at the end of a very long list!

   Chris @ flairwoodworks

    - 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

6. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 26, 2008 05:04pm | #6

   OK, I have no class so here goes..

   Yesterday I watched the video on

   http://www.woodmagazine.com/wood/file.jsp?item=video/player&temp=yes&bcpid=979295690&bclid=1338929761&bctid=1357340884

   Hope the link is correct...

   I wanted to see the 'Dovetail Showdown' and I saw the video 'Turned Toothpick'.. Some guy using the little RICON lathe (No I do not have one but I do have the 18 inch bandsaw (I like it ALOT).

   Anyway, My first thought was.. That would make a GREAT tool review.. As in the same guy turning the same sized object on different tools for review..

   Any tool.. Not just woodturning..

   I'm the type that does not belive what I read but what I SEE (or thought I saw!) is a different matter. OK.. SO you can fudge ALOT with a well edited video.. But..

7. 
   danmart | Jan 26, 2008 05:38pm | #7

   My request is for some video or demonstration of spindle turning. Please include use of the skew. I have seen some good stuff on the spindle gauge but I want more on the skew.

   Interests:

   Straight edge or curved?

   Hollow grind then bevel angle?

   Cutting with toe or heel when rolling a bead?

   Leave the edge of the tool with square edges or round them?

   I have the traditional flat skews sharpened on the wheel with a straight skew hollow ground. A little work on the stone and back to the spindle. I'd like to hear and see some other information from other turners.

   Photos: spindle types for chairs.

    

   
   

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   Edited 1/26/2008 9:38 am ET by danmart