Has anyone collected "how to" threads here for beginners?

[Dave MacArthur]

Hi,
Wondering if anyone has written or compiled any threads of links to basics here? I like the multi-opinion format but haven't been able to find any beginner "how to" threads really. Been watching a ton of YouTube videos, which are great instruction also.

Has anyone written such threads, or bookmarked some into a sticky-type post? If not, what book would you recommend or DVD etc. for me? Just looking for some guidance for the "best learning bang for my time".

Background, learned some turning as a kid from Father on a large Rockwell, but have forgotten most of what I learned. Looking to get back into it.
Thanks much!

[Jeff Luedloff]

Dave, its always great to hear of a person interested in turning. you will find in the turning world everyone have their own style, techniques, and choice of which lathe is the best. my opinion of the two lathe you are looking at are great choices. if you are going to do large bowl mainly 3520b way to go, longer spindles the jet. I always tell everyone to go for the biggest and the heaviest lathe with the most options you can afford. i haven't heard anyone say i wish i got a smaller lathe..lol. larger motor 2hp or 3 hp and electronic variable speeds are a must in my lathe choice. but below are some links you might find very useful.
first link a local turning club check out their meetings club demos and see first hand on tools and techniques.

Arizona Woodturners Association
azwoodturners.org (http://azwoodturners.org/)
Boyd McDuffy – azwoodturner@aol.com
Phoenix, AZ

2nd link wood turning online has great info on learning to turn and projects.

http://www.woodturningonline.com/index.php

learn the safety on your lathe, and sharping of your tools first.
hope this helps you, got to go to work and welcome to the turning world.

[John Keeton]

Dave, there are some tutorial threads in the forum entitled Woodworking Articles and Reviews here on SMC. And, I would highly recommend the Grumbine DVDs, the Drozda DVDs, and the Raffan DVDs. I also have the Raffan book, The Art of Turned Bowls, and it is excellent as a reference material for form and the essential elements of a good bowl.

[Dave MacArthur]

Thanks much for the info!
After posting, I ended up finding some good Jet Tools how-to videos on YouTube for turning, and some vids of guys chopping up trunks into blanks... Ended up watching vids until 0230 AM! I felt bad about posting here for instruction when there were so many sources I just hadn't fully "searched", so I edited my post.

What I left out was that I'm interested in the PM 3520B and the Jet1642. If anyone has a line of a used one in AZ, let me know! ;)

I guess I may have a completely separate addiction besides woodworking, and that's READING about woodworking here at SMC! The turning forum in particular seems a tight community, and I guess I enjoy reading about someone scoring a good chunk of wood and seeing pics of beautiful work.