suggestions for a learners site

[Mike Olson]

some of you may know I just got a Lathe off CL. I also just picked up some Lathe tools from Harbor Freight which actually cost more than my lathe. Which reminds me. What does HF mean on the turners forum? it means Harbor Freight to me...

Anyhow. I have been looking for a pictorial site that will show what each tool is used for. Show a tool with a brief description along with a picture of what it can produce.

oh, I picked up these tools: 35444 (http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-high-speed-steel-turning-set-35444.html) I used a 20% off coupon.

I wanted the HSS ones that are on sale for $39 but they didn't have any at my local HF store. The ones I got seem like they are larger.

Thanks,
Mike

[Scott Hackler]

Mike, welcome to the vortex and hide the credit cards! I watch a lot of videos on youtube. I would start there and see if there is a local woodturners club for some hands on learning.

[John Keeton]

HF can mean Harbor Freight - or, it can mean hollow form. Congrats, and get the Grumbine DVD. It will give you the basic cuts, tool sharpening, etc.

[Michael James]

Those tools will work, do you have a grinder and know how to sharpen them? Im new to turning this yr too... but sharp tools cut better and are safer. At the seminar I was at Saturday, Jimmy Clewes stated, "they should just give you the lathe..... it's the cheapest part of the whole deal" Welcome aboard!:cool:
mj

You tube has stuff on, well everything... plenty to get you curious and started!

[Roger Chandler]

Welcome to the SawMill Creek Online Wood Turning Learning Institute! [SMC-OWTLI]

This whole forum is a learning tool no matter what level you are on...... and if you advance, John Hart and Alfred E Newman may just send you a diploma like they did me:D:D:D:D

You will have to check a previous thread to see what I'm talking about!:D

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=155205&d=1278422673

[David E Keller]

Ah, the plot thickens:D

Congrats on the new tools... I didn't see a bowl gouge in that set which I consider a necessity for bowl turning. You can do it with scrapers, but I think you'll want to consider a bowl gouge.

+1 on MJ said, you will need some what to sharpen your tools reliably.

The Grumbine DVD is a good one for basic bowl turning. Several of the big name turners have basics DVD's... I've got one from Jimmy Clewes that I still watch from time to time. Richard Raffan is another turner with a number of good instructional DVDs. If you want photos and written descriptions, Raffan'sTurning Wood is a book I've found helpful. You can kill a day or two watching videos on youtube... Lots of stuff there, but some of the techniques shown appear less than stellar.

If you can find somebody local, I would think that's the best learning resource around. I don't have anyone local that turns, so I watch a lot of DVD's and read a fair number of books.

Bon chance and ask questions here all you want.

[charlie knighton]

Roger, how old is newman now???????/ :eek::D

[John Hart]

Yeah..I'm with Roger...SMC is like the best place to learn. You can search all the history...ask any question....newbies and veterans alike are always willing to lend an ear and a little experience.

Turners are the finest people on the planet. I have never met so many people who are so willing to share their knowledge. It is an honor to be around these people.

There are no stupid questions....well...I ask stupid questions. But I ask!!! And I get answers.

Watch some videos to see what people do. Then learn to sharpen, before you put steel to wood.

And when you can snatch the pebble from my hand, grasshopper.....

[Roger Chandler]

Yeah..I'm with Roger...SMC is like the best place to learn. You can search all the history...ask any question....newbies and veterans alike are always willing to lend an ear and a little experience.

Turners are the finest people on the planet. I have never met so many people who are so willing to share their knowledge. It is an honor to be around these people.

There are no stupid questions....well...I ask stupid questions. But I ask!!! And I get answers.

Watch some videos to see what people do. Then learn to sharpen, before you put steel to wood.

And when you can snatch the pebble from my hand, grasshopper.....


Excellent advice Professor Hart! :D

[David E Keller]

And when you can snatch the pebble from my hand, grasshopper.....

Wait until he's been in the lacquer. I hear it dulls the reflexes which should make pebble snatching easier.

[John Hart]

Wait until he's been in the lacquer. I hear it dulls the reflexes which should make pebble snatching easier.

That's good advice...See? David has acquired wisdom. I think he's very close to a diploma!!

[Roger Chandler]

Roger, how old is newman now???????/ :eek::D


I'm not sure Charlie, but he is still attesting to academic achievements on the SMC-OWTLI, but it is a lifetime learning thing..........you may get a diploma, but you never really graduate! :eek:;):rolleyes::cool::D

[David E Keller]

I don't want to graduate... I'd have to get a job if I did.:cool:

[John Hart]

I don't want to graduate... I'd have to get a job if I did.:cool:

Good thinking..You could live off of tuition assistance and loans.

You are one smart cookie.;)

[Roger Chandler]

I don't want to graduate... I'd have to get a job if I did.:cool:

That is fine Dr. Keller, but ............. wouldn't another Diploma be nice to have hanging on your wall? After the Red Camphor HF, maybe Professor Hart could at least certify your achievement? ;)

[David E Keller]

That is fine Dr. Keller, but ............. wouldn't another Diploma be nice to have hanging on your wall? After the Red Camphor HF, maybe Professor Hart could at least certify your achievement? ;)

I've actually never hung a diploma on the wall, but then again, perhaps I've never received a diploma worth hanging. I believe my final exam regarding a certain piece of cherry burl could determine my educational status with Professor Hart.

[John Hart]

I've actually never hung a diploma on the wall, but then again, perhaps I've never received a diploma worth hanging. I believe my final exam regarding a certain piece of cherry burl could determine my educational status with Professor Hart.

You have wisdom beyond your years.:)

[Roger Chandler]

I've actually never hung a diploma on the wall, but then again, perhaps I've never received a diploma worth hanging. I believe my final exam regarding a certain piece of cherry burl could determine my educational status with Professor Hart.


Ahhh..sooo, ........Honorable Dr. Keller no longer have grasshopper status! :D;)

[Stuart Nelson]

Welcome to the world of turning. On a turners forum, HF means "hollow form", on most other woodworking related forums it means, as you know, Harbor Freight.

[Paul Douglass]

Welcome to the vortex. I think you made a good choice on the tools. They are relatively inexpensive and great to learn with. That is what I purchased as my first tools and I still use them a lot. I have purchased others as I go along the way. This a great place to get advice and learn, and you get the added amusement that seeps in here. A great place to laugh and learn. The Bill Grumbine DVD is excellent for learning. Covers from start to finish.

[Barry Elder]

Alfred has to be at least lebenty!

[Kyle Iwamoto]

Did anyone mention Bill Grumbines DVD yet? :D

It's definetely a good buy, he has 2. Both are keepers.

About You Tube. Be careful, some (very few) are vids of people doing very dangerous techniques.... If it looks a little dangerous, it probably is.

[Allen Neighbors]

Welcome to the forum. The Learning Channel Forum... Sawmill Creek!! :D
I second the post that noticed your tool set didn't have a bowl gouge in it. If you even think you might want to turn a bowl... regardless of size... you need a bowl gouge. I turned bowls for three years with scrapers and Oland tools, but after I got a bowl gouge the time it took me to turn a 10" bowl went from 3 hours to 30 minutes. I suggest you get a Benjamin's Best 1/2" bowl gouge from Penn State Industries to use until you get good at sharpening. Then I suggest getting a 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" Vee Flute Bowl gouges from Doug Thompson... you'll never look back, and you'll never regret that you spent the money!
At any rate, always have fun! Turning, that is. And don't ever hesitate to ask questions.
Did anyone mention Bill Grumbine's DVDs? :D

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mike,

Welcome to the Turners Forum and woodturning.

As someone here once said, "It's the only club where they force you to make your own decoder ring".

A book I would recommend by Keith Rowley " Woodturning: A Foundation Course (New Edition). It is available at Amazon for $13.57. I bought it and it is aimed at the beginning turner.

If you go to Woodcraft..under Education there are a number of free videos that you can watch. They are primarily put out by Sorby a tool manufacturer. They are excellent.

Do you have fairly fast Internet service? If so, I will post a few links to videos that you might find helpful. If not, I won't post the links.

As you can see turners by nature are generous and a little off kilter/plumb/horizontal but they sure enjoy themselves. I stumbled down here a few years ago and started teasing with them. They idiots (called that repectfully and with sentiment) pushed me into the Vortex and my life has never been the same.

Feel free to ask questions. The only stupid ones are the ones you didn't ask.

As the official SMC Minister of Bonkers, I await your first bonker for public scrutiny, appraisal and applauds.

Welcome Mike!

[Mike Olson]

Ken,

Yup, i have fiber at home and UBER sick speed at work so i'd love those links.

I found some Jet training videos on Youtube that i watched during lunch today.

I'll try the woodcraft stuff tonight.

Thanks,
Mike

[James Combs]

I have been turning for only a few months so welcome to the vortex from another newby.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mike,

This site has some useful video clips and some neat instruction on projects:
http://www.turningtools.co.uk/ (http://www.turningtools.co.uk/)
This guy has some good instructions and some finishing techniques that work well on pens and other small items:
http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Index.html (http://www.woodturnerruss.com/Index.html)
There is some interesting videos at this site. Once it loads, scroll to the right to AAW and there you will find some excellent videos by some of the best.
http://www.woodworkingchannel.com/dolphin/vidego_video_library.php (http://www.woodworkingchannel.com/dolphin/vidego_video_library.php)
Here is some good videos by a guy, Larry Marley who is a member here : http://marleyturned.com/index.php (http://marleyturned.com/index.php)
Here’s one that has some projects:
http://www.woodturningonline.com/Turning/Projects/coffee-scoop.html (http://www.woodturningonline.com/Turning/Projects/coffee-scoop.html)
And another:
http://www.turnedtreasures.com/index.html (http://www.turnedtreasures.com/index.html)
I find some useful information here:
http://www.woodturns.com/ (http://www.woodturns.com/)
And some useful ones here:
http://www.yoyospin.com/ (http://www.yoyospin.com/)
And if you do a Google Search for Robert Sorby Videos you will get this:
http://www.google.com/search?q=robert+sorby+videos&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS378US378&prmd=vo&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=WeBhTIifEoG8sQPT8PSFCA&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQqwQwAA (http://www.google.com/search?q=robert+sorby+videos&hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS378US378&prmd=vo&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=WeBhTIifEoG8sQPT8PSFCA&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQqwQwAA)
That should keep you busy for a while. Enjoy the process!

[David E Keller]

Nice list of links... I forgot to mention Bob Hamilton's youtube videos. They are project based and very well thought out. I'd check them out as well.

[Mike Olson]

Thank you so much Ken. That woodworkingchanel is fantastic... i just spent the last 2 hours watching videos...

My lunch hours are going to be spent watching videos for the next month at least.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Mike,

There are a few rules to safely turn that apply to all the different tools.

1. Tool to the tool rest
2. Engage the heel of the tool
3. Engage the toe or cutting edge.

and the most important one....the mantra you must learn to chant

"ride the bevel"...."ride the bevel"....."ride the bevel".....

most importantly...have fun!