My first (very humble) turned projects

[Kurt Misner]

Hey all,
I am so thankful to be benefitting from the knowledge and experience I see exemplified here. I am very new to turning, and am excited to have access to a basic lathe and set up chisels. I thought I'd post a couple pics of my first projects. They are basic and not without faults. I am have experienced a lot of tearout on the soft old aspen, and the spalted elm (both very dry wood). The elm bowl was supposed to be a thank you gift to the person who gave me large chuncks of the felled elm tree. But, dew to the tearout, and caked up beeswax (and a chip on the edge), I'll have to make another one and chalk this up to practice. And feedback would be welcomed.

First one - handle for a box I made as a gift. It's simple masculine and of sweeet smelling tamboti:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/IMG_5093.jpg
Tossing this pic in just for those who appreciate ambrosia maple like I do
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/IMG_5096.jpg
Mother's Day present for my wife of sycamore. I'm happy with this one.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/P1010107.jpg
Lamp from a very old piece of aspen bought from the St. Elmo ghost town general store after an amazing jeep trip to see old gold mines here in Colorado. I've got some red mahagany I'll used to turn a beauty ring for the base just to add a finished look. Now finished in clear satin poly:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/P1010099.jpg
First rattle of several more to come for friends who are new mothers. Maple w/ salad bowl finish under beeswax. I'll improve on the ring separation next time. The bent nail did the trick this time:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/P1010113.jpg
Here's the spalted and somewhat burled elm bowl. This seems to be from the roots section of the stump. Very soft wood and much tearout.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/P1010119.jpg

Thanks again for all you experienced craftsmen and artists out there for sharing your knowledge.

[John Keeton]

Kurt, these are some nice pieces - looks like the finishing of the aspen went well! On the elm bowl, the outside appears pretty clean - devoid of tearout - so, I wonder if tool presentation, or less than extremely sharp edge might be the culprit?? I have a swept back grind on my gouge, and for cleanup I do a pull cut with the gouge horizontal, using the lower wing only. The gouge is "closed" meaning that the flute is facing the surface. This is really just a scraping action, but it will sometimes give me the cleanup I need in these situations. One must be cautious, however, because this cut can go south quickly if not done right.

[Dick Wilson]

Kurt, Looks like a great start to your turning adventure. In case you are wondering what that swirling sound is .... it is the all consuming vortex that all Creekers have long ago plunged into:D:D:D:D:D You are on the edge. We can all see you up there.

[Donny Lawson]

It all looks good and it will not be long you will be crossing over into the vortex of no return.:D The possibilities are endless.

[bob svoboda]

Terrific work for firsts! You are definitely on the way to great things. Thanks for posting your work.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Kurt - nice work on everything! This turning stuff is kinda fun - isn't it? I really like your lamp base! Be sure to post a photo once you have it finished!

You didn't say where in Colorado you are. I lived there most of the 70s and 80s and still consider it my first home!

[Kurt Misner]

Thank you all for your coaching and encouragement! John, I think you are eluding to the dangers of catching. This happened on the rattle, elm bowl, and the sycamore candle holder. I finally got brave enough to pull out my honing stones and put a better edge on the tools. I'm still learning, and alittle concerned that I'll ruin a chisel, but so far, it's helped. All three pieces just got smaller in order to remove the catches. You can even see a flat spot on the rattle where the catch was. Fortunately, I was able to keep the end of the rattle large enough to be safe. Thanks again and I'll try your suggestion John. I loved reading you feature in the mag, by the way.

[Mark Hazelden]

Kurt,

You are off to a great start.

It looks like you are hooked and on your way to spending money.

I'm expecting any day now my wife is going to walk into the shop and say "Step away from the lathe and give me the check book!" :)

[Tim Thiebaut]

Kurt these are very nicely done, for firsts these are great, keep it up!

[John Hart]

Thank you all for your coaching and encouragement! John, I think you are eluding to the dangers of catching. This happened on the rattle, elm bowl, and the sycamore candle holder. I finally got brave enough to pull out my honing stones and put a better edge on the tools. I'm still learning, and alittle concerned that I'll ruin a chisel, but so far, it's helped. All three pieces just got smaller in order to remove the catches. You can even see a flat spot on the rattle where the catch was. Fortunately, I was able to keep the end of the rattle large enough to be safe. Thanks again and I'll try your suggestion John. I loved reading you feature in the mag, by the way.

Catches??? What are those?? :D
Sheesh...I had two major ones yesterday and I don't know how many today. It's all fun though eh?

Nice looking pieces Kurt!! Keep them and treasure them. You will look back with fondness. I guarantee it. ;)

[Kurt Misner]

I've not spent much time at the lathe lately, but did complete and deliver a new baby rattle for a friend. I have several more to do since I know several new mothers. I made a new gouge out of a thicker nail with allowed me to create a more gradual profile (less point-like). I put fewer grooves into this one, and rounded the ends more. Luckily, there were no catches on this one to dictate profile changes.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y272/Mizedog/P1010123.jpg

The aspen lamp is done and gracing the guest bedroom with old, weathered style.