Any Of You Changed Your Woodworking Skills And Went With Turning Most Of The Time

[Alan Gan]

I ask because I started getting into Woodworking a little less than a year ago. Bought most all the normal shop machines, Table Saw, Planer, Router ETC... Spent a good chunck of change.

Then I found a really great deal on a simple Lathe. After playing around with it, researching and checking out all the art that has been made using a Lathe, I find myself drawn towards Turning rather than furniture and cabinet building.

Starting to think I jumped the gun on what I wanted to do in the Craft. That make sense to anybody?

[ray hampton]

I will guess that this made sense to everybody except me , I never made this mistake a SINGLE time

[Mort Stevens]

Why does turning need to be exclusive? Why not incorporate turning into furniture projects?

[Chris Padilla]

Wood is supposed to be FLAT. ;)

[Stan Calow]

Alan I think I am headed in that direction.

[Ellen Benkin]

I tried turning and took several classes and bought some expensive turning tools. I don't like turning. Maybe I'm the only one in the world that doesn't enjoy it, but I don't. Luckily I found someone else who wanted the tools.

[Kent A Bathurst]

I never made this mistake a SINGLE time

No foolin', Ray !!

"Never did and never will." - The Who

[Mike Henderson]

Depending on your furniture, you will occasionally need to turn some furniture components, such as table legs, so knowing how to turn is a valuable skill. As far as doing turning exclusively, you may find that you get more enjoyment from the task than from what you produce. The problem with turning exclusively is that you generally can't produce useful items - you wind up producing "art" items that get most of their beauty from the wood selected rather than from the design of the item. And there's only so many of those knickknacks that your spouse will tolerate in the house, so you start giving them to friends. What they do with them is unknown.

But lots of people enjoy turning, I suppose because they can produce things fairly quickly and easily - they enjoy the process rather than the finished product.

Mike

[Loren Woirhaye]

Some rather nice looking and sturdy chairs can be made mostly with turned components. I'm looking at this as I get more into making chairs. I have a mini-lathe right now... I've had larger lathes in the past but did not use them much and, I admit, kind of thought a lot of turned furniture tended to be unsophisticated. As I expanded my furniture making vocabulary however I am reconsidering that point of view, especially in light of combining turned elements with steam bent parts where embracing round tenons has potential for solving compound angle joinery problems one doesn't deal with much in general cabinetmaking.

I do think there's too much emphasis on acquiring large capacity machinery (at significant expense) which is really optimized for doing rectilinear work and making box variants. The process of acquiring the machines, learning to use them and so forth can take awhile and often students of woodworking never get past the fascination of making things orderly and square. While making boxes and such is an important skill, the temptation is to stay within the box, so to speak, building case goods and things like Craftsman furniture that are friendly to build with the table saw, jointer and planer. I have a lot of machinery myself and I sometimes wonder what I could do with a band saw, hand tools and a lathe.

[Von Bickley]

I bought a lathe, a nice chuck, some turning tools, and thought I would like to try my hand at turning. Another mistake I made in this life. I haven't turned that lathe on in a couple of years.

[Barry Richardson]

I f you have room for the equipment, I say develop both skills, they complement each other, I turn most of my knobs, and lots of table legs, and other embellishments for furniture. I use TS, BS, Jointer, etc to make jigs, segmented turnings, and a host of other things to support turning. I make more money at flat work, but do enjoy the instant gratification of turning a bowl, pen, whatever too, do em both.....

[Alan Gan]

As far as doing turning exclusively, you may find that you get more enjoyment from the task than from what you produce. The problem with turning exclusively is that you generally can't produce useful items - you wind up producing "art" items that get most of their beauty from the wood selected rather than from the design of the item. And there's only so many of those knickknacks that your spouse will tolerate in the house, so you start giving them to friends. What they do with them is unknown.

But lots of people enjoy turning, I suppose because they can produce things fairly quickly and easily - they enjoy the process rather than the finished product.

MikeI understand what your saying. That is why I am thinking about this. If I can get good enough to turn out some unique pieces there are plenty of people with money to burn for a piece of "Art". Maybe I am off base but I think there is some money to be made here.

Those Foothill's people buy stuff just to look at. Me I spend my money to survive. So I will happily relieve people that have extra cash with a piece of my "Art".

[Alan Gan]

I tried turning and took several classes and bought some expensive turning tools. I don't like turning. Maybe I'm the only one in the world that doesn't enjoy it, but I don't. Luckily I found someone else who wanted the tools.

Fortunately for me this Lathe and some standard tools cost me less than $25.00. Gave me a chance to try it out without breaking the bank. Still trying it out for now.

[Dave Zellers]

Bought most all the normal shop machines, Table Saw, Planer, Router ETC... Spent a good chunck of change.

Then you say you bought a lathe and tools for $25 and you are drawn to that.

None of this really computes. As Desi said to Lucy, "You got some 'splainin' to do".

What exactly did you get for $25?

[Loren Woirhaye]

If you want to make money at turning do keep in mind that to make those fine burl bowls involve an awful lot of sanding to get those flawless finishes. That's why those art bowls are so pricey.

There's a turner who gives away a business plan for making $60 per hour turning or something. I think the idea is you turn wood tops and toys like that at farmer's markets on a mini-lathe and have a big box of them and people come to watch and walk away with a bag full for gifts. I don't know his name... I just saw it mentioned awhile back.

[Mike Henderson]

I understand what you're saying. That is why I am thinking about this. If I can get good enough to turn out some unique pieces there are plenty of people with money to burn for a piece of "Art". Maybe I am off base but I think there is some money to be made here.

Those Foothill's people buy stuff just to look at. Me I spend my money to survive. So I will happily relieve people that have extra cash with a piece of my "Art".
Almost every turner, when they're starting out, thinks they can turn some art and sell it for a lot of money. Heck, many woodworkers think they can make furniture and sell it for a bunch of money. Before you quit your day job, try to sell some of your turnings to people, other than family. You'll find it's a very tough business. You'll also find that there are few people "with money to burn". And those who do have money are looking for art. Getting to be a recognized artist is a long and extremely difficult road, and luck, and who you know, plays a big part in it

Otherwise, you can turn some small, simple things and sell a lot of them for a low price. But that would be so boring it's hard to imagine. Doing production line turning - by hand - would be absolute agony for me.

There are a LOT of turners who thought they could turn pens and make money. Way too many of them thought that - I'll bet there's very few who do more than make a few bucks occasionally selling pens. Certainly not enough pens to support themselves, and maybe not even enough to pay for the supplies and equipment.

Turning, except turning for furniture, is just a non-productive hobby. Something that people enjoy doing, not something to make money at.

Mike

[Rick Potter]

I decided to try it, got a nice used Record lathe. I told the wife about all the bowls I could make, and she said I'd better keep them small, as she has no place to put very many. I made one. It's in the shop and I use it to hold small parts. The lathe is over in the "someday" corner.

Someday, I will have time to give it a fair shot, if I ever finish the house.

Rick Potter

[William C Rogers]

Well most seem to point to trying to make money at turning and I agree with the comments. However I am a hobbyist and as such not looking to support myself by woodworking. I started turning because I saw a wood pen and wanted one for me and my wife. Well people where we worked saw them and I guess I made over 150 (guess I was good at it). I have also made pepper grinders, lidded boxes, small vases, etc. I do this because I enjoy turning, not to make money. Those word of mouth sales dry up after a while. Now I also just built my kitchen cabinets for my new house. I also have a Dewalt scroll saw and someday will do that. Could I sell stuff? Maybe, maybe not, but I like being creative.

Chris ( pun intended ) trees ( wood ) grow round, not flat.

Bill

[glenn bradley]

Dad is pushing 90 and has gravitated toward turning. Lugging, resawing, milling and all that got to be a bit much for him. Putting a blank on the lathe and spinning away he can still get his shop time in and enjoy it without over doing things.

[Dan Hunkele]

I do both but prefer turning. It should be known I did only flat work 20 years first.

People with money to buy art look for a name when buying. I'm guessing it takes time and beautiful turnings to get a name.

[Dave Cullen]

I couldn't imagine being without either my lathe or my table saw. I like to make stuff out of wood. And you'd be surprised at what can be turned, sanded, or polished on a wood lathe... not just wood. I needed to ream a bronze bushing to fit a shaft on my motorcycle's transmission. Chucked it in the lathe, applied emery cloth, sanded to fit. They're a very useful tool.

[HANK METZ]

Almost every turner, when they're starting out, thinks they can turn some art and sell it for a lot of money. Heck, many woodworkers think they can make furniture and sell it for a bunch of money. Before you quit your day job, try to sell some of your turnings to people, other than family. You'll find it's a very tough business. You'll also find that there are few people "with money to burn". And those who do have money are looking for art. Getting to be a recognized artist is a long and extremely difficult road, and luck, and who you know, plays a big part in it

Otherwise, you can turn some small, simple things and sell a lot of them for a low price. But that would be so boring it's hard to imagine. Doing production line turning - by hand - would be absolute agony for me.

There are a LOT of turners who thought they could turn pens and make money. Way too many of them thought that - I'll bet there's very few who do more than make a few bucks occasionally selling pens. Certainly not enough pens to support themselves, and maybe not even enough to pay for the supplies and equipment.

Turning, except turning for furniture, is just a non-productive hobby. Something that people enjoy doing, not something to make money at.

Mike

If you ever think you're gonna make a living at turning, you'd better have an honest discussion with yourself about the points raised in this post. It is as frank, lucid, and rational as you could ever hope to see, and I for one think it should be a sticky.

[Chris Padilla]

I couldn't imagine being without either my lathe or my table saw. I like to make stuff out of wood. And you'd be surprised at what can be turned, sanded, or polished on a wood lathe... not just wood. I needed to ream a bronze bushing to fit a shaft on my motorcycle's transmission. Chucked it in the lathe, applied emery cloth, sanded to fit. They're a very useful tool.

I became familiar with a metal lathe (and a Bridgeport mill) back in college and you are dead right: extremely useful tool to have around the home. I only wish I had the room for a lathe (wood and/or metal) and a mill.

[Doug Ladendorf]

I love both and there is no reason you can't. You might find yourself spending more time with one than the other from time to time and that's OK. Doing both empowers you with additional options when working with wood. I wouldn't want to give up either.


Almost every turner, when they're starting out, thinks they can turn some art and sell it for a lot of money. Heck, many woodworkers think they can make furniture and sell it for a bunch of money. Before you quit your day job, try to sell some of your turnings to people, other than family. You'll find it's a very tough business. You'll also find that there are few people "with money to burn". And those who do have money are looking for art. Getting to be a recognized artist is a long and extremely difficult road, and luck, and who you know, plays a big part in it...

What he said ^^^ Pick up a copy of any American Woodturner, the quarterly mag of the American Association of Woodturners, to see the art of woodturners who are actually selling their work as "art." You will see the level you are competing with, and hopefully come away with some idea of what goes into these pieces. The wood selection and turning is part of it. Prepping the surface for finish, multiple finish layers, possibly texturing the surface or further modifications of cutting, piercing, burning, inlay etc. and many other techniques are used. Turning is wonderful and fun, and you can make some practical things for the house or gifts. Start with eyes wide open (and facemask on) then after you are starting to master the basics take it to the next level, but don't expect it to be a significant source of income anytime soon. Best thing you can do is join an AAW club near you. http://aaw.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=1509

Doug

[Mike Heidrick]

Go get em Alan! Make some beautiful pieces and give it a shot. Your not out anything at this point right? If you have the wood and the tools and the time - have at it. Price it right and do it because you love it. If they sell they sell!

[Buck Williams]

I was smitten for a while with turning, and will definitely get back into it, I don't see turning and flat work as being necessarily mutually exclusive. You have some valuable tools there in your table saw, router, planer etc., learn to use them as the need or opportunity arises.

[Brian W Smith]

If it doesn't have a hydraulic tracer,at the minimum...........it's really hard to make money with.Not sayin it "can't" be done,I know we've turned a dumptruck load of historic'y columns and balusters without production equipment,but we're just making wages doing so.Much more about lack of availability,so lathes have their "place".And they can be very relaxing on the art side of things.Best of luck.

[Bernie May]

You should post this on the Turner's Forum. I think you would get a different set of answers.

[Shawn Pixley]

No reason why you can't do both. I would say that dedicated turners' work tends to gravitate to "art for art's sake." I really admire the hollow form and other pieces, but I suspect most pieces do not have a practical purpose. That is both what is appealing to me as well as why I don't turn all that much. There is nothing wrong in my view of "art for art's sake."

[Alan Gan]

Almost every turner, when they're starting out, thinks they can turn some art and sell it for a lot of money. Heck, many woodworkers think they can make furniture and sell it for a bunch of money. Before you quit your day job, try to sell some of your turnings to people, other than family. You'll find it's a very tough business. You'll also find that there are few people "with money to burn". And those who do have money are looking for art. Getting to be a recognized artist is a long and extremely difficult road, and luck, and who you know, plays a big part in it

Otherwise, you can turn some small, simple things and sell a lot of them for a low price. But that would be so boring it's hard to imagine. Doing production line turning - by hand - would be absolute agony for me.

There are a LOT of turners who thought they could turn pens and make money. Way too many of them thought that - I'll bet there's very few who do more than make a few bucks occasionally selling pens. Certainly not enough pens to support themselves, and maybe not even enough to pay for the supplies and equipment.

Turning, except turning for furniture, is just a non-productive hobby. Something that people enjoy doing, not something to make money at.

Mike


If you ever think you're gonna make a living at turning, you'd better have an honest discussion with yourself about the points raised in this post. It is as frank, lucid, and rational as you could ever hope to see, and I for one think it should be a sticky.


What he said ^^^ Pick up a copy of any American Woodturner, the quarterly mag of the American Association of Woodturners, to see the art of woodturners who are actually selling their work as "art." You will see the level you are competing with, and hopefully come away with some idea of what goes into these pieces. The wood selection and turning is part of it. Prepping the surface for finish, multiple finish layers, possibly texturing the surface or further modifications of cutting, piercing, burning, inlay etc. and many other techniques are used. Turning is wonderful and fun, and you can make some practical things for the house or gifts. Start with eyes wide open (and facemask on) then after you are starting to master the basics take it to the next level, but don't expect it to be a significant source of income anytime soon. Best thing you can do is join an AAW club near you. http://aaw.site-ym.com/search/custom.asp?id=1509

Doug Whoa...I never implied I was looking at this as a full-time gig, I am a guy that uses multiple avenues to make a living. If I made a few Turnings and sold them for a decent profit then it is a good deal to me. I can appreciate your candid response but have any of you taken a chance on something or is it just cut and dry? I do like the things that are done on the Lathe and know that it take years of experience to produce the results of these. My starting Post was based on how much I liked what could be done and found that Turning seems to be a relaxing hobby, not a full-time job.


Go get em Alan! Make some beautiful pieces and give it a shot. Your not out anything at this point right? If you have the wood and the tools and the time - have at it. Price it right and do it because you love it. If they sell they sell!Thanks for the support! I have access to a lot of Mesquite for free, all that is invested is my time, so a few extra bucks is always good.


Then you say you bought a lathe and tools for $25 and you are drawn to that.

None of this really computes. As Desi said to Lucy, "You got some 'splainin' to do".

What exactly did you get for $25? Check out this post. http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?219016-Yard-Sale-Find-Lathe&p=2280968&highlight=#post2280968 I also picked up a set of tools at the same sale for $5.00.

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/WoodWorking/Lathe/DSCN1427_zps6c2ee076.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/photolinks/WoodWorking/Lathe/DSCN1428_zps2cbf8258.jpg

[Frederick Skelly]

I find myself drawn towards Turning rather than furniture and cabinet building.Starting to think I jumped the gun on what I wanted to do in the Craft. That make sense to anybody?

Sounds like you bought a bunch of stuff and now that youve had a chance to use it, youre getting a sense of what you like best, based on your current skills. I dont think youre alone in that experience. Id say follow your preferences and continue to refine your turning skills. Get as much enjoyment out of it as you can. Later on, you might want to develop skills for using the other tools you bought. If not, you can sell them and spend what you get back on something else that suits you.

Like I said - enjoy yourself - thats the real point of it. Post some pics of your work sometime!

Fred

[Lee Koepke]

I make (a little) money at both. My flatwork stuff sells better/faster than my round stuff, but right now both are doing decent enough. I find that turning wood reveals a beauty and dimension in wood thats usually hidden in flatwork. Turning relaxes me, whether I sell it or not. I am far from proficient at it, but still enjoy it.

I still do both because they offer different creative views and it keeps me from getting stagnant or bored with one version or another.

[Thom Sturgill]

I did the same thing and later sold the Planer and Jointer to my brother. I'm 64 and he's 71. Be both have done woodworking since we were kids and he's a luthier. I've just made a couple of instruments, but my dad did most of his life. I started buying tools a few years before I expected to retire and the lathe was the last major tool for a shaker project. I was hooked. I joined a club. I joined the AAW. I have enjoyed my shop time more than ever before.

Luckily I do not need to sell. A lot of club members sell to get that next tool they want, and sell too cheaply. Bowls and pens are the most common item to sell and some items like peppermills, ornaments, scoops, and honey dippers can do well. But I for one do not want to become a production turner.

I did not see the lathe you bought, but looking at the tools I would not have given them a second glance if they had been free. I doubt they will hold much of an edge for long.

[Alan Trout]

Alan,

I say follow your heart and passion. For me turning is a passion. Keep you flat work tools you never know when you will need to add cabinets to your turning studio. :)

[Alan Gan]

Sounds like you bought a bunch of stuff and now that youve had a chance to use it, youre getting a sense of what you like best, based on your current skills. I dont think youre alone in that experience. Id say follow your preferences and continue to refine your turning skills. Get as much enjoyment out of it as you can. Later on, you might want to develop skills for using the other tools you bought. If not, you can sell them and spend what you get back on something else that suits you.

Like I said - enjoy yourself - thats the real point of it. Post some pics of your work sometime!

Fred


I make (a little) money at both. My flatwork stuff sells better/faster than my round stuff, but right now both are doing decent enough. I find that turning wood reveals a beauty and dimension in wood thats usually hidden in flatwork. Turning relaxes me, whether I sell it or not. I am far from proficient at it, but still enjoy it.

I still do both because they offer different creative views and it keeps me from getting stagnant or bored with one version or another.


I did the same thing and later sold the Planer and Jointer to my brother. I'm 64 and he's 71. Be both have done woodworking since we were kids and he's a luthier. I've just made a couple of instruments, but my dad did most of his life. I started buying tools a few years before I expected to retire and the lathe was the last major tool for a shaker project. I was hooked. I joined a club. I joined the AAW. I have enjoyed my shop time more than ever before.

Luckily I do not need to sell. A lot of club members sell to get that next tool they want, and sell too cheaply. Bowls and pens are the most common item to sell and some items like peppermills, ornaments, scoops, and honey dippers can do well. But I for one do not want to become a production turner.

I did not see the lathe you bought, but looking at the tools I would not have given them a second glance if they had been free. I doubt they will hold much of an edge for long.


Alan,

I say follow your heart and passion. For me turning is a passion. Keep you flat work tools you never know when you will need to add cabinets to your turning studio. :)

I am only a member of a couple forums, my other most visited is BBQ focused.

I do some lurking on a few others. I hold out before joining in order to get a feel of the place.

I want to say something about this site, it is GREAT! People respond their thoughts honestly, directly and without judgement. This thread is full of many various views and every post has been presented in a very professional way, I really admire the vast amount of knowledge that resides here. My woodworking skills have improved because of the information I have found.

I wanted to thank, Fred, Lee, Thom and Alan. The last 4 posts are so positive, understandable and heartfelt. Really Thanks to everyone that has responded, many good views and personal opinions have been posted.

Such a Great site you have here, Thanks for letting me hang out.

[Joe Meirhaeghe]

I have to agree with Alan Trout here. I did flat work for about 30 years & really enjoyed it. Then I was introduced on how to turn deep hollow vessels. I've developed a passion for deep hollowing and gave up flat work about 6 years ago now & haven't looked back.
That being said I still have all my flat work power tools, table saw, shaper, jointer, thickness planner, drill press, radial arm saw, mortice machine, band saw ect.
I don't see me going back to flat work but I've got a lot of nice machines and if I should chose to go back and do some flat work I'm well equipped to do so. I figure there not costing me any thing sitting idle & If I ever wanted to replace them some where down the road it would cost me more than what I could get out of them if I sold them now.

[Dan Jechura]

Turning is time consuming. When is was young and have a familiy, work and take care of a house there was no time for a lathe. I did flat work, house repair and Boy Scouts. Now that my familiy is grown and moved out, done with scouting ( 28 years) and tired of working on the house I picked up turning. I sell a few, give a few, keep alot and burn a few. To me it's rewarding. I see the end result. In my job I do not see the end result of my work. I have been turning all most 4 years and I think I have finished my 250 th bowl. Another 300 in the ruff and drying. Local wood is cheep for me, $20 a truck load and a bowl, or free for the taking.

[Jim Underwood]

Wood is supposed to be FLAT. ;)
If that is so why did the good Lord make it ROUND?
:-)

[Justin Stephen]

Almost every turner, when they're starting out, thinks they can turn some art and sell it for a lot of money. Heck, many woodworkers think they can make furniture and sell it for a bunch of money. Before you quit your day job, try to sell some of your turnings to people, other than family. You'll find it's a very tough business. You'll also find that there are few people "with money to burn". And those who do have money are looking for art.

On the other hand, some people will buy anything made out of wood that seems handcrafted. :) I recently got re-married and a relative of my wife's bought us a large wooden bowl she had gotten at some craft festival as a wedding present. Either the relative had no idea I was a woodturner or had some crazy notion that getting a woodturner someone else's bowl was a good gift. The good news is that it was turned from a lovely piece of butternut. The bad news is that it is a simply dreadful creation, without any stretch of consistent wall thickness at all and obvious signs of it being finished with a tool in desperate need of sharpening. Yet, I think it is safe to say that this relative probably spent a pretty penny for it. Oh well.


Otherwise, you can turn some small, simple things and sell a lot of them for a low price. But that would be so boring it's hard to imagine. Doing production line turning - by hand - would be absolute agony for me.

Agreed. There is a shop near me that would probably sell my work if I asked them to, and at a reasonable commission. But production turning just doesn't sound like fun to me.


There are a LOT of turners who thought they could turn pens and make money. Way too many of them thought that - I'll bet there's very few who do more than make a few bucks occasionally selling pens. Certainly not enough pens to support themselves, and maybe not even enough to pay for the supplies and equipment.

It is true that I see at least one (and usually more than one) penturner plying his or her wares at every large crafts fair that I go to. A big part of the problem is that they are selling something that is on its way to becoming only marginally more mainstream than a buggy whip. The whole market for nice pens, made of wood or otherwise, has waned substantially in the past couple of decades and will continue to do so.

When it comes to turning, I sort of went about things in the opposite direction as most. While my father was/is a woodworker and even owned a lathe (which I think I only ever saw him use once), I never had any interest in woodworking of any kind until I was in my late thirties. It was woodturning that first caused me to gain an interest. I took a class and I was hooked. It was only later, when I started doing segmented turning, that I started acquiring and using other nice tools. Now, I only rarely turn anything that starts with a chunk of green wood. If there is gluing and clamping involved, I find it more enjoyable.

Besides, isn't acquiring a workshop full of tools the real objective? :)

[Mike Golka]

Keep all the tools and give segmented turning a try. The best of both worlds.