What new skill do you want to learn - 2017

[Brian Kent]

This is not about a resolution to feel guilty about later, but an imagination exercise:

What new skill would you like to learn and build this year.

Ready, go.

[David Delo]

The skill to resist spending money on the newest tool/gizmo/gadget that this vortex is famous for.

[Brian Kent]

I used to make hollow forms that were inspired by Southwest pottery forms. I want to try add wood-burning and earth-tone ink to imitate some of the patterns on the Acoma Pottery forms.

[Brian Brown]

My list is long, but the toppers are:

Turn with no tearout!
Use a skew with no spiral skates.
Master the detail gouge with no catches
Hollow to a consistant thickness
Turn off center with no vibration

[John K Jordan]

I'd like to learn how to turn a bowl and spindle from hand-forged tools on a foot powered spring-pole lathe. Can't be that hard.

JKJ

[Tim Passmore]

I'm always looking to improve my skills, but here would be three areas:
1. Make sure all of my bowls have a pleasing form
2. Improve my skills with the skew
3. Learn to create some "artistic" hollow forms

[Damon McLaughlin]

I was inspired by a Creeker to learn how to use my skew chisel, so today I pulled it out of the drawer, sharpened it and gave it a try on a small piece of pine. I'll admit that I watched two youtube videos before putting the skew to work. My first practice I tried a peeling cut, a couple coves and some beads. The second try I attempted a thin finial though the shape isn't linear. I'm not sure why I was afraid of the skew before but for 2017 the skew is something I would like to learn more of.

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[Brad Barnhart]

I'd like to learn to use my scrapers. And to be a better turner by using and sharpening all my tools. I'm just a year into turning, & have made some nice projects, but want to learn more about what I can do with the tools I have. On a small budget, I'm not able to afford all the fancy tools. I got into turning to go along with my scroll saw work. I don't have a fancy lathe, or tools, but I have done enough research & reading, I can get started. At times, I'm a little nervous about asking questions. Does that go with bein' a newbie?

[Tim Passmore]

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Generally speaking, I've found woodturners to be very willing to help and provide insight. You will just need to determine what works for you, but all of the advice is given with the of best intention.

[John Keeton]

Though more of a virtue than a skill, learning patience would be a good start - though I have been working on that for well over half a century, so I doubt I can get it accomplished in 2017!!

[Prashun Patel]

To listen more and talk less.

[Robert Engel]

1. Cockbeading drawers: I'm learning it now!

2. Tapered sliding dovetails - by hand!

3. Finding some nice lumber!

[Robert Henrickson]

Actually get some things done!
Get better with the skew.
Make and use hook tools.

[paul cottingham]

Basically...learning to turn. We are on bowl number 12 and getting better. Also learning how to dry green bowls without them warping too badly. A little is fine; makes them look "organic" :-). Choosing good tools once, and only the ones we need; we are on a micro budget.

[Sonny Kemp]

Mine is real easy for most already.Id like to turn a 12-14 inch green bowl to finish,about a 1/2 inch or so thick,let it dry, and warp ,
and not have to start sanding at 60 grit.

[Dennis Peacock]

I'd like to learn how to turn my lathe on and finish turn a bowl. :D
I've been doing a LOT of flat work and I've got about 50 bowl blanks in my shop that I've already roughed out, dried, and stored for later....well....I guess 7-8 years since then could be considered "later". Maybe I need to spend more time in the shop. Yea...that should help a bit. ;)

[Reed Gray]

John, I am sure you know of Robin Wood. I wonder how much bigger his pole leg is than his standing leg???? I want one like Roy Underhill uses...

robo hippy

[Reed Gray]

Well, kind of like the guitar, I am still trying to learn the skew.... a four letter word for bowl turners. I have been at the guitar for far longer than the skew though... I want some more 'artistic' type pieces to play with, and will build a new shop late next year... Finally some elbow room...

robo hippy

[Jon McElwain]

Welding and blacksmithing. Just what every turner aspires to right?

Well, when I moved to Colorado a few years ago, I met Trent Bosch (http://trentbosch.com/portfolio/) at our turning club, and I have been intrigued by his integration of metal and wood. The problem is that the whole metal side of things is requiring a great deal of cash output! I'm currently building a workbench with a 1/2" steel top supported by timber framed members. This will be my first attempt at melding the two materials, and I hope to be set up for more of it once it's done - including forging and turning bits of metal to use with my turnings. The other thing Trent does is build his own line of tools. I think he is set up to mill, weld, forge, and turn metal.

Alain Mailland creates some really interesting turned sculptures. One of his secrets is that he has a forge that he fires up whenever he needs a uniquely shaped tool to reach into some intricate space. I don't think he actually integrates metal and wood in his art though. I sure would rather make my own tools than be subject to the costs of purchasing them from catalogs and such.

The few tools (scrapers, point tools, plane blades, etc.) I have made have been successful and as I have learned annealing and tempering, they actually have lasted for more than a few cuts.

Happy New Year!

[john snowdon]

Nice thread. Here's my list...
To improve my sense of design
Continue with my skew practice
Attend more local club meetings
Complete several segmented projects plus a few more hollow forms
Convince myself I do not need to have an American Beauty or every tool Dave and Doug make unless I win the lottery even tho' my wife says it's OK.
The last one will be the hardest...

[rob gugerty]

I would like to turn a bowl.
I have done pens but no bowls

[Ryan Mooney]

Enough electronics to be dangerous to others as well as myself. I have pretty reasonable software skills but lack the ability to decide what diode goes where before which transistor very effectively.

Hook tools. They look extremely useful for some projects I'd like to try. Perhaps start with a hunter osprey as a somewhat gentler introduction.

Learn to see what's there when I remove what's not there before I remove it more effectively (turning and carving). More confidence in the cuts if you will :)

Figure out how to do this skew heel peeling into planing cut (this guy is my new skew hero - cuts that make me go .. huuuuh - when he rounds off the ball end at 1:45 is even more impressive).

https://youtu.be/6ZSHnCYVU_c?t=78


Though more of a virtue than a skill, learning patience would be a good start - though I have been working on that for well over half a century, so I doubt I can get it accomplished in 2017!!

Sounds like you need to hurry up... .... :cool:

[John K Jordan]

Figure out how to do this skew heel peeling into planing cut (this guy is my new skew hero - cuts that make me go .. huuuuh - when he rounds off the ball end at 1:45 is even more impressive). https://youtu.be/6ZSHnCYVU_c?t=78

Incredible, no wasted motion. None of that silly adjusting the tool rest or switching tools for every cut or refining the curve repeatedly until it's too small or turning the lathe off and on and off to check the sanding...

JKJ

[Ryan Mooney]

Incredible, no wasted motion. None of that silly adjusting the tool rest or switching tools for every cut or refining the curve repeatedly until it's too small or turning the lathe off and on and off to check the sanding...

JKJ

Yeah some of his skew work is literally unbelievable. I figure if I can get that one cut down by the end of the year I'll have figured something out :D

Check out the backwards planing cut he does at about 40s in here (its worth watching the whole thing cause he takes the piece to round in a single planing cut right before that!!! :eek:):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZK1FzVH924

I have no idea how that is physically possible.

[John K Jordan]

Check out the backwards planing cut he does at about 40s in here (its worth watching the whole thing cause he takes the piece to round in a single planing cut right before that!!! :eek:):

I have no idea how that is physically possible.


I tried the backwards cut a little while ago and it did cut somehow. It was a bit contrary to my preconceived notions but I did get reasonable shavings. I had to twist the skew a tiny bit clockwise when moving backwards to the left so the bottom edge would catch the wood. The cut was not very smooth on my first try. I suspect the only reason he uses this as a production turner is to save a bit of the return time. It did look like his finish cuts were all made in the normal direction.

I do rough out long spindles like that with the skew. Since he did not stop the lathe for a look I wouldn't be surprised if the stick was not completely rounded on the first pass, even though he was supporting it with his hand. I've done that several times and it works fine without any blood or bruising if the blank is not too large a diameter. Also, if his wood is soft (and not too splintery) it might be easy to get it mostly round on the first pass with a sharp skew.

This one (posted before) was a handle for my shuffle hoe. The dry hickory was not something I could turn that fast or steady with my hand until it was almost round. It even pounded a big roughing gouge at first. It did need a lot of hand steadying since I don't have a steady rest. (I rounded a section in the middle to steady for the rest of the roughing.)

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What amazes me about this guy is his speed. I know I'm the slowest turner in the US but this guy is so much faster I might as well be asleep. However, we never see any of his work up close. Are there scratches and irregularities those of us in the Perfectionist Club couldn't live with? But someone who makes a living rather than art has different goals.

Regardless, his skew technique is inspiring, especially his bead turning. The first chance I get I'm going to grind a big Thompson skew to an angle closer to what he is using to see if I like the difference. I think that looks closer to the angle I saw Richard Raffan using in one of his books.

JKJ

[Tony Pisano]

Turning in general. I worked for 30 years in machine shops, but just got wood lathe. Totally different beast.

[John K Jordan]

T...wood lathe. Totally different beast.

That reminds me of when a woman came to my shop so I could make her something for a friend. Years before she did some work in a machine shop making experimental fixtures for her graduate degree. Until she saw me turn on the wood lathe she had been under the impression all this time that we worked the same way, by cranking to move a carriage holding a tool! (I told her that would be like trying to draw curves with an Etch-a-sketch.) It was a huge revelation to see the tool held in the hand!

I also have a small mill and metal lathe in my shop. Now I know who to ask when I run into a problem. :) If you happen to live near East TN we could make a deal and trade instruction!

JKJ

[John K Jordan]

I would like to turn a bowl.
I have done pens but no bowls

Rob, where do you live? These two vet students came to my shop for two lathe lessons. Lesson #1 was on spindles. After the second lesson this is what they took home (still dripping with oil in this picture):

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If you live near East TN, come visit. If not, I'm sure there are turners near you who will make the same offer.

JKJ

[Robert Henrickson]

That reminds me of when a woman came to my shop so I could make her something for a friend. Years before she did some work in a machine shop making experimental fixtures for her graduate degree. Until she saw me turn on the wood lathe she had been under the impression all this time that we worked the same way, by cranking to move a carriage holding a tool! (I told her that would be like trying to draw curves with an Etch-a-sketch.) It was a huge revelation to see the tool held in the hand!

My brother is a machinist. The first time he saw me turning, he had a funny look on his face. He was quite dubious about a handheld tool. He has yet to try a wood lathe.

[Bob Bouis]

New skill -- restraint! The inspiration for this one came to me as I was on my hands and knees digging a small cherry log out of the mud at the dump.

[Miranda Hessel]

I'd like to learn how to refinish my dining table and chairs without destroying them. I'm sure I'll find helpful information in the pages here!

My other skill I will learn is how to maintain my good habits and complete projects in a timely manner.

[Ryan Mooney]

My brother is a machinist. The first time he saw me turning, he had a funny look on his face. He was quite dubious about a handheld tool. He has yet to try a wood lathe.

If you really want to blow his mind grind yourself a couple of gravers and show him how to hand turn brass (I've seen videos of clockmakers hand turning hardened steel but that looked a bit more tricky).

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDjRC-AoUVl/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVhdlfE0oDE

[John K Jordan]

If you really want to blow his mind grind yourself a couple of gravers and show him how to hand turn brass (I've seen videos of clockmakers hand turning hardened steel but that looked a bit more tricky).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVhdlfE0oDE

The graver looks like a skew-bedan. The guy in the video seems awfully timid about using it.

I've turned a bunch of brass and aluminum on the wood lathe with standard woodturning tools, usually a Thompson skew and spindle gouge. You can get very nice, long shavings. (Some acrylic in the pic too, sorry) The multi-axis drunken golf tee was fun. I should give it to the man who lives in the crooked house.

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Free-machining brass (360) seems to work the best.

This is an adapter for a tool handle. I usually make these from steel (on the metal lathe) but tried one on the wood lathe just to see if I could.

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So far I've turned wood, acrylic, nylon, aluminum, brass, and a big carrot. Maybe I'll turn off the heat in the shop one day and try turning a chunk of ice.

JKJ

[Jeff Walters]

Segmented bowl and getting comfortable with the skew.

[rob gugerty]

hello John
I live in Vermont for some reason I could not enter my information in the "my profile" area. I will try again.

thank you for the generous offer. very nice
going back to the vfd on my friends 1642 jet. in the end he ordered on from jet it was the quickest way to get him up and running.

thanks for all your help