Beginning Wood Turning

[Kenny Southerland]

Hello wood turners,
My daughter has now told me multiple times that she would like to learn wood turning, so I've decided to take her seriously. While I've been doing wood working for about 5 years turning has never been my thing up to now. I was recently able to get a Jet mini lathe on marketplace for $200 (Score!), and I am wanting to know what else I need to get.

We are planning to hold onto the lathe until Christmas and give it to her then. I don't want to go overboard (ok, I totally will), but I don't want to give her a present and then have to buy a whole lot more to use it; if I have to buy things I would rather buy them over time between now and Christmas and give her everything in one big package.

So far she has expressed interest in rings, bowls, and handled items like pizza cutters and bottle openers. She especially likes the items that have wood and epoxy (acrylic?) mixed together which would allow her to be more creative and make original looking items.

So my questions:


What else should a beginner have to start off?
Safety equipment? All I know I need is a good face shield.
I know I'll need plenty of turning chisels, but there are so many different kinds I don't know what to start with

HHS or carbide?
Angles?
Is there a good beginner set?


The lathe came with a basic chuck and a spindle, should I look at investing in other chucks, etc?
What are some good beginner projects that will help us learn what we are doing?
Other general advise you would give beginners?


Thanks in advance for the help! :)

[Brian Brown]

There are many here that can answer your actual questions above, and this is not really what you asked, but I thought I would mention that Craft Supplies USA has a few turning tools in their clearance bin for 25% off. In addition, they have an additional 15% off all clearance items, until Aug 8. Also. if you buy 3 or more turning tools at CS, you get 10 % off all the tools. Not sure if this is correct, but that seems to me to be 25% + 10% for 3, and 15% more off the whole purchase. Didn't do the math, but that should be about 46ish % off. Maybe this can help you stretch your turning dollar.

[Kenny Southerland]

Wow! Thanks!

[Richard Coers]

Get her in a class or find a mentor at a local AAW chapter. You absolutely don't want to buy "plenty" of chisels. Carbide vs HSS can become a wild discussion all by itself. I'm a person that cares more for the craft than making stuff. I feel a lot of satisfaction just doing it correctly, so HSS is always my recommendation. Every person I know that owns a carbide tool also talks about how they can hone them. My main beef with carbide is that you have no bevel to lean on to make a fare curve. It's just about shoving a piece of carbide into the wood and wiggle it around. When I see beginners work, I can tell you exactly which tool they used. Carbide always has tear out and tracks where the cutter moved around making the scraping motion. I've been turning for 37 years now, so please give my advice some consideration. You will get plenty of people telling you I don't know what I am talking about, but they've never sat thru one of my demos either.

[John Keeton]

Richard speaks truth on the carbide tools, with the exception of Hunter Tools. But, I wouldn’t suggest those for a rank beginner. You really don’t yet know if turning will “stick”, so I wouldn’t go overboard unless you are going to turn as well. Like many hobbies/crafts, there is a fair amount of attrition.

You will need a sharpening system and that will cost more than you paid for the lathe. Dull tools is one of the quickest ways to discourage a new turner. I would not buy another chuck yet. Everyone has their own idea of core tools, but generally a 3/8” spindle gouge, 1/2” bowl gouge, parting tool and skew are a good start.

[Edward Weber]

I agree with the other on HSS tools.
Learning with HSS tools is more than just a choice between the two, it teaches you tool presentation and how to understand grain direction, which are crucial in wood turning.
Lathe
Basic tools
Sharpening system
practice stock
Maybe a few inexpensive kits to get started.
You may want to start with spindle projects and save the expense of a chuck for now.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Classes or tutoring lessons with a seasoned teacher would be my advice. I don't have any carbide tools. When I started they weren't available. I agree with Richard and John about tools.

[Kenny Southerland]

Thanks, Richard. I'll keep all that in mind.

[Bernie Kopfer]

I’m going to wade in where angels fear to tread, but I am no angel! If your daughter is wishing to do turning as a hobby and for fun then keep her away from traditional tools. Carbide tools are simple, easy to learn, require minimal investment and provide nearly instant gratification. If she is somewhat mechanically adept with a couple of hours of instruction on carbide tools she will be off having fun and actually making stuff, and progressing quickly.To become somewhat proficient with traditional tools requires hours (read that as many, many hours) of practice. And the need to learn the art of sharpening, with its attendant costs and frustrations.
Three years ago I purchased a sharpening system bought some good T tools and a course on using them, mainly because at my age I needed to learn something new. What a PITA! It was like going from an automatic back to a balky stick shift. Now after lots of hours of practice I’m somewhat able to use them cleanly and safely. Oh yes all the whining about not as smooth surfaces with carbide is correct. More sanding is required (the 80grit gouge) but a small price to pay for ease of learning and having an enjoyable experience quickly.
I practiced dentistry as an enjoyable career and watched the changes, from gold, to porcelain, to ceramic; from silver amalgam to white composite filling, etc. Every advancement was met with “that’s not the way we learned it”. I’m sad to say but sometimes the complaints about carbide tools seem to fall into the same category. “This is how I learned it, and everybody else should too!”

[John Keeton]

Bernie, you sure know how to start a debate! 😀😀😀 I will enjoy the banter, but won’t wade in.

[Reed Gray]

Well, best bet for 'learning experience' would be to find the nearest AAW club. They come with monthly meetings and demonstrations, and were for me when I began, my biggest learning spot. As for tools, well, there is no end to what you can 'need'. Carbide tools do have their place, and I am unusual in that I use scrapers for almost all of my roughing work, and that is what most of the carbide tools are. The Hunter carbide tools are made for cutting similar to what gouges can do. Most beginner 'tool sets' have several tools that you will not ever use. Oh, another thing about clubs is that they come with mentors, and used equipment sales too....

I do have a bunch of videos up on You Tube, mostly about bowl turning.

robo hippy

[Russell Neyman]

Well, best bet for 'learning experience' would be to find the nearest AAW club.... Carbide tools do have their place, and I am unusual in that I use scrapers for almost all of my roughing work, and that is what most of the carbide tools are.... Most beginner 'tool sets' have several tools that you will not ever use.

I couldn't agree more, Reed. I have a thread running parallel to this one about a "Beginner's Tool List" that attempts to tackle the topic. I, too, use a great many scrapers with good success, and understand there are those Old School Purists who have distain for them.

[Bernie Kopfer]

The very sound advice being given here is that the learning experience is: much easier, faster, and safer with instruction from an experienced teacher. Finding a "carbide tool" teacher will probably be more difficult compared to locating "traditional tool" instructors. Try the clubs, there might be a C turner lurking in the closet.😀
But again it all depends on the long term goals of the beginner turner. Planning on museum quality turnings? That will take a few years. Planning on fun utility type turnings? That can happen in a few hours. Learning how to drive a car with an automatic is a good safe place to start. Then if one wants to drive a stick shift it is much easier to learn.

[Bernie Kopfer]

Kenny, you do not state how old your daughter is nor approximate physical size. You asked for a tool recommendation, I would suggest that you look at Simple Woodturning Tools. They are USA made, well liked, and great quality for the $$. Mid size if your daughter is small and you can upsize when needed.
Staying away from the cheap Asian knockoffs, probably goes without saying. Three carbide tools and a parting tool and she is ready to go.

[George Yetka]

Pen kits, bottle stoppers are an easy start.
Each of these kits require a little tooling.
-A bottle stopper mandrel, a drill bit, a tap, and some stoppers is all you need for bottle stoppers and a few other projects.
-CA glue kit for finish is cheap and useful in other places item This can be replaced with a simple finish.
-basic sandpaper and micro mesh for finishing
-I mentioned in another post starting with a cheep set of tools then replacing them as time goes on.

[Rob Gabel]

I agree with others here in taking a class. My wife had an opportunity to work with an LD student in a shop class. He was turning a bowl and she was able to "assist" him and thought it was fun. We took a pen turning class at Rockler and became hooked. We then attended a bowl turning class there as well.

We started with carbide tools as we were doing a lot of "acrylic" pens as well as wood. The upside with carbide tools is no sharpening system is required. Simply rotate the cutter (or replace) to get a fresh sharp edge. They are an easy entry into turning and making items. The downside is they are simply scrappers and do not leave as good as finish. We now have several carbide and HSS tools that we use when turning. I waited for sales and got an 8" slow speed grinder, CBN wheel, and the Oneway sharpening fixture and accessories (Black Friday sales are a good time to look for deals).

Fun projects to begin with that require minimal tools.

Handles (Kitchen items)
Bottle Stoppers
Twig Pots
Christmas items (snowmen, trees, ornaments)
Pendants (necklace)

[Kenny Southerland]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to come back and say thanks to y'all for the advice and ideas.

We will definitely be doing classes at the local Rockler to start with, and I'll be watching the sales for other equipment.

Thanks!

[alan weinberg]

I did Rockler and Woodcraft classes when starting. It’s of course teacher-dependent but the Woodcraft classes were great. Rockler used only carbide but Woodcraft was HSS.

[Dwayne Watt]

I would highly recommend investigating classes through a local AAW chapter. You can search for these at the AAW (American Association of Woodturners) website: woodturner.org
Joining a woodturning club is also a great way to learn from others. As every turner knows, woodturning is not quite as easy as it appears on YouTube. Without some training and mentoring it can be a very frustrating (and potentially hazardous) experience.

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

There are two main types of turning. Spindle turning (handles, finials, candlesticks) and face turning, (platters bowls and cups) there are some different tools for each type of turning, with a little over lap. Some lathes may be great for one, but not for the other. For face turning, you will want a lathe that goes down to a rather low RPM. like 100 rpm. For spindle work a much higher minimum works just fine.

You can turn small items on a large lathe, but not large items on a small lathe.

By all means, get her some beginning classes from a knowledgeable instructor. A mentor is fine but one learned, bad habits are hard to break. The American Association of wood turners has a FREE affiliate trial membership with access to all manner of video instruction that has been screened for proper practices and safety.

Face shield and breathing protection are as important as the lathe. ( I have had a piece of wood disintegrate from centrifugal force and got 6 stitches in the chin for my carelessness, in fact I was reaching for the face mask as I got hit.) I also have a lung condition from past life activities (never smoked) and wear a respirator almost all the time when sending..

The chucks and chisels often cost more than the lathe.

Don't get real cheap tools. The $19 dollar set at Harbor freight is not worth the money. There are reasonably priced mid grade tools that are well worth the cost. For spindle work, a skew chisel is the scariest thing in the shop. If she learns proper technique and use from the beginning, she will have a skill many grown experienced turner don't have. (I often turn for hours and multiple items using only a skew chisel. My preferred skew chisel is a 50 yr old Craftsman. An inch wide and 5/16 inch thick with lots of heft to resist chatter, etc. )

There is a group at the AAW, called WIT- Women in Turning, I am not sure how turning or wood is any different depending on the sex of the turner, but she may find someone to be her turning idol there. There is a woman at my turning club that can make the longest thinnest finials I have ever seen, in person or in pictures.

There are things turners do that make little sense to non-turners. Primarily to show off their advanced turning skills, not because the item is particularly artful or in demand by the public. Such long thin finials are just one of those.

Find a turning club she can join. Every meeting, my club has a show and tell where folks being their projects. I had no idea so many different kinds of things and methods could be done on a lathe. There are also a few face book groups devoted to turning. I have no dreams of creating great works, but I have posted little photo how to make certain simple things on them. For instance, to make a wooden turned whistle, or how to turn a fish. A few other turners post similar how to's of simple projects.

[Wyatt Holm]

I would recommend buying a few instructional DVDs. Some of my favorite s are "turning projects with Richard Raffan" and "turning projects with Rex Burningham and Kip Christensen" I watched Kip live a few years ago, he does a lot of projects for beginners on a budget. He shows you how to turn a pen using a cheap plastic pen for the kit. Another one was an ice cream scoop handle starting from a plastic handled scoop from Ikea. I would decide what she plans on making before investing in a lot of tools.

[Thomas Wilson80]

I would recommend buying a few instructional DVDs. Some of my favorite s are "turning projects with Richard Raffan" and "turning projects with Rex Burningham and Kip Christensen" I watched Kip live a few years ago, he does a lot of projects for beginners on a budget. He shows you how to turn a pen using a cheap plastic pen for the kit. Another one was an ice cream scoop handle starting from a plastic handled scoop from Ikea. I would decide what she plans on making before investing in a lot of tools.

While nothing is better than in-person, I learned from YouTube videos for several years before joining a local club (you have to be careful as not everyone on YT is proficient or safe).

Some of the best beginner videos come from Brian Havens. He has a video on each tool and discusses how to use it and why.
Other quality YouTube = Alan Lacer (esp for the skew), Richard Raffan, Craft Supplies, and Turn a Wood Bowl.

GL,
Tom

[alan weinberg]

Rockler and Woodcraft have pretty good beginning turning classes—carbide and HSS. I started there as well as a couple other places and really didn’t buy any tools or a lather till I was sure I wanted to turn. Have her take some lessons first.

[Randall J Cox]

i just finished at least 12 black walnut bowls using carbide. i belong to a woodworking club, have for about 10 years now, been wood working for about 40. I've seen many videos on turning, know expert turners, etc. I have finally decided to up my game and just ordered the Oneway Wolverine sharpening system for my gouges. I have known that I should be using gouges for years now and finally am making the move (at 76 years old!). What convinced me is the end grain tearout on every bowl i turn and trying to sand it out. I have 5-6 more bowls to "twice turn" out of a lot of green walnut that I was given in "rounds" form. You can do a decent job with carbide quickly, short learning curve that is. However, you'll not get away from end grain tearout with carbide so your limited in your ability to do really nice work. Randy

[alan weinberg]

so it’s been a few months. How is she doing?

[Steve Mathews]

This may have already been mentioned but I would place a priority on quality safety gear - safety glasses, face shield, respirator, etc. Good safety practices are easier to accept when first starting out with them.