Doug Jones from Oregon
12-27-2006, 5:38 PM
Well, since I've officially sold off my frame making business, complete with all of my tools, started a sandcarving business....I find myself reading the posts here and thinking....hmmm, just maybe I can renew the elements that I once found in working with wood.
Now, I don't want to build up an inventory of $25k worth of tools again, nor rent the space that all that takes...so what to do?
Once upon a time, I turned a few pieces of wood...actually more than just a few. At one time my daughters and I kept 3 lathes busy for many evening hours making pens.
Of course, today, there is such a selection of kits available and the woods, oh the beauty of the woods!
So, I'm dreaming about turning chunks into cylinders, again...like in pens, wine stoppers..you know the drill.
There are plenty of posts here regarding which lathe everyone likes, usually the one in their shop! I'm leaning towards the Fische lathe from Berea. Maybe because since they were about the only game in town when I was heavy into pens and they treated me very well, maybe cuz I've never seen it mentioned here by anyone (and I like to be different).
Fortunately, I either had the foresight to not sell my collection of some 40 turning tools (or I refused to let em go cheap enuf!), I won't have to purchase these this time. I will have to repurchase the mandrels, drill bits (and a new drill press).
The piece of information I have not seen mentioned here, is how are you all drilling those wonderful long holes in the blanks. This was always my biggest challange. Invariably, they came out the other end, well off center, or would split out the side. Perhpas it was the pressure of doing large qty's at a time, probably technique. I'd love to hear about your methods.
Another question comes from poor memory. Are most of the blanks one can purchase on the net long enough for the bulk of the kits avail and is there enough material that one could cut them in half with a chop saw...another tools I held onto...or do I need to consider a bandsaw?
So, I'm well on my way to rekindle my love for woodworking, if only in a small way.
Looking forward to your posts, keep up the inspirational posts and pictures, mine are coming.
Doug from Oregon!
Now, I don't want to build up an inventory of $25k worth of tools again, nor rent the space that all that takes...so what to do?
Once upon a time, I turned a few pieces of wood...actually more than just a few. At one time my daughters and I kept 3 lathes busy for many evening hours making pens.
Of course, today, there is such a selection of kits available and the woods, oh the beauty of the woods!
So, I'm dreaming about turning chunks into cylinders, again...like in pens, wine stoppers..you know the drill.
There are plenty of posts here regarding which lathe everyone likes, usually the one in their shop! I'm leaning towards the Fische lathe from Berea. Maybe because since they were about the only game in town when I was heavy into pens and they treated me very well, maybe cuz I've never seen it mentioned here by anyone (and I like to be different).
Fortunately, I either had the foresight to not sell my collection of some 40 turning tools (or I refused to let em go cheap enuf!), I won't have to purchase these this time. I will have to repurchase the mandrels, drill bits (and a new drill press).
The piece of information I have not seen mentioned here, is how are you all drilling those wonderful long holes in the blanks. This was always my biggest challange. Invariably, they came out the other end, well off center, or would split out the side. Perhpas it was the pressure of doing large qty's at a time, probably technique. I'd love to hear about your methods.
Another question comes from poor memory. Are most of the blanks one can purchase on the net long enough for the bulk of the kits avail and is there enough material that one could cut them in half with a chop saw...another tools I held onto...or do I need to consider a bandsaw?
So, I'm well on my way to rekindle my love for woodworking, if only in a small way.
Looking forward to your posts, keep up the inspirational posts and pictures, mine are coming.
Doug from Oregon!