New Lathe-No Tools

Re: New Lathe-No Tools

TDaniel

>Doug, I think the harbor freight set will get you started and give you something inexpensive to practice with. You will enjoy the new lathe much more if you will take an introductory turning class from a good turner. When you are ready to try bowls you will want a bowl gouge and a jig to sharpen it. Tune in tonight at 9:30 eastern time for a discussion on sharpening this gouge.

Re: New Lathe-No Tools *LINK*

Sean Troy

>Hi Doug, I would suggest joining our local turning club. You can find meetin times and location at www.azwoodturners.org We have a lot of turners who can stear you in the right direction, answer questions and show you how. Welcome to turning. Sean


http://www.azwoodturners.org

Re: New Lathe-No Tools

RonZ

>If you already know about buying the best you can in power tools, it definitly holds true for lathe tools. I recommend Hamlet as they give you the most value for your money but Henry Taylor, Sorby, and Ashley Isles are good too. If you are starting on spindle work then I suggest the basic minimum to start with is a 3/4" roughing gouge, 3/4" Rolled edge skew, 1/2" detail gouge, and a diamond parting tool. If that is too tight for you, you can leave out the 3/4" roughing gouge and use the 1/2" detail gouge for rounding your stock. Then practice and add tools as you need.

Good luck!

Re: New Lathe-No Tools

Mike Schwing from Md.

>I'm one of the newer turners here. I started out with a "free" set of tools that came with my Delta lathe, pretty much the same set someone gave me from Harbor Freight. They were/are fine for basic learning, but then bought some heavier duty Crown tools, and only wound up using the parting tool from the initial set. However, I wish I'd have bought only one other tool as thats all I use now - the Ellsworth Gouge and a parting tool. Since learning how to use that Ellsworth grind properly I've not found a need (or desire) to pick up any other turning tool. I'm turning a bowl or two every evening and can't imagine picking up a traditional bowl gouge again.

I wouldn't take advice from a new guy like me over the other turners here, but I bet one day you look back, after trying that Ellsworth tool, and remember that it was suggested to you!

Re: New Lathe-No Tools

Andy in Raleigh

>I am a relative novice also, so take this with a grain of salt. Some is experience, some is research.

Every example you gave of things you will probably do is spindle turning. The best single tool for spindle turning is the skew, but it is difficult to use. Spindle gouges are easier to use but don't leave as smooth a surface.

You want high speed steel (HSS). HF offers a couple of HSS sets; the $30 (I think) 8 piece full size set and the $13 3 piece mini set, which I have. I also have a full sized HSS 1" skew that I picked up on eBay.

From watching others at presentations, on videos, having conversations and from my own limited experience, I have become convinced that the skew is far and away the best spindle tool but that it must be used with great care.

-Andy

Cheap tools, grinder, sharpening jig

John Trant (aka Boxes-n-Bowls)

>Buy the cheap set first with the idea that they are essentially disposable. You will enjoy turning much more with selected tools of higher quality (not a set) once you learn how to use them but there is no sense in making all of the envitable initial mistakes with expensive tools. The cheap tools are fine for your initial attemps at turning spindles but will suffer severly when turning bowls in the faceplate orientation.

If you do not have a grinder, I suggest a 1725 rpm grinder with 8" A/O wheels of 120 and 80 grit (white or pink). If you have a grinder, even a cheap 6" high speed grinder, just replace the wheels and you will do fine for now. As with your turning tools, you will appreciate a quality grinder later but it is not necessary to start your newest addition.

The most important initial purcahse for beginners is a Wolverine Grinding Jig (it is a bit pricey) or a home-made version (there are several web sites that publish plans). Tool sharpening and tool presentation are the keys to enjoyable woodturning. You need to learn both but the jig will make the first task a lot easier to master. A turning club will help tremendously with the second task. They will clearly be your cheapest but most valuable resource through your beginning and intermediate stages fo turning.

Enjoy!

John