Hey, Sophie

Re: Hey, Carol

David Sophusson, Custer Wa.

>Hi Carol,

I use the same tools on my Midi as I do on my big lathe. I actually use the Midi more than the big one, you can make some pretty decent sized bowls and things on the Midi type lathes. Smaller tools are only handy if you are turning miniature turnings like itty bitty goblets or doing fine detail work. Glad to hear your interested in trying your hand making round stuff!

I'll know by next Wed. if the 24th is on for sure. I want to make sure Vern Leibrant is going to be around to give us a turning demo. I'll be seeing him next Tuesday night. Would that be too late for you?

Vern and some of his bowls

Gees, Sophie, I said MINI

Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA

>lathe. Those bowl blanks won't fit. heyheyhey.

About the date, just let me know when you know. It is going on my web site as a committed weekend!

The reason for the mini lathe is (initially) to turn knobs, small finials, and maybe some Christmas ornaments, if I ever get that good. Now you know what I want to try at the BBQ. Gotta be some good instructors there.

So do I need smaller turning tools and where do I go shopping?

Re: Ok Ok Ok....

David Sophusson, Custer Wa.

>Hi Carol,

You can get just about all the major tool profiles for spindle, bowl, and hollowing from mid-sized, mini, and miniature. Bonnie Klein by Henry Taylor, Sorby, Henry Taylor and others make tools for small turnings. The Woodturners Catalog and Packard Woodworks are two good places to look. The real key though is learning how to use each profile to it�s full potential no matter what size it is. Once you master that you�ll find that you can do just about anything with far less tools.

At the 2002 Annual BBQ I think that we figured between just Vern Leibrant, Dick Anderson, and Wally they totaled about 140 years of turning experience! So I�d say that yeah it�s a pretty good bet that while you�re here you�ll probably pick up a tip or two. ;-)

Sophie, working on a Saturday again�.RATS

Re: Hey, Carol

RonZ

>Hi Dave,

My friend makes large bowls and he's wondering what too do you recommend for roughing out large bowls.

Thanks in advance,

Ron

Hey, guys (& gals)

Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA

>I am new to this turning thing. I just got a mini lathe. I have never turned a bowl in my life, but that may change!

I am starting with small knobs, small finials, and later in the year, some Christmas ornaments.

No one has yet commented on the turning tools I need. Please do. I have some bigger chisels, skews, etc., but they seem awful large for the tool and job at hand.

The next area of information gathering has to do with chucks. Any input for a turning newbie?

Re: Hey, guys (& gals)

RonZ

>Hi Carol,

Here's my recommendations. First it should be high speed steel. I use Hamlet so that makes it easier to recommend what I know and use. You can get them at Craft Supplies USA or Packard Tools.

The three main ones I would suggest are the 1/2" detail gouge, 1/2" rolled edge skew, and the 1/16" parting tool. This will get you off to a good start making what you wan to make.

You can make a waste block on your face plate and glue on what you want to make. If you have the money, a chuck is best, of course. I recommend Vicmarc VM100 but a Oneway will do. If you have any more questions, feel free to e-mail me.

Ron

Turning tools & Chucks

Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA

>Thanks, Ron.

I'll look into the tools and the chuck.

I have been drooling over the latest Grizzly catalog and looked at their G8783 4 jaw chuck for round pieces. Any comments?

Re: Turning tools & Chucks

RonZ

>That's fine for a first time/getting started chuck. Keep in mind a few things. Proceed with caution! Some of these chucks are not machined 100% so be very sure your work is tightend down well. This is the two level model which will work best if your machine has an indexer to lock the spindle. If not, be prepared to excersize your coordination.

With that said, if you are committed to woodturning and you do have the money, then do get the better chucks.

Re: Turning tools & Chucks

Peter Teubel

>Carol Reed Wrote:

"I have been drooling over the latest Grizzly catalog and looked at their G8783 4 jaw chuck for round pieces. Any comments?"

===========================================

Wipe up your drool and forget about it ;). I had that chuck (came with a used Grizzley lathe I purchased last year). Used it once and literally threw it out. Personally, I found it beyond useless. Nova (not the Compac), Vicmarc, Oneway....any of those chuck manufacturers are a much better choice.

Re: Carol & Ron

David Sophusson, Custer Wa.

>Carol if the chuck your looking at from Grizzly is the $39.00 one you probably won�t be happy with it. As you may know the original Grizzly warehouse/showroom is only a few minutes from me in Bellingham. A year or two ago when I was in the showroom looking for turning stuff I noticed they didn�t have one of those chucks on display. I asked my favorite showroom guy about it and he went in back and brought one out. Brand new right out of the box we wiped the grease off of it and checked it out. Lots of things Grizzly has are great buys but unfortunately this clone of the Nova chuck was very disappointing. I only have the Nova chuck which requires two wrenches to operate unlike the very user friendly Super Nova, Oneway Stronghold, or Talon but I get by just fine. As for smaller tools I would hold off buying any new ones until you learn what you can do with the ones you already have. If you don�t have a bowl gouge you might want to look into a 3/8� HSS from any of the name brands. Like everything else the real key to making your tools work good is Keep Them Sharp!

Ron, Vern turns all of his bowls wet and to final shape in one session. While the bowl is still mounted he will wet sand it with right angle sanders. He then places the bowl in a plastic bag and every day for a few weeks he will take the bowl out and turn the bag inside out and put the bowl back in and after that he�ll do it once a week. After about six months he�ll put a finish on it and then it�s ready for sale.

Sophie

Re: Carol & Ron

Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA

>Well, bummer, Sophie. That was in my price range for now. The new catalog has it described as a 4-jaw chuck for round pieces and priced at $36.95, part number G8784 for 1" x 8 TPI.

I am saving extra sheckles for the trek to WA in July. Have no intention of missing it this time. Chuck money will have to come from some place else.

Anybody got one for sale out there???? Hello.....Hello.......can you hear me????? Anybody there?

Well, can fault a person for trying and Mom says I have always been trying.

Re: Carol & Ron

David Sophusson, Custer Wa.

>I got my Nova a couple of years ago when Woodcraft had them on sale for 99 bucks. You might try keeping an eye out for one on ebay. I'll check my Grizzly catalog tonight when I get home to make sure we're talkin apples and apples but I'm sure we are.

Sophie

Re: Hey, guys (& gals)

Joe Fleming

>Carol,

The San Diego Woodturners are right in your backyard. Consider joining us. We have about a dozen mentors that would be more than willing to provide you some guidance to get started (including me-I live in Scripps Ranch). We meet at the San Diego Woodturning Centre in Poway.

Also, the San Diego Woodturning Centre is an excellent resource. They have a great selection of Sorby and Crown tools. Ernest will be more than happy to help you select an appropriate starter set. They have classes too.

But since you asked:

Essential:

3/4" roughing gouge (larger one OK)

1" skew (not the oval style)

3/8" spindle gouge

3/8" bowl gouge (1/2" shaft diameter)

1/8" parting tool (not the diamond style)

====================

Almost essential:

3/8" beading and parting tool

1" round scraper (for bowls - 3/4" to 1-1/4" OK; get 3/8" thick if at all possible)

Chucks:

I like the Vicmarc VM100. It is a key operated chuck as opposed to a lever operated chuck. Much easier to handle. The Oneway Talon gets good marks too.

Re: Carol & Ron

Joe Fleming

>Carol,

I seem to recall that you will be demonstrating at the Woodworks 2004 show in Ontario. If that is the case, Oneway was there last year and had everything 10% off. For the Talon chuck, that would svae you about $20 dollars.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

Re: Carol & Ron

Dave Peebles Lyons,Ohio

>Hello Carol,

Go for the Talon at the wood show. It is an awesome chuck. It will hold everything you want to turn.

Besides, you are a best selling author. How about a signed book in exchange for a nice chuck.:)

Talk to Kim or Kevin at Oneway, I'm sure they will make you a good deal!!

Good to see you on the round side,

Best wishes,

Dave

Re: Hey, guys (& gals)

Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA

>Hi Joe,

I am aware of the SD Turning Center. And I have stopped by a few times but nobody was ever there. Do you have a web site with meeting times, etc. It didn't google.

Also I have a standing deal with Nan Bushley that I'd teach her routers and she'd teach me how to turn. ;-) Maybe I'll take her up on it.

Re: Carol & Ron

Carol Reed, the Router Lady, Ramona, CA

>Gees, thanks, Dave. Best selling author. I can only hope. Haven't seen a check from the publisher yet but you just now reminded to get some books ordered for the show.

Really think they'd swap? One can only try. I'll look them up. Can I drop your name? WIll it help? ;-)