Teach a New Tool by Hand Turning the Spindle

I thought everybody did that

I think that's the best way

John K Jordan

>>>Wondering if anyone has tried helping a person learn a new tool (skew, gouge, scraper) by turning the spindle by hand while the student brings the tool to the wood.

That's the way I always teach beginners, for at over 10 years now, maybe 12. We start with the skew chisel and they learn the bevel, the edge, and how to position the skew safely and make fine cuts. The skew is perfect for this since it is about as simple a cutting tool possible.

After a few minutes of this (depending on the person) I turn the lathe on to it's lowest speed, about 50 RPM, and they practice. Not long after, they are making planing cuts with the skew at high speed. I have never had a student fail to learn the skew and none have gotten a catch. After working with some other tools, several have reported the skew is their favorite.

I've also used this method with experience turners who were afraid of the skew. It worked for them too.

I forgot to mention - I always start them with a spindle blank I've already turned round. I think the "violent" roughing method often taught first is intimidating to some. After they have practiced the skew I introduce the roughing gouge, still on a rounded blank. Then the spindle gouge. Finally after all that, I show how to make a square blank round.

JKJ

Re: I think that's the best way

Don Stephan

JKJ

This approach is very appealing as it would seem to provide a low anxiety introduction for the new turner. And if the cause and effect of catches is covered before the lathe is turned on, and then reinforced several times, the new turner might be gaining not just a procedure or approach but more importantly an understanding as well that would allow self-correction down the road.

It would be very helpful if you would consider a description of your process in some detail so others could give it a try. For example, what size skew and shape of the cutting edge, what diameter and length round dowel, do you simply turn the handwheel by hand or do you have a dowel attached (like a "necker-knob" for steering wheels) so the handwheel can be rotated more evenly without paying it a lot of attention? What indicators suggest when the student is ready for the spindle to be motor driven? What indicators suggest when to increase the lathe speed, and at what rate, what top speed?

Is the first moments devoted to demonstrating catches, planing cuts with the lower half of the cutting edge, or a _______ planing cut with just the short point?

Does this first lathe and skew session transition at some point into making a take-home project, such as a spurtle or top, so the session is not just exercises? Another recent discussion here or on Woodturners Resource expressed some concern that the first session on the lathe should allow the student to make something to take with them.

Thanks for sharing, hope the flocks are healthy.

learning and making take-home things

John K Jordan

Don,

I don't have time to write a tutorial at the moment (I'm preparing for a demo including writing a handout document!) but yes, if the person is a brand new turner they always take home something. (If they are an experienced turner coming just to learn the skew we don't do this since they can do that at home!)

I've posted these photos before but they illustrate nicely. These two girls, vet students and not strangers to the farm, came one day to learn about the lathe. We started with the skew as mentioned to learn how the edge cuts and how to plane effectively. Then we learned V cuts with the skew, coves with the roughing gouge, had an introduction to coves and beads with the spindle gouge.

I made a giant model of a skew from wood and a large diameter model spindle which makes illustrating the cuts easier, especially the V cuts.

Both of these beginners made things to take home, one a garden dibble and the other a whacking stick.

Just after that we started on face turning, practice with bowl gouge and Hunter tools, then each made a 2nd project to take home the same day:

Neither of these two have access to a lathe and both were busy with school so it was two years before they had time to come back. At her third time at the lathe I taught the techniques for turning thin spindles and this young lady made this wand:

At her third time at the lathe the other girl wanted to make a present and started on this, although it took several trips back to finish. (A lot simpler since she's old enough to drive now!) This was quite an ambitious project for a beginner - and I think she is pickier than me at sanding and finishing.

Then she came back and practiced beads and coves and learned the thin spindles and made this:

Neither has had A SINGLE CATCH on any tool as far as I know, and I should know since I have always been right there.

The interesting thing to me was BOTH of these beginning turners said the skew chisel was the easiest tool for them, far easier than the complicated multi-movement spindle gouge.

Both have been back several times and plan additional visits this week. I think it is time for more spindle practice and then perhaps a lidded box. Good clean fun! Remember, neither has access to a lathe unless they come to my shop.

You might have to remind me but I can try to write up some notes for you later, probably not until early March - I have back to back commitments until then! I do have specific methods and tools that seem to work ok and some ideas for improvements. Or another idea, drive down and visit and we can reenact and take photos - might make an interesting magazine article or something!

JKJ

Also...

John K Jordan

I can't remember if I made it clear - I turn the lathe by hand not only for the initial introduction with the skew but for every tool introduced - roughing gouge, spindle gouge, bowl gouge, scrapers.

* I show the new tool and demonstrate the use with some cuts.

* With the lathe I show how to present it to the wood and how NOT to present it!

* With the wood still stationary the student holds the tool to the wood and I correct stance, angles, rotation, etc.

* I turn the lathe by hand and they explore what it takes to make a shaving.

They learn what motions make very fine shavings and which can make deeper cuts and what things can cause disasters!

* After a few minutes of this (or until I'm convinced they understand), we turn the lathe on slowly then gradually faster. I watch every move and warn and correct as needed to prevent problems - depth of cut, possible catch situations, stance and posture, smooth motion, etc. If they have trouble with anything we back up, even back to the lathe off if needed.

I think this lets method them get comfortable with each of the very different types of tools.

I don't stick with just one of each tool, for example, just one skew. After they are comfortable with with one skew I hand them another and another to try. This lets them feel the difference and sometimes find they can work better with one size, bevel angle, or edge profile than another. When we move to doing the first project they can then use the tool(s) they are more comfortable with.

Hey, I knew there was a good reason to have 12 skews, 6 rouging gouges, ....

Oh, and we stress safety and health from the very first. Now these girls won't work without safety glasses, respirators, and the DC on where appropriate.

JKJ

Re: Also...

Don Stephan

Hey John, that is extremely helpful, and includes some useful steps I didn't think of.

Just to clarify, when at the beginning you demonstrate some cuts with the tool, is that with the lathe running at effective speed, or with the lathe off and the student turning the handwheel for you? Or perhaps even better, the first then the second?

Hope it will be a bountiful spring for 4 legged kids, for guinneas and peacocks, . . .

Re: Also...

John K Jordan

When I demonstrate the cuts it is with the lathe running at the speed I usually use for that cut, sometimes wide open for spindles. The purpose of this is to get them to understand what we can do with that tool, sort of the goal.

I do occasionally show a cut with the lathe turned by hand but for that I just hold the tool in one hand and turn the lathe myself.

I also forgot to mention that when we work on spindle gouges and bowl gouges as well as letting them try various sizes and grinds I introduce one of the Hunter carbide tools into the mix, usually the small Hercules. I show both the scraping mode and the bevel-rubbing mode and the difference in the surfaces you can get.

By that time I would not go back to turning the lathe by hand unless they has a problem, which so far has been never. (Maybe John Lucas will tell how he introduces them - I think he has used them with a class of beginners, in the scraping mode.) After using a Hunter for a bit on face turnings, some people reach for it a lot. I showed one friend the other day and he immediately called and ordered some. For my own turning I sometimes use the Hunters exclusively for certain operations.

JKJ