Woodworker's advice needed

[tonydahose]

i am getting a lathe this week, it is a craftsman freebie, no idea on the age/condition but it sounds as if it wasnt used much at all. i have been watching alot of youtube vids to try and get familiar with the operation. i have a full face shield too, so i can keep my rugged good looks in case i mess up something at 2500 rpm, hopefully i wont. does anyone have any advice, good videos to check out. i know i need to get my hands on the lathe and pratice but i wouldn't mind learning from someone else's mistakes. thanks!

[Lord vader]

i am getting a lathe this week, it is a craftsman freebie, no idea on the age/condition but it sounds as if it wasnt used much at all. i have been watching alot of youtube vids to try and get familiar with the operation. i have a full face shield too, so i can keep my rugged good looks in case i mess up something at 2500 rpm, hopefully i wont. does anyone have any advice, good videos to check out. i know i need to get my hands on the lathe and pratice but i wouldn't mind learning from someone else's mistakes. thanks!

My father inlaw is a 40 year carpenter and uses his lathe,and I have watched him do a lot of things with it.They can be dangerous for sure.I have not used them but would love to try.

[Qcrazy]

Hey Tony, Just jump in. Start small and work up. Pens, yoyo's, wine stoppers are a nice easy way to start. Woodworking stores in the Denver area offer free turning classes, so check around. Also start with cheaper woods, and know your woods. There are woods that are irritants when dust is breathed. Show us your work when you get something done. Enjoy, Dan

[razorsharp]

I have one , get the right safety equipment, use a sharp lathe chisel and craft til your hearts content , Try making a perfect ball, its a challenge

[SQSAR]

I'd say the better, and sharper, your gouges are the better off you will be and the quicker the learning curve will progress. But, to second Qcrazy's advice, I'd also say just practice on some cheap wood to get the feel of things, and see if there are any Woodcraft stores in your area where you can go to take some classes. I know all the Woodcraft stores I've been to in Colorado, Delaware, and Maryland have had good helpful people in them, and I suspect the same may be found in your neck of the woods. Good luck and please share some pics when you get started.

[justinl]

I'm no lathe expert but i suggest starting with soft pine or something soft and cheap like that. It teaches you patience because if you go too fast you'll start chipping rather than cutting the wood. Patience is valuable for when you progress to hardwoods and finer detail work. good luck, I want a lather in my workshop of the future!

[SolidState]

One name:
Richard Raffan

Read his books. They are great. He is a master and a great teacher.

[unit]

Personally, I would be terrified to use one without having someone in the know teach me some basics first hand.

I helped out in a machine shop in grad school and heard some seriously horrific stories in reference to lathes.

Sorry I can not help much other than to say you are wise to seek advice before diving in.

[Pinetreebbs]

Personally, I would be terrified to use one without having someone in the know teach me some basics first hand.

I helped out in a machine shop in grad school and heard some seriously horrific stories in reference to lathes.

Sorry I can not help much other than to say you are wise to seek advice before diving in.

Sage advice! Spinning materials and sharp blades, it pays to know what you are doing. I have seen (inadequately) glued up blocks fly apart when they were spinning on a lathe.

There are some local folks that turn boxes and bowls from local trees. I love to see dead trees turned into lumber and works of art not firewood. I used to enjoy woodworking, unfortunately, sawdust and I don't get along.

[angusW]

I was using my brother-in-law's lathe when I was in grade 6 but in grade 7 shop class I learned a good tip. Instead of screwing your work directly to the faceplate which will leave three holes in your piece, glue a block of wood with a piece of newspaper between the block of wood and your piece. So in other words, put some woodworkers glue on the bottom of the piece your going to work on, put a piece of newspaper on that then get a block of wood and put some glue on it and put that against the newspaper. Clamp it and then the next day it's ready to go. You'll then screw the faceplate onto the block of wood. When you're finished turning your piece, use a chisel to separate the block of wood from you work and then some hand sanding will be needed to clean it up. Hope that makes sense

Another valuable tip is, say you want to make a goblet. So you need to cut a square block of wood on the bandsaw to get a roundish shape before you put it on the lathe. Make sure there is no lip from where the blade enters the cut and where it leaves the cut because when you go to turn it on the lathe and you put your chisel into it, it with fly off of said lathe and into your face. Don't ask me how I know that one

[BAL]

I'm no lathe expert but i suggest starting with soft pine or something soft and cheap like that. It teaches you patience because if you go too fast you'll start chipping rather than cutting the wood. Patience is valuable for when you progress to hardwoods and finer detail work. good luck, I want a lather in my workshop of the future!

Great advice, slow and patience.