Tools for wood lathe...

[venkatbo]

Folks,

'am a newbie to wood lathes...
I'd like to take 3' of a 4x4 piece and convert it into something like:


What turning/chisels tools/sets would I need for creating such a leg - especially for the transition curvature (at the top) between the square edges and the cylindrical part ?

Thanks,
/venkat

[RayintheUK]

To make the leg in the picture, I would recommend a roughing gouge (to turn the square stock into a cylinder), a spindle gouge (for the curves and beads) and a skew chisel to make the transition (rounded pommel).

All these tools come in a variety of sizes, but for this project I would look for a roughing gouge of around 3/4" a spindle gouge of either 3/8" or 1/2". Skew chisels are reckoned to be the most difficult turning tool to use, consequently there are many firmly-held and differing opininons regarding them. I favor the largest flat skew, although others swear by oval varieties. In your circumstances, I think a 3/4" oval might be the kindest start, as it's probably less lilely to dig in. HTH

Ray.

[just4funsies]

The only thing I can recommend that Ray has not already is PRACTICE.

[Tom Hintz]

Ray gives some good tool ideas. I would add that if you are new to turning, the leg in the photo is a very abitious project. I would take the second suggestion and get lots of practice in before mounting the leg blanks in the lathe.
That simple looking transition from square to round can be downright frightening until you get used to making that cut.
Glue up some cheap wood and practice the necessary features of the leg until you get comfortable with them. THEN, mount the good wood and make yourself proud!

[venkatbo]

Thanks all for the insights... and the enlightenment that ... there is more to it here than meets the eye... but then a newbie like me could be pardoned for the ambitious plan, I hope...

This set at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013 looks like a good starting point...

/venkat
PS: RayintheUK - I couldn't help the curiosity, but locate your city on the map... and found that I was ~100miles off in Newport/Cardiff a few yrs back... Jolly good trip it was, visiting my unc . Regards.

[Tom Hintz]

"but then a newbie like me could be pardoned for the ambitious plan, I hope... "

If an ambitious plan could get us in trouble, most of us would be in prison right now.
Ambition is great, just keep a firm grip on common sense with at least one hand!

[just4funsies]

One more suggestion that you might look into if you have a Woodcraft store near you. Most of them have woodworking classes (usually on Saturdays) and will have a basic turning class about once a month. Check into it. They teach you how to make the basic cuts properly, how to choose tools, and how to be safe and sane with the lathe. They usually offer students 10% off anything in the store on the day of their class, too. Now, go make sawdust (or in your case, chips).

[gerti]

Check for a local chapter of the American Association of Woodturners, maybe this one in your case: The Bay Area Woodturners Association. Chances are they have meetings where they help out beginners. It will not cost much to join, and the benefits will far outweigh the cost!

[sacherjj]

I just signed up at Woodcraft for the March introduction to woodworking. It is a class that meets two nights for 3 hours each night. The price is $75 and I hear really good things about it.

[joekj]

lathe tools link


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066
well worth the money

[venkatbo]

... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47066
well worth the money

Thanks... Actually, this morning I read on another thread of this set and got me one for $36+tax... HSS it says... Hpefully is of reasonable quality... other sets are close to 3 times this...

/venkat

[maxparot]

I have that set and it is of very reasonable quailty.