Please keep me from breaking my clubs....err new turnng tools

[Popeye]

OK, I know that I don't know what in the world I'm doing but I'm trying...
Got the lathe back up and running. Turned a few pens. Not real sure that's turning if I could do it. Managed to turn the finial for the marble tower.
Now to the core of today's fustration.... Needed a bowl for the tower. 3"deep by 7" dia. Didn't have anything that big. Glued up 4 pieces of 3/4" x 7 x 7" oak with a piece of 3/4 x 7 x 7 cherry for the lip. Fought and fought catches, fixed catches, the only thing I seemed to be able to cut with was a bowl gouge. This is on the outside BTW. I managed to catch everything with ever tool I tried but a break I got it done...it ain't perfect but boy am I ready to go back to flat work. Is end grain, which most of this really was, that hard to turn? I feel like I was run over by truck. Guidance for the turning challenged greatly appreciated. Pat

[gerti]

About 2 years ago I was at that exact same spot. It is normal... and it will get better with practice. Taking a class or getting help from a more experienced turner will get you there much faster though. I strongly recommend you go here:

http://www.woodturner.org/

and click on 'Local Chapter List'. There are quite a few in GA. I joined the local chapter here and as far as turning is concerned that was the best money I ever spent.

[Popeye]

About 2 years ago I was at that exact same spot. It is normal... and it will get better with practice. Taking a class or getting help from a more experienced turner will get you there much faster though. I strongly recommend you go here:

http://www.woodturner.org/

and click on 'Local Chapter List'. There are quite a few in GA. I joined the local chapter here and as far as turning is concerned that was the best money I ever spent.

Thanks for the info. Closest place is 90 miles from me though. Pat

[Ken Massingale]

Pat, you mean Folkston doesn't have a chapter??!! ;-D
k

[cabinetman]

Pat

First make sure your tools are sharp, I mean sharp. Lean in slower. Try changing the approach and tool angle as you make contact. Just to cover what I'm saying, there are different angles of contact that would vary the type of cut and result (or damage). Speed will also affect the outcome.

When you hit on the best speed and pressure and angle, you'll feel and hear the difference.



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[Popeye]

I think what was killing me is this was/is all end grain. I've only been practicing on edge grain and the bowls I turned years and years ago were turned out of solid stock so I was cutting along the grain. Gonna glue up another and turn it with the long grain and see how it goes. Still need to figure out the proper way to cut this end grain though. Thanks Pat

[Jim Boyd]

Sounds like a good video would be of some help. Do a Google on Bill Grumbine. His turning dvd is really good from what I hear.

[gerti]

To bead the nearest chapter is so far away. Videos or DVDs are another way to pick up some tips.

You mention glue-ups, which means dry wood. Dry wood, especially kiln-dryed, is harder to cut than green or semi-dry wood. Try some wood from the firewood stack, or maybe some thicker branches found about. It will be easier to cut, which makes it easier to learn with and better to built confidence.

And as mentioned, keep your tools sharp. With dry wood a touch-up every few minutes may be required.

End-grain is notoriously hard to cut, it likes to tear out and cause catches. Personally I like to use scrapers with a burr, held at an angle for a very light shear cut.

Keep at it, and try and find other turners to learn from.

[Tom Miller]

If I understand correctly, the grain was perpendicular to the turning axis? Besides scrapers, the bowl gouge is about the only tool you should expect to get good results from. The fact that you "got it done" is pretty impressive!

Like the others are saying, I think a good video would do wonders -- I can't imagine having tried using the bowl gouge without seeing it done first. I rented a Raffan video from the local Woodcraft, but I've also heard really good things about this Grumbine video.

Regards,
Tom

[Popeye]

Our friend Ray Girling, aka RayintheUK sent me a copy of the lathe demo for his Hegner Lathe. Got it in the "Post" yesterday. Boy howdy didn't it make me feel stupid. It's a wonder I didn't hurt myself or destroy a gouge let alone actually get a bowl that would work. Lots and lots of good info in the video.
Probably others that would help too but I couldn't find any in the library and Woodcraft is 45 miles away (I think that is a good thing too
Anyway.... Thanks again Ray and all of you on the advice. Got the tools sharpened on the disk sander now all I need is to cut up some more practice wood. Pat

[jwaterdawg]

Sounds like you are terrible at turning. Why not just give up, and send the lathe to me






Seriously, stay safe. I hope one day to go round.

[RayintheUK]

Probably others that would help too but I couldn't find any in the library

Have you tried this organization, Pat? Don't know if anything in their list would appeal to you, but Keith Rowley's stuff is pretty good, aside from a monotone commentary.

Keith's "Woodturning - A Foundation Course" is the beginners' favorite over here. YMMV. Glad the Hegner video got you back on track!

Ray.

[gerti]

With respect to the Raffan videos, I don't think they are that great, especially not for a beginner. He is a production turner of many decades, and some of the things he does most turners would be better of not knowing about.

[Tom Miller]

With respect to the Raffan videos, I don't think they are that great, especially not for a beginner.

Yeah, I think I'd be inclined to agree with that. But his is the only turning video I've seen (the only one available to "rent"), so I don't really have anything to compare to. I don't think it'd be the first one I'd buy.

+1 on the Rowley beginners book.

Regards,
Tom