First wood turning project

[shoottx]

Here are a couple pictures of my first turning project. The walnut handle is a replacement for a Stanley 220 hand plane.

One of the many tools that has been buried in the shop is a Powermatic 90 Lathe. After being impressed with the turnigs on this site, I excavated the lathe, plugged it in and gave turning a whirl this evening.

It was fun, made a lot of saw dust (I started with a 3x3 chunk of walut scrap). This venture has stoked my curiosity about turning.

So here are the questions; Where can I find the best resources on wood turning with out hunting through everything. Where is the best web info, best books, best videos or other resouces on wood turning. I am interested in good basics and fundementals. Don't know where I will go with this, but it was alot of fun.

[Uncle Cracker]

I would recommend seeking out one of the many turning clubs where those of the hobby meet and "compare notes". Also, if you have a Woodcraft store in your area, there are many classes you can take that will give you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

[TB Roye]

Mike

I don't know how big your Lathe is. If it is a mini or midi you will be limited as to the size of the items you can turn. If you have a Woodcraft near you go and browse their book and video selection and possibly take one of the classes they offer. Word of warning, you are on another slippery slope. Turning is addictive and fun, almost instant gratification. I got into turning pens when Amazon had the Delta lathe special last September and now it is all I want to do, I even thought of getting rid of my other large tools, jointer, planer, router table, extra router and the BT3 but decide against it. I will be 66 soon and know I won't be using the big stuff very much longer but I can turn for many more years.
Have fun.

Tom

[RayintheUK]

Where can I find the best resources on wood turning with out hunting through everything. Where is the best web info, best books, best videos or other resouces on wood turning.

The accepted best book (and video) in the UK is Keith Rowley's "Woodturning - A Foundation Course" (ISBN-10: 1861081146; ISBN-13: 978-1861081148).

http://www.woodturning-videos.com/ will get you started on-line, but it will take many hours to watch it all!.

Remember that sharpening is the most important aspect of woodturning in order to get the best out of it, both in finished product and pleasureable experience.

Ray.

[Steve Russell]

Great Job!

Hello Mike,

Great job on your turning project! I've been a professional woodturner for more than thirteen years and I can tell you there are tons of resources on the Internet to learn about woodturning. There are numerous sites that offer free videos and articles on different aspects related to woodturning.

As another poster recommended, joining a local woodturning club is a great way to immerse yourself in woodturning. Also, taking an introductory class from a professional is a good way to get started. A professional woodturner can give you a solid foundation from which you can begin to build your skills.

My website has more than 50 free articles available on woodturning. If you email me, I will be happy to send you the link. If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, or post a message on the forum. Take care and welcome to the addiction we call "Woodturning"...

[shoottx]

Everyone, thanks for the great advice.

I don't know how much I will get into another woodworking hoby. Most of my learning are based on the need to know at that time. As with the first project I needed to add a front knob to a plane to make it more functional.

I would recommend seeking out one of the many turning clubs where those of the hobby meet and "compare notes". Also, if you have a Woodcraft store in your area, there are many classes you can take that will give you an opportunity to gain hands-on experience.

Got the Woodcraft schedule, and will look up clubs

[shoottx]

Mike

I don't know how big your Lathe is. Word of warning, you are on another slippery slope. Turning is addictive and fun, almost instant gratification.
Tom

The Powermatic 90 book says it is a 12" lathe built between 1968 and 1978 with a 1 hp motor. For a first time experience it was sure fun.

[shoottx]

The accepted best book (and video) in the UK is Keith Rowley's "Woodturning - A Foundation Course" (ISBN-10: 1861081146; ISBN-13: 978-1861081148).

http://www.woodturning-videos.com/ will get you started on-line, but it will take many hours to watch it all!.

Remember that sharpening is the most important aspect of woodturning in order to get the best out of it, both in finished product and pleasureable experience.

Ray.

Thanks for the info, I will take a look at it this evening. And just by coincidence I had Leonard Lee's Sharpening book open to turning tools this AM.

Looks like I will be building a couple of sharpening jig this weekend.

[shoottx]

Hello Mike,

Great job on your turning project! I've been a professional woodturner for more than thirteen years and I can tell you there are tons of resources on the Internet to learn about woodturning. There are numerous sites that offer free videos and articles on different aspects related to woodturning.

As another poster recommended, joining a local woodturning club is a great way to immerse yourself in woodturning. Also, taking an introductory class from a professional is a good way to get started. A professional woodturner can give you a solid foundation from which you can begin to build your skills.

My website has more than 50 free articles available on woodturning. If you email me, I will be happy to send you the link. If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, or post a message on the forum. Take care and welcome to the addiction we call "Woodturning"...

Thanks for the nice comments. I dont know how immersed I want to be, I don't know if I can stand another interesting hobby. I will send an e-mail for the links to your site.

Thanks again.