The small benchtop Wen lathe is doing ruclips.net/user/postUgkxKGVtPhqZBB5AQXXFlU2kdd4mQhO6wlhl just what it was desighed to do, turn small pieces. This product is workig very well in wood and plastics, I wouldn't recommend any metal turning on it though. Overall from an old tool guy, I highly recommend this lathe as long as you realize that this is for small turning only. I bought this a few weeks ago and have noticed the price has gone from $174. to $249. Might want to get one sooner than later.
This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection ruclips.net/user/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.
As someone with a full fledged wood shop the lathe is its own beast. I have never bought another tool that needed an entire tool chest worth of accessories to fully enjoy
You do a great job showing the devil in the details with a good sense of humor! I appreciate your style! I have a lathe in my barn, and now understand the mushroom effect in costs to achieve a good finished effect. Thank you!
I've basically been teaching myself how to turn. My father gets the basics and he taught me, but he's not a professional. I really needed this! Thank you!
I was given a Jet 1221 just short of when they came out, and I wish I was told these 10 things when I started years ago. Anyone new to turning listen up, this is spot on! Pine is useless to practice on. Sanding in reverse is good and has it's times, yet sanding with the grain is imperative. Bowls are where it's at so get a lathe with more swing than length, your tool rests will be more forgiving. As for vibration true in lower speeds, keep sharp tools and, "mount it to the house if you can, otherwise cast it in concrete". Every cut of wood is different, why use your face to learn that. It's a lot cheaper to protect than restore, lungs aren't free. The tools are costly, so look into making your own. Never sleep on a chuck and carbide tools, they can do almost everything without breaking the bank. Hope y'all turning projects TURN out well ;)
So I put my mom on my flimsy lathe stand like you suggested, didn’t work she vibrated off, urn broke, now she’s all mixed up with wood shavings and floor dust.
This man is one cool dude. Really enjoyed the video! As a metal worker - lathe and milling background - can empathise with many of the points raised here.
Really good video. I recently set up my old lathe and just wanted to look at some refresher material for safety etc. Thanks for making this, I'm jealous ya got some nice tools yo 👍👍
I am getting back into lathe work now at 50. The last time I turned was in high school shop and I enjoyed it for that semester. ( in other words no experience) My wife of 13 years and friend to this day often got mad at me saying, " quit talking about it and do it". "You have always worked so hard and never have done something for yourself like that". 2018 to 2020 was a rough time for me. I was in the fight for my life literally against the big C. My last surgery was in December of 2019 and in January 2020 I was told I was in remission! I must say that it changed my perspective in a big way. I took out a loan and got myself a jet 1221vs, g4 chuck pen mandrel, buffing wheels, slow speed grinder, band saw, table saw, planer, jigs clamps and all that including the others in your video. I also think I have the same set of starter tools that you do! I have tried a few different woods (pine being the first) but wanted to make these awesome bowls and fancy stuff. I started with first bowl (which is still sitting idle on the lathe after two months) with ash 2x8 glued together. I am now afraid of the dang thing, and very frustrated. I will no longer touch a skew chisel as I think it is a widow maker with catch. I know I am going on and on and I am sorry for that but I want you to know how much I like your video and it again gives me hope and excitement. I know that after turning a dozen Rockler slimline pen kits I was not ready to move on to harder stuff, but I did anyways. I have been searching for two months now on what wood to learn and hone the basic skills and have been so overwhelmed I quit searching deciding I am just going to cut up some 2x4 pine and do that after we get the crops in and things slow down. Thank you so much for this video and your time in making it and sharing it! Super like and subscribed as you give me hope and something to try. I have exhausted my searches here in south Dakota for a club as the nearest one is south 3 1/2 hours or north Dakota 4 hours. I know hands on help would be the best though it is not available in rural SD or even Aberdeen SD which is only 80 miles away. Again sorry so sappy and wordy, I just want you to know how much this video means to me. Thank you Sir. God Bless and I hope you and yours are all in good health and doing well.
Congrats! I'm very happy to hear you beat it and are in remission and chasing a very very long dream. You've probably found them.. but a few folks I can recommend for turning are Ashley Hardwood and Carl Jacobson. They're both here on RUclips and have some really helpful content. I'm with you on the skew though.. it's a total nightmare until you've clocked the hours to get the feel of it (which I haven't). I recently switched to carbide and have to saw for finalizing details I definitely prefer them. There's much less of a learning curve with them. Personally I really like maple to turn. It's closed grain, hard enough that you can't accidentally get carried away, but soft enough to turn easy. Hope some of that helps and thanks so much for watching and subscribing and your kind words. Comments like yours go an extraordinary way in keeping me motivated to keep doing this. God bless.
Garry not Linda. I know I'm late to the party here but for you and anyone else reading these comments, park that skew in a drawer and leave it there for about five years and work on smaller projects with the other tools you have. Go back to basic practice cutting beads and coves until you're sick of them. Good video producers to add to your favorites are Alan Stratton at As Wood Turns, Mike Peace and Mike Waldt. Go through their archives there's a gold mine of turning information in them. Mike Peace has several free handouts for turning pill boxes, coffee scoops and other easy projects on his website. Stay away from pine and cedar for turning stick to hardwoods like maple, ash and oak which are usually reasonably priced. Check with a tree trimmer/arborist in your area and watch for downed or damaged trees. You can usually get some nice pieces just for carrying them away. Last summer I got some nice branches from a silver maple that is less than a block from my house. I still have to turn a piece from that stuff to give to the lady where I got the wood. Get a diamond card or block to touch up your edges between grindings. Stumpy Nubs has several videos on those. I'm using a 6" grinder also but I've also learned finesse. Light passes. I bought the Wolverine system but I'm not that infatuated with it. Since I have it I'll use it. Check Eddie Castelin's hack for making your own bowl gouge sharpener to save a few bucks. Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for this video. I love it as much or more than your other videos. Over one year ago I took a loan out after my fight with cancer. I have always loved the idea of lathe turning; however it took me from high school until the age of 50 to do something for myself that always seemed frivolous in my day to day financial responsibilities. I do not want to discourage others that could not do what I did; however I do own all of the tools you have mentioned and more after the loan. I hope to pay off. I went through some set backs in life with family health and have put it aside, as well as some very scary catches when trying different types of wood. The chisel is my nightmare! I can not find any clubs or training near me in South Dakota, but still have the passion to make things. I dream of making gifts for family and friends, I just do not know where to turn to pursue this dream. My first purchase was the jet vs1221. I know it is capable of what I want to do, I just have become so frustrated not being able to do what I want to do. I thank you as I am going to order kits (other than pens, as I think I have those down to the finish at this point). Is there on online step by step from beginning to end you can recommend for me so I can learn more? I have a poor man project of hardwood on my lathe that has now been many months since I turned it on because of my frustration. I am sorry this is so lengthy but it comes from my heart as in 6 days I go in for my tests to find out if I am still cancer free and it weighs heavy on my heart in breaking my promise to myself to live and do what makes me happy. Thank you, Sincerely. Glen Fitch aka Jeff Smith.
Quite an amazing story sir! I pray your tests come back clean. I’ve yet to master the skew chisel as well.. If it’s giving you trouble, I’d recommend just setting it aside and spend more time with gouges - or go with carbide. As far as guides I can’t think of any. But I do recommend Carl Jacobson. He’s an amazing turner and has done a bunch of live shows where he turns something beginning to end. And he’s good about talking through what he does. Hope that helps sir.
Great stuff, thank you. I just entered the world of wood turning and I’m experiencing everything you’re talking about here. Thanks for the tips, and great info on the Rockler kits. 👍🏼
Hey thanks for the to the point video. Just bought a lathe (Grizzly Lathe) for my 15 year old son but at this point I’m also excited to use it also. Just getting it set up now and this is helpful for setting us up for success. Yay!!
Thanks for the heads-up! I'm not into wood turning, but I did get a set of turning chisels and made a tool post for my metal lathe so I can use it for the occasional project. Good tips, now I have to find a video on how to use all those different chisels properly ;)
You just about talked me out of buying a lathe. Very informative video. Woodturning is like 3D printing, after you've made a bunch of pens and pepper mills, and a big mess, what now? I don't think I can afford to go down this rabbit hole.
There's a reason you can find so many full turning set ups on Facebook Marketplace. You either get sucked down the rabbit hole and it's a life long passion, or it's part of a shop that you use when a project requires, or you dabble.. get to the "well, I tried that and it was fun but doing the same thing over and over ain't for me" and it sits 'till you sell it.
"Forgetting the Other Expenses" section: the story of my last year. But finding that part of the fun. I'm in a major city, but found there are used equipment dealers that have every part or tool you can think of at discounted prices. Great video.
The nice UPS man brought me my first lathe last week and I'm looking forward to unboxing it. Or at least I was... TIA for helping reduce the number of mistakes I'm going to make. Great vid! Aloha
Wow what a great video. Thank you... I had a nice old manual mill... Never used it. Traded it for an old Rockwell/delta from 1959. Came with so many tools and chucks and what not ... I've learned a lot already and am well on my way.
Your humour is as dry as the wood that gets turned, love it 😊 got a new subscriber mate, cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 where it’s dryer than a dead dingo’s donga 😎
Thank you for all your tips. I am new at this, thinking on buying a staring wood lathe, but I realize watching your video that is much much more than just the lathe. Thanks though!
Great video thanks. I wish I had seen it when I was getting started. If I may- 1. Having a bed extension on a small lathe is a great way to park the tail stock to make room for your elbow. 2. It's easy to sharpen carbide bits. Just rub them face down on a flat diamond hone. Finger pressure and a little lubricant is all that is needed. 3. Instead of a spur dive I would recommend a safety center especially for beginners but for experts too. Cheers, Montana Wood Art.
I concur with all these points. Never used the full bed on my lathe either. Luckily when I bought mine it came with tools and centres and 4jaw Chuck and 3 different sizes rests. Also some other sundrie items. If you buy second hand always look at what accessories come with the lathe.
I’m new to lathes after recently retiring. Thanks for the heads up about more tools to buy. However, my motto has always been, “It’s not the size of the project, it’s the tools you can justify.” 😂😂😂 Sure honey, I can fix that. I just need to run to the tool store…
Well, it's been 4 months and I'm really enjoying it. I bought a Delta 46-460 and carbide tools. I started with a 4x4 fence post and am now buying wood from Woodcraft. FYI, I'm watching the video again, and it all rings true.
Great video, i bought my first lathe pre lockdown when i wasn't workin (we still on lock dowm in Ireland) anyway i thought no bother ill just get chisels. Boy was i shocked at set prices, mid to high end sets range about 130-170 euro. So after months i saved enough an got them, but now im stuck on the 4jaw chuck part u mentioned 🙈.. It will probably be another year befor i can afford one of those 😭😭 i make little wood rings but sales fell off by 95% the past year and a half now due to the whole Covid19 mess.. So im in wood turning limbo for now😔.. But i really enjoyed your video this morning so thumbs up from me👍🏼 very helpful and loved the humour, thank you.! U got my subscription today. Best of luck 🍀
Thanks so much. It's probably like any craft or hobby I suppose -- there's no end to the accessories. My son loves fishing. He has 16 fishing rods now. But Dad, you need that one for... Yep. I did buy the bed extension already. And that very same Benjamin's best tool set, ha! Now I need a 4-jaw chuck. Oh, and then a sharpening set up, and then...
I've recently acquired a lathe and have watched a number of videos, this being a VERY good one. I'm excited and terrified at the same time. Can't wait to not maim myself and make something cool!
Excellent presentation for everyone, beginners to avidly turners. We may want to loosen up for a quick fix and this is where it happens! May I add to your list the woodturners long sleeves getting caught in the piece of wood or the turning chuck it always end up in serious injuries and the last that is rampant amongst the woodturners is the mistake to work in complete parallel to your piece of work. It is not unusual for a piece to get dislodged from the grip of the chuck and / or the tail stock. The mask helps the blunt trauma but not enough to the neck and chest. I was taught to use a slight diagonal angled position away from your work in progress. I cannot tell you how many of my friend woodturners and myself avoided impact that way. I appreciate your videos. Love to see more.
I felt that last one to be the most difficult... I’m already in more than I planned, and I still don’t have a low speed grinder or jig. I’ve just been free handing on an old bench grinder! I fear I may be taking off more steel and could end up spending more in the long run
Five years ago, when I first bought a used lathe, it came with most of the basics: set of assorted Chinese gouges, a four-jaw chuck, a live center, and the worm-screw. After turning a few simple bowls, I decided it was time to get some Brand-Name turning tools, so I went to a woodworkers' supply store and saw the endless assortment of groovy-but-ridiculously-priced shit you can throw money at. Checking out at the register with my significantly (and sadly) down-sized shopping cart, I mentioned "Can't believe I'm paying a hundred and seventy bucks for a ⅝ bowl gouge!" The sales guy looked over the top of his glasses at me, snorted a slight smile, and asked if this was my first foray into the realm. I replied "Yeah, just picked up a lathe off Craigslist two weeks ago." Sales guy replied "Great. Welcome to your new CRACK HABIT!"
soft woods like spruce are common in northern Europe and a lot of nice furniture is made out of it. I started out with that stuff and getting a nice finish on spruce isn´t that hard. A lathe with a long bed was very important for me, since I make furniture and it has at least to be long enough so I can turn table legs, columns for all kinds of furniture, legs for bar stools and pieces for railings. A long bed is also important if you want to mount a chuck to drive whatever you´re turning and a drill chuck in the tail stock to drill holes into tool handles for example. A chuck, a drill chuck and the drill can easily cost you 10 inces. As you see, there are lots of applications for lathes with long beds. Just think about what you want to build. The diameter only matters when you´re planning on making bowls
Thae best thing I like about having the bed extension on my lathe is it allows me to move the tailstock far out of the way when I am turning bowls. That way I never have to remove it.
I was entertained. I wish I had seen this a few years ago when I started turning. Outside of using PPE I learned all of this through trial, error, and wasted money and time. Oh well. It's been fun anyways and I'm seeing the fruits of all my mistakes payout as I'm actually selling the odd bowl now.
I tried to avoid that by buying an expensive lathe. Now I keep thinking, well the lathe was so expensive what difference does a chuck make or a new gouge or this or that...
Some useful tips there, as someone who is just starting out I would also suggest an 11th mistake that I keep making; wearing trousers / pants / jeans with pockets, as they keep filling up with small shavings
Tip 9 at 8:23 - That's one nasty chunk taken out of your roughing gouge! And speaking of roughing gouges, one safety mistake new turners make is using a spindle roughing gouge on a bowl blank when the blank is mounted cross grained. Never, ever, EVER do this! The flat tang on the spindle roughing gouge may catastrophically snap if you get a solid catch, especially if you haven't properly readjusted your tool rest position, and throw sharp and broken metal uncontrolled around your shop.
One suggestion: Before you go out and buy a 4-jaw chuck, buy several inexpensive 3" and 4" faceplates. Four-jaw chucks are relatively new to the turning world. Yet, back in the 1980s and 1990s, before chucks became common, turners were able to make everything we make today using chucks. Faceplates are just a little slower. They are also safer and more accurate. Learn how to use faceplates and you won't regret it. If you stick with this hobby, you'll most likely want a chuck (or four). I have several, but I also frequently use my faceplates.
Yep. Up until a year ago I only used face plates on my ShopSmith. I have two or three inch plates and a larger five inch one. It was only after watching so many RUclips videos of good turners all using chucks did I get one. Glad I did. Pretty straight forward how to use. Much easier with small items & turning between centers. Of course, with my new Nova chuck I “needed” to get a nice live center kit too, ogh, and some fancy new carbide tipped tools, ogh, and some good nice wood, & bowl blanks, & some nice Rockler sandpaper......😀
Nice and clear tips ! BTW, I found a way to use my all extension bed lenght by turning a baseball bat and some handles for gardening tools like shovels :)
Nice video and great advice based on my experiences. I'm a newbie and have experienced many of the issues you described. So it appears to me that the advice was right on point. The only additional thing that I would add is that there are a lot of restorations that require wooden handles or knobs. This can be an option to buying kits and often you end up with very good looking a functional tools.
I found that the major weakness of most smaller lathes is the motor lacks torque at the lower rpms, especially useful for truing up those odd mostly out of round and balance when trying to spin it fast enough to make real progress early on
I have slowly added to my turning accessories. You don't need everything all at once. Usually when I do a new project of some sort.. I'll end up with a new tool... but at some point... you'll get pretty much everything you need. Not want... but everything you need.
As far as finding beginner tools go: Estate Sales are the BEST kind of market to find tools. I found Spindles, Partings, and Skews for roughly $.50 - $4.00 each. These weren't exactly HSS type tools but more like the vintage sort. Great handle shape, a little rust, slightly dull but with some TLC, a wire brush / wheel, and a grinding stone you'll have a tool to learn on until your time invested warrants a NEW HSS tool! So far, I've spent no more than $40.00 for everything I need. And when it comes to wood: Dumpster diving can go a long way. See a broken piece of wood on the side of the road? Hawk it up, square it out, and learn to turn junk wood into dowels. There's nothing like taking junk wood and learning what is worth turning and what is worth putting in the BBQ. However, there are some junk woods that turn well and you can really learn to Spindle on with Beads / Coves. Oh yeah, Wood Glue is CHEAP and is a great end grain sealer. When it comes to your Guts: Always trust your instincts ; if you get a little nervous about a certain turn of a log - stop and reexamine. Safety always comes first and honing your instincts will save you! This is the best summary of advice I can provide as a beginner to beginners!
I got lucky and missed out on seemingly every used lathe that came up for sale within a couple hours drive of my house... EVERY SINGLE ONE WAS SOLD, usually within hours. So I bought a Nova Comet 2 value pack which came with a set of small traditional tools and a 4 jaw chuck. Money well spent in my limited experience, it might not be the best kit out there but I am starting out with a speed controllable machine and a handful of toys to experiment with.
Very informative! My new journey has started on your mistake 10, though I was counting on spending money. It is funny how much stuff you starting 'needing.' Rockler is awesome! Thankfully a Maple bowl blank is only a few bucks, so not going down the 'buy a Hemlock 2x4 and pulling out what little hair I have' road. Thanks for the video!
I'm just getting started and those are great tips. I love those kits. For anyone else getting started, a lot of face shields are out of stock or on backorder at the moment due to the pandemic. So, plan on looking around a lot for one. I found one with built-in hearing protection intended for chainsawing. I have standard protective eyewear but spinning wood and sharp tools, yeah, I'll wait for that face shield to come in. ;)
Just found your channel. I love your hard faced approach to newbies. Me in a reincarnation sort of way lol. You've covered some great subjects lol. Trying to stop laughing at you extremely honest commentary. I'll give you a break, I'm still laughing now. Top drawer personality lol. Tony
For pratice wood, I have a prevlage od working with sheet metal, and they use oak and things to tie strap too. Any large objects to pallets, just a thought
Watching this in the breakfast nook with some coffee and my wife walks in asking what’s so funny. I guess you’re funny. It comes so naturally to you that I didn’t realize how funny you are until my wife pointed it out. Yeah bud. You’re funny af. 🤣🤣👍❤️
Thank you for the tips! Even though we are in a "tropical" country, with forests and trees in many places, it is not easy to find "turnable" wood. It is very frustrating trying to turn any wood. I'm also having problems with cracks in the wood, even after drying... would you have any tips? We work with sculptures, and these are cracking after being painted... it's really bad. Any help would be very good. Sorry for the English, but I used a translator. Good job!
I pretty much followed the same evolution as you with chucks and accessories. It's frustrating to learn you need an expensive jig or something else....
The small benchtop Wen lathe is doing ruclips.net/user/postUgkxKGVtPhqZBB5AQXXFlU2kdd4mQhO6wlhl just what it was desighed to do, turn small pieces. This product is workig very well in wood and plastics, I wouldn't recommend any metal turning on it though. Overall from an old tool guy, I highly recommend this lathe as long as you realize that this is for small turning only. I bought this a few weeks ago and have noticed the price has gone from $174. to $249. Might want to get one sooner than later.
Thanks!
This is a valuable addition to my woodwork collection ruclips.net/user/postUgkxbnOKZBE4evMO5V2vroHeCjq6d_MV6wJO I still will rate this woodwork plan as the best in my reference library. It always seem to stand out from the rest whenever you go through the library. This is a masterpiece.
Yes
As someone with a full fledged wood shop the lathe is its own beast. I have never bought another tool that needed an entire tool chest worth of accessories to fully enjoy
Facts
Thanks for keeping this video straight and to the point. Learned ALOT in the shortest amount of time possible. Appreciate you, sir!
There is an incredible amount of truth in this video. It was like Deja Vu for me. Brought a smile to my face in places. Well done!
Haha fantastic! Glad you enjoyed it
So true!
YouCanMakeThisToo pugs”opportunity
You do a great job showing the devil in the details with a good sense of humor! I appreciate your style! I have a lathe in my barn, and now understand the mushroom effect in costs to achieve a good finished effect. Thank you!
Thank you very much! And yeah, cost can definitely run away on you
I've basically been teaching myself how to turn. My father gets the basics and he taught me, but he's not a professional. I really needed this! Thank you!
Glad it helped!
I was given a Jet 1221 just short of when they came out, and I wish I was told these 10 things when I started years ago. Anyone new to turning listen up, this is spot on! Pine is useless to practice on. Sanding in reverse is good and has it's times, yet sanding with the grain is imperative. Bowls are where it's at so get a lathe with more swing than length, your tool rests will be more forgiving. As for vibration true in lower speeds, keep sharp tools and, "mount it to the house if you can, otherwise cast it in concrete". Every cut of wood is different, why use your face to learn that. It's a lot cheaper to protect than restore, lungs aren't free. The tools are costly, so look into making your own. Never sleep on a chuck and carbide tools, they can do almost everything without breaking the bank.
Hope y'all turning projects TURN out well ;)
All great advice! Always good to get some validation too!
So I put my mom on my flimsy lathe stand like you suggested, didn’t work she vibrated off, urn broke, now she’s all mixed up with wood shavings and floor dust.
Sounds like user error to me
🙀🙀🥺🤣🤣🤣🤣
OMG , hahahahahahahaha , almost spilled my coffee , lol
Nice
Instructions too complicated. Balls stuck in a vice.
I'm subscribing because I appreciate the effort you are putting in to becoming a grumpy old man. Keep up the good work!!
I appreciate that!
He is so right about tools. 12 years of turning and I still need more.
That's the truth
This man is one cool dude. Really enjoyed the video! As a metal worker - lathe and milling background - can empathise with many of the points raised here.
Right on!
Really good video. I recently set up my old lathe and just wanted to look at some refresher material for safety etc. Thanks for making this, I'm jealous ya got some nice tools yo 👍👍
I am getting back into lathe work now at 50. The last time I turned was in high school shop and I enjoyed it for that semester. ( in other words no experience) My wife of 13 years and friend to this day often got mad at me saying, " quit talking about it and do it". "You have always worked so hard and never have done something for yourself like that". 2018 to 2020 was a rough time for me. I was in the fight for my life literally against the big C. My last surgery was in December of 2019 and in January 2020 I was told I was in remission! I must say that it changed my perspective in a big way. I took out a loan and got myself a jet 1221vs, g4 chuck pen mandrel, buffing wheels, slow speed grinder, band saw, table saw, planer, jigs clamps and all that including the others in your video. I also think I have the same set of starter tools that you do! I have tried a few different woods (pine being the first) but wanted to make these awesome bowls and fancy stuff. I started with first bowl (which is still sitting idle on the lathe after two months) with ash 2x8 glued together. I am now afraid of the dang thing, and very frustrated. I will no longer touch a skew chisel as I think it is a widow maker with catch. I know I am going on and on and I am sorry for that but I want you to know how much I like your video and it again gives me hope and excitement. I know that after turning a dozen Rockler slimline pen kits I was not ready to move on to harder stuff, but I did anyways. I have been searching for two months now on what wood to learn and hone the basic skills and have been so overwhelmed I quit searching deciding I am just going to cut up some 2x4 pine and do that after we get the crops in and things slow down. Thank you so much for this video and your time in making it and sharing it! Super like and subscribed as you give me hope and something to try. I have exhausted my searches here in south Dakota for a club as the nearest one is south 3 1/2 hours or north Dakota 4 hours. I know hands on help would be the best though it is not available in rural SD or even Aberdeen SD which is only 80 miles away. Again sorry so sappy and wordy, I just want you to know how much this video means to me.
Thank you Sir.
God Bless and I hope you and yours are all in good health and doing well.
Congrats! I'm very happy to hear you beat it and are in remission and chasing a very very long dream. You've probably found them.. but a few folks I can recommend for turning are Ashley Hardwood and Carl Jacobson. They're both here on RUclips and have some really helpful content. I'm with you on the skew though.. it's a total nightmare until you've clocked the hours to get the feel of it (which I haven't). I recently switched to carbide and have to saw for finalizing details I definitely prefer them. There's much less of a learning curve with them. Personally I really like maple to turn. It's closed grain, hard enough that you can't accidentally get carried away, but soft enough to turn easy. Hope some of that helps and thanks so much for watching and subscribing and your kind words. Comments like yours go an extraordinary way in keeping me motivated to keep doing this. God bless.
Garry not Linda. I know I'm late to the party here but for you and anyone else reading these comments, park that skew in a drawer and leave it there for about five years and work on smaller projects with the other tools you have. Go back to basic practice cutting beads and coves until you're sick of them. Good video producers to add to your favorites are Alan Stratton at As Wood Turns, Mike Peace and Mike Waldt. Go through their archives there's a gold mine of turning information in them. Mike Peace has several free handouts for turning pill boxes, coffee scoops and other easy projects on his website. Stay away from pine and cedar for turning stick to hardwoods like maple, ash and oak which are usually reasonably priced. Check with a tree trimmer/arborist in your area and watch for downed or damaged trees. You can usually get some nice pieces just for carrying them away. Last summer I got some nice branches from a silver maple that is less than a block from my house. I still have to turn a piece from that stuff to give to the lady where I got the wood. Get a diamond card or block to touch up your edges between grindings. Stumpy Nubs has several videos on those. I'm using a 6" grinder also but I've also learned finesse. Light passes. I bought the Wolverine system but I'm not that infatuated with it. Since I have it I'll use it. Check Eddie Castelin's hack for making your own bowl gouge sharpener to save a few bucks. Hope that helps.
Thank you so much for this video. I love it as much or more than your other videos. Over one year ago I took a loan out after my fight with cancer. I have always loved the idea of lathe turning; however it took me from high school until the age of 50 to do something for myself that always seemed frivolous in my day to day financial responsibilities. I do not want to discourage others that could not do what I did; however I do own all of the tools you have mentioned and more after the loan. I hope to pay off. I went through some set backs in life with family health and have put it aside, as well as some very scary catches when trying different types of wood. The chisel is my nightmare! I can not find any clubs or training near me in South Dakota, but still have the passion to make things. I dream of making gifts for family and friends, I just do not know where to turn to pursue this dream. My first purchase was the jet vs1221. I know it is capable of what I want to do, I just have become so frustrated not being able to do what I want to do. I thank you as I am going to order kits (other than pens, as I think I have those down to the finish at this point). Is there on online step by step from beginning to end you can recommend for me so I can learn more? I have a poor man project of hardwood on my lathe that has now been many months since I turned it on because of my frustration. I am sorry this is so lengthy but it comes from my heart as in 6 days I go in for my tests to find out if I am still cancer free and it weighs heavy on my heart in breaking my promise to myself to live and do what makes me happy. Thank you,
Sincerely. Glen Fitch aka Jeff Smith.
Quite an amazing story sir! I pray your tests come back clean.
I’ve yet to master the skew chisel as well.. If it’s giving you trouble, I’d recommend just setting it aside and spend more time with gouges - or go with carbide.
As far as guides I can’t think of any. But I do recommend Carl Jacobson. He’s an amazing turner and has done a bunch of live shows where he turns something beginning to end. And he’s good about talking through what he does.
Hope that helps sir.
The most practical wood turning video on RUclips.
Thanks!
Great stuff, thank you. I just entered the world of wood turning and I’m experiencing everything you’re talking about here. Thanks for the tips, and great info on the Rockler kits. 👍🏼
That’s great, have fun! The Rockler kits are awesome. Pricey, but they deliver on the quality for it.
I,m now retired and new to wood turning, this video was extremely HELPFUL!!!!!!!
Glad to hear it!
Hey thanks for the to the point video. Just bought a lathe (Grizzly Lathe) for my 15 year old son but at this point I’m also excited to use it also. Just getting it set up now and this is helpful for setting us up for success. Yay!!
That’s great! Hope yall have a blast learning together
Thanks for the heads-up! I'm not into wood turning, but I did get a set of turning chisels and made a tool post for my metal lathe so I can use it for the occasional project. Good tips, now I have to find a video on how to use all those different chisels properly ;)
That is awesome! Have fun!
I just spent way too much money on a new lathe and I have no idea what I'm doing lol. This video was very helpful, thanks
Glad I could help!
You just about talked me out of buying a lathe. Very informative video. Woodturning is like 3D printing, after you've made a bunch of pens and pepper mills, and a big mess, what now? I don't think I can afford to go down this rabbit hole.
There's a reason you can find so many full turning set ups on Facebook Marketplace. You either get sucked down the rabbit hole and it's a life long passion, or it's part of a shop that you use when a project requires, or you dabble.. get to the "well, I tried that and it was fun but doing the same thing over and over ain't for me" and it sits 'till you sell it.
"Forgetting the Other Expenses" section: the story of my last year. But finding that part of the fun. I'm in a major city, but found there are used equipment dealers that have every part or tool you can think of at discounted prices. Great video.
Glad you've had good luck with the dealers in your area, where there's a will there's a way
The nice UPS man brought me my first lathe last week and I'm looking forward to unboxing it. Or at least I was... TIA for helping reduce the number of mistakes I'm going to make. Great vid! Aloha
Have fun and get after it!
Wow what a great video. Thank you... I had a nice old manual mill... Never used it. Traded it for an old Rockwell/delta from 1959. Came with so many tools and chucks and what not ... I've learned a lot already and am well on my way.
Great to hear, keep at it!
Your humour is as dry as the wood that gets turned, love it 😊 got a new subscriber mate, cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 where it’s dryer than a dead dingo’s donga 😎
Oh man, fantastic comment 🤣 thanks!
Just love this video. Very informative. Important tips, which is sometimes overlooked. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the concise presentation, too many presenters are in love with the sound of their voices.
I try
Thank you for all your tips. I am new at this, thinking on buying a staring wood lathe, but I realize watching your video that is much much more than just the lathe. Thanks though!
Oh yes, so much more!
Great video thanks. I wish I had seen it when I was getting started. If I may-
1. Having a bed extension on a small lathe is a great way to park the tail stock to make room for your elbow.
2. It's easy to sharpen carbide bits. Just rub them face down on a flat diamond hone. Finger pressure and a little lubricant is all that is needed.
3. Instead of a spur dive I would recommend a safety center especially for beginners but for experts too.
Cheers, Montana Wood Art.
Thanks for sharing!
I concur with all these points. Never used the full bed on my lathe either. Luckily when I bought mine it came with tools and centres and 4jaw Chuck and 3 different sizes rests. Also some other sundrie items. If you buy second hand always look at what accessories come with the lathe.
Truth! I think that’s the real value of getting second hand. Not the knock off retail price... but all the extras that may come with it!
Thanks man! I just got a lathe for Christmas and I am more confident now!
Great to hear! Merry Christmas!
I like your sense of humour! Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for adding these simple but important information
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for this video! I'm quite a beginner when it comes to turning, and this was helpful, well-presented information.
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful!
Quite helpful. Much appreciated. I realized that I have a good reason to always seems to be ordering something to turn.
Thanks so much! Just starting my first turning project today, and now I feel more confident.
Thank you for this advice. Lots of food for thought.
Glad it was helpful
Thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Love the realistic style of the video
Thanks!
Thank you. I hope to put tool to wood in the near future and this helps quite a bit
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for your insights! a salute from a toxic woods country (Colombia)...hahaha
I’m new to lathes after recently retiring. Thanks for the heads up about more tools to buy. However, my motto has always been, “It’s not the size of the project, it’s the tools you can justify.” 😂😂😂 Sure honey, I can fix that. I just need to run to the tool store…
Thank you. Lathe just arrived and I will get started soon
Have fun!
Well, it's been 4 months and I'm really enjoying it. I bought a Delta 46-460 and carbide tools. I started with a 4x4 fence post and am now buying wood from Woodcraft. FYI, I'm watching the video again, and it all rings true.
Well presented, thank you. I`ve been turning for three years now and after watching this video, I need to go and buy a few more tools. LOL.
Haha well you’re welcome then!
Great video, i bought my first lathe pre lockdown when i wasn't workin (we still on lock dowm in Ireland) anyway i thought no bother ill just get chisels. Boy was i shocked at set prices, mid to high end sets range about 130-170 euro. So after months i saved enough an got them, but now im stuck on the 4jaw chuck part u mentioned 🙈.. It will probably be another year befor i can afford one of those 😭😭 i make little wood rings but sales fell off by 95% the past year and a half now due to the whole Covid19 mess.. So im in wood turning limbo for now😔.. But i really enjoyed your video this morning so thumbs up from me👍🏼 very helpful and loved the humour, thank you.! U got my subscription today. Best of luck 🍀
Glad you enjoyed it! And yeah, it's quite the rabbit hole.. haha. Have fun!
Thanks so much. It's probably like any craft or hobby I suppose -- there's no end to the accessories. My son loves fishing. He has 16 fishing rods now. But Dad, you need that one for... Yep. I did buy the bed extension already. And that very same Benjamin's best tool set, ha! Now I need a 4-jaw chuck. Oh, and then a sharpening set up, and then...
It never ends 🤣
I've recently acquired a lathe and have watched a number of videos, this being a VERY good one. I'm excited and terrified at the same time. Can't wait to not maim myself and make something cool!
Thanks! And enjoy it! It’s a ton of fun
We need an update!!! Have you been maimed? Have you made something cool?
Excellent presentation for everyone, beginners to avidly turners. We may want to loosen up for a quick fix and this is where it happens! May I add to your list the woodturners long sleeves getting caught in the piece of wood or the turning chuck it always end up in serious injuries and the last that is rampant amongst the woodturners is the mistake to work in complete parallel to your piece of work. It is not unusual for a piece to get dislodged from the grip of the chuck and / or the tail stock. The mask helps the blunt trauma but not enough to the neck and chest. I was taught to use a slight diagonal angled position away from your work in progress. I cannot tell you how many of my friend woodturners and myself avoided impact that way. I appreciate your videos. Love to see more.
Great Great video !! I leaned a lot , thank you !! I’m one of those guys this video is for lol . Thank you again!!
Glad to help!
I felt that last one to be the most difficult... I’m already in more than I planned, and I still don’t have a low speed grinder or jig. I’ve just been free handing on an old bench grinder! I fear I may be taking off more steel and could end up spending more in the long run
Yeah that last one really gets you right in the wallet 🤣
first time viewer - very helpful and down to earth - thnx heaps
Glad to hear it. Thanks!
Very interesting and entertaining at the same time! Thanks very much. Keep up the good work!!
Thanks, will do!
Thanks. Entertaining and useful too. The sanding tip finally got through my extra-thick skull.
Thanks! It makes quite the difference, and the close up really shows it.
Well done and i like your style! took me long enough to see this, but glad i did. Stay Cool.
Five years ago, when I first bought a used lathe, it came with most of the basics: set of assorted Chinese gouges, a four-jaw chuck, a live center, and the worm-screw. After turning a few simple bowls, I decided it was time to get some Brand-Name turning tools, so I went to a woodworkers' supply store and saw the endless assortment of groovy-but-ridiculously-priced shit you can throw money at. Checking out at the register with my significantly (and sadly) down-sized shopping cart, I mentioned "Can't believe I'm paying a hundred and seventy bucks for a ⅝ bowl gouge!" The sales guy looked over the top of his glasses at me, snorted a slight smile, and asked if this was my first foray into the realm. I replied "Yeah, just picked up a lathe off Craigslist two weeks ago." Sales guy replied "Great. Welcome to your new CRACK HABIT!"
Truth! That’s what a good one costs!
Lowell-James Hicks a
soft woods like spruce are common in northern Europe and a lot of nice furniture is made out of it. I started out with that stuff and getting a nice finish on spruce isn´t that hard.
A lathe with a long bed was very important for me, since I make furniture and it has at least to be long enough so I can turn table legs, columns for all kinds of furniture, legs for bar stools and pieces for railings. A long bed is also important if you want to mount a chuck to drive whatever you´re turning and a drill chuck in the tail stock to drill holes into tool handles for example. A chuck, a drill chuck and the drill can easily cost you 10 inces. As you see, there are lots of applications for lathes with long beds. Just think about what you want to build. The diameter only matters when you´re planning on making bowls
Love the sense of humour:-) And appreciate the advice.
Always!
Thae best thing I like about having the bed extension on my lathe is it allows me to move the tailstock far out of the way when I am turning bowls. That way I never have to remove it.
Ohhh that’s a good tip
I was entertained. I wish I had seen this a few years ago when I started turning. Outside of using PPE I learned all of this through trial, error, and wasted money and time. Oh well. It's been fun anyways and I'm seeing the fruits of all my mistakes payout as I'm actually selling the odd bowl now.
Glad you were entertained, and great to hear you're able to sell some of your work! In the end it's really just about having fun.
Amen man.
Love the down to earth tips, love the brevity, hated the Mom joke. Don't be tacky.
good stuff! I just glued some purple heart and maple together...what a pain that was getting round.
thanks very helpful.
Whew! Purple Heart is hard stuff. So is maple, but I love how it turns with sharp tools.
Great video, and excellent reinforcement of the old adage "the lathes the cheap part"...
Thanks! And ain’t that the truth..
I tried to avoid that by buying an expensive lathe. Now I keep thinking, well the lathe was so expensive what difference does a chuck make or a new gouge or this or that...
Some useful tips there, as someone who is just starting out I would also suggest an 11th mistake that I keep making; wearing trousers / pants / jeans with pockets, as they keep filling up with small shavings
I know every pair of pants I've worn in the shop because they all have sawdust in the pockets I can't get out..
One word, apron lol
Simply amazing tips! I have need to learn all of this by my own. Very helpful. My best wishes.
Thanks!
Tip 9 at 8:23 - That's one nasty chunk taken out of your roughing gouge! And speaking of roughing gouges, one safety mistake new turners make is using a spindle roughing gouge on a bowl blank when the blank is mounted cross grained. Never, ever, EVER do this! The flat tang on the spindle roughing gouge may catastrophically snap if you get a solid catch, especially if you haven't properly readjusted your tool rest position, and throw sharp and broken metal uncontrolled around your shop.
Good point!
Great upload, it seems like common sense after I hear what you have said but it’s only after I hear it, thank you.
Thank you!
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
One suggestion: Before you go out and buy a 4-jaw chuck, buy several inexpensive 3" and 4" faceplates. Four-jaw chucks are relatively new to the turning world. Yet, back in the 1980s and 1990s, before chucks became common, turners were able to make everything we make today using chucks. Faceplates are just a little slower. They are also safer and more accurate. Learn how to use faceplates and you won't regret it. If you stick with this hobby, you'll most likely want a chuck (or four). I have several, but I also frequently use my faceplates.
Great point! I definitely messed up not talking about face plates.
Yep. Up until a year ago I only used face plates on my ShopSmith. I have two or three inch plates and a larger five inch one. It was only after watching so many RUclips videos of good turners all using chucks did I get one. Glad I did. Pretty straight forward how to use. Much easier with small items & turning between centers. Of course, with my new Nova chuck I “needed” to get a nice live center kit too, ogh, and some fancy new carbide tipped tools, ogh, and some good nice wood, & bowl blanks, & some nice Rockler sandpaper......😀
Good point, I thought it was just me.
Nice and clear tips !
BTW, I found a way to use my all extension bed lenght by turning a baseball bat and some handles for gardening tools like shovels :)
Perfect!
Nice video and great advice based on my experiences. I'm a newbie and have experienced many of the issues you described. So it appears to me that the advice was right on point. The only additional thing that I would add is that there are a lot of restorations that require wooden handles or knobs. This can be an option to buying kits and often you end up with very good looking a functional tools.
That's a great point! Knobs are a great project to rack up some skills and kill some scrap.
Really cool genuine video, much appreciated!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I found that the major weakness of most smaller lathes is the motor lacks torque at the lower rpms, especially useful for truing up those odd mostly out of round and balance when trying to spin it fast enough to make real progress early on
You're right on.
Super helpful video, thanks. Greetings from Germany.
Glad it was helpful!
I have slowly added to my turning accessories. You don't need everything all at once. Usually when I do a new project of some sort.. I'll end up with a new tool... but at some point... you'll get pretty much everything you need. Not want... but everything you need.
Truth
Danke, wahre Worte, gute Tipps für Einsteiger!
As far as finding beginner tools go:
Estate Sales are the BEST kind of market to find tools.
I found Spindles, Partings, and Skews for roughly $.50 - $4.00 each.
These weren't exactly HSS type tools but more like the vintage sort.
Great handle shape, a little rust, slightly dull but with some TLC,
a wire brush / wheel, and a grinding stone you'll have a tool to
learn on until your time invested warrants a NEW HSS tool!
So far, I've spent no more than $40.00 for everything I need.
And when it comes to wood:
Dumpster diving can go a long way.
See a broken piece of wood on the side of the road?
Hawk it up, square it out, and learn to turn junk wood into dowels.
There's nothing like taking junk wood and learning what
is worth turning and what is worth putting in the BBQ.
However, there are some junk woods that turn well and
you can really learn to Spindle on with Beads / Coves.
Oh yeah, Wood Glue is CHEAP and is a great end grain sealer.
When it comes to your Guts:
Always trust your instincts ; if you get a little nervous
about a certain turn of a log - stop and reexamine.
Safety always comes first and honing your instincts will save you!
This is the best summary of advice I can provide as a beginner to beginners!
Good tips!
I got lucky and missed out on seemingly every used lathe that came up for sale within a couple hours drive of my house... EVERY SINGLE ONE WAS SOLD, usually within hours.
So I bought a Nova Comet 2 value pack which came with a set of small traditional tools and a 4 jaw chuck. Money well spent in my limited experience, it might not be the best kit out there but I am starting out with a speed controllable machine and a handful of toys to experiment with.
I've heard that's a really nice set up. I've been eyeing their Comet 14 I think.
Very good video! Can't believe you called my mom fat at around 7min!!! Thumbs up!
It's for the best those jokes are out of fashion, it was meant for the nostalgia 🤣 thanks for the comment!
Great video! Even the description section is well done
Thanks!
Very informative! My new journey has started on your mistake 10, though I was counting on spending money. It is funny how much stuff you starting 'needing.' Rockler is awesome! Thankfully a Maple bowl blank is only a few bucks, so not going down the 'buy a Hemlock 2x4 and pulling out what little hair I have' road. Thanks for the video!
You got this!
Definitely having fun!
First time viewer sir and thank you for a great video and I do understand all the safety precautions you've made, thank you sir!
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it
Good onya Mate bloody useful for someone teaching himself to turn
Thanks!
I'm just getting started and those are great tips. I love those kits. For anyone else getting started, a lot of face shields are out of stock or on backorder at the moment due to the pandemic. So, plan on looking around a lot for one. I found one with built-in hearing protection intended for chainsawing. I have standard protective eyewear but spinning wood and sharp tools, yeah, I'll wait for that face shield to come in. ;)
Ah yeah, good idea on the chainsaw ones. They'd take an impact I'd imagine.
Nice up close shots, very informative!
Thanks! When I was shooting those I thought, “Neisha will like these, get closer!”
And you were absolutely right! Thanks for thinking of me!
Just found your channel. I love your hard faced approach to newbies. Me in a reincarnation sort of way lol. You've covered some great subjects lol. Trying to stop laughing at you extremely honest commentary. I'll give you a break, I'm still laughing now. Top drawer personality lol. Tony
Much appreciated!
For pratice wood, I have a prevlage od working with sheet metal, and they use oak and things to tie strap too. Any large objects to pallets, just a thought
That's awesome
Watching this in the breakfast nook with some coffee and my wife walks in asking what’s so funny. I guess you’re funny. It comes so naturally to you that I didn’t realize how funny you are until my wife pointed it out. Yeah bud. You’re funny af. 🤣🤣👍❤️
Hahaha what a great comment to read Christmas morning. Thanks man! Hope this means maybe you got a lathe recently?
@@YouCanMakeThisToo Nova Comet 2 👍
Loving it.
Really appreciate this video, thanks for posting!
My pleasure!
Great video, but about the “rule of thumb” for the height of the tool rest in relation to the piece you are working on?
I haven't heard rule of thumb applied to tool rest height - as I mentioned, I'm not the guy to describe the right place. Feel free to share.
Thank you for the tips! Even though we are in a "tropical" country, with forests and trees in many places, it is not easy to find "turnable" wood. It is very frustrating trying to turn any wood. I'm also having problems with cracks in the wood, even after drying... would you have any tips? We work with sculptures, and these are cracking after being painted... it's really bad. Any help would be very good. Sorry for the English, but I used a translator. Good job!
Make sure the wood you’re working with doesn’t include the center of the tree. That will always crack. Also, be sure to dry it slowly
Awesome. Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Great video. Thanks for the time, effort and good info.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for tips 👍👍🇳🇱
Greats from Holland
Our pleasure!
I got really confused once you started talking about gardening shovels.. what were those about?
Hand trowels, for transplanting sprouts and small plants.
wow- Best video I've watche yet. So informative, straight forward, and amusing. Thank you - gave me a lot to thiink about. Well done!
Glad to hear, thanksB
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Would you say that maple is so plentiful that it... practically grows on trees?
I would, in fact I wish I had said that.
Maybe you couldn’t see the wood for the trees .... 😃😁
🤣😂🤣
You stop that
Aw shucks!
Thanks mate, enjoyed your style and the craic.
Thanks!
I pretty much followed the same evolution as you with chucks and accessories. It's frustrating to learn you need an expensive jig or something else....
Yes it is