New to the forum

[Cliff Rogers]

Welcome Jaydo
I'm only new to this forum and woodturning I chose to take lessons to learn the craft and meet a great bunch of people in doing so .
I would recommend lessons if only to get the basics ....

G'day Jaydo.

Lessons and see if you can find a club near you or some forum members who are turners within range of your place.

While you are learning, you will learn heaps faster hands one with an experienced turner. (Or even a novice who has already had some lessons & made a few things already)

Next best is videos but they are apoor second place 'cos you can't ask questions.

Books are good, once you have the basics, I have heaps of turning books.

I did a bit of woodturning at school way back in '72-'73 & then I bought a lathe in about '80 or '81 at the very first ever working with wood show in Sydney.
It was a Shopsmith & it came with a book of lessons & I tried to teach myself from the lessons & I was hopeless.
In '91 or '92 I took a couple of 6 week night courses at TAFE & joined a local club & I haven't looked back since.

[paul collins]

welcome jayden,you will learn heaps here.lots of knowledge on this site so always ask away.

[Jaydo]

Thanks for all the kind welcomes,
im have some pictures up when i get the lathe, although they mainly will be pens, can somebody tell me what would be the ideal finish product for pen turning

[Cliff Rogers]

...the ideal finish product for pen turning

There is no finish, once you start, you are lost to it forever.

Have a look at the Penturner's forum.

[rodent]

You just opened a can of wild worms me boy BRACE YOUR SELF!!! lol

[Tornatus]

Thanks for all the kind welcomes,
im have some pictures up when i get the lathe, although they mainly will be pens, can somebody tell me what would be the ideal finish product for pen turning

Welcome to the forum, Jaydo - you will find it is a great advice/reference resource.

As a number of the others have suggested, you should consider joining a woodworking club and taking lessons. Here in Canberra we have the Woodcraft Guild of the ACT, in which turners are very prominent (especially one member by the name of R Raffan!), and we have a well-equipped Shed with all sorts of beaut gear, including a number of Vicmarc lathes. Check out our website at http://www.woodcraftguild.org.au/

As you have expressed interest in pen-turning, you should know that the Guild has a Penturning SIG (Special Interest Group), which meets regularly and is particularly useful for beginners. Members are happy to teach you new tricks, and we often share pen-blanks which come our way.

You are very welcome to come along to any of our meetings and "try before you buy", but I am sure you will find what we have to offer very useful in your new hobby. Hope to see you soon!

[Cliff Rogers]

Good on ya Torno.