Thread: Newbie needs help

Originally Posted by Coxy15

Hi guys,

My name is Tim, I live on the northside of Brisbane.

I am new to woodworking aside from the little bit I did at school, I have always loved working with wood, its got a nice and warm feel to it....

I am looking at getting into woodworking as a hobby only, not really interested in becoming a full on salesman, just after a bit of fun. My Girlfriend has also expressed an interest in doing it which was the final push I needed to get into it......

I am looking at buying a lathe and don't know the first thing to look for, I am looking at turning bowls, boxes, round things......I have looked at Carbatec and found they have an economy lathe for $559
http://www.carbatec.com.au/carba-tec...dlathes_c14630

I also found a place called Machinery House and found something very similar for $500.....
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W382

I am happy to hear peoples opinion on these lathes, but as it is something that I am new at, im not looking at buying a $2000 lathe.....Any other alternatives?

Also where can you buy tools at a reasonable price?

Cheers

Tim

Welcome Tim.

Although the two lathes that you've mentioned in your post are OK, most people find that they grow out of those basic lathes fairly quickly as their skills and specific wood turning interests mature.

My recommendation for a better way to start woodturning, is to join one of the Woodturning Clubs around Brisbane. These clubs all have workshops equipped with various types of lathes, a few bandsaws and other stock preparation tools, and lots of other gear. The clubs also (generally) offer training for new woodturners - sometimes the training is formal courses, and sometimes it is informal one-on-one training. By joining a club, you'll also meet lots of experienced woodturners who have all been through the "how do I get started in woodturning" process. Their advice, and your experience using the various lathes and other tools at the Club will enable you to make informed decisions regarding what to buy.

In my case, I had done a little woodturning at high school, but had a nearly 35 year break before I got back into it. I joined a woodturning club, and then used their equipment, and did their training, for the first few months before deciding what equipment to buy for myself.

When you get round to buying a lathe for yourself, you will find that this forum's "Market Place" often has adverts for used lathes, although it can mean waiting a while until the lathe you want appears, and is located where you can get to it. For the price of an economy new lathe, you can often buy a used high-end lathe, and end up with a much better piece of kit. You may also find that other Woodturning Club members will have used lathes for sale, or that they will know someone who has something suitable for sale.

And don't forget, the lathe is only part of the purchase. You'll also need to purchase various turning chisels, chisel sharpening equipment, and more. If you gain some experience using the Club's tools, you'll soon learn which types of turning chisels you need to buy, and which ones you'll rarely if ever use. Don't buy one of those cheap Wood Turning Tool Kits that some of the woodworking shops sell - you'll generally find that (unless they were very expensive) the steel they're made from won't hold an edge very long, and that the kit includes tools that you'll rarely if ever use.

The following are three organisations that have Woodturning as a major component of the club's activities:

• Woodturner's Society of Queensland --- http://wsqueensland0.tripod.com/wood...ssocietyofqld/ --- They are located at Greenslopes on the south side of Brisbane, not far off the MI southbound. This is probably the biggest woodturning club in Brisbane, and is probably theclosest for you to get to.
• Bayside Woodturners and Woodcrafters --- http://baysidewoodies.com/ --- This club is located at Wynnum on the southside of Brisbane - may be a longish drive from your home.
• Blackall Range Woodcrafter's Guild --- http://www.blackallrangewoodies.org....tUs/index.html --- This club is located at Montville, up on the range behind the Sunshine Coast. A bit further away, but only a quick run up the highway.

There are probably other woodturning clubs in your region that I don't know about, so the above list is certainly not an exhaustive list.

I hope that info has been useful.

Regards,

Roy

Hi Tim,
I cant improve on the advice Roy has given. I did the things hard way, bought a second hand lathe and learned by trial and a lot of error. I got there in the end and enjoyed all of it but Roy's advice will save you time and money and perhaps injury as well.
A year in I had outgrowen the first lathe and had to trade up. You dont really know what lathe to buy untill you have done a bit of turning first. Same goes for what tools to get and of course the sales guy will convince a newbie that he needs one of everything in the shop. Best to learn from people who know. Try a few different lathes and tools and make some friends in the process.
Regards
John

Hi guys,

Thanks for the helpful advice! I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately I am quite anti social and am such a home body, I really like working things out for myself, but I can definitely see where you're coming from. I might try and get back and have a look at a few places next weekend when I get home. Bit frustrating but as you guys say, will save time and money.

Tim

I also like working things out for myself by myself but my own experience and that of in seeing folks do this for any sort of turning is that it is wasteful, time consuming and highly risky so I still reckon the idea of accessing a club of some sort or at least visit a friendly turner for a few hands on lessons or pointers can save a lot of grief - you cannot get this sort of hands on experience off the internet.

The problem with asking your question on a wood turning forum is that you are most likely talking to converted and passionate woodturners who will naturally aim towards recommending higher end machinery. My guess is you don't want to spend too much especially because whether you realise it or not you will also need other gear and your interests might well drift elsewhere isn the mean time?

I'm one of those people that, 6 years on, still haven't outgrown a basic lathe and can't see myself upgrading anytime soon. I deliberately stayed away from getting a WW lathe for many years. because of what I had seen happened to some other woodturners that become all consumed with turning and I guessed I would want to upgrade and get all the fruit (i.e. accessories) etc. I had already done some woodturning and used MW lathes for many years so I already had some idea what I wanted to do and what machine would suit my needs Anyway I ended up buying a basic mini lathe and for a few months I did play around with it fair bit especially during the first year and made a lumber of accessories for it, but then I got distracted by something else and now I'm glad I didn't buy anything more substantial otherwise it would be $$$$$ just sitting in the workshop doing very little and I wouldn't have been able to buy other gear. I still use the WW lathe and it serves me well for the small amount of turning that I do from time to time.

Another possibility is a second hand lathe but once agains some experience in wood turning can save a lot of grief WRT to this as well.

As others have suggested, something like a Bandsaw is nearly a must to prepare wood, some sort of sharpening system and last but not least dust extraction. Wood turning is one of THE most dust making wood working activities around, masks just don't cut it and and good dust extraction does not come cheap. In fact to meet minimum OHS specifications for wood dust extraction few wood turners realise that they need to spend more on this than on a basic lathe.

Originally Posted by BobL

I also like working things out for myself by myself but my own experience and that of in seeing folks do this for any sort of turning is that it is wasteful, time consuming and highly risky so I still reckon the idea of accessing a club of some sort or at least visit a friendly turner for a few hands on lessons or pointers can save a lot of grief - you cannot get this sort of hands on experience off the internet.

The problem with asking your question on a wood turning forum is that you are most likely talking to converted and passionate woodturners who will naturally aim towards recommending higher end machinery. My guess is you don't want to spend too much especially because whether you realise it or not you will also need other gear and your interests might well drift elsewhere isn the mean time?

I'm one of those people that, 6 years on, still haven't outgrown a basic lathe and can't see myself upgrading anytime soon. I deliberately stayed away from getting a WW lathe for many years. because of what I had seen happened to some other woodturners that become all consumed with turning and I guessed I would want to upgrade and get all the fruit (i.e. accessories) etc. I had already done some woodturning and used MW lathes for many years so I already had some idea what I wanted to do and what machine would suit my needs Anyway I ended up buying a basic mini lathe and for a few months I did play around with it fair bit especially during the first year and made a lumber of accessories for it, but then I got distracted by something else and now I'm glad I didn't buy anything more substantial otherwise it would be $$$$$ just sitting in the workshop doing very little and I wouldn't have been able to buy other gear. I still use the WW lathe and it serves me well for the small amount of turning that I do from time to time.

Another possibility is a second hand lathe but once agains some experience in wood turning can save a lot of grief WRT to this as well.

As others have suggested, something like a Bandsaw is nearly a must to prepare wood, some sort of sharpening system and last but not least dust extraction. Wood turning is one of THE most dust making wood working activities around, masks just don't cut it and and good dust extraction does not come cheap. In fact to meet minimum OHS specifications for wood dust extraction few wood turners realise that they need to spend more on this than on a basic lathe.

Hi there Bob.

Thanks for the reply, I didn't mean to upset anyone on here or come across as wasting any ones time. I have been all over the internet looking at videos on safety and how to use a lathe, I am not saying this makes me an expert by any means but still better than a complete novice. Having said that, I am, after reading all these comments leaning more and more toward heading up to a club or over to someone's place if they'd have me to get some pointers.....

You hit the nail on the head with why I don't want to spend too much money on it, as you said, I might give it all up in 6 months or so....you never know. I have an old philosophy in my head, buy something that is half decent to start with that if need be, you could get rid of it, but you could also turn something on it.

I have a good grinding wheel with a good wheel on it, and as for dust extraction, I knew this would be an issue and have budgeted accordingly.....

Don't suppose anyone is around next weekend or a club meet? I can provide beer. I work away on irregular stints and seem to work 2 weeks on and 2 days off.....

Cheers

Tim

Hello I did a little bit of woodturning at school ( 40 yrs ago) and ony recently have tacken up wood turning (6 months ago) I bought a cheap second hand lathe to start with to see whether I liked it. Anyway I since bought the carbateck mc 900 economy lathe that you refered to 3 months ago. It is a good basic lathe and I have bought accesories for it when I have needed them ( could afford them). my advice would be as far as tools go, dont get expensive ones untill you know how to sharpen them. I would also by a chuck for it (mine is a super nova 2) which has made things a lot easier to manage. I have also joined a club (northern turners in Adelaide) whic has been a great help. I started out making simple things such as rolling pins and candle sticks and made my first box with lid today. It is a great hobby to get into and I hope that you continue on with it.
cheers Shaun.

Hi Tim,

Good luck with what ever you decide to do, I'm sure you will enjoy. I bought a wood lathe 37 years ago (Woodfast xl150) to turn some legs for a kitchen table I was making. I also turned several other items and really enjoyed. But then it sat idle for many years as other interests, including children took over. Recently I retired and have returned to using the lathe. I am glad I kept it!

I agree with what Roy said about the other equipment that you will need. These can very quickly add up to big $'s. Recently I purchased a Tormek T7 to sharpen and hone my wood turning tools. An excellent bit of kit but at a price. It took me months of research to ultimately decide to buy the Tormek but had I been able to bounce ideas, or learn first hand from others I may have been able to make a decision earlier. This forum may well serve as an information source but it cannot provide the practical assistance available in the clubs that have been mentioned.

Happy turning, whatever direction you take.