Thread: Newbie turner - rites of passage ?

That's an intriguing looking lathe. Not seen one like that before.

The sharpening rig you have is the same as I had for quite a few years. Works well too. Something I did to mine was to round off the front corners of the uprights so that when I was sharpening something like a skew the front corners didn't get in the way..

Originally Posted by Jonzjob

That's an intriguing looking lathe. Not seen one like that before.

The sharpening rig you have is the same as I had for quite a few years. Works well too. Something I did to mine was to round off the front corners of the uprights so that when I was sharpening something like a skew the front corners didn't get in the way..

Jon,

The lathe was built following the plans in Shop Notes issue number 73 - there are a few people around who have built them and posted about them on the internet - there is a better looking one here Tools - WPBower - Woodturner and there are other photos scattered around the internet.

Was probably about to learn about the rounded corners sometime in the next few days - the plan does call for rounded corners but I couldn't see why until you pointed it out in the note above.

Bill

Originally Posted by steamingbill

When cutting my 2nd cylinder today discovered I can push a bit harder on the gouge and be a bit more aggressive. Quite surprising how quickly the timber is carved away. Seems to be "sweet spots" when I do everything just right and the timber just melts away. Common newbie thing - too timid with gouge ?

Yes. Maybe 'tentative' would be a better choice of word. But better a live lamb than a dead lion, right?

It feels good when everything falls into place, doesn't it?

Nothing in the books I've looked regarding what the chips should look like - is it possible to conclude anything by examining the chips ? Next weeks lotto numbers ?

Not really. Unless you're also finding cinders & charred remnants.

I guess that if you handle the same few timbers on a regular basis, you'll soon know what to expect of that timber and when things aren't quite right. But you usually know that from how the tool is cutting long before it becomes obvious in the shavings.

Still... it is said that, when cutting properly in ideal circumstances, you can achieve a continuous curly flying over your shoulder. Which is true. But... "ideal circumstances." Sharpness, the choice of timber (some of 'em just turn to powder no matter what you do), tool presentation, the way you hold your tongue...

Then again, scraping usually creates powder or very short shavings. However, scraping some woods generates long curlies!

Originally Posted by

Lowry or Rowley?

(Copy-paste: not always your friend. )