My first stick!

[ElizaLeahy]

OK, why didn't you tell me that silky oak is really, really DUSTY? Oh my god, it just turns to talc!

I'm not sure it's going to be a good timber for hair sticks either, I think it might be too brittle.

Anyway - nothing fancy, just wanted to use my lathe and make a stick!

[Rum Pig]

What are the dimensions of the stick?

It look like a nice piece of silky oak you have got there. At least you are turning on YOUR lathe now, keep the work cumin

Oh nearly forgot nice looking hair stick

[Gil Jones]

Congrats, Eliza,
That's a fine lookin' stick
Try turning green wood.....hardly any dust.

[ElizaLeahy]

Yep, much easier on your own lathe without anyone looking over your shoulder!

turned another, didn't know what wood it was until I started turning - can't mistake campher laural for long, can you?

The silky oak one is about so long... ummm it's 6 inches the usable bit, then the nobby bit. I know it's not good, but it's all practice. Let's hope I get better before I run out of practice bits of wood!

[Rum Pig]

You will improve quicker than you think

I found I improved in leaps and bound once I got my lathe home because you don't mind making them mistakes, if no one hears it or sees it did it really happen
Just don't be afraid to challenge yourself every now and then, but keep your safety in mind

[new_guy90]

looking good you must be handy with a skew eh? i was ???? scared the first time o used one but it was only the second tool ii used and i heard about those nasty dig-ins!

i love campha when you going to put up a pic of that?

Patrick

[Gil Jones]

Here is a video to learn from. It is simple, but also very good practice, and a fun way to learn to use the skew. Anyway, I have found that fresh (green) branches work best (at least for me) and they are available anywhere you are able to prune a tree or bush. It does help if you have pin jaws for your chuck. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWWw5HHzvFw"]YouTube - Turning Wooden Flowers on a lathe[/ame]
Enjoy,

[artme]

Nice bita Silky there Eliza. Drumstick? Phallic symbol? Ear cleaner?

Silky can get a bit dusty. If you don't like Silky you had best steer clear of Beefwood!

Great little video Gil!

[tea lady]

Nice stick. I like silky. Its my favourite wood. Can be a bit tricky to finish, but I don't care. I like it.

[echnidna]

Eliza, the dust from some timbers including silky oak are a proven health hazard.

Get a spray painters twin cartridge air filter and wear it while turning any timber.
I think you can get an economical one from supercheap autos.

[ElizaLeahy]

Nice bita Silky there Eliza. Drumstick? Phallic symbol? Ear cleaner?

Silky can get a bit dusty. If you don't like Silky you had best steer clear of Beefwood!

Great little video Gil!

Hair stick... although ear cleaner is a close second!

[ElizaLeahy]

Here is a video to learn from. It is simple, but also very good practice, and a fun way to learn to use the skew. Anyway, I have found that fresh (green) branches work best (at least for me) and they are available anywhere you are able to prune a tree or bush. It does help if you have pin jaws for your chuck.
Enjoy,

Fun video! Now all I need to do is find a nice stand of hazel... lol

If I turned hair sticks like that I'd be using the sap wood, right? Would that be strong enough?

[powderpost]

Welcome to the disease.. Nice start too.
Jim

[pugwash]

It's quite obviously a wand. Havent you seen any of the Harry Potter films?

[robutacion]

Yep, much easier on your own lathe without anyone looking over your shoulder!

turned another, didn't know what wood it was until I started turning - can't mistake campher laural for long, can you?

The silky oak one is about so long... ummm it's 6 inches the usable bit, then the nobby bit. I know it's not good, but it's all practice. Let's hope I get better before I run out of practice bits of wood!

Hi Eliza,
Good time to get involved with wood egg making, they are good fun to make, good way to practise, and most importantly, allow you to use bits of timber that you would normally throw-away. There is a little jig that will make things a lot easier for you, I believe you will be able to make it, and want cost very much ( $10 to $20). There are many ways to do this jig, and if you do a forum search on "timber egg making", you will find lots of clues and pics, in any case, I'm giving you the link of my egg making page from my main web site, have a look and see how easy it is...! (give time for all the pics to download).
http://timberssoul.webs.com/mywoodeneggmakingjig.htm

You can buy some timber (various species) already rounded for egg making, see here, post #54,
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com...+timber&page=4
but, if you want to send me a 3kg prepaid mail bag, I will send you some "sausages" free of charge, for you to practise! . If this appeal to you, send me a PM and I will provide my postal address to you, no obligation!

We will talk about your possible best tool (petrol, electric) "friend", the one you are scared about, on another time. Remember, ANY tool is a lot more dangerous before you know it , then after you do...!

Cheers
RBTCO