5 Clever Wood Turning Projects (For Lathe Beginners)

Wood turning can seem like a mystery to many woodworkers. In fact only a very small percentage of woodworkers and makers are familiar with the lathe. I recently got a small lathe, and I thought it would be interesting to go over the basics.

So when Wood turning lathe for beginners tab had the opportunity to ask master wood turner Carl Jacobson a few questions, I wood turning lathe for beginners tab it would be the perfect opportunity to clarify a few things.

So let's get started with some questions that I wondered before starting out and that I think others would find useful to know as well. You simply need something that will spin wood. A small beginner's lathe is a great option, you don't need a big, heavy duty lathe to get started. Another option is to make your own lathe using a drill or a drill press if you're feeling adventurous. Mainly the capacity. If you want to turn larger pieces, then a larger lathe is needed.

Smaller desktop lathes for example can only turn about 10 inches in wood turning lathe for beginners tab, whereas larger lathes can turn up to 24 inch bowls for example. The veginners length is another difference. Larger lathes have longer bed lengths, however many smaller lathes also come with extensions if you want to turn a baseball bat for example. A larger lathe will also be more sturdy and can handle more substantial pieces of wood without shaking or become unstable.

However, if you anchor your lathe properly, and make sure to use reasonably sized pieces of wood, then you won't have much of an wood turning lathe for beginners tab, no matter what size lathe you've got. Most lathes come with a face plate, a spur center and a live center for the end and that's really all you need to get started other than the tools. Well, it depends. There are a lot of people who turn with chucks and a lot of people who turn without one.

Certain things are certainly easier to turn with a chuck, such as to hollow out boxes and turning bowls, but then there are many other things you can turn where you don't need one. So you have traditional tools and you have modern carbide cutting tools. The main difference between the two is the learning curve.

Carbide layhe tools are easier to use right off the bat, whereas traditional tools take a little longer to learn how to use right. You also need to sharpen traditional tools as you use them with a grinder, however that's not an issue with the turnibg cutting ones, as you replace the tips when they become dull. The two are also used differently. Bginners traditional tool, like a roughing gauge for example is held at an angle, pointing wood turning lathe for beginners tab towards the wood as you're cutting, wood turning lathe for beginners tab the carbide tools are held straight.

Once you have unboxed your lathe, first of all put in your spur center and your live center, and make sure they meet in the middle on center, and that is critical if you do spindle turning. Another useful thing is putting down some W40 or other lubricant on the bed to make it everything slide smoother. Make sure to re-apply a lubricant every time you turn. Well, when first setting up a piece of wood on the lathe, tsb on a lower speed.

When wood turning lathe for beginners tab it out, if the lathe is wobbling, go down one speed. Then once your piece lahe centered, you can raise the speed. Be aware, that if you're working with a piece of wood with defects in it you want to be even more wod and start the speed out slower, or else it can crack on you.

Fundamentally you can turn with any type of wood, however it's a good idea to stay away from anything pressure treated. Also, certain tropical woods like cocobolo and rosewood and can cause some irritants. It doesn't bother all people, but some people have a stronger reaction to those than others. Also, no matter what type of wood you're turning, it can cause problems if you turn a lot and inhale the dust.

So it's always a good idea to wear a mask or a respirator. While you can turn any wood, certain woods are a lot softer to turn and others are harder.

Framing lumber forr instance is rather soft, whereas hardwoods like walnut and maple are harder. Then certain woods wood turning lathe for beginners tab apple wood or cherry for example that are even harder than walnut, and turn nicer. You use dry wood when you don't want to have any more movement after it's turned. If you're making boxes for example, you might use dry wood, that way your lid doesn't shrink.

Green wood or wet wood is often used for bowls. Then you first rough turn when the wood is wet, let the bowl dry for about a year, and then finely turn it once the wood is dry. Wet wood is also very different to turn than dry wood. It's softer and easier to turn, and a lot of fun! Well, wood turning opens up a lot of doors and enables you to do things that are difficult to accomplish in other ways.

It really enhances some projects and it's a lot of fun. If you're making a table for example, you can turn round legs. Bowls are perfect beginnerx make on the lathe, as well as spindles, baseball bats, knobs and a lot of other things that belong in the "round family" of objects. Make sure to watch the video for a better perspective and some great info on getting started with wood turning!

I am interested in making wood fishing lures. I just watched a video where a guy hand carved lures using a pocket knife. I've seen videos of hand carved wood lures, but a little more sophisticated techniques were used, making a better looking lure. Being cash flow challenged, I'd like to keep expenses for tools like a lathe, band saw, sanding drum, etc. The air brush painting techniques, look to be the most difficult phase of lure making, but I am saying this before ever beginning.

Hopefully, I'll be a natural talent, turning out beautiful lures, like so many I have seen online. I'd like to try that, too. Very good video and article! I have a JET mini lathe and have been making pens for a number of years. I've recently begun to experiment with bowl turning and bottle bbeginners.

This is such an enjoyable tool which opens many doors to new woodworking projects. Nice video, begijners for sharing!

I have not bought my first lathe but plan on it soon. I want to make a beautiful bowl! Always were at a minimum a dust mask and better to use a filtered respirator type of mask. Reply 5 years ago hurning Wood turning lathe for beginners tab. Also I don't see a more important piece of safety equipment listed though it is in a picture which is a face shield.

Dust, shavings, chips can easily fly into your eyes. Also you will appreciate it if you get a nasty catch or a piece breaks and a piece flies off the lathe this IS going to happen it even happens to the prosa tool breaks yea that happened to me recently come to think of it a fresh pair of underwear may be handy in that case as well etc.

Also along the lines of the long sleeves comment I would suggest if you like me have long hair that you make rurning to always tie it up. I have never had an incident with the lathe and long hair but I can tell you how to make instant dreadlocks with a dremel and that was enough to keep me in line with the hair ties since. I have had a block break loose and wood turning lathe for beginners tab face mask took the punch.

Thanks for this informative to me, at least video! Carl knows his lathe stuff and this video has gotten me interested in adding a lathe to my workshop!

I recently picked up a lathe but I don't know much about it yet. For example I laghe learned about carbide tools and wet wood turning. Thanks for the info! Turning wood on a lathe is one of the most beginnera and gratifying forms of creating. So much fun! More by the author:. About: Hi I'm Linn and on my Youtube Channel I have lots of great videos about building, construction and fun projects.

What do you need to get started in wood turning? What's the difference between a large and a small lathe? What accessories do you need? Do you need a chuck? What kind of tools do you need? What are the steps to setting up the wood turning lathe for beginners tab If you beginers a desktop lathe, make sure to bolt it down to secure it.

Also make sure to check your belts, so they're on the right speed for what you're trying to do. When do you use different speeds? Can you turn any type of wood? Is there a difference how different woods turn?

When do you turn wet vs dry wood turning lathe for beginners tab Why would I get a lathe? Did you make this project? Share it with us! I Made It! Incredible Wooden Spirals by rschoenm in Woodworking.

The WEN Wood Lathe also includes a headstock spur center, a tailstock cup center, a flat wrench, a knockout rod, 2 hex wrenches (3 mm and 5mm), an accessory holder, and a /8 in. faceplate for turning bowls, cups and other non-spindle workpieces. And, because its a WEN product, your lathe comes backed by a 2-year warranty, a nationwide. Sep 11,  · Ideas for Wood Lathe Projects for Beginners. Using a lathe requires precision and creativity. If you want to learn how to be a pro in this, you need to expand your knowledge by doing some simple projects. You have to choose the specific particular type of object that you want to do. Then, learn the necessary skills from there.

Titebond Hide Glue Lowes Kr Jet Planes Vs Turboprop 98 Kreg Pocket Tool Kit Test Open Hardware Monitor Cpu Wattage Zoom