How to Start Wood Turning and Make Your Own Bowls and Handles
Woodworking is a terrific hobby that can last a lifetime, but as your skills grow, so does the need for larger, more expensive tools. Try specialized wood turning skills and you’ll be making finished projects in less than an hour using just a few basic tools.
Wood turning is wood processing used to create wood objects on a lathe. A lathe is a power tool that rotates a piece of wood on an axis and allows it to be shaped using a variety of carving tools.
Wooden bowls, table legs, candlesticks and goblets are all wood products. Here’s what you need to get started.
Lathe
All lathes perform the same task of turning wood. The main difference between lathes is determined by the size of the workpiece you want to turn. Pay attention to the diameter of the work piece (turning ability) and the length between the centers of the lathe. If you plan on sharpening wooden bowls, you may need a larger lathe than someone who just wants to turn items on a spindle and make handles for tools and salt shakers.
Look for a lathe that’s at least 1/2 horsepower with a 12-inch swivel head like this one from Craftsman, which retails for $ 414. For a little more power, step up to this Delta, which offers a 1 hp motor. and a little more twisting power at 12 1/2 inches for $ 610.
Lathes require regular maintenance to function properly. Lubricating and continually checking for loose nuts and bolts should become common practice on any wood lathe. Follow the maintenance schedule and manufacturer’s lubricant recommendations, which may include grease and oil.
Wood turning accessories
In addition to a lathe, you will need a set of turning tools to shape the wood and chucks for a lathe to attach the wood to the lathe.
Turning tools look like chisels and have a beveled edge. Each point is shaped differently to produce the desired effect on the tree. Spindle turning tools, for example, are slightly different from drum turning tools. Choose according to your needs, but most lathes have both sets.
You can get a basic 8-piece set for $ 75, but you’ll need to sharpen these tools regularly. Another option is Carbide Tipped Tools ($ 129) like these from Rockler. If the tool is dull, you can turn the tip toward a sharp edge and then replace the tip when all sides are worn out.
Lathe chucks are also classified according to the type of wood turning, be it a bowl or a spindle. Your lathe may already be equipped with a chuck.
Preparation and safety
Before you start turning wood, take the time to create a clean work environment and do it in a place where you won’t get hit.
Follow these safety tips to ensure a good experience.
- Roll up the sleeves above the elbows and remove all jewelry from the arms and wrists.
- Always wear safety glasses.
- Always stop the lathe before making adjustments or measuring.
- Before starting work on the lathe, find out where the emergency stop is.
Start turning
Collecting wood is one of the most fun parts of turning. Walnut, maple and cherry make beautiful pieces, and experimenting with different colors and grains is fun.
You can buy on the Internet a turning tool that is cut from kiln dried lumber and specially selected for turning work.
Before starting turning, attach a piece of wood to the chuck and then attach the chuck to the lathe. There are many ways to do this, but the simple way is shown in the video below when he turns the blank into a bowl.
This video shows you how to safely rotate a wood piece on a spindle.
Turning wood is a safe and relatively inexpensive hobby that will help you create finished wood products in no time. The more wood you transform, the better you will get and your skills will develop rapidly.