Woodturning techniques

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 0 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #2,178 in DIY, #41,677 overall

Woodturning techniques

If you want to learn the craft of woodturning, this is a good place to start. You will find links to many online articles and discussion groups where you can share information and ask for help.

Lathes don't have to be complex 

A hand-powered bow lathe

Here is a nice little demo that illustrates just how simple a lathe can be; a means of supporting the wood and the tool and some way of rotating the wood.

Obviously there are limitations. This bodger is almost certainly working with green wood, and the work-piece is not very big. But it is surprising just what can be achieved with a simple machine and a few tools.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Lathes do have to be up to the job 

You don't turn a djembe drum on a small lathe

Watch as Blair Davis turns the shell of a djembe drum on a Oneway lathe with a custom-made steady rest.

Runtime:
views
Comments:

curated content from YouTube

Woodturning for beginners 

Books or DVD's?

Learning the skills of woodturning is not an easy matter. By far the best approach is one-on-one training, but when that is not possible, books and videos are a great alternative. There are advantages to either. A book will generally go in to a lot of detail, and is very easy to refer back to, or even take in the workshop with you. DVD's have the advantage of being able to portray many nuances of the craft that are difficult to put into words.

Here are some offerings in both formats from Richard Raffan, an internationally respected woodturning artisan and teacher. Collectors prize Raffan's gallery-quality production pieces, and he is the author of Turning Wood, Turning Boxes, and The Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning.
Turning Wood W/Richard Raffan

Turning Wood W/Richard Raffan

by: Richard Raffan

This is a 2001 revision of a 1983 book that sold nearly 100,000 copies. It features 355 color photographs and 69 black-and-white line drawings packed into 208 pages.

"This book is great for a novice like me. I am just getting started - returning- to wood turning and this book has helped me get up to speed. The pictures and text go together very well and the book covers lots of different types of projects."

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

V-New Turning Wood W/Richard G (Fine Woodworking DVD Workshop)

V-New Turning Wood W/Richard G (Fine Woodworking DVD Workshop)

Taunton's best selling how-to turning video, now in a completely new DVD, September 2008.

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

Getting started in woodturning 

Inspired to have ago?

There is a wealth of information and help available on the internet for the novice woodturner. Online you will find websites and discussion groups. Offline you can join a club, read a book or watch a video.

Project tutorials
A selection of projects by Larry Hancock.

Woodturning Online Articles
An index of woodturning articles from many sources.

Woodturning books 

More reading for woodturning novices

If you don't like the books by Raffan that I recommended earlier, take a look at these:
Woodturning A Fresh Approach

Woodturning A Fresh Approach

by: Robert Chapman

Amazon Price: $17.95 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

Woodturning: A Foundation Course (New Edition)

Woodturning: A Foundation Course (New Edition)

by: Keith Rowley

Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

Miscellaneous woodturning techniques 

Check back frequently for all the latest ideas and techniques.

Have you ever considered using a random orbit sander for finishing bowls?

Steven Russell talks about Power Sanding Mandrels and Reducing Vibration When Using Scrapers

Woodturning articles 

Some ideas for new woodturning projects

Turning a teapot
A few thoughts about how to approach the problem of turning an art teapot.

Turning boxes 

Wooden boxes are great little items to make, serving both a practical purpose and offering many options for design and creativity.
Turning Boxes with Richard Raffan

Turning Boxes with Richard Raffan

by: Richard Raffan

This is a great book for anyone wanting to progress from basic woodturning to making end-grain boxes. Friction fit and threaded lids are covered, and a great number of design variations are considered. Available as a book, Kindle or on DVD.

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

Materials for turning 

Wood can be beautiful in its own right, but sometimes it needs a little help.

If you want to add a bit of color to your work, why not try making some vacuum dyed wood?

Pen turning 

Pens are a popular woodturning project

Pens are an ideal project for beginners and turners with small lathes.
Turning Pens And Pencils

Turning Pens And Pencils

by: Kip Christensen, Rex Burningham

Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

The Pen Turner's Workbook: Making Pens from Simple to Stunning

The Pen Turner's Workbook: Making Pens from Simple to Stunning

by: Barry Gross

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

Pens from the Wood Lathe: Step-By-Step Instructions for the Wood Turner

Pens from the Wood Lathe: Step-By-Step Instructions for the Wood Turner

by: Dick Sing

Amazon Price: $11.07 (as of 11/23/2009) Buy Now

Pen Turners 

Yahoo! Discussion Group for pen turners

An online discussion group for those with a passion for turning pens. A great place to ask questions about pen turning.

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

 

If you enjoyed reading this lens, then why not help others find it too!

Add this to your lens »

Bookmark and Share

The ToolRest 

My own blog - Ideas to improve your woodturning skills; links to other woodworking sites; news about woodturning; woodturning tools and supplies; inspiration for your next project.

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Creative Woodturners 

Segment & Stave Woodturners

A special interest group for woodturners who want to start or have an interest in Segmented & Stave Woodturning.

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

by seafoam

I live in rural Nova Scotia, Canada where I make my living as a woodturner. If you need a spurtle, I'm your man.

I have an interest in how the intern... (more)

Explore related pages

Woodturning Projects: Ideas, Inspiration, & Instructions
The internet is a virtual treasure trove of information, especially for woodwork...
Bowl Turning Basics
Welcome, woodturners and aspiring woodturners (like me)!  Ready to learn th...
Woodturning Clubs & Guilds
This lens is a compilation of links and information about various woodturning&nb...
Woodturning - an overview
Woodturning is a process whereby a piece of wood is spun on a lathe, and shaped...
Woodturners from around the globe
There are too many woodturners in the world to list them all here. My aim is to...
Woodblock prints and printing
Woodblock, or woodcut, is a method of printing in which an image is carved into...

Related Topics

Create a Lens!