Recommended skill progression for new turner?

[David Parker]

Hi all,

I'm new to turning. After taking two week long courses at John C. Campbell, I decided this was addicting and bought a nice Jet 1642 EVS-2. I now have more time to devote to this hobby and was wondering if there was a recommended progression on what skills to develop and in what order? Do I master a spindle gouge first before moving on to something else, like a skew? Do I stick with between center turning for a while before doing bowls and other hollow forms? Or do I just mix things up and do a little of everything? I have lots of turning books, but they all show different project progressions.

I guess what I'm asking is: Based on your own personal experiences, what would you recommend to someone who's just starting out? What worked well for you and what would you have done differently?

I know there is no "right" answer, just looking for suggestions. Thanks.

Dave

[alex carey]

Unless you have a plethora of good wood, I would find some bad wood and just practice anything you can think of. Make bowls, platters, boxes, HF, etc. Don't limit yourself to certain designs. Try new things as often as possible. The more you risk the more you learn.
I would limit your use of scrapers. Try and get good with gouges because they are infinitely more valuable when you get good with them.

Otherwise just have fun.

[Jim Sebring]

You will need a good sharpening system ASAP, if you don't already have one.

Lots of folks have the Oneway Wolverine setup on an 8 inch grinder. I have one too, but prefer to use my Tormek (bought long before I fell into this vortex ), on my bowl gouges.

[Dick Sowa]

I agree with others...the more you turn, the more you will need to sharpen your tools. That's one of the first things you will need.

I started with spindles, and still do a lot of them to accent my flatwork. In other words, turning doesn't have to be the end in itself...it can be used to fancy up other woodwork you do. For example, if you make a bed frame, use turned spindles for the corner posts. If you need knobs for a drawer, make them yourself, etc, etc.

Above all, be patient and practice on scrap wood (anything you can find).

[Darryl Hansen]

First and foremost I would suggest you get a good (Trend Pro for example) mask and respirator. The new Trend is a great deal right now and will save your lungs and face. Filters down to the micron range. If that is too pricey get a good protective visor and wear a mask under it at the very least.

Next go to a nearby club if available. Als check out the many CD's and books. Grumbine, Raffan, and Ellsworth come to mind immediately. Then practice and practice some more. remember the "Vortex" will really grab you so keep your wallet handy and open.

[Greg Haugen]

David,
I agree, a good sharpening system is well worth the money. I have a Wolverine system and the Woodcraft 8" Slow Speed grinder.

As far as progression, turn what you want but try to learn the "why" as you learn the "how". If you make a good cut, why was it good? If you have a catch, why did it happen? There is something to be said though for learning spindle turning techniques and applying them to other areas. I started to learn how to turn by using the skew. To this day, it's my favorite tool! When I teach/demo I try to emphasize a belief of mine. "Turning is like playing the piano". It's best if you practice the notes and chords before trying to put them together to play a song. A 2X4 ripped in half is an excellent and cheap practice wood. I also like to use a "safe drive" (a cup drive-no prongs -if "more bite" is preferred a dremel can be used to cut notches in the cup) since in the event of a catch the wood will slip. Or if you're trying something new you can adjust the slip by adjusting the pressure from the tailstock. I use a "cup drive" for turning up to 2 1/2" diameter, anything larger I still go back to a prong drive. If it's beads or coves-turn them from one side of the piece to the other, plane them all off and do it again until the piece gets too thin and you simply plane it until it breaks. One DVD I will recommend is the "Turning Projects Along the Woodturning Trail" by Alan Lacer. It's 2 DVD's. It covers everything; from sharpening to practice exercises to bowl turning. www.alanlacer.com

As far as turning bowls, the more you can use the gouges the better off you'll be in the long run. Different grinds work better for different tasks as well. One thing I'd like to challenge people while learning how to turn a bowl is to try and take the smallest cut you can-how little can you remove. So much emphasis is on "waste removal", but the finer cuts will produce the finest surfaces.

ASK QUESTIONS!! There are very few "wrong" ways to do something in turning and a plethora of "correct" ways to do it. What works for "A" person may not work for "B" person but both are doing it correctly.

Most of all, have fun!!

If you're nearby Southwest Wisconsin, you're always welcome to stop by to make some shavings.

[Dewey Torres]

Just go for it!

Never worry about what is too complicated.

[Scott Lux]

Sharpening is important. So is learning the various tools. You will find as you get better at one skill, you can go back and improve another already "mastered".

Here is the real progression in turning skills:

1. Spending money on tools
2. Cussing
3. Finding tools in mounds of shavings
4. Cussing
5. Sweeping up shavings
6. Spending more money on tools
7. Creative cooking with Ramen Noodles
8. Sanding
9. Cussing
10. Finding little pieces of a hollow form and gluing them back together (It is critical to master #5 before attempting this)
11. Cussing
12. Gloating

[Bernie Weishapl]

David you have gotten some good advice. When I started out I practiced with each tool on 2 X 4's, 2 X 2's, etc. until I was comfortable with each tool. I started by making mini birdhouses, Christmas ornaments, lidded boxes, etc. until I was comfortable with them and the tools used to make them. Then I went to bowls and from there Hollow forms. It is up to you but practice, practice, practice. Any of the Lacer dvd's are good. Richard Raffan's dvd's are good. Good luck and welcome to the vortex.

[Lee DeRaud]

Above all, pay absolutely no attention to anyone who insists, "You must master technique X with tool Y before you can attempt Z."

It's a hobby you're doing for enjoyment, not training for a career.

[Burt Alcantara]

If you don't have access to urban wood go to a home store and buy a 2x4 and a 4x4. Cut them into a piece that looks right to you. Put it on the lathe and just have at it.

My advise? Buy one inexpensive gouge and a sharpening system. Keep hacking away at the wood and the gouge. Eventually, your brain will tell you what you need.

Don't go buying everything in sight because you will end up with piles and piles of turning things that you wont use.

Get an account at SmartFlix.com and rent DVDs. If you find one you really like, buy it.

Ignore everyone's advise, including my own.
Burt

[Steve Schlumpf]

David - congrats on your lathe! I think you made a wise choice as it will do just about anything you can think up!

As far as advice, you can spend a lot of time experimenting with different styles of turning and have lots of fun or narrow down what it is you really want to turn and focus your energies there. I started with spindle work and got comfortable with using a lathe. I eventually moved on to bowls and hollow forms (that was what I really wanted to do in the first place) and found that all my spindle tools were not designed for use on bowls. New tools, new techniques but a lot of fun just the same.

So, best advice is to figure out what it is you want to turn - then start asking lots of questions and get started!

[john taliaferro]

check the speed, check the speed, stand to the side, keep your mouth closed when turning wood with bugs. when ya hear something stop. practic your duck and cover.try not to all the time

[Reed Gray]

Like you said, there is no 'right' answer. I turned a few spindles, and then started in on bowls. I still do mostly bowls. After 11 years, bowls, the standard unadorned utility bowl is my favorite thing to turn. The skills you learn with any cutting tool will transfer to any other tool you pick up, but mostly it is learning to 'feel' what the tool is doing and how it is cutting. Then it is practice. Pay attention to grain orientation, that tells you how to cut. Check out the turning forums, there are no better info sources, except for a local club, where instead of writing about it, you can see it in action.
robo hippy

[Ben Brown27]

Can't really tell you about progression, I've only been doing this about 7 months. You are already on a better track than me. I bought a midi lath because I never thought I would want to do anything beyond pens. I've always wanted to make pens and that's pretty much where I thought I would stop. At least you got a lathe big enough to do something.

I've only recently turned things other than pens. I just kind of do what I like. I was making pens for a while and had a good time with that. When I started to get burned out on pens I thought I'd try some bowls. Maybe I'll do some salt shakers, or ornaments, or scrolls next. I'm sure no matter which one I do I'll learn something and I'll enjoy doing it.