Do you turn exclusively?

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Hi All, I was wondering how many of us are turners only and do little if any flat work? I really like turning but still try to learn new things about woodworking in general. But sometimes I think I'd really like to just turn and do nothing else. I don't know if that would get boring or not. I'm not saying that turning is easy, far from it, but sometime flatwork stuff gives me a headache trying to figure things out.

So how many of you still do flatwork AND turn and how many just turn? That is if you don't mind me asking.

[Donn Morris]

I still do lat work. I am working on Walnut Shoji screens for a window in our house right now.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

I do some lat work too but mostly work on my biceps for now. But seriously thanks for the reply.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Alan - I have a fairly well equiped shop and was just starting to do some custom flatwork when I was given my first lathe. Enter the big change!! While I still do flatwork projects I would have to say that over 99% of my woodworking time is spent on the lathe. I find it a lot more challenging and also a lot more satisfying than any of the flatwork that I have done up to this point. I would have to say that I have an engineering type of personality - meaning I love angles, numbers and even straight lines... but when I started lathe work all those restrictions went out the window and for the first time I actually find some of the items I turn to border on the artistic. That - for me - was and still is - a huge draw into the world of turning.

Man - sure can get longwinded when typing with 2 fingers...

[Raymond Overman]

I do enough flat work to build a few jigs and fixtures. I do a little carpentry here and there to accommodate my growing shop and my little girl's playhouse. Other than that, it's mostly turning. I do a little carving, but only on my turnings so I guess that's still turning related.

[Jon Lanier]

I still do a lot of scroll work and box making.

[Donn Morris]

I do some lat work too but mostly work on my biceps for now. But seriously thanks for the reply.

Thats what happens when I get up early in the morning to do lat work at the gym; it takes a while for the brain to wake up. I'll save the flat work for after work!

[Bob Hallowell]

I do f*** work still here's a bathroom vanity I just finished. I posted it in the general forum. Notice that the feet are turned.

Bob

[Scott Lux]

I never did much flat work anyway. Now, it's only when LOML wants a new shelf, or someone offers me $350 for a pair of Adirondack chairs. I gotta pay for the lathe toys somehow.

Lux

[Bernie Weishapl]

I fell in love with woodturning and it changed my shop habits. I do probably 99% turning and every once in a while I will do some F***** only for the LOML.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

Oh, I get it. F*** work is like LOrd Voldermort in Harry Potter who's name is not supposed to be spoken. O.K. I won't spell out f*** work anymore. Sorry. Thanks for the replies guys. I'm still trying to get my head around this. I think I'm looking for an excuse not to do much f** work anymore. But I do still like it. I think I need wood working mental therapy.

[Gary Herrmann]

Lots of flatwork. I think my wife views turning as my reward. Getting more and more into handtools too.

[Matt Hutchinson]

The only reason I am exclusively doing woodturning is cuz I don't have a well equipped shop. My love of wood started with furniture dedign. I no longer have access to a shop, but even if I did I would do mostly turning. However, once I get a tablesaw, router, jointer and planer I will be making some combination work. For instance, I plan on making a complex humidor, one with flat sides involving veneer work and marquetry, but with shaped quarter-round corners using split turning methods on the lathe.

In short, I would like to be doing both, but turning will probably always be my emphasis.

Hutch

[Don Orr]

I do mostly turning but I guess I am kind of an exception. A lot of flatboarders try turning and never go back. I am going the other way. I am trying to learn more about flat work like furniture and cabinets. I am lucky to have a nicely equipped shop. I just finished a small Shaker style end table and bought a new Dewalt planer. My lathes are getting jealous. Don't even ask how many planes I have.

[Daniel Heine]

Hello,

I do not do any "woodworking" at all. I do, however, carve caricatures, reliefs, and do some chip carving(kerbschnitzen). My son saw a pen turning demonstration at a local Woodcraft store while I was looking for carving tools. He begged, and begged until I finally bought him a little Shop Fox mini lathe. I tried my hand at it, and I've been falling into the abyss since. I'm wondering now if I'll ever hit bottom!!! I hope not, at least not for a long time!!! LOL.

Dan Heine