Bowl turning

[dannyshamoon]

Got the OK from the accounting person so I bit the bit and ordered the Easy Wood Tools Easy Start set.
Good info and the different gouges, THANKS
Danny

[reible]

Looks like this is a little late but since the learning has just started, lathe tools are differentiated by many things and one of them is size/length. The smaller the tool the smaller the task it is good for. Some time ago I posted this thread with pictures of some of my lathe tools with a reference to length.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 45#p146945

If you ordered the smaller version at 12-1/2" that is at the small size of tools. Had I gotten here in time I would have suggested doing some reading on the easywood tool site where you might have come upon this:

"When a customer is undecided on which tool size class to select, we generally suggest the larger 1/2" tools with the 16" handles (Ci1 Easy Rougher & Ci0 Easy Finisher). The longer handles are a bit more comfortable for long periods of turning and the heavier tool bars are a little more stable for most cuts.

There are a few times we definitely suggest the Mini Tools:

One is if you only do smaller work or pen work; Mini tools are very nimble on those projects.
Two is if you are new to turning and you are looking for a lower investment amount to 'try out' the hobby.
Youth turners are more comfortable starting out with tools that are ‘more their size’ and less intimidating



Don't misunderstand us though; most use the Mini tools hand-in-hand with the larger tools on most all projects. For example - they use the Mini Rougher for cutting tenons, both inside and reverse, and they use the Mini Finisher to do the tighter inside curves on projects.

In the end, all our tools are quite useful but you can do hundreds of projects with either size class alone."

You can find that and more here:

http://www.easywoodtools.com/

I have and like the easywood tools. I've been doing a one at a time approach and look for sales where you find them at 15% off or when I find a store coupon of at least that amount off.

Since you have started down this path have you picked out which live center and which chuck you are going to buy? If not make sure to save some cash for these sorts of things.

Ed

[Hobbyman2]

Got the OK from the accounting person so I bit the bit and ordered the Easy Wood Tools Easy Start set.
Good info and the different gouges, THANKS
Danny

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Nice

I would be interested in knowing how these work out for you.

[dannyshamoon]

So I've signed up for a bowl turning class at the Rockler in Rocklin CA. next month. $35, I figured my best way to learn. Just a 3 hour drive each way.
Thanks for everyone's help.
Danny

[Hobbyman2]

Thats a long drive!!

The wealth of info you should get is priceless.
Before ya know it you will be teaching bowl turning in your area!!

Best of luck.

[Mike907]

Maybe one of these clubs is closer. Members tend to be very helpful.

http://www.sequoiawoodturners.org/

http://foothillwoodturners.com/

If those don't work for you, you can search for other clubs here:

http://www.woodturner.org/?page=Chapters

Mike

[dannyshamoon]

I know about the Sequoia Woodturners. Their next meeting is Saturday the 25th. I plan to attend to see what it's all about.
Danny

[dannyshamoon]

I figured for a beginner these will work fine. My plan is turning 6" or less. Cost was also a factor. I see tools that range from $90 each to $150 each. Not in my price range now.
Danny

[Hobbyman2]

some times the return on the investment is the deciding factor for me .

Had a uncle who bought the newest of every thing,,,, didn't matter ,,,,he had to have it ,,,,,the newest most expensive every thing,,, didn't matter what it was ,my other uncle ,, his brother was the exact opposite,

they would argue and argue about who did what , one would brag about making a tool and the other would talk it down , one would brag about buying a tool and the other would complain about him wasting money.
both of them turned out some very good work .

personally I cringe thinking about touching a 10.00 chisel on a grinder let alone a 100.00 chisel ,most of my tools are from yard sales or flea markets , I guess I was schooled by the uncle that made his own and restored what he had..

most the time a leather strop will be all that is needed to keep any chisel sharp if it is cared for ,,others will say the opposite

IMO ,,,,do what makes you happy and what ya can afford because sooner or later no mater the cost every thing wears out .

[dannyshamoon]

An update... I attended the Rockler bowl turning class in Rocklin CA (Sacramento area) last Saturday. I learned a lot (for me anyways) on how to turn a bowl. Here's my 1st bowl ever, a 4" candle holder, made of maple. I got to thinking the other night how to give more appearance, I think doing a inlay in one of the groves since maple is light in color. I now have order some segmented blanks from THANAGAN, at reasonable price and CHEAP freight.