Turning beginnings

mugwamp · Post by **mugwamp** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 1:52 pm

Hi, I'm a newbie SS 510 owner.

I'm getting ready to start using the lathe on the SS. My interests are mostly on spindle turning. I've watched some videos (Raffan & Woodworkingonline.com) and read a few books. My last experience with a lathe was back in ... about 30 yrs ago in shop class.

I've ordered screwdriver and awl kits from internet suppliers, and pen kits from PennState. I also have some old chisels and files that need new handles and totes. I'd love my son to be enthusiastic about WW as I am and turning may be what will spark his interest.

Question :
What would be the best setup for turning small handles, pepper mills, etc... on my SS lathe? (Screwchuck? Oneway chucks? Safe drivers? Small face plates?)

p.s. I'm considering practicing on poplar, basswood or pine blanks... Is that the best wood to start?

Thanx

john · Post by **john** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:10 pm

Mugwamp:

First let me welcome you to the forum. Also glad to see another guy from "north of the border" join us. I hadn't noticed your previous posts or would have done this sooner.

I am also interested in the responses you will be getting as I am in a similar position in that I would like to start some turning projects.

John

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:53 pm

mugwamp wrote: Question :
What would be the best setup for turning small handles, pepper mills, etc... on my SS lathe? (Screw chuck? Oneway chucks? Safe drivers? Small face plates?)

Pens are a very popular way to start, my younger son made his first pepper mill at 14 as his first lathe project but I don't think it was a good place to start. His older brother started with Pens and was much more successful. Both kids made tool handles that came out nice but never got used.

As for equipment I prefer a chuck (SuperNova2 but others work as well) most come with a screw center along with a live center. I have not used face plates since high school, I also turn and sell wine corks and for them I started with a chuck and more recently moved to a pin chuck (a steel rod with a flat and a steel pin), they tend not to break the way a 3/8" dowel might for a new turner.

You might want to look into bowl turning, I find it much easier and more forgiving than a pen or pepper-mill which both require some precision. As for wood for bowls you can start with almost anything, I find lots of beautiful wood on the firewood pile or from downed trees. My latest attempts have been at bark on projects, where the finished bowl still has some bark.

For pens, pepper-mills... you can buy blanks at most woodworking stores very cheaply. I would not use pine or bass wood for these projects.

roy_okc · Post by **roy_okc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:30 am

I would suggest a chuck that includes a screw center. Also, make sure you have a live center rather than the cup center.

As Paul said, pine might not be the best choice for most projects. However, it can be a decent and cheap wood to practice on--I used some 2X4 scrap pieces to help me improve my basic techniques.

Roy

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:59 am

I like the G-3 midi chuck. Order it through Shopsmith so you get the appropriate adapter to fit on the spindle. The worm screw is included. If you are going to turn bowls, buy a speed reducer. I find the slow setting on the headstock is still way too fast.

I like your idea about working with less expensive woods and then working you way up to more expensive woods. It doesn't cause as much heartbreak if the project comes apart

I agree that pens are a much better way to start out with. Make sure you buy the appropriate bushings. Another fun project are baseball bats. You can prchase the blanks from someplace like Woodcraft.

There is also a video that Nick Engler did on using the strip sander for sharpening chisels. You can access that through Hands Online.

Have fun,
BPR

Greenvilleguy · Post by **Greenvilleguy** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:27 am

Welcome to the world of woodturning!! As others have said, Pens are a great place to start. Bottlestoppers and tops are also great scrap wood spindle projects.

I would start with woods that are more turner friendly that pine. Popular is a good choice, but cherry, pear, walnut will finish better. The wonderful thing about pens is that the blanks are so small, they I have an endless supply from my scrap heap.

You asked about chucks, you won't need them for the projects I've listed above. When you are ready for boxes, weed pots and bowls; a chuck is very useful. I have a stronghold, but it's probably overkill. Any of the Nova chucks will do the job.

As for chucking -- To turn pens, you will need mandrel. There is a very thorough thread on this forum discussing the options. To turn bottlestoppers and tops, you can start by using a 3/8" dowel chucked in your SS Jacobs chuck. As was stated above, if you get serious, you can move to a pin chuck later or make a simple screw chuck yourself.

To turn pens, you really only need limited tools. You could get by only using a 3/8" spindle gouge for everything. This is also discussed on another thread on this forum.

Please pay particular attention to tool sharpening. Nick has done an excellent sawdust session on the subject. I personally use a wolverine jig and a slow speed grinder, but I started with the SS sharpening jig and sanding disk. What you use isn't as critical as using something to keep your chisels sharp.

I hope this has been helpful. By all means, please start turning.

Greenvilleguy · Post by **Greenvilleguy** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:27 am

Welcome to the world of woodturning!! As others have said, Pens are a great place to start. Bottlestoppers and tops are also great scrap wood spindle projects.

I would start with woods that are more turner friendly that pine. Popular is a good choice, but cherry, pear, walnut will finish better. The wonderful thing about pens is that the blanks are so small, that I have an endless supply from my scrap heap.

You asked about 4 jaw chucks, you won't need them for the projects I've listed above. When you are ready for boxes, weed pots and bowls; a chuck is very useful. I have a stronghold, but it's probably overkill. Any of the Nova chucks will do the job.

As for chucking -- To turn pens, you will need mandrel. There is a very thorough thread on this forum discussing the options. To turn bottlestoppers and tops, you can start by using a 3/8" dowel chucked in your SS Jacobs chuck. As was stated above, if you get serious, you can move to a pin chuck later or make a simple screw chuck yourself.

To turn pens, you really only need limited tools. You could get by only using a 3/8" spindle gouge for everything. This is also discussed on another thread on this forum. The same applys to bottlestoppers and tops.

Please pay particular attention to tool sharpening. Nick has done an excellent sawdust session on the subject. I personally use a wolverine jig and a slow speed grinder, but I started with the SS sharpening jig and sanding disk. What you use isn't as critical as using something to keep your chisels sharp.

I hope this has been helpful. By all means, please start turning.

james.miller · Post by **james.miller** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 11:51 am

I just want to add, take a class or join a wood turning club. You will be glad you did as it will help you to learn without as much frustration. There is nothing as good for learning as watching the demo then trying it yourself with an experianced turner watching to make sure you are doing it correctly.

This is especially good for safety.

stryker1313 · Post by **stryker1313** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:18 pm

I agree with James. Check out your local club or your local junior or community or technical college for classes. The AAW (American Association of Woodturners) has a great forum as well.

rubberneck · Post by **rubberneck** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:02 pm

For practise wood, cut up a few green tree branch limbs. 3-4 inch range is plenty big. Green wood is a lot easier to turn and a lot more fun too. Plus its free! Have fun...bill...