Shopsmith Forums

bluekayak wrote:I am glad you started this post. I just turned my first three pieces this morning, so this is a timely thread for me.Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

What kind of pieces did you turn? any pictures?

I also have never used a lathe until today. Here are some pictures from my first attempts.

My very first try. Unfortunately, I did not take a "before" picture, but it was on 2" X 2" ripped from a regular 2 X 4.



Here is my second attempt, and this time I have before and after pictures.



After rounding it off with the gouge.



The final turning -- after sanding.



I ended up with a small knot in the thinnest part of the turning. I think that is something to avoid in the future.

This really is fun.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

Jerry,

Great turning. I don't believe my tenth try was that nice. The knot you mentioned is an issue I have had a lot of fun with. Anytime I find an imperfection in the wood while turning I use a mixture of the shavings from the turning and a light CA glue to file the affected area and then turn the spot again. I have been pleasantly surprised how many times I have managed to save the project. I did discover that if there is soft wood in the blemish area I am best to use a pick to remove it prior to filling the spot. If painting those spots disappear all together. If staining they create beautiful character that draws attention to my work. I turned several Cherry bats for fishing buddies. Two of which had such spots. As the guys and Gals were comparing their bats the two with filled blemishes were by far the favored units. Actually I saved one of them for myself. Jim

Keep in mind for practice GREEN wood is much easier to turn,,,,

grouser wrote:Keep in mind for practice GREEN wood is much easier to turn,,,,

Thanks for the tip Mike. I had not even thought of that, and our city has a place to dump yard trimmings just a few blocks away.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

That sounds like a great place to find good bowl blanks. and they are a blast to turn. Turn them while green to about 5/4 thick and let them dry slowly then re-mount them to finish them off

grouser wrote:That sounds like a great place to find good bowl blanks. and they are a blast to turn. Turn them while green to about 5/4 thick and let them dry slowly then re-mount them to finish them off

Nice bowls, Mike! I really like the third one. It is suitable for an art gallery!

that's very kind of you,,,, thanks

Those are really nice, and the third one is also my favorite.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

Great thread!

My wife wants me to make some of these:

[ATTACH]6856[/ATTACH]

This will be my first attempt at turning. My ER didn't have the center and I bought one on e-bay recently. I hope it is not too complicated. I will try some test pieces soon. It looks like fun.

Bill