Shopsmith Forums

I was hoping for some input on
A) what is a good starter wood for bowl turning. I have a good sized piece of pine that should make a wonderful bowl but i dont want to practice on it.
B) what chuck is useable with the SS? A little confused if One size works for most.

Well I 've always said the best wood is the wood you have in front of you for free. For practice I think it's important to work with green wood. Turn thick blanks and let them dry, then go back and finish turn them. I have made a few nice turnings from Ponderosa pine. It's a bit pitchy at times but oh well I had it here for free.I started out with just a faceplate and learned how to hold and turn most anything.I put a thick piece of wood on there and screwed the piece to it.There are alot of methods to hold the wood, jam chucks that you make, and home made jigs are all part of learning the lathe. Later I bought a Stronghold four jawed chuck and have never looked back. They come with an insert to fit your saw. Money well spent if your gonna turn alot of wood.Searching the web for turning tricks will give you great resutls with pictures.
Good luck and have fun!!!!

beeg wrote:More GREAT looking pieces Mike.

Now if I can just get my spindle gouge sharpened with a fingernail grind.

Thanks for the kind words,,,,Richard Raffen says in his video that the grind dos'nt have to LOOK perfect to cut great. He says don't get worked up about it and just try it,,,,,,,,some of my best cutting tools I would NEVER show to most people hehehehehe

grouser wrote:Thanks for the kind words,,,,Richard Raffen says in his video that the grind dos'nt have to LOOK perfect to cut great. He says don't get worked up about it and just try it,,,,,,,,some of my best cutting tools I would NEVER show to most people hehehehehe

Excellent thought, Mike! I don't show my carving tools either!