Must have tools for Woodturning on the Lathe

[lfalsetta1959]

Good Morning and happy New Year. I am looking to delve into turning live edge wood bowls of all sizes. Wondering if I could get some direction on must have tools/accessories? Also maybe a sight or web page that has beginner tips on wood turning? Thank you all for your help!

[GetterDone]

Welcome to the forum.

Here is one website in the link below.
Link: https://turnawoodbowl.com/live-edge-bow ... g-success/

There's lots of U-tube videos on this process also.

As far as the tools go, I am a Newbie to that.

Some of the Members here will have Great advice to lead you in the right direction.

[jroza1]

Dwayne. You own 9 shopsmiths and new to turning?
For a beginning set, you can get a harborfreight set of 8 lathe chisels. I went to amazon and also bought an inexpensive set of carbide tools ($70-$100) for 5 tools that mount in the handle. I can cut most shapes and beads. Carbide have a slight advantage that they say sharper longer and since i play with resin and wood, sometimes they simply cut more cleanly. I would like a bowl gouge though - its one of the tools I think should be in the arsenal

I watch a ton of youtube and then just play with firewood. Its the cheapest and you can find shapes you like. Here in San Jose where I live, a lot of the tree services will tell you where they are cutting what if you want to collect and wet or dry, I turn everything right now because its about hours and not outcomes.

Josh

[JPG]

"Dwayne. You own 9 shopsmiths and new to turning? "


Hey - he just recently started!

[GetterDone]

Dwayne. You own 9 shopsmiths and new to turning?

Josh

14 now . But Who's counting.

Josh
I seen my 1ST Shopsmith ever in July last year.

Being a Machinist by trade I seen what they are capable of.
So, I started buying up the ones around me that had Attachments and where Cheap.

That being said Is why I don't claim to be a WoodTurner yet.

Some of the guys I work with Claim to be Machinist.

[GetterDone]

"Dwayne. You own 9 shopsmiths and new to turning? "


Hey - he just recently started!

Thanks

[RobertTaylor]

No one has answered your question so far it just got off topic. First thing that I would recommend is to find a Woodturning club in your area, The youtube advice is not necessarily bad nor is it the best. There are many videos where the turner should be taking lessons not giving advice. As a new turner you will not know what is safe. On to your question.First and foremost unless you have a Powerpro or a speed reducer the Shopsith is NOT a good bowl lathe. Spindle turning yes great, bowls not so much as you can get away with bowls up to six/seven inches in diameter any larger and you will be chasing your Shopsmith around the room as the slowest speed is just too fast. On to equipment needed, first is a good quality faceshied, next is breathing protection. A scroll chuck is handy but not neccasary. You can turn bowls with a faceplate and a 3/8" bowl gouge.so get started , And a way to sharpen your gouge, here again is where a Woodturning club is your friend, just remember that a tool that is "almost sharp" will almost cut. just don't expect to make huge bowls in the beginning. HAPPY TURNING