Shopsmith Forums

I am continuing to have a REALLY hard time trying to turn bowls without a bunch of digging, jamming, stalling gouging etc. I have managed to get a couple of bowls (see my earlier thread) but this is ongoing to the point that I am considering packing the whole thing in. Just 15 minutes ago I had enough of a grab on a small piece (6") of green pear wood that I actually bent the shaft on the head stock. I am not heavy handed with tools but am beginning to flinch every time I pick up a chisel. I have recently bought a couple of carbide tipped gouges and a BB bowl gouge and have not had any better luck with them. I am really getting frustrated and thought I 'd see if anyone has a suggestion before I but 2 SS and mess of accessories and tools on Ebay------
thanks

I would calm down and take your time. Turning is an art and not as easy as it looks like in videos. I am still getting catches when I get over confident. Make sure your tools are sharp and by the way I usually have to shapen my tools often on each project you can't just shapen then once and think that is good enough. I make sure I can shave a small shaving after shapening to be sure they are sharp before I continue on the project. Another important peice of information is where you set your tool rest height. It is important to put the tool on the rest and looking at where the cutting edge and the bevel are riding on the wood. If the angle is wrong you will get nothing but catches no matter how easy you approch the project. I know other who are much better turners than me will give advise for you. I am just a novice turner and this is what I have found on my own.

Go to the URL below and contact the closest chapter to you. Each will have a mentor coordinator who can help get you linked up with a volunteer mentor. I joined AAW and then the Capital Area Woodturners chapter (Metro DC). I'm still trying to re-learn what my Dad taught me years ago. It helps to have someone demonstrate how to do it the right/safe way. Good Luck!

http://www.woodturner.org/community/cha ... apters.asp

Whatever you do, Don't Give Up. Know your frustration with turning. I will chuck an item in my lathe and pick up a chiesel and turn away. A bit later and I have a great looking project. Then in a few days I will repeat the process, fully expecting another great project project. Oops, nothing but jabs and jerks, And sometime scare the heck out of myself.

The most important thing that I have learned is to have really sharp tools. When you buy a new tool it is never sharp, and you must sharpen it to make it usable. Turning can be a lot of fun, and I think if you stay with it you will soon enjoy it. Hang with it, and let us know how it works for you.......

Whatever you do, Don't Give Up. Know your frustration with turning. I will chuck an item in my lathe and pick up a chiesel and turn away. A bit later and I have a great looking project. Then in a few days I will repeat the process, fully expecting another great project project. Oops, nothing but jabs and jerks, And sometime scare the heck out of myself.

The most important thing that I have learned is to have really sharp tools. When you buy a new tool it is never sharp, and you must sharpen it to make it usable. Turning can be a lot of fun, and I think if you stay with it you will soon enjoy it. Hang with it, and let us know how it works for you.......

Thanks so much for the help- I am calmer now and succeeded in straightening the shaft. I'm better with metal than wood but I think I'll order a spare quill. Thanks for the AAW info. I have just sent a message to the nearest chapter (90 miles) hoping to join them. Could you suggest a site or other info where I might learn more about tool sharpening? This plus not being sure how to angle the tip of the chisel into the work or the direction of travel seem to be issues. I am not ready to quit just yet-
Thanks again
--pat

Yuu have been given some good advise. Joining a local club would be very good. Not only do they have mentors but they offer demo's on all sorts of turning.

A good book for all turners is Keith Rowley's A Foundation Course. Keith explains how to hold and use your tools. He has ten laws on turning which when you have a catch you will be able to find the law you violated and how to correct it.

Just ordered Rowley's book AND the DVD!!
Thanks

basaltboy wrote:I had enough of a grab on a small piece (6") of green pear wood that I actually bent the shaft on the head stock.

if you are using the tailstock, this is absolutely mind boggling.

if this was a square block that you were roughing with just a faceplate, then please consider using the tailstock at least until you have the stock round and that side of your project roughed to shape. if your rough block seems too short to use the tailstock, then I would suggest picking up a #2MT extension. you will appreciate what the extra support does for your turning.

please tell us more about what you were doing that bent the spindle to help the rest of us not do the same.

Besides what has already been suggested, I see you have two woodcraft stores in your state. I see that they both offer turning classes. Not sure how close either of them are, but it would well be worth taking their bowl turning class. I have mentioned in the past that I took about every turning class they offered and there is nothing better than hands-on training with a knowledgeable turner seeing what you may be doing that causes you to get the catches. I still get a catch once in awhile after several years of turning, so don't give up. We all get better with experience.