All Blog Posts (8)

You will need a blank about 1.25 in. by 1.25 in. by about 10 in. long. Put it between centers and turn it round. Now turn a ¼” wide bead right on the tailstock end. Reverse the blank and clamp in the smaller opening created by the bottom of the jaws of your chuck. Before tightening the chuck completely center the other end on the live center in your tailstock [a 60* cone live center is the best one, the little circle around the point and a regular live center gets in the way]. Now tighten the ch… Continue

I received this email 10/1/09. If you are interested, send me a message and I will forward their contact info (didn't want to post it here without their permission). Hi, My father and I are turners over here in Live Oak, FL. We come across a lot of domestic woods from tree service businesses in our area. (cherry, sweet gum, maple, magnolia, cedar.....) No trees are cut for the purpose of bowl blanks. The trees that are cut would otherwise be burned or buried. We would like to provide your club… Continue

The blank I used was 1/2 a log of Osage Orange. [12" long 5" wide and 4 1/2" thick] I used a worm screw to hold the blank [Flat side] to the chuck with Masonite spacer between the wood and the chuck jaws. Slow speed [as the lathe will want to move around] The turning tool was a fingernail grind 1/2" bowl gouge. BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PUT YOUR HANDS AND THE TOOL ; Put the tool rest parallel to the wood as close as possible without touching. the gouge is applied to the wood with the flute rolled ove… Continue

Learning to use the Skew Second Lesson The following instructions, Assume that you are familiar with a woodturning lathe and its tools. That you understand turning on a lathe can be dangerous. These instructions are meant to be a guide in learning how to use a skew. After following the instructions you should be able to learn more about using the skew with out to much trouble. Be safe and enjoy learning You have learned to use the skew to smooth a round spindle between centers. We will move on t… Continue

By Walter Jones Suncoast Woodturners The following instructions, Assume that you are familiar with a woodturning lathe and its tools. That you understand turning on a lathe can be dangerous. These instructions are meant to be a help in learning how to use a skew. After following the instructions you should be able to learn how to use the skew with out to much trouble. Be safe and enjoy learning First turn the blank round. Then draw line around the circumference. Now draw a line off the first lin… Continue

For carving, you'll hold the cutting knives one of two ways. To begin, sit down in a armless chair, and hold the work piece on your lap. Position Number One Grasp the knife in your right hand (or left if you're left-handed). Place the first joint of your thumb, at the blade end of the handle, and wrap your fingers around the handle as shown. Turn the inside of your wrist toward your body and rest the tip of your thumb, the knuckle of your index finger, and the point of the blade on the w… Continue

Here is the web page that shows how to make a hook tool. http://www.aroundthewoods.com/hooktool.shtml Continue

Steps for Pepper mills: By Bob Sawyer 1. Pick wood - 4" diameter - any size you want from 4" to 24" long 2. Round piece of wood 3. Drill all holes before you begin to turn - set up block with drill in it #1 1st hole = 1 5/8"in bottom 1/2" to 3/4" #2 2nd hole in bottom 1 1/16"wide and 1" deep #3 3rd hole - 1" wide at least ; 4” to 6” from top 4. Take mill off lathe put bottom end into nova chuck 5. Drill 1/4' hole in top - 5" to 6" deep 6. Turn top (round) leave a 1 5/8" waste piece *** very im… Continue