Hi all, happy to join the group. I have been turning for about a year, but low quantity and mostly just spindle work. I just joined my local club and I’m hoping to learn from the seasoned experts here and there.
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Bryon Burks
- Thread starter Bryon Burks
- Start date
Mark Hepburn
Artist & Chef
Hi Bryon. Welcome to the forum!
Hello Bryon! Good for you working on spindles. Some people start with bowls and never get past them. Several pros (and me and several outstanding turning friends know and preach that spindle turning will teach you the fine tool control that will let you turn anything.
Thanks!
Thank you! I just read your helpful tutorial on the skew and can’t wait to get mine out again and make one of those ring holders.
I have gotten fairly comfortable on spindles (that doesn’t necessarily mean good), but I’m struggling on bowls. I probably just need some instruction; YouTube videos have only gotten me so far.
Yes, a good teacher/watcher is probably the best way.
I've turned a number of bowls over the year but sometimes go for a year without turning one. (I turn dry wood)
Not long ago a friend/student wanted to turn a bowl so I hurried and made three ahead of time from dry rough turned just to make sure I could I didn't steer him wrong! All turned out well and he made a wonderful bowl.
For turning bowls and such, one thing that I've drifted to in the last few years has been using a Hunter Hercules tool (the small one) instead of a bowl gouge. After some practice, some of us have come to prefer it over a traditional bowl gouge. It can make the same cuts, inside and out, can leave a flawless surface that needs almost no sanding, can be used as a shear scraper as well as a gouge, and never needs sharpening. (The cutter is round, rotated occasionally to expose fresh edges, and is replaced when dull).
I use it on a many spindles too, for example it was my primary tool for both the african blackwood and the acrylic of this recent wand.
If you ever get down this way, maybe you could stop and visit - I can show you some tools and things I've learned.
BTW, I rarely watch youtube turning videos.
JKJ
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Thank you for the advice. I have used carbides on acrylics, but usually prefer traditional on wood. I’ll give carbides a shot on a bowl.
Just to be clear, the ONLY carbides I use are the Hunters (I have a variety for various purposes), with the incredibly sharp round bits.
The second one from the top is the small Hercules. The second picture is the Hercules from the side. (I round and polish the heel.)
These are incredible cutting tools, nothing like the flat-topped "traditional" carbide tools which in my experience make useful scrapers.
JKJ
Thank you for clarifying. I was unfamiliar with Hunter Tools and they do seem to be in a different league.