'nuther newcomer
Want to say hello from southeast Louisiana. I'm 57 yr old just retired and want to continue woodworking during retirement. Want to get started in and learn about woodturning. Never done it before --- don't even have a lathe yet. Been doing woodworking for about 30 years in my small home shop but no woodturning. Have ---> table saw --- bandsaw --- drill press --- router / router table --- and the usual misc hand and electric tools. Bosch is usually my choice when it comes to buying a new tool (if they make it). Looking at the Nova DVR XP lathe as my 1st choice lathe for now, but still considering others. Became an AAW member last week, figured it was a good place to start and get newbie / rookie / beginner info. And been doing a lot of woodturning on youtube.
Just want to say ---> Hello from southeast Louisiana <----
Jason,
We were practical nearly neighbors, I lived in Laplace for many years. Spent a fair amount of time at the shooting range in Reserve and knew a good many people from Lutcher/Gramercy. When Isaac and the corp of engineers put a couple feet of water in my house it seemed like time to head for higher ground so I went up 55 almost to the state line.
Bayou Woodturners is meeting in Ponchatoula right now but I think may be planning to go back towards New Orleans. Either way should be less than an hour ride. Mark in Houma is a good guy, another beginner doing segmented turnings. There is someone in New Orleans that gives lessons, I forget who though. Being a poor boy I just flail away at the wood and as long as there are more chips than blood flying I figure I am doing OK. Been at it off and on about a year now and still have the issue number of fingers and eyes.
Reminds me, if you haven't already you need to do your homework and decide what safety gear you want. Getting some isn't an option. Some type of a face shield is a must from day one. I'll stir controversy with the next comment but until you do enough turning and read enough to decide for yourself, don't wear gloves near a lathe just like you wouldn't around any other rotating equipment. I turn outdoors year around and I'd rather my fingers turn blue when it is cold than wear a glove. Isn't going to happen! Learn the safe(r) zones, there are no safe zones. Another bone of controversy but I was well away from the danger zone when a large chunk tore loose and hit my face shield hard enough to ring my bell. Good gear and no damage to me or it.
If you take a notion to ride up 55 about an hour I'll be happy to show you my toys and what little I know. That won't take long! You are welcome to play a little too.
Lyle Jamieson has some excellent free video's with good quality close up views of what you need to do, according to him. Hard to disagree, his work is fantastic and I mostly try to cut the way he recommends. Best to kinda select one person's methods to learn for starters so you have some focus, I chose Lyle. A lot of other master turners, select one and try to learn how they do things. Lyle has some DVD's that are reported to be excellent, I plan to buy them but haven't gotten a rounduit yet.
I think Bayou Woodturners meets the second Saturday of every month at 8:30 at Acadian Cypress just off 51. I have been to three or four of their meetings, anyone is welcome to sit in. Haven't got around to joining yet but I might this year.
http://www.bayouwoodturner.org/
About lathes, Grizzly has one that should at least be a consideration I believe, 22x42 $1700 delivered to your door. Supposed to be available in April so nothing really known about it other than the grizzly info. Three horse three phase motor, variable speed, the usual trinkets with it. I like the sliding head, dislike a swiveling head since I own a bad one now. Seems like a lot of lathe for the price but Griz deals direct which takes a little off the price.
Welcome to turning, it seems like a lot of fun!
Hu
