As a freshman in college, I operated a radial drill press in a large machine shop to make ends meet. The kings of the shop were the engine lathe operators who seemed to be able to do anything. I picked up a lot from them but never had the time or money to buy or run a lathe. About 30 years ago, I decided to build a bowl lathe from some oak 4 by 6 timbers and a 1-1/2 hp. electric motor. It was crude but I made it work. I turned large end grain bowls from black gum and quickly learned that people love wooden bowls, especially women! I must have made 40 or 50 with my homemade lathe but my job and family took most of my time. I finally retired a couple of years ago and bought a Jet1640. I love it. For a while, I was glued to Youtube watching and learning from all the great turners. I thoroughly enjoy turning and can do it all day long and not get tired. But what I enjoy most is the look on people's faces when they get one of my bowls as a gift. I turn almost exclusively sweetgum because that is what we have a lot of around here. I do twice turned bowls and green sweetgum cuts like butter and when dried it still cuts easily. takes a great finish and has an amazing figure. It does split but I have learned to rip and glue so it is not a big problem. I know that there are people who turn for money and more power to them. I get my pay from the look on people's faces.
