Talking with many woodturners over the years I am amused by their first lathe experience stories. Many humerous, some scary, but all told with passion like they were reliving the moment. So I thought I would start this post with my first lathe stories and hope you will add yours.
Rick D
MY FIRST LATHE STORY:
My first lathe experience was at Pennsauken Junior High School, Pennsauken, NJ 1976. Mr. N was the shop teacher. All the students were busy making the standard small shelf project. In the corner of the woodshop stood 2 Powermatic 90's that no one EVER touched. I was fascinated by these machines and would always go over and look at them. Mr. N must have noticed my interest so one day he calls me over.
He says, "Doganiero, do you want to try the lathe?". I sheepishly answer yes. He them starts to explain to me the parts of the lathe: head stock, tail stock, tool rest, banjo, speed control, etc. He mounts a 2" x 2" pine spindle blank betweens centers and gives me some very basic instructions (that I can no longer remember). Then before I start he says to me:
"You have to make sure the tail stock is tight". "Always check the tail stock to make sure it hasnt' loosened... Do you understand???". "If you don't check the tailstock the piece of wood will come loose, fly of the lathe and go right through your heart!".
Then he hands me the tool (a spindle gouge) and says.... "Have fun!".
I didn't know what I was doing, but had a great time doing it. It planted the woodturng seed in my soul.
Rick D
Rick D
MY FIRST LATHE STORY:
My first lathe experience was at Pennsauken Junior High School, Pennsauken, NJ 1976. Mr. N was the shop teacher. All the students were busy making the standard small shelf project. In the corner of the woodshop stood 2 Powermatic 90's that no one EVER touched. I was fascinated by these machines and would always go over and look at them. Mr. N must have noticed my interest so one day he calls me over.
He says, "Doganiero, do you want to try the lathe?". I sheepishly answer yes. He them starts to explain to me the parts of the lathe: head stock, tail stock, tool rest, banjo, speed control, etc. He mounts a 2" x 2" pine spindle blank betweens centers and gives me some very basic instructions (that I can no longer remember). Then before I start he says to me:
"You have to make sure the tail stock is tight". "Always check the tail stock to make sure it hasnt' loosened... Do you understand???". "If you don't check the tailstock the piece of wood will come loose, fly of the lathe and go right through your heart!".
Then he hands me the tool (a spindle gouge) and says.... "Have fun!".
I didn't know what I was doing, but had a great time doing it. It planted the woodturng seed in my soul.
Rick D