New guy from Michigan

[Dennis Nagle]

Hi All, one of the Detroit Area old guys got me hooked on turning so he went with me to check out my first Lathe. It was a good deal as a starting...not the Oneway that he has, but it will serv.....I hope.

It is the Ridgid WL1200 and Delta 6 pack of tools.

Has anyone used this lathe? Any tips?

The pix below are the first things I turned. They are table leg....more to come.

Cheers, Dennis

 

[hockenbery]

Dennis,
Try to get some quality hands on instruction.
A couple of good classes will serve you well.

Many AAW chapters have programs for new members.

Be safe
Have fun

Al

 

[Dennis Nagle]

Thanks Al. The guy I am working with is the director of mentorship for the Detroit Area Woodturners. He is a great guy with more knowledge then I'll ever have and incredibly patient.

 

[hockenbery]

Thanks Al. The guy I am working with is the director of mentorship for the Detroit Area Woodturners. He is a great guy with more knowledge then I'll ever have and incredibly patient.

Dennis sounds like a plan.
You may surprise yourself an be helping someone yourself in a few years.

Be safe
Al

 

[Dennis Nagle]

That already started Al. My brother in law heard I had a lathe and came right over. I taught him everything I know (5 minutes) but he will start working with Ray too.

 

[Ian Thorn]

Enjoy your new lathe Dennis and keep showing the pics ,as said have fun stay safe.

Ian

 

[MichaelMouse]

The WL1200 might be new to Home Depot, but it's an old design which has carried many nameplates. Some will dismiss it out-of-hand, but not the preacher. http://www.aroundthewoods.com/ If you let the wood do the teaching, instead of forcing things, you'll find you can do a lot with it. Just not everything the big iron can.

So make shavings, not eyes at other guys' lathes. Time enough to step up in price (and hopefully capability) later.

 

[Glenn McCullough]

You can't get a much better teacher than Ray!!!And he has the lathe to die for!!

 

[Ronald D. Black]

I agree with Glenn! Ray is a great teacher.
Ron

 

[Dennis Nagle]

The WL1200 might be new to Home Depot, but it's an old design which has carried many nameplates. Some will dismiss it out-of-hand, but not the preacher. http://www.aroundthewoods.com/ If you let the wood do the teaching, instead of forcing things, you'll find you can do a lot with it. Just not everything the big iron can.

So make shavings, not eyes at other guys' lathes. Time enough to step up in price (and hopefully capability) later.

I've read the dismissals, but I am please as punch with it. Hours are what build personal skill and I can get many hours on this little guy.

That website, now booked marked, is great. I started getting lost in it, then realized I had to go to work

You can't get a much better teacher than Ray!!!And he has the lathe to die for!!

I agree with Glenn! Ray is a great teacher.
Ron

I really don't think I would be this interested in doing this if it weren't for Ray's enthusiasm and generosity of his time. Great guy!!!

 

[Patrick Miller]

Welcome!

Welcome Dennis!
Early in 2010 I hauled my power tools to my son, the new home owner's, garage thinking I wouldn't be needing them and he would. Wasn't long before I went looking for a tablesaw and ended up buying a used Shopsmith (I think there is a reason why the ad said- "had for 20 years, barely used") Regardless there was a lathe function so I started shoving gouges into spinning wood. After a month I new I really wanted to be a turner but the only thing I was getting good at was ducking! A frustrated 'web search brought me to the AAW site, a chapter 90 miles away, and a local turner who quickly became my mentor and friend- 3 of the best things I've ever done. A scant three years later and I am a somewhat proficient turner and aspiring wood artist looking forward to retiring and turning even more than the 20+ hours a week I now enjoy. I have a much better lathe today than I started with but, as has been said throughout this thread, the important thing is to get a bit of direction and make lots of chips....and have fun!

 

[Dennis Nagle]

I does sort of creep up on you Pat. If you asked me a year ago, I would have never guessed I'd be making a wood mess.

 

[Gary Chapman]

I does sort of creep up on you Pat. If you asked me a year ago, I would have never guessed I'd be making a wood mess.

Dennis,I am not sure about this creeping up on you,as for me, a friend told me it was like drugs. Once you start, you can't put it down and so true. I have always built a lot of furniture and one started I pushed my table saw out of the way,covered it up, and now I just turn.
But it's a good addiction and can make you some green( if you know what I mean).That is not intended on being a poem. Gary