Vance Stringham

[Vance Stringham]

Greetings everyone. I’m brand new to turning, and woodworking in general for that matter. My wife started a laser business (wood engraving, cutting, etc) in 2020. I help her with designing products and cut files. About the same time I developed an interest in wood turning. I started by watching several wood turners who regularly post videos on a streaming platform. Watching their techniques, errors, wins, and just trying to glean information. I decided I wanted to try it first hand and quickly learned it would be far cheaper to take up a professional cat rodeo tour. Then, earlier this year I was lucky enough to find a Jet JML-1014 with tools and accessories at an auction. Aside from some light surface rust on the bed it’s in excellent shape. Tools appear to be lower end but will work as an introductory set. My first and, to date, only work was to turn a rectangle stick into a round stick. I’ll call it a win. I picked up a variable speed grinder and a sharpening jig but still can’t properly sharpen a tool to save my life. Just the same, I am undaunted and know I have a good set of basics to start with and I just need to make the time to be in the shop and learn by doing. I’d like to get good enough to start offering turned items along side the “lasered” products. I’m here to listen and learn. Pictures of my lathe and such below. Thank you for allowing me to join.

I should add my youngest (22) is trying his hand at it as well. He has several hours turning now but otherwise just as new as I.

 

[Kent Reisdorph]

Welcome, Vance. There's a lot to learn. I started my own journey early this year so the struggles are still fresh in my mind. A few pointers:

• Learn your tools and when they should be used. On spindles you would use a roughing gouge, spindle gouge, skew, etc. For bowls it will be bowl gouges primarily.
• As you alluded to, tool sharpening is difficult at first, but critical. Watch some videos on the use of the specific sharpening jig you have.
• Understand the various methods of attaching your work to the lathe (spur center, chuck, faceplate).

That's sort of the tip of the iceberg. It's daunting, but it's an incredible hobby to learn. Everyone has their favorite sites, but I have found www.turnawoodbowl.com to be a great resource. They have lots of free videos (on the site and on youtube) and some paid courses if you want to go that route.

 

[Vance Stringham]

Much obliged Kent.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Welcome to the forum. To start you might want to get the rust off the lathe bedways, it will make your life much easier. Also look for a turning club as they will give you a jump on videos with the opportunity to ask in person.

 

[Rick Urban]

Welcome Vance. I will repeat what Gerald said because it's some of the best advice you can get. Find a turning club, preferably an AAW Chapter. Also, watch YouTube videos skeptically. Many of them are great, but there are some that are just plain dangerous. Come back here for corroboration if you have any doubts.

 

[Vance Stringham]

Thanks Gerald. Yes, I hit it with some lubricant spray and used some fine steel wool to get most of it off. Then I put a lot coat of 3:1 oil on it. It glides pretty well now. I need to put a little more work into it but it’s looking good. Same with the tools. I need to clean those up and learn how to properly sharpen.

Welcome to the forum. To start you might want to get the rust off the lathe bedways, it will make your life much easier. Also look for a turning club as they will give you a jump on videos with the opportunity to ask in person.

 

[Vance Stringham]

Thanks Rick. I will. I am a skeptic by nature so I understand what you’re saying. I’d prefer to avoid needing to unlearn bad habits and techniques as well as retain all phalanges and both eyes in original working condition all while avoiding new scars on my body in general. I’m starting slow knowing I have everything to learn.

Welcome Vance. I will repeat what Gerald said because it's some of the best advice you can get. Find a turning club, preferably an AAW Chapter. Also, watch YouTube videos skeptically. Many of them are great, but there are some that are just plain dangerous. Come back here for corroboration if you have any doubts.