Woodturning Basics | Tools & Tips to Get You Started
Woodturning basics is all about tools and techniques. Picking the right tools and getting the feel of the cut are the toughest things to wood turning. Newbies should consider carefully their first purchase of tools. Wood Turning Basics Tip #1: Buy quality turning tools ! Saving a few bucks on low grade tools will cost you in the long run.
Lathe - As the Wood Turns
The most essential of woodturning basics is that you need a lathe. Lathes come in many sizes with many features. I recommend a mini or micro lathe to start. Features, to look for besides a reasonable cost are: live center tailstock, variable speeds, and a good rest. I started with a Rikon Model 70-100, but this Jet 10x14 is a very good choice.
Chisels, gouges, scrapers, Oh My!
The cutting tools or chisels are next on your wood turning basics list. There are many types of woodturning chisels but they fall into the major categories: skews, scrapers, and gouges. There are many specialty tools but beginners need to stick to the woodturning basics. Unless money is no object, you will need to limit your initial purchase to a few essential tools that allow the maximum flexibility.
Keep in my the things you want to turn: spindles, bowls or pens. Wood pens are a good choice for beginners as they are perfect for the smaller lathe and relatively inexpensive. Wood Turning Basics Tip #2 Use a bandsaw or table saw to round or cut off corners to make the square blank into an octagon. This saves rough turning time and saves the edge on your roughing gouge.
3/4” roughing gouge – an absolutely essential woodturning tool that allows you to chip off the rough and sharp edges of a blank. Wood Turning Basics Tip #3 Four basic tools you need are: A roughing gouge, spindlemaster, skew and parting tool.
1/2" Spindle Master – a woodturning basics tool excellent for beginners. Because it is a cross between a skew and gouge, you can easily shape your blank without catches. A light touch is key to eliminating chatter and getting a smooth finish.
1/2” oval skew chisel – the most versatile woodturning basics tool you will every buy. Count on having several different sizes and styles of skews by the time its all said and done. Skews can obtain a much smoother finish on your blank and are essential for shaping . I prefer the 1/2" Sorby Oval skew because you can smoothly slant the tool, it moves easily on your rest and reduces catches. Wood Turning Basics Tip #4 Skews can be tricky to master and can "catch" especially on the heel of the skew. Grinding the heel to a more rounded shape can help prevent catches.
1/8” Parting tool – the last essential woodturning basics tool is a 1/8” parting tool which is technically a scraper only narrow. Primarily its used to make narrow a narrow grove. Not only good for cutting off finished pieces, the parting tools is very versatile shaping tool. You must have one for certain pen kits such as the Euro and American Classic.
Sanding and finishing - two things you don't think of as woodturning tools but they are absolutely necessary in getting that WOW factor youwill get with a little practice andpatience. You can buy up to 400 or 600 grit sandpaper at most hardware stores, but may have to order online to get higher grits. I use grits up to 1500 on some of my pens for a great finish. A quality finish like Behlen, tung oil or Hut Crystal coat can really make it shine. Wood Turning Basics Tip # 5 Fine finishes start with a coarse paper then progress thru higher grits to smooth sanding lines. Wet sanding with orange or linseed oil in the final stages also improves the quality of the finish.
Sharpening - another wood turning basics essential is that tools need to be kept sharp. At a minimum you will need some sharpening stones either oil or water and you can sharpen by hand. If you do a lot of turning you will quickly tire of hand sharpening and invest in a good variable speed grinder and sharpening jig. See the articles on sharpening easy and sharpening with stones for more information.
Woodturning is a pleasurable and rewarding hobby but you will need patience to learn the feel. Experiment with some soft wood before trying any expensive hardwood. Use a light touch, wear safety googles and a good dust mask, but don't be afraid to experiment. Once you get started you just won't be able to stop. If you need a good reliable resource for tools and supplies vist Rockler for all your woodturning basics needs.
Check out this great beginner video from Jet.
