AllenN
Fellow
Welcome Simon. Sound advice regarding a club. I Have never been a ‘club’ sort of person but joining my local wood turning club has changed that, I have learned an awful lot. I also second Peter’s comment don’t go spending a lot of money until you have tried a few things. You can do a lot with very few tools and that way you both learn how to really make the most of them and what will truly be useful. You often find good tools on sale at a club as well so it is a win win really.
I do find there are some good You tube channels too. The Wyoming Woodturner and Mike Waldt are two that I find helpful and I also found some of Brian Havens explainations of why certain tools are used ina certain way quite helpful. One final point, sharp tools are everything, if your course includes sharpening excellent but if not that is a skill you need to acquire very quickly.
I do find there are some good You tube channels too. The Wyoming Woodturner and Mike Waldt are two that I find helpful and I also found some of Brian Havens explainations of why certain tools are used ina certain way quite helpful. One final point, sharp tools are everything, if your course includes sharpening excellent but if not that is a skill you need to acquire very quickly.