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Tom.1946

Tom.1946

Graduate Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Posts
563
Location
Northern Ireland
First Name
Tom
Hi all thanks for letting me join.
My name is Tom and I'm from Northern Ireland and have just started learning wood turning. Unfortunately I don't have my own lathe, but at present I am currently learning the different tools. Trying to get the touch with a roughing gouge but get it started OK but seem to apply abit of pressure and take to much out. Luckily it was a bit off scrap wood and not my first pen. I go to a small club and have a dedicated instructor but if he's not there I can't use the lathe because of insurance. I also have to be instructed for use on all the other tools as well..
Going slowly at present but will get there...
 
Padster

Padster

Graduate Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Posts
637
Location
Leicester
First Name
Paddy
Welcome Tom,

I'm relatively new as well but you'll find all the guys here are a friendly bunch, very knowledgeable and happy to share...

Regards & Welcome

Padster
 
CraftyNick

CraftyNick

Full Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2021
Posts
154
Location
Devon UK
First Name
Nick
Hi Tom I have only been here a few weeks but i will say the guys here are very helpful. A vast amount of knowledge here so do tap into it and ask questions. Enjoy the forum.

Regards

Nick
 
Dalboy

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,708
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
Hi Tom and welcome.
Like all tools you will soon find that keeping them sharp is the number one thing. You will find that rubbing the bevel and slowly raising the handle will produce a nice cut no need to lift any further. If you find you are needing to push harder to get a cup then the tool need sharpening
 
flexi

flexi

Executive Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2014
Posts
6,454
Location
Maidstone
First Name
mark
Welcome to the forum, we all started in the same place once.... Some learn quick... Others never learn.... Ask away with questions!! And enjoy your stay:thumbs::thumbs:
 
Tom.1946

Tom.1946

Graduate Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Posts
563
Location
Northern Ireland
First Name
Tom
DL WOODART

DON'T think it's the tools, Think it's just me getting a bit ahead thinking that I have got the right rhythm
And just add a little of pressure and it cuts in a bit further.....
Just will take me to get the right touch for each type of gauge....

Tom
 
Garno

Garno

Fellow
Joined
May 12, 2021
Posts
1,372
Location
Dronfield
First Name
Gary
Hi Tom,

Welcome from sunny Dronfield, 81 degrees outside today a heck of a lot hotter in the shed so I am not in there today.

I went on a 1 day course and covered bowls and pens and found that the one on one tuition was more helpful than any YouTube video or book so it's good to hear you are also on that route at the small club you attend, the good thing with an instructor is they usually give good working tips that stay with you, I know I remember a lot of the small tips whilst maybe forgetting some of the things that were being taught.

The one thing to remember above anything else is the health and safety and good working practises, you will always come off second best eventually if you trivialise any of those two, it really just is not worth risking having a kg of wood smashing into your face at over 100mph because you thought you knew of a "better" way of doing things......

I only turned my first bowl and pens on the 7th July (2 weeks ago) and turned my first solo made bowl on 18th July so I am very new to this hobby, these forums have been so much help that it would take days to divulge it all, I have met some members and have phone chats with others that it is more like a family than a public forum. Don't be afraid to ask questions and remember to post pics of what you have turned, a turner will never get bored looking at other peoples turnings.

I can't offer any advice regards the gauge as I get the angle wrong hundreds of times, I can do a perfect pass with some great shavings followed by me hitting the wrong angle on the very next pass. Every time it happens I learn something new and I know it only takes practice, so the only thing I can say is stick with it, ask plenty of questions (especially when it comes to buying your first Lathe) and enjoy these wonderful forums.

Gary
 
21William

21William

Fellow
Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,629
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
Welcome to the forum Tom. You have lucked out as this is one of the most friendly and helpful forums out there.
Once you get started, remember, we like pictures on here! :funny:
 
Tom.1946

Tom.1946

Graduate Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2021
Posts
563
Location
Northern Ireland
First Name
Tom
Thanks for the reply.I think that it might be a while before I can get a lathe.
Although a couple of the guys said they picked up a good second hand one
With variable speed for under £100. Unfortunately for me at present can't afford that
however I haven't seen a good one at those prices.......
The club is only a few hours a day but because my granddaughter works night shift in our local
Hospital we look after the great granddaughters, so don't always get every day........

Tom:thumbs:
 
Penpal

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Wise move Tom I understand in this day and age the rules ,hang in there and enjoy,one of my ancestors came fromDonegal.

Peter.
 
CraftyNick

CraftyNick

Full Member
Joined
Jul 6, 2021
Posts
154
Location
Devon UK
First Name
Nick
Tom.1946 said:
Thanks for the reply.I think that it might be a while before I can get a lathe.
Although a couple of the guys said they picked up a good second hand one
With variable speed for under £100. Unfortunately for me at present can't afford that
however I haven't seen a good one at those prices.......
The club is only a few hours a day but because my granddaughter works night shift in our local
Hospital we look after the great granddaughters, so don't always get every day........

Tom:thumbs:
Click to expand...

I use a Record Power DML250 Cast Iron 5 Speed Midi Lathe for my pen turning and it was about £260 new but nice quality. It's not variable speed but for the price and quality i think a good price. I have seen this lathe second hand for nearer your price range but hard to find at the moment as so many people seem to be taken up wood turning. Must be the lockdown thing! Don’t think you will find a cheap quality variable speed lathe for £100 but who knows!
 
Bill Mooney

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
Grand Master
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
11,096
Location
County Durham
First Name
Bill
Welcome aboard Tom. You’ve made a good start joining a club. You can learn all your basics including safety from your club. It’s practice, practice & more practice. Enjoy.:thumbs:
 
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