Wood Turning Lathe - Is Bigger Better?

Wood turning lathes seem to be machines on steroids some days. They are getting bigger and more massive all the time. This is likely in response to two trends in the wood turning world. First is the response from manufacturers to a tendency among turners to make bigger and bigger pieces. Second is the prevailing idea that bigger is always better in almost every part of life. Sometimes it is just not so.

Ed Moulthrop was likely not the first to turn large pieces but he became famous for them in the twentieth century. His yard would be filled with huge sections of tree trunk more than three feet in diameter, awaiting their turn on his home made lathe. Most of them would be arranged on a slope above the shop to make them easier to manage when trying to get them indoors. He had to use a block and tackle to get them to and on the lathe and the lathe was home made to get something big enough and slow enough to turn them safely.

Here we get an idea of what the turner of large pieces of wood has to contend with each time a piece goes on the lathe. Wood is heavy and the hardwood that most turners work with is heavier still. When you consider that most of us start with green wood, the weight is even greater. How many people will really want to wrestle with a chunk of wood more than 150 pounds in weight each time they wish to turn? That is a section of log big enough to turn a 24 inch bowl. A 24 inch hollow form will easily start at 300 pounds for the blank. Considering that some turners turn upwards of four foot diameter bowls, the weight is considerable. In maple the blank, assuming you could find a tree 4 feet in diameter, would be about 1200 pounds.

For the average turner, if such a person exists, a big bowl tends to be 12 inches in diameter and for the beginner, 10 inches is a good size. It will hold a lot of salad, is large enough to handle, and can appear more intimidating than it needs to be. Many beginner level lathes will handle a 10 to 11 inch bowl and will generally serve for several years to come.

What is important for the beginner is to obtain a lathe. Be sure it is sturdy enough to use with safety and enjoyment. Wood turning is growing quickly and wood turning lathes for beginners are becoming popular with the manufacturers. This is a good time to begin your enjoyment with a wood turning lathe.

Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.

You can easily ask your questions about wood turning at his blog atRound Opinions as well as comment on any thing related to the web site, this article or other aspects of wood turning, art and craft.

Wood Turning Lathe - the Heart of the Hobby

Wood turning has swept the wood working world as the fastest growing part of its methods. This of course has meant the growth of the wood lathe manufacturing industry as more and greater styles of lathe are being made. While this has meant a great deal of choice for the advanced turner with some idea of what he or she may desire in a machine, the buyer of one's first wood turning lathe may be in for a shock and a quandary over what lathe to buy.

The wood turning web sites do not in general come as any great help. While there are lots of places to learn to turn, most wood turners are self taught and are experienced in using only one lathe, perhaps two if they have upgraded along the way. Also there may be a lot of opinions given from people who have only one turning interest in life. The turner of large bowls who can not imagine that any one would like to turn anything else has a hard time recommending a lathe to someone who wishes to make intricate lace bobbins weighing less than an ounce.

Of course the other side of the picture is the web sites give a glimpse into the world of many kinds of wood turners using many wood turning lathes and making a wide range of round objects. Many of them have at least a picture of their lathes and some have personal reviews of their machines and tooling. It is a good idea for the beginner to get an idea of what is available.

Even better is the local wood turning club. Examine your local paper or bulletin board or contact the American Association of Woodturners which has branches in many countries. Wood turning clubs tend to be some of the friendliest places on earth with a great deal of information mixed with camaraderie. A typical meeting will deal with minimal business, a demonstration of wood turning and a members show and tell. Most clubs have a lathe that can be seen and some have one or more to lend.

Then there are the club members. Most clubs will have people who have turned for years and may be professional as well as intermediate and beginning hobbyists. It is normal for people of all levels to exchange opinions and ideas without prejudice for age or experience. What is more useful still for our discussion is most turners would welcome a newcomer into their midst to come and try their lathe. This is a great way to see what a lathe can do under some experienced instruction. Looking at a series of lathes should give an idea of what you would like to turn and what sort of wood turning lathe you would like to have.

While you are with the other turners do not neglect to get a lesson or two and perhaps a piece of wood. Turners as a group love to teach and each one has something unique to give. As a group they tend to be self taught for the most part, thus opinionated and stubborn over those opinions but great to one another and to anyone who wants to share the addiction. Wood turners and wood turning lathes, in their own way each is the heart of the hobby.

Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.

You can easily ask your questions about wood turning at his blog atRound Opinions as well as comment on any thing related to the web site, this article or other aspects of wood turning, art and craft.