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Basic Guide to Woodturning for Beginners

zz Knowledge Centre > Woodturning - Guides, Tools and Techniques > Basic Guide to Woodturning for Beginners

A Beginners Guide to Woodturning

A quick summary of things you need to know before woodturning for the first time.

What is woodturning?

Woodturning is the art of shaping wood using a lathe, a machine that spins the wood while you sculpt it with handheld tools.

Essential Woodturning Equipment

* Lathe: Spins the wood for shaping. Find lathes here.

* Bowl Gouge: For hollowing and shaping bowls. Comes in various grinds (e.g., fingernail, swept-back) for roughing and finishing. Find bowl gouges here.

* Spindle Gouge: Use when turning between centres (e.g. turning pens, legs). Ideal for shaping curves, beads, and coves. Find spindle gouges here.

* Roughing Gouge: Removes bulk material quickly. Not suitable for bowl turning due to its wide flute and potential for catches. Find roughing gouges here.

* Skew Chisel: Creates smooth finishes and fine details. Can be tricky to master but delivers crisp cuts and elegant finishes. Find skew chisels here.

* Parting Tool: Cuts grooves and separates pieces. Find parting tools here.

* Sharpening System: Keeps tools razor-sharp. Find sharpening systems here.

* Callipers: Measures thickness and diameter. Helps maintain symmetry and precision. Find callipers here.

Types of Woodturning

Spindle Turning

Spindle turning is a foundational woodturning technique where the wood is mounted between the headstock and tailstock of a lathe and rotated along its long axis. This setup allows you to shape long, narrow pieces such as chair legs, table spindles, candlesticks, tool handles, and baseball bats. It’s great for beginners as it eaches tool control and precision, it's easier to manage than bowl turning due to consistent grain direction, and it builds muscle memory for shaping and detailing.

Faceplate Turning

Faceplate turning is a woodturning technique where the workpiece is mounted to a faceplate, which is a flat, circular metal disc attached to the lathe’s spindle. Unlike spindle turning (where the grain runs parallel to the lathe bed), faceplate turning involves side-grain orientation, meaning the grain runs perpendicular to the lathe bed. This setup is ideal for turning wide, flat objects.

Safety Precautions

It's important to stay safe while woodturning, not only are you dealing with the risks that come with operating machinery, you are also contending with dust and noise. When woodturning you should avoid distractions. If you're tired, stressed, or under the influence, postpone your turning session. It's also important to know your limits, don’t push beyond your skill level, especially with complex cuts or large blanks.

Wear PPE

Eye & Face Protection: Always wear a full-face visor rated for medium or high impact (EN166-B or Z87+).

Respiratory Protection: Use a dust mask or powered respirator with proper filtration, especially when sanding or turning exotic woods.

Hearing Protection: Prolonged exposure to lathe noise can damage hearing. Ear defenders or plugs are a smart choice.

Clothing: Avoid loose sleeves, drawstrings, scarves, and jewelry. Tie back long hair. A woodturning smock with rear pockets keeps shavings out.

Footwear: Wear solid, closed-toe shoes to protect against dropped tools or wood blanks.

Perform Lathe Checks

Check the Lathe: Ensure the lathe is stable, clean, and set to the correct speed for your blank size.

Secure the Blank: Double-check that your wood is properly mounted and balanced before starting.

Tool Rest Setup: Position the tool rest close to the workpiece and adjust height for comfortable control.

Spin Test: Manually rotate the blank to ensure it clears the tool rest before powering on.

Tool Contact: Always rest your tool on the tool rest before engaging the wood.

Keep Your Workshop Safe

Clean Floor: Remove shavings regularly to prevent slips and fire hazards.

Lighting: Ensure your workspace is well-lit to spot defects and avoid mistakes.

Fire Safety: Keep a charged fire extinguisher nearby, especially when working with flammable finishes.

What Not To Do

Don’t wear gloves, they can catch on spinning wood.

Don’t leave the lathe running unattended.

Don’t use cracked or unstable wood blanks.

Don’t rush, woodturning rewards patience.

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