There is a local woodturner that suffered a stroke several months ago. He is right handed but has no use of his right arm yet. We are thinking of setting up his mini lathe so he can turn one handed (left). Anyone with experience like this? Thanks, Paul
I am left handed , and didn,t realize that my lathe was turned the opposite way from people who are right handed. My lathes headstock is on my left hand side. ( I was told by somebody after looking at my operation that i,m left handed. ) I can only surmise he deduced it from the position of my lathe. Anyhow been born this way hasn,t hindered my lathe operation. ( Not that i,m a great turner )
Sincerely Keith Nfld Canada
Ok, I'm mainly right handed but turn left handed most of the time. I can can turn right handed but really believe that the lathe is mainly a left handed tool. My lathe sits with the headstock on my left -- the normal position. I suggest that you try turning your lathe around and continue to turn left handed. You may find it even more natural after you have a few hours under your belt.
When you are roughing out a bowl, start with the bottom at the tailstock end. Work from the bottom center outward to round the blank but use your left hand on the handle of the tool. Stand with your rignt side leaning against the tailstock. Your left hand will have to be against your body, low and centered or maybe a little right of center. You will find this quite natural, I think. It gets some weight off your legs and also gets you out of the way of most of the flying debris.
I do some other things left handed -- brush my teeth, shoot pool,..., and can eat quite naturally either way.
Bill
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