Fairly new turner here - has this happened to you?

Absolutely. I think you'll find that most learning happens that way. Suddenly, after trying and trying you just "get" it and you're at a new level. As you do more and more turning you don't have to think about each and every movement you make the way you did when you were starting out. Things begin to be second nature and that speeds up the process as you become more comfortable.

-Jim Gott- San Jose, CA

Certainly a part of that is correct in that you now know how to prep the wood for mounting and turning. However, I do know that a "platter" or "plate" is far simpler to turn than a bowl, so you would have shortened your time there. Also, were you as particular about finish considering the nature of the use of the plate??? Keep on turning! You'll soon be like the big boys and won't even have to turn off the lathe between turnings!**G*

plateaus do come along and it sure is a great feeling when you realize that the light just turned on. Now go back and make something similar to the first or second bowls you did and see the differences. Make sure you date and put your name on the work. Something you can do just to check you skills. turn something small and paint it black and put it on a shelf and then turn several more thing and comeback to the black one and do another and paint it black compare the shape and other things like time to make it. The reason for the paint is to prevent the character of the wood from influencing the comparisons.

Certainly a part of that is correct in that you now know

It could be that you approached the task of turning that plate without any feeling of pressure to end up with a "work of art". Some of my best turnings were done like this--it's the "Zen of Woodturning". Having a preconceived notion of the end result ("this will be my best turning to date") can hinder the process because your ego gets in the way of creativity. All you needed was a functional dish to stick under a pot.

My latest plateau was discovering that I don't have to spend hours sanding a turning, if I hone my tools (and technique) so I can start sanding with 220, and move up to 1500 within a few minutes, ending with a flawless surface (relatively). I used to go up to 400 max, and look closely to see big scratches from 120 grit--then go back and start all over again.

Ken Grunke SW Wisconsin

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:53:03 -0500, "Kevin" wrote: were there

there are SO many 'mini-skills' involved, that you barely notice when the process of deciding which tool to use, or the angle to hold it, or what shape a rim should be becomes faster and more 'natural'.

I remember that when I first started, making lids was a matter of re-designing and re-inventing each time, and making them fit well was akin to magic. Now I 'see' in my head the type of rim or lid fitting I want, and just reach for the tool I need. Speed improves, and so does the result.. (but it is STILL a trick to get a platter really flat across the width, with no dips & waves showing after it is finished!)

It is like driving a car, or cooking or riding a bike....practice makes perf......ummm, I mean better.

I play guitar... and this is how it always happens. I can't sweep pick... I try and try for years and just can't do it... then suddenly ZAP! I'm sweep picking like I've been doing it forever. All learning happens on plateaus like that.

Yeah, and ain't it weird? You do the exact same thing you've always done, only all of a sudden it sounds like it's supposed to. Go figure. Never could quite figure that out. Cutting w/a skew is just the same...

...Kevin