Lathe newbie--helpful hints, web sites, books?

Question

Hi:I'm a semi-regular on the rec.woodworking NG, and someone suggested Ipost a question here...my wife  just got me a Jet mini-lathe for mybirthday--I'm primarily interested in doing small stuff, pens andwhatnot, right now, so it's the perfect size for me.  I startedfiddling around with it yesterday, not really knowing what I was doingbut making sawdust and having fun just thesame. (C:Does anyone have any words of wisdom, or any good reference books, orany good web sites, that might help educate me?  I tried DAGS, but itdidn't turn up much useful stuff.  I'm looking for general info onusing a lathe, but also any specifics on the lathe I got--it's theJWL-1014 Jet (their non-variable speed mini).Thanks in advance for any help you folks can provide...Jimreach me offline at

George · Accepted Answer

The Practical Woodturner  - Frank Pain

Bruce Ferguson · Answer

Keith Rowley----Wood Turning a Foundation Course

Also try your local collage and see if they have a wood turning class. Also check for a wood turning club in your area, they will go out of their way to help you.

Bruce Ferguson · Answer

Keith Rowley----Wood Turning a Foundation Course

Also try your local collage and see if they have a wood turning class. Also check for a wood turning club in your area, they will go out of their way to help you.

Bruce Ferguson · Answer

Keith Rowley----Wood Turning a Foundation Course

Also try your local collage and see if they have a wood turning class. Also check for a wood turning club in your area, they will go out of their way to help you.

Darrell Feltmate · Answer

JimWelcome to the addiction and the group. If I might blow my own horn here, try my web site for a few tips.

billh · Answer

I strongly recommend you try to find a local club in your area. I joined a club after being self-taught for a few years and learned more good stuff in

2 evenings than I would have ever believed. If you are in US or Canada try looking at the local chapters of the American Association of Woodturners. They also have a chapter in Australia and Japan.

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your lathe is a small one and it is likely you are doing spindlework between centers, be careful. A piece flying off the lathe can do veryserious, if not deadly, damage. Always wear eye protection and better still,wear full-face protection. Billh

fipster · Answer

Try some of the Bonnie Klein videos that you can rent fromShe deals only with small wood turnings

Barry N. Turner · Answer

Jim,You have a very good starter lathe.  Well-made, smooth running and quiet.Plenty of power for its size.  Although it is a mini lathe, don't sell itshort.  you'd be surprised at what you can turn on it.  I have one and havedone pens, ornaments, paperweights, lidded boxes and bowls up to about 9"diameter.  After you get a feel for the lathe, consider buying a Talon orSupernova chuck.  Welcome.Barry

Owen Lowe · Answer

While I wholeheartedly encourage joining AAW (the quarterly journal, alone, is worth the admission price), you can find a local group from their web pages without becoming a member. Our 3 local chapters don't require AAW membership to belong to the chapter - though I understand some chapters do make it a requirement. The chapters generally have well stocked book, magazine and video libraries that members can take advantage of as well as just rubbing shoulders with other turners and being exposed to some very high quality work. It's also a great opportunity to meet and learn from world reknown turners if and when a local chapter brings one in.

unknown · Answer

get you a list of all the clubs in your area and also get a book that has a listing af all the members and how to contact them. It also has a resource list. Some of the members will have a listing for teaching. You may find someone that lives close to you that may or not belong to a local club you may be able to put a few together that will create group that can help each other improve ther skills. Try you local library and Woodcraft. www/woodcraft.com, And some of the other sites you have already gotten. The AAW is going to be you best source of info. Walter

Lathe newbie--helpful hints, web sites, books?

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