New turner and issues of procedure

Hi Kevin,

You just offered your own solution. Relax your grip on the tool. Hold it firmly and in the right position and it will cut with almost no effort. If it is going to catch, it will catch whether you hold it in a death grip or not.

One other item that might contribute to your discomfort is the height of the lathe. It is generally accepted that the spindle should be at your elbow level. If it is much lower, you will be hunching over the work and that certainly aggravates my back.

Just fool around with the tools on scrap wood until you understand how they should be oriented to make a smooth cut. I firmly believe that one of the differences between an experienced turner and a beginner is how quickly they can put the tool in the correct cutting position. The experienced turner puts the tool on the rest in the correct orientation and cuts with confidence. The rest of us have to work a little harder.

Hope this helps,

Harry

Kevin about that super hard grip; Do not do that. Good posture is necessary in this game as is a light touch and grip. If the tool is presented properly to the wood, all that is needed is generally a soft guide. sometimes I forget and let go of the tool next to the tool rest. No problem. Also, make sure the lathe itself is a comfortable height so you can stand without stooping to turn.

"Darrell Feltmate" wrote: about that super hard grip; Do not do that(clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That's easy for YOU to say, but remember--when someone is gripping the tools (or the steering wheel of a car) with great force, it is because of uncertainty and fear. Just telling them to lighten up is like telling a trapeeze student not to be tense.

I have seen instructional videos in which the turner holds the gouge lightly in two fingers, or even rests it against his waist, with no hands. To do this, you MUST have the tool properly oriented, both with respect to the wood and the tool rest. I recommend viewing several videos, and, if possible, getting some instruction.

As soon as possible. Once you form a bunch of bad habits, it will be all the harder to get it right. And by then you may also have back trouble. We don't want anything to interfere with your blossoming woodturning career.

As you practice, you will lessen your grip without thinking about it. It will just start to come naturally. Try to borrow a video on the skew chisel as once you have mastered this, you will not worry so much about the other tools.

As regards your posture, try to get your elbow at the same level as the centre height of your workpiece. That works for me anyway and I have existing neck and back problems. Also don't go too long without having a break, even for a cuppa. (normally tea in this country but no doubt coffee over there).

You will soon find that you don't want to be away from the lathe.

Regards and good luck

Paul

Everybody's addresses the holding too hard issue, so I'll suggest that you hook your forward/left hand forefinger under the tool in the groove of the toolrest and just put your left thumb above the tool. Holding it in thumb and forefinger, in other words. Ruth tells of her teacher trying to take the tool from her grip and saying that if there was any resistance, she was gripping it too hard. Watching other turners in person or movies will help. Where do you live? Most areas have local clubs with people who will be happy to help someone learn to turn safely.

Dave in Fairfax

Hi Kevin, I think most everyone hangs on tight when they first start turning. You can listen to everyone tell you to relax and use a lighter grip but untill you feel comfortable it isn't going to happen. Once you feel more comfident you will find you loosen up and actually enjoy yourself more. Be sure your lathe is at the right height and your toolrest is set correctly for the tool you are using. And most importantly turn with your body not with your arms.

Bob, Naugatuck Ct.

Kevin: We have a turning club in your area Capital Area Woodturners. You can find our brochures at the Woodcraft store in Springfield Va. Come see us and all your troubles will go away. Nothing is better than hands on training.

CA

Kevin,

Take a beginning turning class as soon as you can or spend a few hours with an experienced turner before you get too entrenched in your bad habit.

"White Knuckling" your tools doesn't make them cut better and more than "white knuckling" the steering wheel makes you a better driver.

Please don't forget, "If turning isn't fun, you aren't doing it right." Done right, turning should relieve stress, not create it. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

Barry

I would suggest elbow as being the minimum. I remember a demonstrator who specialised in restoring old lathes showing a picture of a Victorian factory with the lathes at nearly head height. I think they could be right, I've got back problems too.

Another point not so far made is spectacles. I have to use reading glasses but I find a slightly weaker prescription better for turning as I can stand further back and not so hunched over the lathe. The same applies to using the computer and I use full field glasses, not bifocals to avoid the pain in the back of the neck. My weaker glasses are my old pair so nothing is waisted.

Incidentally, I have yet to find a face mask that fits properly with glasses, any ideas, better make a new thread for that one.

Dave Lawson Redditch UK

Kevin,

Here are two different suggestions:

Make the lathe be 2-4" above the elbow. Again, hunching will cause to to over-compensate in other ways, like a tight grip.

Buy a dead center from Delta or Oneway and use it as your headstock driver when turning between centers. If you get a catch because of poor tool presentation, the wood will just stop spinning. Consequently, it will force you to make better cuts with proper tool presentation.

I also echo the "get assistance" advice. Contact the local clubs in your area and ask to visit a club veteran. Many clubs have mentoring systems in place to assist new turners free of charge.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

I raised the lathe to where the spindle is at or slightly above elbow height, added some padding/rugs to the floor where I stand when turning, and "I'm feeling myuch better now" ...Professor Albert Wickwire