What's a new turner to do? Musing about turning advice.

Turners today don't realize how fortunate they are to have the many resources that are available today for learning. Books, videos, clubs, websites and more. Arch, you must feel the same way because you came from the "old school" too.

never had any contact with other turners. There weren't any clubs, at least in my area, turning books were all on spindle turning, and of course no videos or websites. Tools and lathes were made for spindle turning. If I wanted to turn bowls I had to modify existing tools or make my own. Some of my turning methods were somewhat unorthodox by todays standards. However, I still use some of the tools and methods of my "dark ages" days. My first bowl gouge, acquired in 1982, changed everything for me. Of course there was nobody to teach me how to use it because very few people knew any more than I did. I must have eventually figured it out. My first trip to Provo in 1985 changed a lot for me.

One of my pet peeves is turners who offer advice, often poor advice, when they really don't know the answers themselves.

I'd call myself an early intermediate- and my purchases are determined by opportunity more than anything else. I bought a Midi lathe because it was what I could afford- and got the Delta instead of the Jet because it matches the rest of my shop, and it came with a set of turning tools that seem just fine to me. I then upgraded to my bigger lathe because I was offered it at a reasonable price, and happened to be in the middle of a contract that was paying well enough to get it while it was available. I ignored sage advice about chucks not because I don't believe it, but because a $40 Grizzly chuck fits into my budget a whole lot better than a $200 premium chuck, and it does the job I ask it to.

As far as method goes- truth be told, I don't "believe" anyone. That isn't to say that people are lying or anything of the sort, but having worked with wood for a long time, I go with what the wood and the tool tell me to do. If something isn't working, I try something different. If something sounds good on the list, I give it a try- sometimes I like the results, sometimes not. Could be a misunderstanding in a lot of the cases that don't work out- it's just text here, after all.

As to what I do with the equipment, that's the same as anyone else with a hobby- I do whatever strikes my fancy. Usually I turn bowls, but tonight I turned a really big bedpost (the second one is going on tomorrow.) Sometimes I make parts and make my own tools. I've even made two-by junk into sawdust just for the sake of playing around with different beads and coves to see what I like. It'd be no fun to take someone else's word on what the *correct* use of my investment is.

I might do some more spindle work now, come to think of it. The bedpost was fun- it's about 39" tall and 8" in diameter. Couldn't use the "ironwood" I mentioned in an earlier thread, as I discovered too many nails to make it much fun, but I remembered the long, straight logs of basswood in the garage, and figured they would do. If they crack, I'll fill 'em in with bondo and paint the whole thing glossy white. (Made them look sort of colonial with the white paint in mind) Quite an experience running the lathe near it's full capacity for the first time!

I'm not in these categories anymore, but would offer these ideas:

1 - You know when you have advanced past the intermediate level when your annual turning purchases DECREASE. I have a huge assortment of "must have" tools, accessories and wood that were inspired by a demonstration, a new article, a sale, etc. For me to get all this stuff used, I need to go backwards and recall the time that I wanted to: make lots of boxes, make vases, make off-center inserts, make little bowls, etc. Now, I have settled down a bit in my turning wanderings and use a more fixed set of tools and accessories. Last year, I only bought two turning tools because they were on sale. Neither is yet in use because I haven't used up their predecessors.

2 - Don't feel like you need to specialize in one type of turning. Play around. Try many things. I've been turning for seven years now (still a novice by Arch and Wally's tenure), but I do not feel compelled to do the "same thing" over and over.

3 - Do pick a mentor whether he/she is a local turner, a pro from whom you take a class, or a video presentation. Do practice their techniques and master them. The only way to improve is to do. At a point where you feel comfortable with a turning style, attempt a technique from another mentor. Ask the new mentor why they do "B" where the other person does "A". And if you do switch, it is OK to jump in head first. You can't practice Stuart Batty's scraping techniques without a negative rake scraper. Get one.

4 - Don't become attached to a piece of wood, even if you paid for it. I go through my pile about once a year searching for newly converted firewood (read: lots of checks), or stuff that I just won't ever touch. Donate the firewood or burn it. Donate or sell the unused items at a club meeting or trade with another for what you want. Purging is good for the soul and the wood shop.

Joe Fleming - San Diego

I can 2nd that... especially with the web and the folks here!

I've learned more in the last couple of years (since I found this group) then in the last 20 or so on my own.... and made some good friends along the way.. Mac