I recently bought a lathe and am starting to enjoy this new hobby (though it’s clear I have a lot to learn). I was wondering if any other Dopers are involved in this.
I enjoyed it about 30 years ago, in wood shop. Mostly what I remember is that you need to keep your tools SHARP. And always wear safety gear.
It’s darn hard to get to the point where you can accurately reproduce a given pattern, so your first projects should be stuff that needs more of an idea than a pattern. I made several candlesticks that only vaguely resembled the patterns, but they turned out very pretty.
I have a nice late, but I’ve not set it back up after moving. Got to do that.
I particularly enjoyed turning bowls from “green” wood. With sharp tools the cuttings tend to come off in really long shaving, kind of like peeling an apple. Then as the bowl dries it warps some and can make an interesting shape. Sometimes they split, so be aware of that. You’ll need to flatten the bottom after it’s fully dried because if you flatten it green, it won’t be flat when it’s dry. Depending on the type of bowl, you could just glue three rubber or palsic feet on the bottom instead of flattening it.
Wear your face shield and have fun.
What kind is it? Any recommendations on tools and/or accessories?
Right. I’ve been “rough-turning” some bowls from green wood, leaving the wood about an inch thick. The idea is to finish these when they’ve actually dried. A couple have developed cracks; I now apply sealer to the end grain, which seems to help.
I’ve read about techniques for quick-drying wood in a microwave oven, but haven’t yet proceeded very far with this.
I do. So far no real problems, but I’m told it’s only a matter of time until a bowl blows up.
Right - and not all that easily done, it seems to me.
That’s my style - I’m certainly not to the point where I can make the shape closely match a pre-conceived plan.
[Several months back, it was suggested that you might be into juggling. Is that so? This is another hobby I’ve recently taken up.]