Rookie Turning question.

[Ex19k]

Now that I have learned to turn I am wanting to branch out from pens and start turning some bowls and some boxes. In y'alls oppinion what is a good chuck to use to make bowls? Or should I use a face plate? Also what kind of tools do I need to get to start with. I have a Rikon lathe with a 12" swing and a 1" x 8tpi headstock. I know starting out that they will probably be semi shapped bowl looking objects, but hey we all gotta learn!
thanks for all your help!

[Slim]

Hi,

I just signed up but looks like you haven't had any replies. I'm a sart up also been at it for 4 years but enjoy it tremendously. I have a Oneway Talon which has made it easy and SAFE for me to learn. I highly recommend any similiar chuck and sugegst you get as many jaws as you can as it gives you flexibility. It allows you to do so much more than a face plat. Good luck

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

I am sorry but i am not going to be much help to you for I have yet to turn a bowl but from reading I see there are different methods and the use of a chuck or face plate is acceptable. I hope the more experienced turners chime in here.

[Gunny]

I have used both faceplates and a chuck but I recently picked up a Barracuda 2 system that came with 4 sets of jaws AND a set of jumbo flat jaws which definitely make finishing the base a lot easier.
Darrel Feltmate's site http://www.aroundthewoods.com/ was a major asset for me when I started turning (only about a year ago actually) and now I probably spend about 25-30 hours a week at the lathe, much of that just trying out all of his tips.
Whether you use a chuck or a faceplate (they each have their own special worth depending on what you're turning) one thing you want to build up is a collection of glue blocks in different sizes.
I've learned it's better to use pine or walnut scraps than plywood.
I have problems with glue guns so instead, I use glue beads or cut up pieces of glue sticks and melt them with a heat gun.
I also have a small gluepot that my wife picked up in a craft store. It comes in handy if I'm preparing a bunch of blanks at one time.
As for tools, a good selection for bowls and boxes etc would include a set of bowl gouges, a roughing gouge, flat and round nose scrapers and a skew. A good sharpening system is a given...
And every turner is well served by a good bandsaw ...
And of course a digital camera so you can photograph your work to show the rest of us.

[Bob Way]

I do some bowl turning. I would suggest if you are new to bowl turning you start out using a faceplate with a hardwood glue block. A chuck is where you want to end up eventually, but the expense and the options can vary depending upon the kind of bowl turning you most enjoy and the size of your bowls. The faceplate and glue block are good ways to start out.

Bowl gouges and scrapers are the most widely used tools, and there are a wide variety of styles available. Each style has a particular fit and function and will vary somewhat in the way they are presented to the bowl blank. They all have a collection of very loyal users who can help you master their uses.

Biggest thing you will encounter at first turning a bowl will be catches. Hence, the reason for a hardwood glue block. Those are a matter of properly presenting the tool to the blank, and just take some practice to get the feel for it. There are videos and a few online photos and tutorials that can help shorten the learning curve, but you'll still end up with a few. Look around and if you have trouble finding them we can point you in some kind of direction. Also, if you happen to know another woodturner or have an AAW chapter close by, it helps to be able to look over their shoulder while they turn and maybe even get a few hands on pointers. You'll have a good time, I'm sure. Good luck

Bob Way

[wisconsinwoodch]

Welcome, SLIM and BOB WAY, I see this was your first posts ,Glad to have you aboard , The only turnning I do is when I turn My tanker cars and engine boiler for my collector train set.and some other small parts. I sit back and listen to you pro,s tell how its done, a great help. keep telling how its done,Im, sure it helps alt of other members :) :) :) :)
thewisconsinwoodchuck

__________________________
www.wisconsinwoodchuck.com

[Gunny]

Just wanted to add something to what Bob Way offered (BTW, Welcome aboard Bob).
The speed and the way the tool is presented to the workpiece is the key in every successful turning as well as the cause in almost every catch.
NEVER try to muscle the tool into the piece. The lathe will always consider that an affront and inflict corporal punishment. And if it isn't able to punish the turner, it will take it out on the workpiece...

[pops-shop]

NEVER try to muscle the tool into the piece. The lathe will always consider that an affront and inflict corporal punishment. And if it isn't able to punish the turner, it will take it out on the workpiece...

Gunny

Excellent advice. Come to think about it, if we treated our equipment and objects as living, breathing entities and treat them with care - we would have much less problems with tear-out, breaking blades, broken tools - and that's just our bodies..............

[Ex19k]

Welcome aboard new folks.
Since this post I have gotten a Nova G3 chuck. It is a deffinate plus to have when turning. still trying to get used to it. It does come in handy when I make duck and deer calls though. You are right about the getting used to the feel of the tool. It is a lot different than turning pens and calls.
Thanks again y'all!!