Woodturning is a form of woodworking that is used to create wooden objects on a lathe. Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while a stationary tool is used to cut and shape it.
There are two distinct methods of turning wood: Spindle Turning and Faceplate Turning. In Spindle Turning, the grain of the wood runs lengthwise parallel to the axis of rotation. In Faceplate Turning, the grain of the wood runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Most bowls and platters are faceplate turned. Pens, furniture legs, and spindles are spindle turned. It is the orientation of the grain that determines the method in use. Spindle turning is named for the type of product originally produced, while face plate turning is named for an early method of attaching the material to the lathe.
The distinction between spindle turning and faceplate turning is due to the fibrous nature of wood. When wood is cut in such a way that the fiber being cut is not supported by the fiber below it, it tends to separate and tear. This "tearout" exhibits a rough, highly undesirable surface texture. To prevent "tearout", spindle turning cuts are made from high points toward the axis on the outside of the piece, while faceplate turning cuts, the opposite applies.
One type of woodturning is to create hollow vessels. Either spindle turning or faceplate turning can be used to create different types of vessels. For now, I consider this to be far more advanced than my current knowledge of woodturning. Thus, I will better describe it when my knowledge of woodturning grows.
2 comments:
What are the approximate start-up costs, one might expect to incur?
Good question. This will vary by the product quality and what you wish to do. I will start by answering the turning equipment cost. Keep in mind , I buy all my equipment during a sale or at a woodworking show.
Jet Mini Lathe - $249
Jet Mini Lathe Legs - $129 (not necessary if you can put lathe on a workbench)
3 Sorby Bowl Gouges - $180-200
1 Sorby Parting Tool - $40
1 Roughing Gouge - $60-80
1 SpindleMaster - $49
8" grinder - $80 (stand - $40)
Wolverine Sharpening System Plus Guides - $150
Nova G3 Chuck - $79
Pen Mandrell - $19
Since I worked with wood for awhile, I already had a band saw and drill press. If you just want to start with pen turning, you can purchase blanks with holes already drilled. You can also buy bowl blanks not needing to buy a band saw to rough them out, but you will need a steady hand to drill the chuck hole perpendicular to the blank. If you have no woodworking equipment, my first purchase after the lathe would be the drill press.
The simplest start is with pen turning since you really only need 3 lathe tools - roughing gouge, fingernail gouge and spindlemaster. You will also need a pen mandrel. And you can buy blanks with the holes already drilled from places like PennState Industries or Packard.
The key debate when starting is the purchase of the grinder for sharpening. After much debate and taking a bowl turning class, I learned it is a definite necessity. Otherwise, you will quickly be working with dull tools and your enjoyment of turning will drop.
The Nova chuck is only really necessary for bowl turning. You can still do spindle turning with the lathe out of the box. I am just now beginning to start bowl turning and decided to invest in a good one that is flexible for holding a variety of bowl shapes.
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