Artistic Woodturning - Creating Beautiful and Original Masterpieces From Natural Wood

Some of the most magnificent works, truly artistic in every sense, are created by turning woods of various colors and types. This work is commonly known as artistic woodturning. Woodturning is a process of making, building, or carving something out of wood by the use of a lathe. Artistic woodturning is likened to the evolution of man in a sense that a plain simple wood can be transformed into an amazing, breath-taking sight of beauty. Woodturning artists commonly create bowls, vases and sculptures as their art work, adding intricate details showing off their personal touch which enhances the beauty and uniqueness of the product.

Woodturning as a Hobby

Woodturning has become more and more popular nowadays because this hobby is great fun - it can even become an addiction. While most woodturners have a passion for working with timber of various kinds, this hobby also gives them the opportunity to create things they can use in their everyday lives. And another great advantage of knowing the art of woodturning is being able to create personalized gifts for our loved ones during special occasions. This is a much more effective way of showing love and sincerity than purchasing ready-made gifts at the local store.

Where to Search for Wood?

As mentioned earlier, most woodturners simply have this undeniable love for wood and they have this tendency to search for the most unusual piece of wood, exotic or home grown. They examine every piece critically before using it.

Recognizing and exposing the hidden features that will amplify the beauty of the final piece is simply a source of happiness for them, but damaging a hidden feature during preliminaries, or while turning, can absolutely be disappointing and even heartbreaking. However, many woodturners just want extremely plain, well-seasoned timber, which contains no obvious features or imperfections.

They find this particular type of material very predictable, and it allows them to create and produce flawless and stable products. Generally, no matter what type of material they use, they still find turning really enjoyable whether it be for forming quite simple yet wonderfully flowing artistic shapes or for extra challenging works.

This gives their work more versatility and a wider license to delve into new techniques and ideas. The conception of new ideas, designs, as well as other techniques oftentimes end up being developed from timber that first caused disappointment due to imperfections and flaws. Obtaining perfection in the finished wooded product is quite possible once you have developed the necessary skills. Those who truly have a passion for this art continually strive for perfection, while still enjoying each step along the way.

Respecting the Trees

The respect artistic woodturners have for the beauty, power and contribution trees make to our planet, drive their dedication to bringing the importance and beauty of wood alive in an artistic way. Usually, different themes influence their artwork. Most of them are inspired by the designs of great cultures of the past; Egyptian, Pueblo and oriental, and by the complexity of the human race which produced these cultures.

They support the conservation and the preservation of all nature's materials which led most of them in recycling materials, like trees downed by hurricanes, termite damage and etc., to build products that will last a lifetime. A lot of their art works combine the incredibly varied shapes of nature and mathematical curves which result in the creation of a timeless beauty.

Wood Turners Club

With the seemingly unstoppable boom of woodturning, there are a lot of clubs and organizations which unite all wood turners around the globe. These clubs and organizations allow them to share their works and ideas with one another and often encourage other people to join them in this enjoyable hobby.

Displaying Wood Works of Art in Galleries

Professional woodturners often have their own galleries or websites which showcase all their art works and thus the dedication they have for their passion. Each piece on display is unique, a statement of their commitment to simplicity of design, good craftsmanship and respect for this extraordinary material which is timber.

Man and Wood

The variety, warmth and beauty of timber are unparalleled. Man is often in conflict with nature, but when man and nature collaborate wonderful and amazing things can be achieved. The work of artistic woodturning experts extends from simple forms, where the wood speaks for itself, to complex creations, combining various types of timber and other materials in simple harmonies.

Screw Chucks on Wood Lathes - We Always Did it That Way

When wood turners speak about lathe chucks these days they usually mean the expensive four jaw style. However this is a recent innovation developed from the self centering chucks of the metal lathe industry. Woodturning has been around at least since the days when the ancient Egyptians put their pictures on the side of pyramids. The old timers often spoke of the screw chuck when they mentioned lathe chucks and the often made their own quickly and cheaply.

A lathe chuck is simply a tool that goes on the lathe center and holds work. While it may be used on the tailstock, it is usually placed on the headstock. Consider the making of a simple candle stick, with a cup on top to hold the candle, a stem to hold on to, and a base.

A block of wood is cut to the size of the cup and long enough to fit on the screw of the chuck. It is turned to shape and hollowed out to accommodate the expected candle. Decorative work is turned on the bottom to allow space for a mortise to take a tenon.

Another piece of wood is placed between centers and turned into the stem of the candlestick. A round tenon is cut on either end of the stem. Each tenon is the width of the screw or a bit larger.

Now a piece of wood large enough for the base of the candlestick is cut and drilled at center a little smaller than the diameter of the screw for the lathe screw chuck. The less figured side of the wood is facing out. Once the piece is turned to round, the face is flattened and made slightly concave. This will be the bottom of the base and a concave base will help it sit better.

The piece is removed from the chuck and reversed for holding. Now the entire top of the base is available for turning. Once it is turned it is easily removed from the chuck by simply unscrewing it. A quick trip to the drill press and the holes used by the screw chuck on cup and base are widened to fit the tenons on the stem. All that remains are to glue them together and apply the finish.

Screw chucks are extremely useful additions to the accessories of the wood lathe. A great indicator of this is the familiar procedure of four jaw wood lathe chuck manufacturers to include a screw attachment to convert today's modern lathe chuck into the screw chuck of yesteryear.

Wood Carving Skill

Wood Carving is a kind of special skill. It takes patience, concentration and time. There are so many beautiful wood sculpture on sale at market, but do you know how does the craftsman work on a piece of wood? In brief, there are mainly three kinds of wood carving skill.

1. Handmade carving. This wood carving skill takes longer time and more concentration. Usually, a carver begins a new carving by choosing a quality wood, decided by the approximate size and outer-shape of the wood the carver wishes to create, if the carving is to be large, several pieces may be fix together. Once the general shape is made, the carver may use a variety of carving tool for creating details. (some of the tools are carving knife, gouge, Chisel, V-tool and veiner) After the carving is finished, the carver may seal or color the wood with some natural oils, such as walnut or linseed oil which can protect it from dirt and moisture.

2. Paper model. This is the most common used skill in this field. Some of the wood work manufacturers do not have skillful carvers. So they often draw out the shape of the characters they wanted to carve on the wood on paper, and then paste the paper on wood for the carvers work on the wood by following the lines on paper. The paper model wood carving is much time-saving, but the finished wood carving is not vivid enough.

3. Machine. Machine carving is also often used in it nowadays. As we all know machine can just work on the flat board, so machine carving is impossible to create a three-dimensional work.

By comparing the sculpture skills listed above; we can easily answer the question "why handmade carvings are much expensive than other?"

Cheap Wood Lathes

There are a lot of reasons why investing in an expensive, high quality wood lathe is a good idea.

There are a number of benefits to moving up in price and quality range. You will get a larger lathe, which allows much more freedom and variety in the projects you can do and the pieces you can make and large lathes are heavier which reduces vibration. You will get better finish and machining, parts will be better aligned and the overall product will be much nicer.

Lathes are one area where you can still buy a tool that will last for years, or even decades. They are fairly simple devices, and solidly built, in general from cast iron.

So why would anyone ever invest in a cheap lathe?

Well there are several reasons you might consider a cheaper model of wood lathe. Some of them are good, others not so much, but it's a valid idea in any case.

The number one situation I think someone should invest in an inexpensive lathe is if they are a beginner. If you don't have a lot of experience buying a large expensive wood lathe could end up being a costly mistake.

I know a lot of people who go into things all gung-ho only to lose interest shortly afterward. In my opinion if you don't have a lot of experience you should consider investing in a a small inexpensive wood lathe initially, and consider it a starter that you will upgrade in a few years.

Another good reason to buy a cheap lathe is as a complement to a larger tool. If you already have a large wood lathe it could be useful, to have a smaller one for detail work, or small projects such as pen turning or lure making. Not all small lathes are created equal however, and some of them can be just as expensive as larger models.

A third reason for a smaller cheaper lathe is simply to save space, some people don't have a lot of room in their shops, or even a dedicated shop at all, and it wouldn't make very much to put a full sized lathe in your living room.

There are some decent lathes out there in the 300-400 dollar range, and even a few passable ones around 150 dollars, but I personally wouldn't go lower than that, or you risk getting a complete dud.

Wood Lathe Tool Rests - Use Them Safely

The tool rest on a wood lathe is a deceptively simple looking piece of work. It looks generally like a T held in a movable base called a banjo for reasons best left to non-banjo players. People who say it looks like a banjo have probably never stood in a jam session at three in the morning with fellow bluegrass enthusiasts. However, I digress. Even such a simple accessory has its safety issues and they are easy to work with.

First of all it is necessary to remember that a tool rest is just that, a place to rest a tool. Almost all of the time on the wood lathe it is the shaft of the tool that rests on the edge. This should remind the turner that hands may assist in the guiding of the tool by moving along the face of the rest as it faces the turner, but never on the top, especially if part of the hand is found under the shaft as the tool is held. It is quite easy and always unexpected to encounter a situation called a catch where the wood grabs the tool tip, raises the shaft in the air and slams it into the tool rest edge. This is usually startling and annoying. But, if the hand or any part of it is caught between the shaft and the narrow edge it can also be extremely painful and can cut. The solution of safety is simple. Keep the hands behind the tool rest.

Wood lathes move wood around very quickly and with a fair amount of force, particularly with some modern lathes having motors up to fine horsepower. In addition, that wood is often off center or quite uneven when first mounted for turning. It is imperative that the wood clear the tool rest or it will strike it at great force and may cause the wood to fly off the lathe. Simply turn the wood by hand before starting up the motor and adjust the rest to clear the work. Also, for good tool control and to reduce the leverage of a catch on the tool, it is good practice to keep the rest close to the work. Whenever moving and adjusting the rest the lathe should be shut off and the work rotated by hand to make sure it clears the tool rest.

Most tool rests are secured in the banjo with a bolt that is managed with wrench or a handle. Make sure the tool rest is secure in the banjo before starting the lathe. Just get in the habit of checking that the bolt is tight. If the rest is loose the pressure of the tool against it as you turn will move the rest into the wood resulting in a catch.

Finally, avoid working at the end of the tool rest especially if working on large pieces of wood. The torque resulting from a big catch can snap light tool rests and may result in injury. Use a rest that matches the work. They are readily available from after market sellers and can also be made up by a good welder.

As always in wood-turning, common sense dictates safety with tool rests and all other accessories. The idea is to be careful and have fun while encouraging safety in the craft.

Segmented Woodturning Allows the Artist To Put Together Many Designs to Create One Great Piece

Methods Used for Woodturning:

In woodturning, lot of methods were used to provide a very unique outcome. Segmented woodturning is one of those methods. Segmented woodturning allows the artist to use texture and color as design elements in making lathe turned vessels, wood bowls and other pretty wood piece sculptures. In other words, a segmented wood turner has the prerogative on what he or she wants to make.

Segmented woodturning is where an initial work piece composed of number of parts glued together is turned on a wood lathe. This also involves having to glue up a few slabs of wood. This process allows the creation of patterns as well as beautiful visual effects in the turned objects. Polychromatic turning is the other name for the segmented style.

What Makes Segmented Woodturning Different?

Unlike with the conventional methods of woodturning wherein the template used is actually a single piece of wood and the size, orientation of the grain, as well as the bright colors of the wood frame how it can actually be turned into the products such as platters and bowls. This woodturning provides limitation on the size and patterns with your skill, patience and imagination. Though the majority of the segmented turned objects are shaped into vessels of one sort or another, any turned items made up of multiple pieces of glued wood can already be categorized as something that has undergone turning that is segmented.

Product Samples:

Pepper mills, salt shakers, pens and rolling pins are some of the examples. After items are being turned, by merely cutting them and then re-assembling them, can create unique and really beautiful forms, resulting in an artistic piece. You can also see the example of the work accomplished by Malcolm Tibbetts, who is an expert woodturner.

In addition to the design-related skills, it actually needs a lot more precision when it comes to woodworking skills as well as in the turning skills. The design as well as the general make up of a bowl blank, which is the piece of wood that can be usually seen mounted on top of the lathe for turning a vessel, needs to be angled, especially in miter joints cuts to as little as a tenth of just one degree, or a bit more.

Qualities of a Good Segmented Woodturner:

A segmented woodturner also has to possess some of the qualities needed in order for them to be more successful. Primarily, you have to be patient. In everything that we do, there are many quick and instant results. If you want to fulfill yourself and feel real satisfaction, take it easy and slow. Next is that you have to enjoy meticulous work. If you are a kind of person who is easily irritated by complex things, this is definitely an activity not suited for you. In segmented turning, you have to enjoy precise detailed work. Lastly, you need to be a little nutty!

Segmented Woodturners of the Past:

Segmented wood turning has been used a very long time ago, but only a few individuals have used this technique. But since today segmented turning has become more popular, here are some tips and ideas as well as some advantages that can be useful especially to the beginners. First is that a typical segmented project will cost a lot less to make because you make your blank in the shape of the project. This means less materials will be needed. Next is that there is less mess to clean up after turning a segmented object because you don't start with a solid chunk of wood, there will be 65-75% fewer shavings to clean up.

Controlling Grain in Segmented Wood Pieces:

Another thing is that, you can control the grain direction in segmented projects so the turning is easier with fewer opportunities for 'catches' and other unfortunate mishaps. Next is that you will end up with creations that Mother Nature could only dream of because with segmented projects, you can mix different wood types and take advantage of different orientations of the joints between pieces of wood. Another thing also is that you can figure out what your segmented project will look like before you start. There are several design tools you can use to do this.

Managing Leftover Wood:

Also, segmented projects are a way for you make good use of those little, leftover pieces of wood; even pen blanks are sometimes useful. Next important thing is that there is a bunch of people ready and eager to help you. And last but definitely not the least is that you do not have to wait forever for the wood to dry. Dried materials ready for use are easily available in the market.

How To Carve Wood - Ways To Shape A Wooden Piece

Don't think your work is completed after buying a new home. The real work starts when it comes to beautifying your house. Some people may be fond of using interiors inside their house, while others prefer using their handmade crafts. Designated wood adds extra magnificence to the living room. What I would do to beautify my house is to carve wood and use the same. While some people do it for zeal, others keep this as a hobby. You don't have to be a great artist to be able to shape the wood. With the necessary information in hand, you can start carving your own masterpiece.

Things Required:

• Wooden Piece

• Your favorite design

• Tool set, including carving knife, chisel, groove, a V-tool and other sharpening tools

• Coloring

• A sand paper and

• Smoothening tools

So now that we are ready with the materials required, let's begin the work. If you are a newbie to doing this, I would suggest you use soft woods. It serves as a great beginning for the novice. If your design is bigger, then choose a wooden piece larger than that. Begin drawing your design of choice over the wood. Using pencils or markers to create the outline for your deign will be a better option. Now, begin carving the outline using a sharp knife. Basic knife is just enough to carve softwood.

Make it a point not to apply too much pressure while carving the outline; else, you may spoil the entire aesthetic of the design. You can now start marking finer details with the appropriate carving tools. You should be aware of the types carving tools available. Start smoothing the wooden piece to make the design more visible. With the help of sand paper, you can smooth the rough edges of the design so it looks even better. The final step includes coloring the design with natural stains to add the final touch to the work piece.

Wood Turning Projects - Three Ways to Dress Them Up

Wood turning projects are a great way to learn new skills and to refresh old ones. They generally come with instructions from start to finish and hopefully with lots of pictures to give further guidance. However, the very nature of wanting to learn a new skill determines that the project needs to be repeated several times until the skills are developed. Often it is the case where the first is fascinating, the next couple are fun, and fourth is a challenge and rest are boredom but should be done. Since most of us who turn are hobbyists, boredom can be a killer to the craft. Thankfully, there are three simple ways to dress up a project, each or which may add its own challenges and interests.

First there is the obvious method of adding beads and coves. While it may seem like a simple solution to boredom one needs to ask where each bead or cove goes and whether it "works" with other beads, coves, straights and curves. If it goes on a handle does it make the handle more or less comfortable to use? Are there artistic reasons for placement or utilitarian ones such as distinguishing one tool from another while it is on the bench amidst the shavings? Adding beads and coves to spindle woke is so common that it is good practice for all spindle turning but face plate projects should not be neglected either. One bead at the rim of a bowl may give it an elegant look while a fully beaded surface will change the grain appearance strikingly, particularly in a broad grained wood like oak or ash.

Second one might add a line of color with burning or wood displacement. To burn a line on a rotating piece of wood one first suspends a thin wire between two wooden handles. Holding the wire without handles is asking for burned, cut or removed fingers while using the handles renders the activity safe. As the wood rotates at good speed it is first grooved slightly to prevent the wire from slipping as it is held in the groove. Pressure is applied by pulling the wire taut between the handles and friction causes a burn line to form. The depth of color can be controlled with additional pressure or the duration of the burn.

Wood displacement adds a line of color by actually transferring a bit of wood from one piece to the next and tends to work best on faceplate work although it can be used on spindles. It also works better with dark woods being used to color light ones. For instance if a bowl of maple is turning on the lathe, a thin piece of rosewood about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide but only 1/16" thick may have its edge brought to the spinning wood. Under a bit of pressure a bit of the rosewood will actually be transferred to the spinning maple. The band may be darkened by holding the rosewood in place a bit longer and broadened simply by moving it left and right.

Third is adding color to the wood. For some this is a shock under the belief that wood turnings should always be left natural, but people have been coloring them since turning started. Color may be added easily with felt markers while the wood turns or is stationary. The varieties of paints and stains available are amazing indeed. Leather dyes should not be overlooked. They use an alcohol solvent that will not raise the grain the wood, apply and dry quickly, and allow the grain of the wood to show through. Again there is a wide variety of colors available and they all mix well to give infinite choice.

Each of these methods and many others allow for adaption of wood turning projects to make them into signature pieces for a turner while learning a variety of techniques and style without the boredom of undue repetition.

What Is a Wood Lathe?

A wood lathe is a type of machinery, generally used in turning industrial products for ornamental purposes. In a nutshell, a lathe uses a rotation device that spins parallel to the surface, and with the help of different tools, it can create unique cuts and designs with a solid block of material. Lathe tools reformat an object by cutting, drilling, knurling and sanding, providing symmetrically designed products turned on a lathe.

From all types of lathe machinery, including the lathes used for pottery or jewelry, the wood lathe is the oldest. And without doubt, the different tools used for wood turning are the most part of the entire lathe machinery. This variety of tools used with wood lathes consists of different chisels, used for creating the unique designs and patterns resulted from wood turning. And the amazing thing about a wood lathe is not the unique designs or patterns, but the fact that it can produce a completely finished work entirely on its own. While most tools employed in industrial production require tools that are separate from the machine to finish the design, a lathe has its chisel tools attached directly to the lathe, allowing it to do all the work at once.

To better understand the concept, these wood turning tools of a wood lathe take a solid wood object and turn it into a symmetrical ornament, such as a table or chair leg. With the help of a wood setup, a woodworker will be able to duplicate identical wood parts, so all table or chair legs are the same.

Wood turning has a lot of different shapes, styles and designs to offer, possible through a wide range of accessories for wood lathes. And with nowadays' amazing advances in technology and machinery, the accessories are more proficient than ever. The most commonly used tools in wood turning are the gouge, the spear chisel, the skew chisel, the parting chisel and the round-nose chisel.

In order to get the best results and products, a woodworker has to know all the different tools used in a wood lathe, and understand their unique characteristics, features and capabilities. Understanding how each tool works is essential for the proper usage of a wood chisel, and the best results come with a lot of practice. For more detailed information, search online for the different types of wood lathe tools, and read about each tool in particular. And remember, practice makes perfect.

Wood Lathe Buyer's Guide

There are a lot of different wood lathes for sale these days, and it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. There are a lot of different factors to consider, such as size, brand, model, price point and what specific features you are looking for. A good wood lathe will last you many years and you shouldn't buy one without doing some research first, or you could regret your decision.

If you're buying your first wood lathe, you have to seriously look at how much money you're willing to invest. Ask yourself whether wood turning is a new hobby, or something you have been doing for many years. You don't want to drop a couple thousand dollars on a wood lathe, only to decide in a few weeks that you're bored of wood turning and want to take up a new hobby.

If you've never used a wood lathe before you might want to consider a hobby lathe. These are little more than a mount for an electric drill that will allow you to turn a small piece of wood. The performance is not nearly as good as a regular lathe, but it will let you get into wood turning at a fraction of the cost.

One of the biggest considerations when buying a lathe is the size. Are you looking to make pens or table legs? If you want to turn a few pens or other small projects, a pen lathe will allow you to do everything you want and are generally much cheaper than full sized lathes. Slightly bigger you have your mini lathes, that can turn small bowls and other small to mid sized pieces. A full sized lathe will be able to handle whatever you throw at it, but in general are more expensive than smaller tools.

When it comes to brands you'll notice there's a wide range of prices. The cheaper lathes are usually made in China and are not as well built as their American counterparts. This is not to say they are bad lathes, but the quality control and materials will not be quite the same standard. With that said Chinese made lathes have been improving in quality and growing in popularity in recent years, and if you are looking for a reasonably priced lathe there are many very good models to choose from.

If you're looking for an American lathe, you can expect a very high quality tool that will last a long time, but you will pay a premium.

It's a good idea to try out a range of lathes before you make any purchase, ask people you know if you can try out their lathe to get a feel for it, and ask what their experiences have been, there's really no substitute for first hand experience. You should also check out the reviews online to get a feel for whether people are satisfied with particular models of wood lathe.

There are a lot of wood lathes for sale online these days, and the prices are quite good, often with free shipping. If your local selection isn't that good, or if you're looking to save a few bucks, I definitely recommend looking at online retailers for your wood lathe. They can often beat brick and mortar stores thanks to lower overhead.

An Introduction to the Wood Lathe Chuck

A wood lathe chuck can be an excellent addition to any wood lathe. A chuck allows one to turn smaller pieces of wood with a high degree of flexibility while avoiding the inconvenience supporting the wood with the tailstock.

Many people use wood lathe chucks for smaller projects. They are an absolutely necessary tool for anyone who would like to turn wooden bowls or similar items.

You can choose your wood lathe chuck from two different options. Three-jaw chucks center the wood in the lathe automatically and are well suited for symmetrical projects. That is because these chucks basically immobilize the wood, which means all rounding will be toward the true center of the wood. These are the lathe chucks with which most woodworkers first experiment. They produce great results, even though they are somewhat limited in what they can do.

A four-jaw wood lathe chuck offers more flexibility. These chucks allow the lathe user to move the wood during the turning process. This allows the operator to create rounded pieces that are not necessarily symmetrical or centered. These chucks are ideal for those who are handling very specialized aspects of custom projects and for artists who do not want to find themselves limited any more than necessary.

Suppliers provide three-jaw and four-jaw chucks in multiple sizes. A jewelry maker may find himself using a tiny, one-inch chuck. Meanwhile, a turner of a large wooden bowl may work with a chuck with a full two-foot diameter! There is a chuck for every project and every preference.

Your choice of a chuck size must be governed by two factors: the size of the lathe upon which the chuck will be used and the size of the wood pieces you plan to turn. Before you purchase a wood lathe chuck, double check your lathe's capacity and determine the chuck's intended use. That will help you to secure the right tool for your specific needs.

Lathe chucks can produce some amazing effects. Any lathe-using woodworker will be able to find a number of uses for these tools.

At the same time, it is important to note that these devices are best managed by experienced lathe users. That is particularly true of the manually manipulate four-jaw chuck. Additionally, numerous accidents occur when chucks become stuck. Anyone using a wood lathe chuck should make safety a top priority and should know the proper procedure for handling a stuck chuck.

If you are serious about woodworking and love your lathe, you can make it even more valuable, flexible and enjoyable by adding a three-jaw or four-jaw chuck to the mix. These great tools make it possible to use your lathe to complete a number of gorgeous products.

Woodturning Tips - Dealing With Cracks in Wood

When a piece of green wood dries it can often be prone to warping and checking. Cracks are the last thing a wood turner wants to see on a wood blank. This can happen even if suitable precautions have been taken such as sealing the end grain with wax. When cracks do appear it is not the end of the world. There are still things you can do to salvage the piece and make the best of a bad situation.

When it comes to dealing with cracks in wood there are several options available to us. Some turners like to take advantage of the crevice by filling it with a substance that gives an attractive visual effect. This is called inlay and people commonly use gold and silver coloured material. For practical and cost reasons it does not have to be the genuine article. Brass and aluminium powder can make a perfectly good substitute for authentic gold and silver.

Before you start filling any cracks, you should be sure that the wood is stable with no further movement likely and seasoning has run its full course. The best way to tell if wood has finished seasoning is to weigh the item over the course of a number of days. If it still contains moisture, it will be slightly lighter every day. As soon as the weight stops falling then the wood is stable and ready to use.

If you do not wish to use decorative effects there are still ways of rescuing a wood turning blank. The crack can be filled with CA glue which does a great job of preventing the crack spreading. You can also use this adhesive mixed in with a little sawdust which can disguise the crack once the area is dry. Of course, care should be taken to use sawdust from the original piece for colour matching purposes.

In some cases, you may not want a crack on your turned item at all. In this scenario, the only way to remove it is to take some stock off the piece. This can be done either by cutting or sanding depending on how deep the crack is. For shallow cracks this technique does not represent a problem. However, you should proceed with caution as there is sometimes a risk that a crack can spread further into the wood.

The best way of dealing with cracks in wood is to take stock of the situation. Instead of discarding the item, you should seek an alternative solution. You could rescue the piece or use it on an entirely different project. There is always something you can do whether it is to remove the crack completely or to use it to your advantage. Sometimes a crack turned into a decorative feature can add tremendous value to a wood turning.

Woodworking With the Lathe

Woodworkers sometimes view the lathe as an exotic or unneeded tool. This view is short sighted in the extreme and removes a lot of enjoyment from a woodworker's time in the shop. Perhaps the view is caused by the nature of the wood turning lathe itself.

Most woodworking tools, and power tools in particular, are used to remove bits and pieces from boards prior to reassembling those bits into a finished article. For instance, table saws saw boards with cross cuts and rip cuts into smaller boards while drill presses remove wood from circular areas to allow bolts or screws entrance or to make a decorative area. Jigs are often used to make cuts more precise and to keep hands away from the cutting areas. The rapidly moving saw blades and cutting surfaces discourage a close approach to the work.

Hand tools meanwhile are regarded by many woodworkers as needing an extraordinary amount of time and talent to learn to use them well. In many cases this is true. However, if we look at the work of craftsmen prior to the industrial age we realize that a lot of beautiful work was done by a lot of people, not all of them classically trained nor apprenticed workmen, but rather homeowners making something for the family, much as do the hobby woodworkers of today.

The wood lathe enters somewhere in between power and hand tools. In the days gone by the lathe was often turned by hand or foot power. As time progressed, water wheels may have been used in the factories while treadle lathes were used in smaller businesses and homes. Perhaps with the emphasis on home gym equipment today, the treadle lathe could make a comeback. For most woodworkers though, a modern lathe with an electric motor is the way to go. Hence it is viewed as a power tool because it uses an electric motor to make it work.

The difference between the lathe and most power tools comes in the handling of wood and cutting tools. A table saw, the mainstay of many woodworking shops, has a rapidly rotating blade fixed in position and a piece of wood is carefully manipulated through the cut. Wood lathes are made to hold the wood and to rotate it, the direct opposite function. Meanwhile various cutting tools are held in the hands of the woodturner, one by one, and manipulated to remove pieces of the wood in various ways and patterns so as to complete the piece of work. In some sense, the nature of a wood lathe being a power tool or a hand tool becomes quickly blurred.

This moves a woodworker to new realms of thought and enjoyment. While most saws are used for straight cuts or perhaps a curve, the lathe opens up circles and rounds to the woodworking vocabulary. Table legs for instance, move from being straight lines with at most a taper, to being rounded with curves, grooves, beads and tapers. New design possibilities are opened up and new ways of looking at things develop. Plus, for most hobbyists who work with wood, there is the delight in having and learning a new tool. Woodworkers can expand into a whole new realm of pleasure and satisfaction.

Why The Ancient Woodworking Lathe Is An Essential Modern Tool

The woodworking lathe dates as far back as the ancient Egyptians, and possibly further back than that even. The earliest recorded use of a lathe is in 1300BC, when the Egyptians used a simple two-person lathe, whereby one person would turn the wood with a piece of rope and the other would use a sharp tool to shape it. Since then, the woodworking lathe has gradually developed into the (usually) mechanized tool we know today but it has the same basic principle and function. The wood turns while the cutting implement remains stationary, which allows for intricate designs to be carved.

Woodworking lathes enable the creation of products that do not simply have straight lines and that require greater cutting versatility - musical instruments, bowls, lamp bases, pool cues, curved table legs are all made using a woodworking lathe. The obvious difference between a woodworking lathe and any other woodworking tool is that the wood itself moves, spinning at a controlled speed in order that the woodworker can press a sharp cutting tool, which remains stationary, to shape it - the reverse of other woodworking tool processes.

A woodworking lathe can either be a compact, table-top design or a larger, freestanding machine that can be securely fixed to the floor. The wood to be worked on is attached to a rotating spindle and secured at the other end and is either motorized or is operated by a foot pedal. The tool rest on the bed of the lathe is designed to run parallel to the wood, enabling a steady base on which to rest the required tool, whether that be a chisel or some other cutting implement. Sandpaper is often used on the turning wood to smooth the metal cuts and create a flawless shape.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced woodworker, using a woodworking lathe is a completely different kettle of fish and requires patience and learning to master the skill. It is a tool that allows you to be incredibly creative, which is why many artisans use a woodworking lathe to help them produce beautiful, hand-crafted bowls, vases and sculptures in every design, shape and size imaginable. It is a tool that allows versatility in your work. Just as woodwork products come in different measurements, so do woodworking lathes - big or small, powerful or less so and of course with that comes a huge difference in costs. Unless you are a professional you do not need to buy top-end lathes (which can be thousands of dollars) but there are a few things you should look out for.

A woodworking lathe that overly vibrates can be incredibly frustrating, given how precise shaping needs to be. You also want to ensure that the tool rest has adequate rigidity to keep your tool firmly in place. Decide how much power you need - this will depend on the size and weight of the wood that you will putting in the lathe.

A woodworking lathe is an invaluable tool for those woodworkers looking to create something really special but they can be expensive so do your research online and find the right lathe for you.

How to Make a Pattern Copier For Your Woodworking Lathe

Lathe pattern copiers are expensive and are not available for many wood lathes. Pattern copiers are used to make duplicate turned spindles from an original. Here's how to make your own.

You will need a piece of 1/2 aluminum tubing as long as your lathe bed or a bit longer to make your lathe pattern copier. You will also need some 1/8" thick aluminum sheeting or you can buy some aluminum cookie sheets. Purchase a box of 10-40 bolts 1 1/2" long and a wing nut and washer for every bolt. Buy a second box of 10-40 bolts 1" long with nylon-lined lock nuts for every bolt. You will need (4) 3" angle irons with screws, as well. The rest of the parts for your lathe pattern copier can be made out of any scrap wood you may have laying around the shop.

The design of this lathe pattern copier incorporates multiple feeler "fingers" suspended behind the lathe along the aluminum pipe. These fingers are adjusted to match the exact depth of the cuts in your original turned spindle. When you place a new spindle blank on the lathe, all of the lathe pattern copier fingers you adjusted will be laying on top of the blank. As you cut into the blank, prepare yourself to stop cutting as soon as the fingers relating to that cut drop down and through the cut.

Make two, vertical support posts about 6" higher than the top of the largest spindle blank you can turn on that lathe. Note the outside diameter of the aluminum pipe and drill a hole of that size near the top of each support post. Mount the posts using the angle irons on the lathe table immediately behind the lathe. Insert the pipe through both holes to make sure it fits.This will help position the aluminum fingers of your lathe pattern copier so that they can reach the spindle you are turning.

Make a bunch of wood blocks 3/4" x 1ï؟½" x 6" long. Drill a pipe sized hole in one end of each of them through the ï؟½" thickness. With the blocks lying flat, cut through from the end into the hole with a 1/8" table saw blade. With the blocks standing on edge, drill completely through each block between the hole and the end of the block. Use a drill diameter slightly larger that the shaft diameter of the 10-40 bolts. Insert one 1 ï؟½" 10-40 bolt through the hole you just drilled and place a wing nut and washer on the end. The idea is that the wooden blocks will slip onto the pipe and the bolts and wing nuts will hold them in place by closing up the 1/8" cut you made on the table saw.

Drill another bolt hole of the same diameter about 1/2" from the other end of the block, centered with the block laying flat on the drill press table. Cut another 1/8" slot, 1" deep and centered through the 1ï؟½" dimension, at right angle to the bolt hole. Remove one end of the pipe from the vertical support posts. You can now mount the blocks along the pipe before replacing the pipe in the vertical support post of your lathe pattern copier.

Cut aluminum fingers out of the flat stock using a 1/4" blade on the band saw. The fingers should measure 6" long and 3/4" wide. Both ends should be completely rounded (3/8" radius) on an edge, belt or disc sander. Drill a 10-40 bolt hole in one end of each finger centered 1/2" from the end. Sand the fingers smooth, removing saw marks and burrs.

Mount the aluminum fingers onto the ends of the wooden blocks, securing them in place with the 1" 10-40 bolts and lock nuts. The aluminum fingers must be free to move up and down.

Now place your original spindle on the lathe. Set the fingers to just drop through, barely touching the depth of each cut. Place the first blank on the lathe with the fingers you just adjusted resting on top of the spinning blank. Start cutting and stop as each finger falls through.

Bob Gillespie

Woodworker

ï؟½2010 Robert M. Gillespie, Jr.

Basswood Lumber: A Great Wood for Carving Projects

The growing popularity of domestic hardwood lumber is apparent. You can see it in so many different projects around the world. Whether you prefer a hard or soft wood, the beauty of the wood is obvious. One common soft wood is Basswood.

Basswood (also referred to as Tilia Americana) is taken from the beautiful American basswood tree, which reaches heights of 130 feet and diameters of 4 feet. Basswood sapwood is white in color, while its heartwood is creamy white to a pale pinkish-brown. It has straight grains and a fine, even texture. This makes the wood easy to work with. Basswood is most commonly used for picture framing, trim, paint grade trim, glued paneling, boxes, crates, baskets, toys, venetian blinds, veneer, mallet heads, and pattern making. However, it is most popularly used for carving projects, like relief carving. Relief carving is described as carving pictures into wood. Basswood is ideal for carving because is has soft, tight grains, so the wood shows such intricate details. Hobbyists find it to be the best carving wood for airplane models, ship models, and wood sculpting.

Tom Elberson, a lumber salesman, has much experience working with domestic hardwood lumber. Although he enjoys the natural beauty of Basswood, he prefers to paint it.

"Basswood has closed grains, which means it is non-porous. This makes it a great option for painting because the paint doesn't absorb in the wood. It sits on the surface of the wood. However, staining the wood is unsatisfactory. The stain should be absorbed in the wood to show its uniform texture, but the grains aren't defined enough."

Basswood has such great potential for such a soft wood, but it does pose some problems. It has a Janka hardness of 410, which means it is one of the softest domestic hardwoods available. This softness gives the wood unique characteristics, but also specific restrictions in its use. Basswood is pliable, so it has no trouble being glued and it doesn't split easily. For best results, sharp tools are recommended. On the other hand, it has low strength properties, which affects its durability. This causes basswood to have poor resistance to decay. Its softness also influences its nail holding abilities and causes it to have poor steam bending properties.

There is such a wide variety of domestic hardwoods available. Depending on your project, there are different features to look for in a particular wood. Lumber ranges from hard wood to soft wood. Both offer advantages that make them great choices in wood.

Uses for Old Window Sashes, How to Reuse Old Window Sashes

By this time, anyone who has given any thought to it, knows that recycling is a good idea. The world is already full of land fills. I am sure that there are more than any of us wants. Think about it. What will eventually happen to the window sash. The wooden part will rot. The glass will break into shards. The hardware will just take up space. Multiply it times the hundreds of thousands of window sashes that get replaced by more efficient models every year. What a pile of junk that would make!

Idea number one; I am a woodworker by heritage. Most but not all of the older windows were constructed from pine and hand blown glass. Many modern homes are furnished with a coffee table and matching end tables. I can see where a long, narrow window, and two much smaller windows could make the tops of this unique little ensemble! Strip any left over paint off the sash. If you can get the use of a wood lathe, just turn four matching legs, and Voila! The frame could be made from something as simple as 1" x 3" pieces of pine from Home Depot! If you prefer a more rustic look, the Shabby Sheik, do not worry about stripping all of the paint off the sash. Just get what you can off, and later you can make the legs and base of it match. Instead of going with the turned legs, Something like a 4" x 4" cut into leg-lengths would do. The sash itself could even be backed by pine planks if you like! Handsome.

Idea number two; is to refinish the frame, or if you prefer, just sand it down smooth, and paint it. Replace the panes of glass with mirror panes, for a mirror frame to your own personal liking!

Idea number three; ( my own personal specialty ) is to put paintings, that is reverse glass paintings, on the panes of the glass. When they are finished, it looks as though you are looking through a window, into a different place, or even possibly a different time! The painting is applied on to the back side of the glass, so that it can be viewed from the front side. I started doing reverse glass paintings some time ago, and one day while looking at a spare window that had been in the workshop too long, I thought, "hey! A built in frame!", All it needed was a painting.

Since that time, my husband and I have stopped to pick up window sashes at the side of the road when people are remodeling. He runs every day to stay in shape. One morning this last October after his run, I found two window sashes in the carport. I said nothing, as it is no longer uncommon. The next morning, and the following, I found two additional sashes in the carport. Finally, after lunch on the day they stopped coming, my husband said 'I need the truck for a couple of minutes.' My curiosity got the better of me. He finally let on that a neighbor up the road was remodeling, and he was bringing home the old sashes during his run. I told him that the neighbors were probably still looking out the window, saying 'that poor so and so does not even have a car to take them home in!' What a workout, though! It was almost a half mile in this rural area! If you are too bashful to go the side of the road route, window sashes can usually be had from local lumber yards who replace them at little or no cost. Quite the collection has been built up! But, I have also built up quite the collection of paintings! They range in subjects from grizzly bears walking on ice to a series of the events of September 11, 2001. The first difficult part of coarse is making the old sash useable and attractive again, but it is not any thing that can not be done! And it gives suck a different perspective of the painting! I love it!

In closing, I can say that even a useless looking item, such as a window sash can be recycled!

Woodworking Help - Beginners Guide to Woodworking Carpentry

Tools, dwellings, utensils to name a few, had to be originally made from something, which would help the ancient civilizations live as comfortably as possible. They learned to take the wood from the trees, where they were, at the specific time and to make a place to stay under, to keep them dry and fairly warm, protected from the weather conditions. Of course, this took some time and ingenuity, for them to discover that this process could be at all possible. The skills for working with wood, improved over time and new uses for wood has been put into practice.

In time, they found that they needed some form of transportation to get across the waters, which was in front of them. The very first thing, which was made, was a primitive raft, which did the job quite nicely, but eventually they developed a birchbark canoe. Then they found that they could make a boat out of the wood. They wanted to explore beyond the land, which they happened to be on at the time, and they wanted to see if there were other people besides themselves on the earth.

Many of these people became very skilled at making things from wood sources, gaining knowledge as to which trees were best for certain types of articles to be made. These tradesmen became important artisans, as people saw that they needed their skills to make their lives easier. Apprentices came on the scene and then documents were made, to keep these arts preserved for generations to come. Workshops and guilds were developed to help train other people to make these necessary items.

Different techniques were developed, each with a specific job to be done. Some used all types of tools, while others had their own tools, which did a specific part of the job. The carpenter was a maker of wagons, which people needed as they roamed and looked for new places to live. Now these tradesmen are fashioning homes which they build for people. To keep these wagons moving, the wheelwright was needed. He was the person who made the spokes and wheels for the wagons, so the people could travel across land.

They had to carry their belongings in something, so the cooper made the barrels, to keep water and other various articles, needed kept out of the elements. A shipwright would build ships and also would use other craftsmen, to have the more detailed work done on the ships. There were many carvings done and this is where pieces of wood would be removed with a tool, to make a pattern in the wood.

The turners would be people who made the arms and legs for tables and chairs, turning the wood on a lathe, so a pattern would eventually emerge. There were others who made the cups and bowls and they were called the bodgers.

The skill of the people who did the intricate designs, to place on pieces of furniture, was called marquetry. They would make elaborate patterns from the thin pieces of wood, in the shapes of life forms and scenery. Then parquetry would also be used to carve intricate designs of geometric shapes. These people also would make pictures and artwork.

The Woodcraft Store - More Than Just A Place To Buy Wood

If you are interested in woodworking, it doesn't matter if you're a beginner or a professional... you'll find something that interests you at the Woodcraft store. When you walk in, the scent of freshly cut wood tickles your nose, and you know you're in a store that is very different than the local home improvement store.

Of course you can find wood there... all kinds of exotic wood in all shapes and sizes. Whether you're looking for ebony, rosewood or cocobolo, you can find it at Woodcraft. They stock wood in large planks, small chunks for carving, small rectangles for pen turning, and thin sheets for making veneer. They even carry doweling in interesting woods like cherry and walnut.

And woodworking tools and supplies... oh my. From the latest router to the finest grit sandpaper for finishing work, if you need it, chances are the store has it. Of course you'll find specialized power tools here, but if you prefer traditional woodworking or carving, they also carry high quality Japanese chisels, sharpening stones and finishing supplies like sandpaper, stains, paints and lacquers. They tend to carry finishing products that your local home improvement store doesn't, so if you're looking for milk paint or an antique finish that is hard to find, chances are you may find it at Woodcraft. If you can't find it locally, check the online store, which has even more to offer.

If you think that's all there is to this store, you're wrong. If you are interested in new techniques, Woodcraft has an entire library's worth of books for sale on everything from birdhouses to furniture to carving. Want to try your hand at intarsia? There will be several books to address your needs. Some local stores even have a lending library of video tapes on various woodworking techniques.

If you want to learn something new, many local stores have classes and demonstrations. Sign up for a class on sharpening your chisels, or learn how to make a wooden rocking horse. Stop by and catch a demonstration on how to properly use a lathe or learn a new sanding technique. You can learn a lot at your local store. Maybe you'll get inspired by the finished projects on display.

If you already have good woodworking skills but want a new project, Woodcraft also has many project plans to choose from. You can build your own patio furniture, build a baby cradle for a new member of the family, or build a piece of fine furniture like a chest of drawers.

Or maybe you want to get together with other woodworkers. Your local Woodcraft may have woodworking clubs that meet regularly at the store. At the very least, you may find new friends or even a mentor by visiting your local store regularly and asking questions or taking classes.

So, if woodworking is your thing, be sure and visit the Woodcraft store. It doesn't matter if you visit your local shop or you visit the online store... you'll be amazed at what you find to stimulate your creativity.

Woodworking: The Best Wood For Beginners

Woodworking: Know Your Wood

Wood is made of cellulose fibers, held together with a property called lignin, and is classified as hardwood or softwood, depending on the type of tree from which it comes. In addition, sapwood or new growth wood on a tree is still alive, while heartwood refers to the part of the tree that is no longer functioning. These two stages of wood also have different properties and uses. Knowing something about the different woods can help you determine which to use, how to work it, what problems to watch for, and how to care for the finished product.

There are hundreds of different types of trees and wood, with a wide range of colors, density, grain, figure, and other characteristics that affect its workability and application to different types of uses. The following is an alphabetical listing and description of some of the more popular woods used in woodworking. Types such as ebony and ironwood are not listed here, as they are not typically used in woodworking, at least not by beginners. The focus is on woods that work well and are common in woodworking.

The following legend provides a guide for symbols included with each type of wood.

Cost: $ = inexpensive, $$ = moderate, $$$ = expensive

Ease of working: E = easy, M = moderate, D = difficult

Ash, white $, M

A strong, inexpensive wood that is lighter in color and bends well, white ash is often used in sports equipment such as bats and canoe paddles. It is also common in pool cues, tool handles, and other products that require durability and strength.

Balsa $$, E

One of the lightest hardwoods, balsa has been used for canoes, model building, life rafts and other situations where a light, buoyant wood is needed. It is usually white in color and priced moderately. Because it is exceptionally soft, it can be worked well with hand tools, but has poor durability.

Basswood $, E

Basswood is an inexpensive and versatile hardwood that is often used for woodcarving. It is soft, light, fine textured and ranges in color from soft white to brown. Other uses include turning, toys, kitchen utensils and crates.

Birch $, E

The birch known as paper birch, is the white tree growing in the forest with its bark peeling like paper. Inside the sapwood is creamy and darkens toward brown at the heartwood. It is inexpensive to purchase and consequently is one of the most popular woods with beginner furniture makers. It can also be used for cabinets, toys and plywood but is not durable when left unfinished.

Butternut $$, M

A course-textured wood that is light to medium brown, butternut is moderately priced, and is a common choice for veneers, woodenware, and church alters.

Cedar, aromatic $, M

Known for its red coloring and pleasing, somewhat spicy smell, aromatic cedar or red cedar is a popular woodworking material for containers and closets. It has alternating lines of dark and light color and may also have dark knots, making it visually appealing as well. It is relatively inexpensive.

Cherry, black $$, E

Cherry sapwood is light colored, but the heartwood can vary from light brown to a dark red color that many find appealing. It has a fine grain and tends to darken in color as it ages. It is used most often in cabinetry and furniture making and is moderately priced.

Cottonwood $, E

A white to pale brown colored wood that is part of the poplar family, cottonwood is light and tends to be soft, which makes it good for carving. It is also used in making furniture, toys and woodenwares. Many carvers prefer the bark of the cottonwood tree because it can be found in large pieces and has a soft, workable nature.

Cypress $, E-M

Cypress wood has an oily texture, resists rot and decay and is often used in outdoor furniture and docks. It is light yellow in color and is inexpensive compared to other woods.

Elm, white $$, M

There are many elms, and most tend to be easy to work with and bend well. The white elm is soft yellow in color, and if used by beginners, it is usually in a furniture project. This tree is affected by Dutch Elm disease, so it is becoming more difficult to find, and thus a bit more expensive.

Mahogany $$, E

A reddish colored, dense hardwood that is durable and easy to work, Mahogany, (especially that from Honduras) is often used when making various grades of furniture and cabinets. It is moderately priced.

Maple, white $$, M-D

Maple has white sapwood and reddish brown heartwood. The grain can come in different patterns including wavy and birds eye. It can be difficult to work, but is used to make furniture, cabinets, flooring, and small projects such as cutting boards.

Oak $$, E-M

In the oak family, white oak is perhaps the easiest to work and is highly durable. It has a light tan color with a straight grain. It is moderate in price and used for furniture, cabinets, and is a favored wood for building barrels.

Pine: Ponderosa, white, yellow $, E

Although the different kinds of pine have varying specific features, it tends to be a softer, light colored wood that is used in many construction settings. It is also a popular wood for woodworkers, especially beginners, because it is inexpensive, easy to find, relatively easy to work, and holds up well (except for white pine). Often selected for birdhouses, flower boxes, benches and other beginner projects.

Redwood $$$, E

Redwood is known for its ability to hold up well in outdoor conditions. It is relatively easy to work and is used in outdoor furniture, decks, and other applications where durability outdoors is important. Despite the fact that redwood trees grow quite large and yield high quantities of boards, the price is on the higher end.

Walnut, black $$, E

A dark, tough wood that works well, black walnut is used in carving, making gunstocks, fine furniture, cabinets, and other items where strength and appearance are both important. It has a chemical in it that can cause irritation. Black walnut is moderately priced.

Willow $$, E

There are many different varieties of willow, but in general they are a soft, light wood with dull brownish heartwood and light colored sapwood. Because of its softness, it is popular with carvers. It is also used for caskets, Venetian blinds, and a number of other items.

Yellow poplar $, E

Yellow poplar is a strong, inexpensive hardwood that has a light color and sometimes is streaked with green, which can make it more difficult to finish. It is not a true poplar. Along with pine, it is one of the most common woods used today. Poplar is used in basic furniture, shelving, and boxes. It is also acceptable for carving.

Mini CNC Lathe Overview

A mini CNC lathe is generally converted from a regular lathe when a hobbyist wants to experience a machine that can do twice the work they can do manually. Usually these are small machines that have a lot of power but that can sit on a desktop or workbench in the home.

The CNC mini lathe is a good choice for people who want to experiment with what these machines will do, inventors or for people who specialize in making models. The CNC mini lathes are good for metalworking in general and for making small parts that need to be made with precision. Generally speaking the individual starts with a mini-lathe that they buy and then convert it to do CNC.

Most mini-lathes are a smaller version of those used in commercial shops but they can be a different design than those that are made strictly for working with wood. The mini-lathe is able to shape plastics, woods and other materials. A nice feature of these is that manufacturers are continuously developing new features so it has become easier to convert them to CNC over the years.

Mini lathes usually come in three sizes: 7x10, 7x12 and 7x14. Each one is measured by the length that length of the swing as it goes over the bed of the lathe. Today you can also find 9x models. The conversion of a general mini-lathe to include CNC has many benefits.

Many plans that you can find on the Internet will allow both manual and CNC abilities in the conversion because there are times when an individual is working with the machine that they may elect to do some processes by hand. At other times they may want to use CNC capabilities to produce repetitive pieces or ones that require a lot of time manually.

Converting to CNC also allows you to be able to produce both 2D and 3D contours which are unavailable when you are only working a lathe by hand. All you have to do is program the computer to create the part you need. You can use wood plastic or metal to make a mold and using the CNC portion you can produce a mold that you can use as many times as you want because it creates a perfect mold. You can do multiple holes drilling by creating the diameter of the whole and then programming it into the computer; from that point the CNC lathe does the work.

When converting to CNC it will generally take one or two weekends to finish the conversion; however plans will vary depending on what you want your CNC mini-lathe to do. You can usually buy plans that include pictures and step-by-step directions for around $50.

To convert to CNC you will need to understand either CAD or CAM software because currently these are the types of software that is used in the CNC mini-lathe machines. Usually you can control the lathe right from your PC because the software is created to run in that way. Generally it seems that you can make this conversion for under $2000.

Wood Turning Gifts - Hidden Money In Your Hobby

The calendar pages are turning. There is a birthday, anniversary, or special event coming up. Out comes the wallet and off the store you go in that awkward search for something affordable but special, unique but available, heart felt but not too sentimental. On the other hand, you may be a wood turner and the whole story changes.

An opportunity has arisen for one of your special pieces to find a new home. Somewhere on one of those shelves at the back of the work shop or in a box under the work bench, resides a wood turning for a friend or relative.

Most turners go through a progression of giving. The first attempts are amazing only to people who are surprised you could make anything at all, something like the dancing bear in the Russian circus. It is not so amazing that the bear dances well but that the bear dances at all. Everyone needs to keep a few of those first turnings for the sake of humility or at least later to realize how far you have come.

Then come turnings with reasonable lines, good sanding and an adequate finish. Some of these are given or sold to co-workers or are snatched up by spouses and children. There may be a phase of pen turning or the making of other small craft in the thought that this hobby might make money. However, after buying a new tool or so, it begins to feel like work and more esoteric turnings start to come off the lathe. A couple of craft shows sell a few pieces but most realize that full time turning is hard work.

So the pieces start to pile up. How many salad bowls does a family need, after all? Boxes hide some great turnings with wonderful lines and amazing patterns. Then Christmas makes its way around the yearly corner and you get together with your spouse and say things like, "Well, one of the kids might like this one." or "Does this piece of oak burl not remind you of Ed's nose? He has to have it." One by one, off go the pieces to new homes.

I think of this as the hidden returns of turning. First there is the satisfaction of having made a nice piece. Second comes the knowledge that the piece fits the person who receives it. Third is the knowledge that this unique gift is handmade in a world that does this less and less. Fourth is the financial reward of the unsold piece. For instance, ignoring birthdays and such for a moment, think of giving five turnings each year for five Christmases. Assume those turnings took the place of gifts averaging fifty dollars each. That is one thousand, two hundred fifty dollars earned by the hobby less expenses. Even if the expenses reached an unlikely two hundred fifty dollars, this is still a one thousand dollar profit. This is not bad for hours spent having a lot of fun.

Craftwork For Decoration

Craft work means to make something using a special skill with your hands or use machines. In the old days, craft works are made especially for royalty, trade and commercial purposes. Teakwood leads to a great development in the production of woodcraft. Bronze, silver, gold and ivory produce beautiful artifacts for home decorations.

An important part of a craftsmen job is to make sure a product not only looks good but works well too. Craftsmen must therefore have some knowledge of how people use things and technology to make products that are efficient and safe for use.

Woodworking as a hobby is admirably served by a wealth of books on tools, joints, joinery, construction and projects. Furniture does not exist to make wood making possible; wood working is a result of the need to make-and design-furniture.

Design consists of arranging pleasing shapes and fulfilling specific needs. How you make things will also affect the design.

Another aspect of wood handicraft is wood turning. Wood turning is a set of techniques that enable you to shape wood rapidly on a lathe machine. It is possible to get excellent results with a limited range of tools and it's one of the least expensive areas of wood working in which to get set up.

Decoupage is one of the easiest craft to master and although it is basically cut and paste, it is a fine art through practice, skill and creativity just like any other craft. Decoupage should be finished with up to 20 layers of varnish. Each layer would have been sanded before the next was applied to achieve a glossy, lacquer-like finish. The surface must be smooth and the pasted-on print could be passed off as a painting to decorate the living room.

Jewelry making and bead work are fascinating techniques. Intricate and dedicate, both craft offer the chance to use discipline, traditional techniques in conventional ways. Whether working with a precious material such as smooth silver, with an intriguing natural substance such as slate or with beautiful beads of a variety of shapes and color will give you the opportunity to make attractive personal accessories that will be a pleasure to wear or to live within your home.

Craft work therefore combines with materials like wood, metal, plastic and even electronic items. Hence, all these products are important in our homes today.

Wood Lathe Chucks - Do Not Forget the Jaws

These days when woodturners speak of wood lathe chucks, they mean the new style 4 jaw chuck. Most of these lathe chucks come with a set of middle size jaws and many others are for sale. Extra sets of jaws can make a versatile tool even better.

The middle size jaws are used to hold objects that range from about 1 1/4" diameter to 2" diameter. This of course varies with different manufacturers but is a pretty good guess. Check with your supplier before you buy. For a long time, this size of jaws suits many if most turners. It will permit the turning of bowls to fifteen or sixteen inches as well as a variety of smaller items.

Smaller jaws are available for all the major wood lathe chucks on the market. These allow for pieces from 3/8" up to 1" in diameter. While this may seem extremely small to non turners or to those new to the craft, there are a great many items such as scoops, candle sticks, or ornaments where these jaws are used. This allows for a very secure hold on small pieces that are turned at high speeds and otherwise may be knocked from the lathe. It also circumvents the need to develop some far more complex way to hold small items for turning.

Large jaws are obviously used for large pieces. It should be considered when buying large jaws that can open to three or more inches that some pieces may call not only for large jaws but also for a larger, stronger chuck. Manufacturers usually have more robust versions of the chuck for large, out of balance pieces of wood. With that said, a large set of jaws can be used with discretion to hold many items for turning.

Jumbo jaws are sold for many of the 4 jaw wood lathe chucks on the market. These are not used for holding large, unbalanced chunks of wood but rather for turning the bottoms of bowls by holding the finished bowl at the the top. This solves a lot of problems for may turners in completing a bowl to satisfaction and a good bowl is the mainstay of many woodturners.

All in all, more jaws of various sizes can make you versatile 4 jaw wood lathe chuck even more versatile. Of course this makes the craft itself more versatile and can stimulate your creativity as you look for more uses for both chuck and jaws.

A Lathe Addict Can Never Have Too Many Woodworking Lathe Tools

There are a huge variety of woodworking lathe tools available to create the exact design and finish you require. Depending on the project, you will have different tool requirements. You may need a texturing tool to add detail to a bowl, an Oland tool for faceplate work, a hook tool for grain end hollowing, or an articulated hollowing tool for hollowing hard-to-reach places. The list of tools is as long as the list of lathe cutting methods and an avid lathe woodworker can never have too many.

There are a number of common woodworking lathe tools, most of which are types of chisel. Those detailed here are basic woodworking lathe tools but the cut you want will determine the woodworking lathe cutting tool

you need. A Gouge is a round nose hollow chisel used for roughing up cuts, although you can perform scraping, shearing and cutting with it so it is very versatile. This is the tool that you should begin to learn with, as it is the only one able to initially round the wood. A Skew Chisel is used for smoothing and cutting shoulders and is a flat double ground chisel with its end being ground at an angle. A Spear Chisel is flat ground to a point, a Round Nose Chisel is flat with a rounded point and is used pretty much exclusively to hollow, and a Parting Chisel, used for cutting-off and determining the depth of a cut, is a double ground chisel. Calipers are also essential for measuring and shaping wood as there is no other way to measure the diameter with absolute precision.

Woodworking lathe tools need to be kept sharp, both to maintain good workmanship and as a safety measure. A blunt woodworking lathe tool is like a blunt knife - it will not cut well and you could end up cutting yourself as you put unnecessary force on it. Those who have been using a lathe for a long time and are highly experienced might manually sharpen their woodworking lathe tools but unless you are absolutely sure you know what you are doing, it is wise to invest in a grinder. You can either use a common bench grinder or a slow-speed grinder.

The method you choose is down to personal preference but the advantage of the slow-speed grinder is that it doesn't heat up the woodworking lathe tools and allows you more control. A round-edged chisel will need to be rolled on the stone and flat-edged tools will be placed flat up against it. Once you have sharpened your tool, just smooth it with some sandpaper to get rid of any burs.

Woodworking lathe tools can be easily found on the internet, on one of the many sites dedicated to woodworking, or you could even consider making your own, which certain sites can also teach you to do. There are only a few woodworking lathe tools that are absolutely essential but those who are passionate about woodturning will undoubtedly find that as they think up more and more creative projects, they need to find the tools to do the job.

Turncrafter Plus - PSI Wood Lathe Review

For the last few years I have been thinking about buying a wood lathe. I've always been very interested in wood turning, and thought it would make a great hobby, but I'd never really gotten started.

A friend of mine, Chuck, is a very experienced and skilled wood turner, and every so often I get a chance to experiment with his lathe, and I always enjoy the experience. He's always happy to let me use it and willing to teach me anything I want to know, but I feel bad for imposing on him.

I never really got serious and did my research on wood lathes since I always felt that it was too expensive a hobby, and I couldn't really afford it. I knew that Chuck's lathe, a large model from General, cost him several thousand dollars and just figured that was the normal price range. This kept me away from wood turning for several years!

Recently I started looking at Wood Lathe prices, only to discover there's a large market for much smaller less expensive lathes. After looking at several reviews online and finding most of them positive, I decided to invest in A Turncrafter Plus from PSI.

This lathe was marketed as an inexpensive beginner lathe, and that's what really stood out for me. It cost a little over 150$, so I wasn't expecting too much. I was thrilled with the purchase anyway, since I would finally be able to get into wood turning, and if it didn't work out then it wasn't as if I had made a big investment.

When it arrived I was pleasantly surprised. The Turncrafter came nicely packaged and looked great out of the box. It was very small, only about two feet long and half a foot deep, but that was perfect since I don't have a lot of room in my shop. I was impressed with how heavy and solid it seamed, since I was worried that for the money I would get something flimsy or easy to break.

I attached a small piece of wood using the included live center and turned it on. It runs very quietly and smoothly, whether you have it on the slowest or fastest speed. I bought a set of lathe tools with it, and they cut into my spindle as smooth as butter!

I've turned a handful of pens and a candle holder on it so far, and I haven't had a single problem. It holds the spindle very well, and spins without slipping or choking. I couldn't be happier with this lathe. There are some limitations, mostly because of the small side, so maybe at some point I will want to upgrade to a bigger lathe, but for now it's perfect.

If you're looking to get into wood turning I highly recommend the PSI Turncrafter as an inexpensive alternative.

What You Need to Know About CNC Metal Lathe?

Metal lathe is one of the processes taking place in the actual metal process. When metal is cut and treated, metal lathe is one of these cutting processes. CNC Metal lathe device is a general term for a machine utilized to eliminate material for a work piece, though the use of a cutting tool. They are specifically designed for metals.

There are a lot of lathe variations in terms of processing the metals. In the metalworking field, several lathe techniques are being used to ascertain the quality and cut of the metal that is under processed. At the same time, there is a lot of CNC Lathe used for metal lathes. Let us discuss one by one the most commonly used Metal Lathe machines that are being used in treating any types of metals.

First on the list is the centering lathe machine. It is a double head machine which focuses the work at the center of the work piece. He heads are fixed and moved forward creating a drill hole in the middle of the work piece in both ends of it. The result form of the work piece can now be utilized in the center with the aid of another operation. Center lathe can also be referred to as an engine lathe and more metals are subject to this type of lathe. This type of machine is the most widely used machine for metal lathe and it is preferred by most of the general hobbyist or machinist.

Another type of machine for lathe purposes is the capstan lathe machine. The machine is categorized to be a manufacturing machine. It is a specialized machine which incorporates the functions of a typical lathe machine plus the revolutionary tailstock in a capstan style. It is commonly used for woodworking and other wood industries alike.

Another type of machine used for lathe is the turret lathe. It is also considered a manufacturing machine, and is very similar with the capstan machine appearance. Unlike the capstan machine which is stationary, turret machines are more versatile and mobile since it contains the turret slides that glide straight to the bed, instead of being fixed in one place.

There is another type of lathe machine called the combination CNC lathe wherein it introduces milling and drilling operations into the plain work piece of the lathe. These types of machines normally have an x and a y axis using the carriage for x and a top slide for y.

Old and Typical lathe machines are being replaced rapidly by CNC lathes machines. CNC lathe uses state of the art tooling for better precision and accuracy. These CNSC machines are highly specialized, but they are set for a simpler way of setting lathes and operation. The processes are modern and advanced. Most machinists and hobbyist prefer the CNC lathe machines since they are more versatile, efficient, and simple compared with typical lathe machines. At the same time, they are sure that the operation is not taken into sacrifice while making the work simpler than it gets.

Making Woodworking Items You Can Sell

It doesn't matter what woodworking projects you like to make, if you want to sell your items, there's a market for it. The big catch....selling for a profit! Before you make a hundred bird houses that your wife says are cute, make sure there's a market. (Your wife may have told you that to keep you out of her way.)

There's a lot of competition out there for small, cute items. But, not to discourage, there's a place and a market for everything. Some things are naturally more profitable to make than others. If your intention is to sell something that you can make, and get more money out of it than you have in it, then you have to choose your projects carefully.

Where to get ideas? By showing off items that you already make! Many times someone has seen an item that I made and then returned with a pencil drawing of an item they wanted. If this person wants this made, how many more people can use it?

Photograph everything you make and put it in a photo album. You can even make your own catalog with the computer and printers that most people have access to today. Show your catalog off every chance you get. This is a very good way to get new projects.

While building all of these projects, keep track of the costs. Make a form that breaks down all your costs of making the item. It makes it easier to price an item for a potential customer. It also makes it harder to sell an item below what it costs to make. Don't forget, when figuring your cost, always put your labor in and a little extra for your shop. This makes you much happier in your shop when you know up front there's something in it for you besides a big pat on the back. One of the fastest ways to get lots of work is to price your work below what it costs you to make it! Word gets around.

Used Wood Lathe For Sale? Is it a Bargain Or a Bust?

So you have seen an add for a used wood lathe and you are on your way to see it. Will you find a bargain or a bust? What should you look for before parting with your hard earned cash?

Wood lathes are very basic woodworking machines. They have a set of ways on which the rest of the lathe is built. These are usually reinforced angle iron set exactly parallel to one another. Make sure they are:

1. Flat. Use a straight edge to ensure that the surfaces are flat and sight along them with winding sticks to make sure they are coplanar.

2. Clean. A little rust is OK and minor amounts of finish on them is to be expected. These are easily cleaned with a little fine wet and dry sandpaper and is general maintenance. However, a bit of heavy paint can cover a hard to fix ding or a place where rust was able to cause serious corrosion.

Most wood lathes have the tail stock on the right and the headstock on the left. The tail stock holds the tail center for spindle turning and may be used to hold other items such as a Jacob's chuck from time to time. Make sure:

1. It moves easily along the ways and locks down securely when fastened. This will happen with a bolt that connects to a plate below the ways and may be secured with a handle or a wrench. Once fastened down you should not be able to grab it and move it.

2. It does not wobble in the ways. They are parallel and the tail stock needs to be kept parallel within them. A few tail stocks have adjustments to correct them but not all.

3. The Morse taper is clean and in good shape.

4. It lines up with the headstock. Put a center in both and make sure the points are in the same plane vertically and horizontally. If not and there is no adjustments available, walk away. This is no bargain.

The tool rest and banjo between the tail stock and head stock need to move easily along the ways and be sturdy. They are easily maintained and corrected for minor dings and hits.

The headstock is the heart of the lathe. It is also the part that can be fixed most thoroughly. Belts and bearings are usually inexpensive and reasonable to replace. Make sure:

1. The motor works well.

2. It is secure to the ways.

3. If it rotates it has to lock down well.

4. The Morse taper is clean and in good shape.

5. It lines up with the tail stock. If it does not, walk away.

There are a lot of good bargains in used lathes and more come up as wood turners upgrade to larger tools. Looking for a few minor things can allow for the bargains to keep from being busts.

Woodturning Techniques

Woodturning is a way to make wooden projects using a lathe. The wood is generally turned by a motorized lathe while a tool us used to shave, gouge, and shape it into different objects. Woodturning is commonly used to make bowls, furniture, bats, instruments, wooden toys, game pieces, spindles, chair or table legs, and plates. Of course, as with any woodworking hobby, woodturning can be used in a lot of different ways. The project is only limited by the imagination and skill of the woodturner.

Projects usually start with a blank piece of wood. For spindles, toys, tool handles, doll house parts, and other small projects, you may be able to start with wooden dowels. This can simplify the process for you. If you don't start with a dowel, you will need to use a woodturning tool designed to get the blank into the basic shape that you want to work with.

Most projects start with a roughing gouge to round the wood blank into a spindle. The spindle can be smoothed using the razor sharp edge of the skew chisel. However, if you are making a bowl, which is the most popular woodturning project, you will need a special bowl gouge that is designed to turn the inside and outside of the bowl. You may also need a hollowing tool to cut out the deep sections of the bowl, especially if the bowl is narrow, or you're turning something like a vase. A tool called a bowl saver is popular because it allows you to cut a smaller bowl out of a larger one, saving your wood pieces for later projects.

You can work with a blank while the wood is still wet or green to more easily get it into the basic shape that you want without having to wait for the entire block to dry out. Turning on wet wood is actually easier and creates less sawdust than dry wood. However, you may not want to turn your whole project while the wood is wet. This technique of cutting on wet wood is usually used only to get the wood into the basic desired shape so that it will dry out faster. Wet wood that is turned will distort a little as it dries and shrinks. You want to make sure that you have enough wood thickness left to work with so that you can remove the rough exterior and any distortions once the wood is dry. Drying out large pieces of green wood can result in cracks, so many woodturners prefer to rough turn their pieces while the wood is newly felled.

There are many different styles of woodturning that can help you to create artistic and functional pieces. Pool cues, wooden eggs, candle holders, and platters are some other commonly turned items. You can use dowel rods of varying thickness to get you quickly started on a lot of different projects. Research which type of wood is better for your project before you order or make your dowels. You can purchase birch dowels, maple dowels, red or white oak dowels, cherry dowels, poplar dowels, ash dowels, or walnut dowels, giving you a large selection of woods to choose from for your woodturning project. Some companies will even turn wood that you provide into custom diameter dowels so that you have complete creative control over your project.

Turning Balls on a Lathe

Lathe work is so fun and exciting! If you're looking for a new woodworking project, consider turning some balls. It's fun to do and you can thoroughly entertain your children with this project. There are lots of things that you can do with turned balls. You can create decorative accents for vases, mobiles, a marble set for the kids, use them to create stems on handmade wineglasses, cabinet and drawer knobs, a working universe model, or create a handmade wine bottle stopper; the possibilities are really endless! Just use your imagination and think of all the crafty things you can do with wooden balls.

First you need to choose the type of wood that you will use. Basically, the harder the wood, the less indention you will see from the wood turning lathe attachment. The wood is held in place by a circular mechanism, so sometimes you will get a circular indention on one or both ends of the ball. Some lathe attachments don't mark up the balls as much as others, but really it depends on the type of wood that you use.

Start off with a center mounted block of wood. Use a gouge tool to get started and skew chisel to turn your block into a smooth cylinder. Be especially careful with the skew chisel, as it is considered to be very dangerous. If this is your first time using one, go very slowly and wear protective clothing and face protection. Skew chisels can easily dig into the wood and spring from your hand. Review the proper techniques for using a skew chisel before you begin. Practice before you turn on the lathe. The skew chisel should be very sharp and produce a long thin ribbon of wood when you're doing it correctly. You may have to attempt to create your cylinder several times until you really get the hang of the skew chisel.

Use a caliper to measure the diameter of the cylinder, making sure that it is the same all the way around. Then turn the caliper ninety degrees and mark the cylinder for the width of the ball making sure that it is exactly the same as the diameter. Measure for the center of the wood section that is to become your ball. Mark it with a pencil all the way around.

Measure half-way between the outside boundary marks and your center line. Use the pencil to mark this point so that the center of the cylinder is now divided into three sections. Use a gouge tool to cut from these new lines down to the boundaries, sloping out at forty-five degrees. Continue to work your way down so that the cylinder becomes more and more like a ball trapped between two blocks. You may need to remark your center line at this point.

Cut the ball loose and use a ball drive to hold the ball steady. Mount it with the center line vertical. Work your way around smoothing as you go. You can look for shadows to spot areas that aren't perfectly round yet. Take the ball off, rotate it so that the center line is horizontal, and repeat the smoothing process. Use fine grit sandpaper, rotating the ball ninety degrees again and again until the ball is smooth.

This technique is used for making balls. You can use the cylinder technique to create cylinders, dowel rods, or dowels of custom diameter. Remember to be safe!