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!

Maintaining and Operating a Metal Bench Lathe

A metal bench lathe requires careful maintenance for it to last long and work effectively. It must be maintained in the best way possible to prevent damages as well as to ensure the user's safety. The one key thing in ensuring the longevity of a metal bench lathe is to keep it clean and free from all debris or metal chips. This can be done by blowing the machine after use with compressed air, as this will help remove even the dirt that is firmly sticking to the machine. The presence of metal chips in the jaws of a Metal bench lathe can make the machine crash or eat into the material while using it. This cannot only ruin the metal bench lathe together with the raw material but can also knock off the machine from the point of concentration.

All chips should be kept away from the bed because their accumulation can stick into the spindle while working and this can cause bruises in the arms of the user as well as cause a thermal break down stemming from the failure of the coolant to reach the tool's tip. All metal chips should therefore be cleared before embarking on the job. It is also very essential to know how to operate the Metal Bench Lathe so it works perfectly. It all starts with turning on the machine. The machine should be turned off when it is not in use because it usually consumes a lot of power. Once it has been turned on, the spindle should be started at 1000 RPM. The machine should be allowed to run for 10 minutes before starting to use it. This helps distribute to all the key areas in the machine and allow for the warming up of the spindle before cutting begins. One should ensure that tool is sharp because sharpness determines how well or bad the machine will perform.

Three Tips For Using a Wood Turning Lathe

If you learn the right way to use a wood turning lathe, it will soon become one of your favorite tools. Here are three important tips for using a lathe. They're applicable to all projects and you should keep them in mind whether you're turning a big, thick table leg or a delicate candlestick.

Good Projects Start with Good Wood

Before you even think of starting a wood turning lathe project, double-check the quality of the wood you're using. Using the right kind of wood is important, but that only one consideration.

You need to check the wood carefully to be certain it's the right size. Remember, you may lose a portion of the piece's top and bottom. That means you'll want to use pieces that are slightly longer than the project requires. There's nothing more frustrating than turning a great piece and then finding that you just can't use it.

You'll also want to inspect the wood carefully for quality. If you find deep scratches or cracks in your wood, you may end up with a final piece that will fall short of your quality standards. Check your wood for appearance, as well. Some pieces may have slightly discolored areas or grain patterns that just won't look right when you're done.

Using the Right Tool for the Job

A particular project may call for the use of a wood turning lathe, but that doesn't mean that any lathe will do. This fact becomes quite clear when you witness someone "biting off more than he or she can chew" by trying to handle an oversized piece of wood in a smaller lathe.

A pen lathe is great for a number of different jobs, but it won't be up to task for bigger projects. Likewise, smaller lathes may offer more precision and control than larger ones, making them ideal for small projects. Step back and evaluate both your project and your equipment. Are they really a good match? You should be able to answer that question in the affirmative without hesitation.

Your Hands and Eyes are Worth More than a Great Table

Every single project involving a wood turning lathe is serious. That's because you're using powerful equipment that has the potential of hurting you if not used correctly. "Safety first" may seem like a worn-out cliche, but it bears repeating when it comes to lathe work.

Be certain your wood is properly placed and is snugly fitted into the lathe. Use all necessary protective gear. Never touch a moving piece of wood with your hands--it only takes a few moments for the machine to come to stop. Don't remove a piece of wood until you've flipped the power switch to "off."

You may be excited to finish your project in record time, but it doesn't make sense to trade your safety and well-being to save a few minutes. Take the time and care to keep yourself safe.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring - How to Select It For Your Needs

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is a product made of a core of hardwood, plywood, or high density fiber and a top layer of hardwood veneer that is glued on the top surface of the core. It is available in almost any hardwood species. The product has the natural characteristics of the selected wood species as opposed to a photographic layer. The "engineered" product has been designed to provide greater stability, particularly where moisture or heat pose problems for hardwood floors.

Wood floors come in two basic types:

o Solid wood flooring

o Engineered wood flooring

Solid Wood Fl is fabricated from 3/4" thick solid wood and tongue and groove sides to join the boards. Some manufacturers make a thinner version that is 5/16" thick. The main advantage of solid wood flooring is its ability to be re-sanded and refinished over many years. It is not uncommon for solid wood floors to last 50 years or more. Solid wood floors come unfinished or prefinished in almost any wood species.

The main issue to consider with solid wood floors is its susceptibility to expansion and contraction due to humidity changes in the home. To accommodate for movement, these floors are typically installed with a 5/8" to 3/4" gap around the perimeter of the floor along the wall. This gap is covered by shoe molding and baseboards.

The 3/4" thick floors should not be installed in a below grade condition, such as a basement. However, the thinner 5/16" wood floors may be used in that application. When installing a solid wood floor over new or existing concrete, be sure the manufacturer's recommendations on limits of moisture in the concrete are followed.

Solid wood flooring is available in three main types:

o Strip flooring is denoted by the thickness and width of the wood planks. Strip flooring has a set width, but the thickness can vary. Strip flooring ranges in thickness from 5/16" to ¾" wide. It is available only in widths of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/4".

o Plank flooring comes in two thicknesses, but unlike strip flooring, the widths can vary. It is available only in thicknesses of 1/2" or 3/4" and a range of widths from 3" to 8".

o Parquet flooring has a very different look from typical hardwoods. They are made up of geometrical patterns composed of individual wood patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive.

Laminate flooring is not real wood, at least not in the way that hardwood and engineered wood are. It is comprised of a thin top layer of resin-infused paper, all on top of a wood chip composite. Technically, it is wood. It is an amazing simulation of wood. The resin layer is essentially a photograph of wood. Laminate flooring is an alternative to wood flooring. It is scratch resistant and it works well in topically moist environments like bathrooms and kitchens, unlike hardwood flooring. Additionally, laminate flooring is very easy to install.

Engineered wood flooring solves a lot of the problems hardwood and laminate flooring have:

o Solid Hardwood does not tolerate moisture well.

o Solid Hardwood can have uneven quality

o Laminate Flooring does not tolerate moisture well

o Laminate Flooring is fake wood and can not be sanded.

Basics of Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered hardwood floors are constructed similar to that of basic plywood with the top surface being actual hardwood. Products come in two to ten ply construction depending on the manufacturer. Many manufacturers have increased the surface (also known as veneer or wear layer) layer that will result in some engineered floors lasting as long as the traditional ¾" solid flooring. One of the most important factors contributing to the longevity of any hardwood floor is the amount of refinishable material.

Solid 3/4" hardwoods have approximately 1/4 of an inch above the tongue and groove construction. Once it is sanded to that level, nails or staples begin to appear and should be replaced. The better and thicker engineered hardwood floors have 1/8" to 3/16" above the tongue and groove. Since the veneer is real wood, it can be sanded up to two to three times.

Engineered floors are the ideal solution for hardwood flooring on concrete. The dimensional stability of the way they are constructed. Each ply layer is pressure glued and set in the opposite direction. Engineered hardwood floors expand and contract with high humidity, as opposed to hardwood flooring. The more plies the greater stability.

Installation of most engineered hardwood floors are done by the glue down or floating floor method. It is very important to note that not all engineered products have the same type of installation specifications. Some floors may be floating, glue direct, or staple only. Maunufacturers specifications should be followed explicitly. The majority of prefinished engineered hardwoods have limits on lengths at 42 to 48 inches, opposed to most solid hardwoods at 72 to 84 inches. Typically, lower end flooring will have shorter pieces. Typically, longer lengths are preferred as they offer a more appealing look on completion.

What is a floating floor? It is a method of installing a floor rather than a specific type of flooring material. In this method, the individual planks or boards attach to each other - either by means of gluing or snapping together, but do not attach to the sub floor on which it is being installed. This is in contrast to a solid wood floor which requires nailing down to the sub floor. A jigsaw puzzle is one great comparison. With a jigsaw puzzle, pieces connect to each other, but not to the table. A floating floor is like a jigsaw puzzle. An advantage of the floating floor method of installation is it allows for the floor to move and expand in response to changes in the room's humidity.

Wood Flooring Hardness Rating

The hardness of wood flooring is measured by something called the Janka Test. A.444 inch steel ball is driven into the wood to half the ball's diameter. The test measures the force needed to embed a steel ballot half of its diameter in the piece of wood being tested, with rating measured in pounds of force per square inch. So with this rating, the higher the number the harder the wood.

Wood hardness is important since one of the key considerations in selecting the species of wood floor, you should be aware how much resistance the wood has to scratches and indentations. For example, if you have a dog with long nails then scratching the floor is a consideration and you should select a species with a higher rating such as hickory, maple, oak, or ash.

While it may seem logical to pick the hardest wood, certain factors should be considered:

o Soft wood can be hardened to some degree by the application of polyurethane finishes

o Hard wood is nearly always much more expensive than the softer and medium grade woods.

o Hard wood is more difficult to saw, drill, and nail than other woods, requiring more time and labor, therefore more money.

Hardwood Floor Appearances Can Differ

Hardwood veneers have the same surface appearances as solid hardwood flooring because they are both natural hardwoods. Different appearances result from the different ways the hardwood is sawn. The different sawing methods are:

o Flat Sawn (also referred to as plain sawn) - can be flat grain, which has a cathedral or gothic effect or vertical grain which has a radial or edge grain effect.

o Rotary Cut - method of cutting wood in which the hardwood layer is peeled off the log using large wood lathes. This peeling method shows dramatic, wilder graining.

o Off-Set Rotary Cut - method of cutting wood which gives a sliced appearance and grain pattern with the added cross grain stability of sliced, without the sliced cost. Hardwoods are more dimensionally stable across the grain, and off-set rotary cutting takes advantage of this property. The yield is lower than a regular rotary cut creating a slight price increase vs. standard rotary.

o Sliced Cut - method of cutting wood in which the hardwood layer is sawn like regular lumber. This shows finer graining.

CNC Turning Process - An Overview

CNC Turning process is a simple method of shaping a metal or wood on a lathe. It is a machine tool that spins or turns a block of material to achieve rotational symmetry in a machine shop. Turning can be done manually or using a CNC machining. The computer numerically controls CNC machine. A typical CNC machining center is designed to remove material using a rotating cutter that moves laterally to a work piece mounted onto a table or fixture.

In the CNC turning process, a piece of material is rotated on the lathe and a cutting tool is traversed along two axis of motion, transverse or longitudinal. The process is done in a machine shop. The cutting tool is used until the required depth and dimension is achieved. Turning can be on both sides, inside or outside as per the needs and specifications. The rotation occurs at the turning center that enables control of tool motion through computer programs that use numeric data. Parts that are too large to balance and cause difficulty in rotating around one center point, can be worked on a machining center featuring a U axis. The turning length is about 1000mm between centers and has a drive power and speed range up to 46kW and 4,000 revolution/minute respectively.

CNC turning process cuts the metal into various different shapes ranging from plain surface, taper ends, contour, and filter to radius profiles and threaded surfaces. These cut and turned metal pieces are used to create shafts, rods, hubs, bushes, pulleys and much more. Many industries also use it for fabricating parts and materials that have circular cross section. The process applies well to the most rigid materials that can be controlled exclusively with the software program tooling. The process does reduce the cost of production but on the other end, it limits the design flexibility.

CNC turning machines are said to deliver components at a faster production rate with optimum manufacturing accuracy. The automation of the CNC turning process allows reaching tight dimensional tolerances in every piece. Other advantages are high level of parts consistency or uniformity, achievement of optimum cycle times for all components and faster execution of larger volume. As machines have brought a revolution in the industrial world, new technologies provided by emachineshop, boost the use of metal products.

Learn to Carve Wood!

If you are interested in the time honored tradition of authentic wood carving, then perhaps you should learn to carve wood! It truly is one of the lost arts of society. Machines do most of the work now, but true wood carving by hand is an art-form and a trade that has been handed down through the generations.

Many people spend their lives perfecting this rare art-form. There are many people who will pay generously for a head board that is specially carved for their bed or furniture that has a unique and artistic feel. People who are looking to make a little extra money should learn to carve wood! Some people make an extra income by producing beautiful products for customers.

While earning money is a great side-benefit of becoming a wood sculptor, you might best be aware that most people need professional tutoring to reach a full-time level of income at any such art form! There are many teachers that can show a student how to create such a business.

Many people will build a trusted following after they begin wood carving. The truth is, people who appreciate wood carving will want to go back to their original wood carver if they have more work they would like done. If you want a new start on life, learn to carve wood! It is a wonderful pastime and something you can pursue for the rest of your life.

You can learn to carve wood a variety of ways, such as taking classes in woodcarving, or studying under a master carver. Some people are self-taught, although this kind of talent is not common. Most carvers take classes, and many join woodcarving clubs. Such clubs are located in most parts of the US.

Woodworking Instructions - Wood Conditioners

Woodworking instructions on wood conditioners is the one step of finishing your project that is least understood by people who do woodworking at home. When to use it, what is it, and what does it do? These are all frequently asked questions that I'm are going to answer for you.

When to use it? When ever you are staining wood that does not absorb stain evenly. Soft woods like pine, and hard woods like maple, and cherry are the ones that are commonly pretreated with a wood conditioner. If you are applying a clear coat no pretreatment is needed, and even grained hardwoods like ash and oak do not need it either.

What is it? Wood conditioner is simply thinned polyurethane, in the proportions of two parts thinner and one part poly. It's something that you can readily mix yourself and avoid paying a premium price when you probably have what you need lying around your garage or basement. A word of caution, this will only work for oil and lacquer based varnishes. You can not use water-based products for mixing your own, it will not work as you intend for it.

What does it do? It partially fills the pores of the wood to control the rate of absorption. The can of a popular wood conditioner states that "you should wait 2 hours before you stain," but varnish takes about 8 hours to dry depending on temp and humidity. You need to wait the 8 hours if you want to stop the stain from blotching. Something you also need to keep in mind is that when you use a wood conditioner, it will lighten how dark the stain will get because the wood will not absorb as much stain any longer, so choose your color with that in mind. It also helps to do a test board if color is critical.

There is no reason you can't have a great looking finish every time if you just follow a few simple steps and keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish.

The Woodworking Bench - Things One Must Know

There are several kinds of woodworking tools that are made use of while carving different things out from wood. Some of the most important ones are Woodworking Lathe, Woodworking router, woodworking saws and many more. Now that you are quite inquisitive about all these tools, why don't you catch a small glimpse of the information that is available for such tools?

Woodworking Lathe: Used for Knurling, woodturning, metal spinning, glass working and metal working, Woodworking Lathe is a key woodworking machine tool. It is also widely used in shaping potteries. Things like baseball bats, table legs, crankshafts, musical instruments and cue sticks are made using a woodworking lathe. The woodworking lathe is a unique woodworking tool because unlike many other woodworking processes, the wood spins while the tool remains mostly stationary. The woodworking lathe may come in a variety of styles and sizes, but most lathes are either smaller tabletop lathes, or larger freestanding lathes with their own legs that can be bolted to the floor.

Woodworking Router: Used for hollowing a piece of wood, woodworking router is more often used by stair case makers and pattern makers. Also named as Old Woman's Tooth, it has a narrow blade and wooden hand plane attached to it. Varied types and forms of routers are available today. For being able to use a woodworking router, the worker must be experienced and proficient in handling it. This is because, routing is a very fast process and it includes various risky jobs like trimming and cutting of wood. The keys to good router woodworking are skills in material prep, layout, measurement, setup and router-control. 80% of all router woodworking can be done on the router table; some guys do "it" all on the table, others are convinced that hand router woodworking is all they need. To be sure, there are times when one method is preferred over the other. Whatever the case, it makes good practical sense to have at least one router table.

Along with these tools, a worker must learn how to make the best use of their woodworking bench. Woodworking benches are a very crucial part of woodworking. In hand woodworking, such woodworking tools, woodworking benches and woodworking designs holds key importance. Hand working requires proficiency in the usage of tools and off course mastery in this very art of woodworking. Two things distinguish a woodworking bench: It has at least one vise, and it has at least one row of dog holes (either square or round) along the front edge. The presence of these two items transforms a table into a big, versatile clamp. A woodworking bench is optimized for using hand tools like planes, chisels, and saws. It offers a variety of ways to hold and support the work at hand.

For being able to crate and carve complex woodworking designs, a workers proficiency and experience is a must. For example, a naive woodworker will not be able to design a loft bed plan without any assistance from an experienced woodworker. This is because such designs require perfection and only veterans can make impeccable designs for the same. Woodworking is very often used in loft bed plan designs.

Every novice woodworker must understand the intricacies and importance of all the details that are mentioned here. These basics will certainly help you in going a long way in this field.

Carving Wood Robots

Carving Wood Robots has been a hobby of mine since the early ninties. I have enjoyed carving these little robots tremendously. You might consider investing some of you time in this art, and I can assure you that you will not regret it.

To begin with, you will have to aquire extreme patience and a desire to create or carve wood robots. I can give you my reason for this. Ever since childhood I have enjoyed collecting space figures, space robots, space everything. In fact, at one time I wanted to be an astronaut, but that didn't work out. So, here I am trying to convince others to enjoy the art of carving wood robots.

Next you will have to invest in a good carving knife which you can purchase at a good hobby store or wood carving supply house. The best advice I can give you on this is to keep the blade at inch or an inch and a half. There is a reason for this: You can work with a small blade better than a long one, and you will prevent accidents to yourself. That's right, the possibility of cutting your fingers is there and the more precautions you take, the better you will be. Don't let this worry you much, if you are careful, your accidents will be minimal.

Let me continue on the subject of the carving knife. It is my recommendation to select a tool that will feel comfortable in your hand. The knife handle should be a lot bigger than the blade. The reason for this is control when you carve your wood robot. By the way, when you finish your project, don't expect the robot to move. Just a bit of humor on my part. Let me continue, now a days a good carving knife will cost around twenty dollars or more. What are you looking for in a fine carving knife? Any good carver will tell you the same thing I recommend, it must be sharp! Yes, the knife must be made of the finest steel and must maintain a razor sharp edge. If you learn anything from this article, let it be that to begin carving wood robots you must have patience and a very sharp knife.

Cheap Woodturning

What would you rather have; a nice big shiny lathe, with new shiny tools? Or handing someone your turned object - as a gift say, and watch their jaw drop?

I strongly believe that superb woodturning can be done without all those expensive tools.

I have been woodturning for years and have produced many turned items using cheap alternatives.

Tip 1 - Source a second hand lathe.

My lathe cost me £50 several years ago. It had hardly been used and the chap I bought it from was already buying a more expensive one - can you believe it! There are many people like him around.

Second hand lathes are easy to source - eBay being the easiest. If you have seen a lathe you want in a magazine then, you have read the specifications on it.

Always contact the buyer beforehand - ideally ask if you can see it working.

Tip 2 - Make a bench for it from recycled wood.

The bench my lathe is on came from wood out of a skip. Had I bought it new it would have cost £40 easily.

Tip 3 - Make your own woodturning hand tools.

Wood turning hand tools can cost a fortune. Almost all my tools are chisels - I do not bother with skew chisels etc. as I can do just about anything I want, using an ordinary chisel and a parting tool.

Go to a boot sale and look for old rusty chisels covered in paint - ideally with a broken handle.

What you are really looking for is a "sheffield " steel ideally with a makers stamp as well (eg sorby and sons). Chances are this will be a "high carbon content" steel blade that you have bought cheap. Buying new (if you can find them) will cost a fortune.

Remove the handle - if its broken it comes off easier - and turn a new handle to fit your hand.

Sand off all the rust and debris from the blade and glue it with a 2 part epoxy to the hole you have made in your new handle. Now you have a custom made woodturning tool that would have cost a fortune to buy

If you do not have a sanding machine place some coarse wet and dry paper on a hard flat surface and rub it back and forth until clean - this is what I did before I could afford an electric sander.

Tip 4 - Keep your tools razor sharp.

A sharp edge means that the wood is cut and not torn. Torn wood is almost impossible to finish to a superb standard as all the fibres are broken in effect.

A sharp tool enables you to turn for longer and if you only cut fine, your end result will look superb and be very easy to finish. Big thick deep cuts will blunt the blade quickly. You also run the risk of " dig - in "

To sharpen tools you will need a grinder. These can be sourced easily on eBay. You must wear protective goggles, as a small hot piece of steel in your eye will mean a visit to hospital. You only have one pair of eyes so look after them.

Tip 5 - Keep your woodturning shavings.

Once your object is ready for a finish i.e. there are no sanding marks and you have used fine wire wool you can easily burnish using a handful of wood shavings.

Pick up a handful of shavings. Start the lathe. Press the shavings onto the work until you can feel it getting warm and then repeat with a new handful.

This heats up the wood so that some of its natural oil starts to come out and the friction polishes it.

On many occasions, this is all I have done for the finish - you get the natural look plus the feeling of the wood.

Productivity Soars With CNC Machines

CNC machines can be a lifesaver in an industry setting. They speed up work in those tedious jobs that seem to never end. Although they can be a bit pricey new for solo use, you can put one to work on your wood working room for around half the price if you buy used.

About CNC Machines - How Do They Work?

CNC machines, aka Computer Numerated Control machines, are mechanical drillers, in a nutshell. When they are programmed properly, the CNC equipment can produced drilled holes in record time. This technology first hit industry in the 1970s and turned manual labor on its head. Production times were reduced significantly by this milling machine.

The reason CNC machines were so revolutionary is because they could complete the work of many human drillers in record time, and the work they were produced all but eliminated human error. Many industrial industries rely upon CNC equipment every day.

CNC Machine Types

If woodcutting is your thing, a CNC lathe is the way to go. This machine can cut your wood in any width and shape you want with minimal error and incredible speed.

For a milling machine, a Bridgeport machine is the best choice. Although these machines are extremely pricey, they can also make milling significantly more productive.

CNC machines can also be used for engraving. They can engrave on nearly any surface, and with the right programming, they can engrave a huge variety of different fonts, letters, and designs.

CNC Machines on a Budget

These machines might be ultra productive, but most individuals could never make enough use out of them to justify their hefty price tag. However, if you have a small but growing business, a CNC machine could take you to the next level. Buy used, save big time, and watch your profits grow.

Refurbished CNC machines are even cheaper than ones that are merely used but have never had any problems. A refurbished machine is one that has been repaired by a professional, and the extent of the repairs will impact the price you can get on one. You don't have to fear these refurbished machines because they have had a few problems in the past. In almost every case, a refurbished machine will come with a warranty that will give you peace of mind about your investment. Shy away from those "buyer beware," no warranty type of packages. A good refurbisher won't mind backing up their own work.

Construction Cleaning Business

business of cleaning up for construction companies. There are two separate construction cleaning business's you can look into. The first of course would be the outside cleanup after the house is completely finished.

In that business you would be cleaning up all the wood, plastic, wire lathe, or the general mess that the contractors have left on the ground or in the garage. It's not an easy job to undertake, but if you get in with a few builders you should always be able to stay busy and have money coming into your pocket.

With cleaning of the outside you might want to look into purchasing a bobcat to pick up the bigger messes quicker then what you could do by hand. And also this would not be a good one person job if you have to do it by hand, get a buddy to go into business with you.

Another construction cleaning business that you could get into is the cleaning of the inside of the house. This is basically like doing maid work for individuals, except a bit bigger of a job. You will have little pieces of carpet and trim left inside the house you'll need to pick up. But in the long run you could make a good amount of money doing this. You'll most likely have to bid to get in with a builder, but consider your bid before setting a price that is way too low, or too high.

Either way you try and get into a construction cleaning business you will find that when construction is booming you will be so busy you might need to hire someone to help you. That is if you are doing the inside cleaning of the completed house. Remember if you're cleaning up the outside, you'll either need a bobcat or at least one other person with you to clean. But you can just plan the pay of the other person and not cut out on what your profit will be.

This is a great choice for someone who is trying to set up themselves as a self-employed contractor. You'll just need to go out and approach different builders, both big and small. Sometimes you may think going to a big builder isn't worth it, but you never know until you ask. The bigger builder may not be happy with their current cleaning crew, or the crew may not be able to keep up with the builder and there are extra houses you will be able to pick up.

And remember, no matter how you plan on going into the cleaning field, franchising is the best kept secret of the 21st Century!

Lathe Equipment For Spindle Turning

The lathe motor drives a spindle to which the timber to be turned is attached by means of a range of equipment/accessories. The spindle, in the headstock of the lathe, is hollow with an internal taper which accepts some driving devices; other devices can be screwed onto the spindle which is threaded on the outside. The size of the taper and thread varies between lathes so it is important that the user knows these sizes when buying the various devices for fixing the timber to the lathe.

The tailstock houses a hollow barrel which also has an internal taper, usually, but not always, the same taper as in the headstock. This barrel accepts the tail centre which supports the timber during spindle turning.

The headstock spindle and the tailstock barrel should be hollow all the way through so that devices fitted into the tapers can be tapped out with a round bar when necessary. If the headstock is not hollow then it is advisable to use a thread protector on the headstock; unscrewing this will eject any device in the taper. Tail centres can be removed by placing a flat piece of metal between the centre and the body of the tailstock and then winding back the barrel with the tailstock handwheel.

There are several types of drive centre for spindle turning. These do not grip the wood so there needs to be support from a tail centre. Two or four prong drive centres are usually supplied with a lathe. These consist of a centre point with two or four driving blades mounted on a tapered shank. The drive blades can be located in the timber by saw cut grooves or the drive centre can be driven into the timber with a wood or plastic hammer. The Stebcentre is a more advanced type of drive centre; the centre point is spring loaded and this is surrounded by a circle of fine points, the wood is driven onto the Stebcentre by turning the tailstock handwheel until the points engage. For turning light pulls there is a stepped drive which locates in the previously drilled blank. Conical drives of various sizes are also available, these usually screw onto the headstock spindle. A drive with an internal square taper, for turning lace bobbins, is also available. There is an increasing range of mandrels and accessories for pen making.

When the timber is driven by one of these devices it has to be supported by a centre in the tailstock. When a dead centre is fitted the timber rotates around the point of the centre causing friction and the generation of heat. To minimise this effect it is necessary to lubricate the point of contact with wax. A much better device is the live or rotating centre whose point is mounted in bearings which allow it to rotate with the timber thus eliminating the need for lubrication. Tail centres come in a variety of sizes some with the point incorporated in a cup centre which reduces the risk of splitting the timber.

The tailstock can also be used for housing a taper mounted chuck, such as a Jacob's chuck, for drilling the timber as it turns. A hollow tailstock also acts as the guide for a long hole boring bit which is necessary when making table or standard lamps.

The tool rest is fitted in a banjo which can be moved along the lathe bed and at right angles to it. The tool rest can move up and down in the banjo and can rotate within it; both banjo and toolrest can be (and must be) locked when in the correct position. All lathes are supplied with one, toolrest - some with two. For best control of the cutting tool the tool rest should be as close as possible to the timber. When very small items are being turned (e.g. the baby in a mother 'n babe lace bobbin - about 20mm long) the standard tool rests are too long, so there is a need for a smaller rest. An engineering friend may be able to make one, or a standard rest can be cut to size or Sorby's system may offer a solution.

The height of the lathe is important in the interests of safety and ease of use. Ideally the centre line between the head and tailstock spindles should be at the level of the turners elbow. Some lathes have a height adjustment others do not, so it may be a matter of making a platform, of suitable height for the lathe - or the turner - to stand on.

Sanding - The Woodturner's Friend and Enemy

Once a piece of wood has made it around and around the lathe, it is time to sand it before the finish goes on. Sanding is one of those things that wood turners assume someone must like to do, but not them. Still it is something that we all go through so it should be made as safe as possible.

The dust that a lathe can kick up is incredible, especially with dry, spalted wood. While turning mostly shavings are made and these are too large to be a problem for a person's lungs. Their weight quickly takes them to the floor and their size prevents them being a breathing problem anyway. Sanding dust, on the other hand, can be extremely small in size, especially as higher grits are used.

This dust may stay in the air for a long time and is easily breathed into the lungs. While allergies can certainly be a problem, for most the difficulty is the layering of the dust on the surface of the lungs causing long term breathing problems. The solutions are threefold.

First of all we start at the source, the wood. Make the need for sanding as limited as possible by getting the best surface from the tool. A final sharpening before the final cut will help as will making that cut gentle and fairly slow so as to reduce tearing of the wood.

In the lower grits especially some wood turners like to use paste wax on the wood or the paper so as to catch a lot of the dust. This needs to be avoided in the higher grits as left over wax may interfere with the final finish.

Second there is the opportunity to remove the dust from the shop before it gets to the lungs. Dust collectors are designed to extract down to incredibly tiny particles. They may be ceiling mounted or floor models. Many if not most have a noise problem but hearing protection is easy to use.

Third is the use of a sanding mask. While there are many on the market, it is best to have one with a rating of N95. This means it has an efficiency rating of 95% for particles 0.3 microns and larger and is not resistant to oil (the N). As far as woodturners are concerned, this will take care of the breathing dust problem. Clean up is another matter

Remember that you have only one set of lungs and safety is an individual concern. Turning wood is more fun the longer you can breathe.

The Hobby of Woodworking

Woodworking is the art or expertise of creating things out of wood. It is depicted in many earliest Egyptian drawings. It is now a broad designation covering a wide array of skills and techniques. And it is a craft that has evolved over centuries. Woodworking can be unsafe. Injuries are always a possibility in a woodworking center. And it can be Expensive. Good, high-featured tools are costly, but they are a long-lasting investment.

Woodworking is an admirable skill with a history that stretches back to antiquity. It is more than just building things with your hands; it becomes a means of expressing your creativity. Woodworking is a great way to introduce a child to new skills and new ways of thinking about the objects around them and how they were produced. It is an art, while it seems to come easy for carpenters to build other people's stuff, most people have a hard time building even a simple box-type cabinet. Woodworking is a great hobby that doesn't require a big set up, but it's always a good idea to take stock of your surroundings for safety and security.

The most important step in using a band saw in woodworking is the blade adjustment and tension. Another tip for using the band saw in woodworking is to use the widest blade workable for the cut you are making - this will lessen the possibility of rupture. The most important rule of woodworking is to always wear safety glasses, no matter what task you're performing in the workshop. If you like working with your hands, woodworking is a good hobby for you. One process to learn woodworking is to make the same project over and over until you are pleased with the outcome. Woodworking seems to be a lifestyle, not just a hobby. Today, woodworking is a popular hobby and an important industry.

Having the proper tools is the key whether your woodworking is for hobby or your profession. However, woodworking is a collection of skills that are refined by practice. The type of dimensioning that will be most applicable to woodworking is known as Basic Dimensioning. A good example of tolerances useful to woodworking is in dimensioning an assembly and panel door. Woodworking is involved in the creation of fine wood products.

One of the intriguing aspects of woodworking is the diversity of technique that can be applied to virtually any project. As always, the true common ground in woodworking is producing good work and doing it safely. Quiet woodworking is done with hand tools, calmly and thoughtfully at your own speed.

For some, woodworking is still a means of making a living, but for many, it is a fun and rewarding hobby. In addition, taking on projects that are too complex or trying to work with inadequate tools can also start beginners to choose that woodworking is not for them.

There are at least three forms of measuring and math understanding required: for example carbide is measured in cubic millimeters of material removed in making cutting tools; stone and concrete cutting and sanding in terms of inches per minute feed rates. Woodworking is discussed in terms of cubic yards per minute of material removed and thousands of feet per minute feed rates using saw tables lathes and other tools. Theses technical terms appear more complicated than they really are. Yet these applications are necessary to woodworking and are not simple matters.

If you are still in the contemplation phase, wondering if woodworking is something that might be of interest to you, then browse online for sites related to this interesting hobby that often becomes a way of life for those who partake in it. For many people, woodworking is a hobby, but it is a hobby that can even turn into a business. We all know that woodworking is a continual education experience, and that the best way to advance is to perform. It's a love, an art, and a skill developed over time. Start small. Keep listening to what other people who have been at it for a while have to communicate. Guidance and schooling in woodworking is crucial.

Woodworking did not become a principal hobby for me, although I enjoyed the introduction to it while in high school, but I did not have the time or money to pursue it. But I may take it up again in the future. It is a great hobby.

Beginning Woodturning - Mounting the Wood

While it is obvious that wood is spun on the wood lathe and then shaped with various hand tools, it is less obvious how to mount the wood on to the lathe in the first place. A bit of observation and common sense can turn this into an easy and safe operation.

Wood is mounted to the lathe in either spindle or faceplate orientation. Spindle turning means the grain of the wood will run parallel to the ground while faceplate implies the grain runs perpendicular to the ground. While there can be variations on this theme, the beginner is advised to follow the scheme until sufficient practise is obtained to change it with safety.

Chair legs and rungs are almost always turned in spindle orientation for reasons of strength. The pieces that join the legs together are often called spindles, hence the use of the term in woodturning.

Most wood lathes come with a spur center for the headstock and a tail center for the tailstock. Each of these has a center point. Many tail centers have ball bearings and turn freely. Spur centers are surrounded by two, three or more spurs that engage the wood. Spindle stock is mounted between these centers. Be sure to place the centers into the appropriate head and tail stocks. Ensure they are seated so that the spurs engage the wood and make it turn. From time to time while turning, tighten the tailstock to keep the spurs working. They will try to bore their way into the wood somewhat like a drill bit.

Again, most wood lathes will come with a faceplate. Like spur and tail centers they are also readily available from a variety of after market suppliers. Just get one that fits the threads on your lathe. The larger the piece of wood that is to be turned, the larger the faceplate that may be required, however, it is rare for most home wood lathes to require a faceplate larger than six inches.

Faceplates are used to turn objects such as bowls, platters, vases and hollow forms. They are mounted to the wood with screws and number fourteen, self tapping, sheet metal screws are advised. These have deep threads that hold the work well and are extremely strong. Usually screws that allow the threads to go three quarter inches deep are sufficient for most turning but longer ones give more security if needed. Be sure that the wood surface to which the faceplate attaches is flat. This gives a great deal of the holding power of the faceplate.

While there are other means of mounting the wood such as dedicated chucks, glue blocks, and four jaw chucks, centers and faceplates will allow the beginning turner to mount wood to the lathe for a great many projects. The old time wood turners used just these to outfit homes and businesses with wood turned essentials and art work.

Excellent Tools To Be Used For Wood Working

Wood working is an exceptional art with the help of which we can create a lot of different things like furniture and various other accessories. These days more and more people are opening wood work companies because it is a very profitable venture. If you are looking for something totally unique then you can also consider creating your own furniture. There are various wood work schools that you can join in order to learn about the excellent techniques. You would only be successful in your venture if you use very good tools.

In this article, I would basically like to tell you about all the information about wood working tools and their use.

1. Table Saw

It is one of the most essential tool when it comes to wood working. You cannot complete your project unless and until you use this excellent accessory. If you are opening your own wood shop then you must surely purchase a table saw for it because you would need his tool for completing various projects and assignments given by the clients. You must only purchase the best quality product even if it is expensive because you have to use it for many years.

2. Band Saw

Band saw2 is another very useful and versatile tool that should surely be present in your wood shop. It can be used for various things like re cutting, cross cutting, for cutting the joints, ripping wood and for cutting the wood into circles. Many people are not totally aware of the various uses of band saw but if you know it's great functions then you would just love to purpose it. It is easily available in stores all around the world.

3. Measuring tools

Your projects can never be completed unless and until you have good measuring tools. It is used for measuring the exact size and length of the wood when you are creating wood patterns. A wood stick ruler and a measuring tape come under the category of measuring tools and they can really help you to right angles and in accurate manner.

4. Router

This important tool must be present in every wood shop as it helps you to create various different wood accessories. A router can really help you to give a professional look to any project that you are working on.

Well these are some very important tools that should surely be present in your work shop if you really want to complete your wood working projects with great efficiency.

Wood Turning Lathe Devices

Wood turning can be a fun filled experience when a right kind of tool is employed. It will be truly rewarding and an addictive experience for the wood workers. You can do wood working process at ease and even modifying any furniture present at home with these devices. The real joy in making or modifying your furniture can give a real sense of happiness. It also saves a lot of money and time for you. It can be a learning experience by which you can master the art of handling the tool.

Lathe machines have become trendy in the recent days. Be careful in selecting the right kind of device for your application. If you pick up a wrong tool, then you might end up in frustration by not getting proper output. You might have wasted huge amount of money on a wrong tool which is absolutely useless. There are tools available in various sizes. Right from pen type lathes to huge machines, they come in huge sizes suited for different types of applications. A 11 inch lathe will have the capacity to turn a wheel that has diameter of 11 inches.

The other factor to be considered in woodworking lathes is the center measurement. This number determines the maximum length of the materials required that can be mounted between the head and tailstock. Their parts might or might not include leg or table stand. This will help you to get proper elevation while working with these devices. Proper height will improve efficiency of the operators.

Getting the Most From Your Mini Metal Lathe

After thinking about your upcoming projects and interests, you have decided that your need a metal lathe. After further consideration, you are convinced that you do not need to invest in a full-sized model. A mini metal lathe looks like a perfect fit.

A mini metal lathe can be a wonderful purchase--but only if you are going to use it the right way and for the right purposes. Here are a few suggestions for getting the most from your mini metal lathe.

When "Mini" Matters

Do not purchase a small lathe simply because you want to save a few dollars. There are distinct differences in the power and capacity of full-sized and mini lathes. They are designed with different tasks in mind.

One of the quickest ways to ruin a lathe--and a project--is to try to put your smaller tool to work on a job that is better suited for a full-sized model.

Put simply, do not try to bite off more than you do and your mini metal lathe can chew. If you do, you will find marked performance deficiencies and you will put undue stress on your machine, shortening its lifespan.

There is an old saying that bears repeating. "Use the right tools for the job." In this case, it means using a mini metal lathe for smaller efforts and a larger lathe for their respective purposes. Do not try to "get by" with less than you really need.

If a mini lathe is not really up to task for your plans, purchase a larger piece of equipment. You will save time and money in the long run and you will get better results.

When "Mini" Doesn't Matter

We have discussed the difference between larger lathes and their smaller counterparts. Now, let us consider some important similarities.

Regardless of the tool's size, some things remain constant. You will be working with a powerful tool that is probably capable of 100 RPM or more. You are dealing with metal, moving parts and electricity. That is an extremely potent combination!

That means it is important for you to approach the use of your mini metal lathe with the same level of care and respect you would exhibit when using a super-sized "mangler." You do not want to cut corners in the safety department.

Wear the right equipment. Follow all manufacturer recommendations. Most importantly, take your mini metal lathe seriously. It may be smaller and less intimidating than the giant "finger eaters" you first used in shop class, but they are not much less dangerous.

If you use it the right way and for the right projects, your smaller-sized lathe may rapidly become one of your favorite tools. On the other hand, incorrect use paves a road to failure and frustration. A lack of respect for the power of the tool can result in serious injury.

You need to remember when "mini" matters and when it does not. That understanding is at the very heart of getting the most out of your mini metal lathe.

Woodworking Hand Tools Are A Must When Working In Wood

When you want to begin the art of woodworking, then woodworking hand tools are an absolute must. If you do not have the right tools at your disposal, then you will find it impossible to perform the work you love. Whenever you are shopping for the hand tools you need, you will need to find tools that are specific to your current project as well as ensure you feel comfortable using them.

There are a number of projects you will work on that use very specific woodworking hand tools. Try to consider the specific projects you want to accomplish and then ensure that you have all the tools ready. Do not begin a project apart from making sure you have the required tools. Every project will be different and may require another tool than you have, and the only way to be sure is to plan ahead.

A great resource to find your woodworking tools is to check out the hardware stores in your area. The good news is that you will be able to actually handle the tools in real life so you can decide if they are fitting for you and your needs. Sometimes a tool will have many different style and will need to be examined closely to choose which you prefer.

Another place to find your woodworking hand tools is to look at a local garage sale. The main benefit would be the price savings, since you can negotiate the cost. This is also a wonderful way to find extra tools you can use as spares. Do not be afraid to use these tools as your main tools, either. You will need to be familiar with the tools that you buy before you purchase them, however, so you know what to look for.

You can find a number of resources on the internet that are great ways to find woodworking hand tools. You can find many sites where you can win tools at auction and even find websites by locals selling their tools off. This is a wonderful way to find very rare tools that you can add to your collection, just make sure that you know what you are buying before settling on a particular purchase.

If you want to complete your wood crafts easier, then you will need to invest in woodworking hand tools. Collecting the right set of tools first will help you to finish your work in a timely manner rather than having you scramble around to get a last minute tool you need. Be prepared if you want to succeed as a woodworker, including having the right tools ready.

Points To Consider For Wood Turning Lathe Devices - Part 2

The most advanced versions of these tools are expensive. Make sure the device will accept the readily available tools and accessories. Choose the additional accessories so that it will fit the size of the machines. It is important to note down the head stock spindle thread and the tail stock taper material sizes.

If the device comes with a leg or table, make sure it is of correct height and elevation. This helps in smooth functioning of the device. Workers will be in a better position to extract the best out of these lathe tools. An important tip to remember is that the center of the spindle should lie at the height of your elbow. The height should be adjusted to the individual heights. A stand built will solve these problems for the beginners.

It is recommended to get some expert advice before you buy the device. Someone who has been working with these tools for a long period of time will be able to give valuable advice on the kind of selection of tools.

Consider the safety measures that you have to take before start working on these tools. It is even the responsibility of the manufacturer to design the tool in such a way it ensures safety under all circumstances. Do not be hurry in choosing the device.

Make a note of the warranty features and the terms included for that. The expert advice will be of maximum help under this circumstance. Make sure you buy the right kind of tool to execute your task.

Woodworking Safety Tips

Woodworking is a great hobby that can really bring out the creative side in the person working with the wood. Without proper care and attention, however, woodworking can turn disastrous. When working with wood, saws, and other potentially dangerous products, it is important to take heed of some safety tips to keep safe when using the equipment.

Use Your Head

One of the most important pieces of equipment for anyone working with wood is the brain. Use your head when working with wood and try to keep your wits about you. Many incidents happen in wood shops when people simply "tune out" for a few moments and accidents happen. By thinking through cuts and movements in the shop, you can prevent injury and turn out a beautiful product. Thinking before acting can save scrap wood and extremities.

Clean Your Shop

Keeping a clean shop is important for obvious reasons, but it also helps promote good safety techniques. Clean equipment and tidy working spaces can make moving around the shop easier and can prevent clumsy incidents involving less-than-ideal equipment. A cluttered shop can be an accident waiting to happen, so take time to eliminate the extra clutter and keep a tidy shop.

Keep Patient

Some of the most significant accidents when woodworking occur with an impatient woodworker. Many incidents happen because the cutting is done too quickly or the work is rushed. Instead, keep a clear head and take a break when you feel rushed or hurried. It is also important to take a step back for a moment when frustrated, as mistakes that can occur out of frustration can cost more significant problems than scrap wood or poor cutting.

Keep Protected

Wear safety equipment when working with wood and saws. You should not be woodworking if you do not have all of the appropriate safety equipment to meet any safety regulations. Ear protection, lung protection, steel-toed boots, and eye goggles are of vital importance when working with wood. Make sure all of your tools have their safety features in place, too, and avoid using fingers when working close to the blade.

Keeping protected also relates to wearing proper clothing and ensuring that you are working with wood with a clear mind. Woodworking under the influence of alcohol, even the slightest amount, can lead to problems because of the slowed reaction time. Also, make sure to wear proper clothing. Avoid loose fitting clothing and tie long hair back. This is especially important when woodworking with children.

Don't be Forceful

It is important to realize that sometimes the wood doesn't cut like it should. If the saw resists the cut, don't force it through. Instead, stop the saw and investigate. Anything from an improperly seated plate to a misaligned rip fence can cause problems with cutting, so be sure to properly investigate the situation before continuing. Forcing the blade can cause problems with kickback or other accidental contact with the blade.

Woodworking can be fun and exciting, but without the proper safety regulations it can be dangerous. Next time you step out into the garage to work on your daughter's dollhouse, be sure to keep safety first and ensure that you will be able to enjoy your creation for years to come.

Wood Turning - After the Basic Tools, What Then?

Wood turning is an old craft. In fact, Egyptian pictures on the sides of pyramid tombs indicate a history of at least three thousand years. Most of the basic tools such as cutting tools and the wood lathe itself have not really changed since then. At the same time the tool catalogues are full of a bewildering array of accessories, add-ons and gadgets. Here are some thoughts on what may make turning more enjoyable.

First of all there are the myriad numbers now of project parts. In days gone by, people either made some of these such as potpourri covers or had them made by other craftsmen. Now they are readily available from various suppliers. Obviously, if you wish to make a pen, you will need pen parts. Simply buy project parts from reputable dealers and you will be fine.

Less obvious are some of the accessories, including safety items. One of the first things to buy is a face shield. Most woodworkers will already own and use safety glasses but there is a fundamental difference between a wood lathe and most other shop power tools. Most of our tools have rotating or otherwise moving blades that cut through a piece of wood that is advanced to them. Wood lathes hold wood and move it toward us while we use sharp tools on it. If the wood is released for some reason it can fly out and hit a turner in the face. While this is rare, it does happen. What is more frequent as a turner advances in knowledge and begins to use more decorative wood with bark inclusions and other bits, is that shavings, bark and wood chips are thrown at the turner. A face mask is almost a requirement.

To go along with the face mask is the sanding equipment and dust mask that is needed. A simple piece of sandpaper will work for a long while, but sanding pads powered by electric drill or some other means speed up work. They also kick up a lot of dust and lungs should be protected with a dust mask. Look for one with an N95 safety rating to protect your lungs.

While chucks are a topic in themselves, many wood turners like to use four jaw chucks to hold wood on the lathe. While these are not necessary, they are very convenient for a lot of uses. Get a good one. They tend to hold large and heavy blocks of wood that should not be allowed to fly out from the lathe. Remember that these are very young in the history of the craft and may cost more that some beginner lathes.

One of the great additions to the turner's arsenal in recent years has been the use of cyanoacrylate glues, sometimes called super glues after one of the first marketed to the general public. They come in various viscosities or thicknesses. Many turners will find plenty of uses for both the thin and medium types. They are handy for holding some work, attaching pen or other project parts, filling cracks that would otherwise spoil a piece of work and the list goes on. These are available from most woodturning and woodworking suppliers.

While there are other always other things to consider purchasing in the never ending game of tool buying, once the basics are on hand, this age old craft is a great provider of all kinds of enjoyment. Even though many new tools and accessories may be bought or dreamt of, woodturning only needs the basics for good craft.

The CNC Lathe Makes Everything Easy

A lathe is a machine for shaping wood, metal, or other material by means of a rotating drive that turns the piece being worked on against changeable cutting tools. A CNC lathe, which means Computed Numerically Controlled lathe, is operated electronically - in what is a major departure from the manually-operated machine of the olden days.

How does electronic operation compare versus manual operation of the lathe? For one thing, it reduces error in the movements made by the machine. Because all the movements are electronically controlled, there is little room for error in computation. To produce a certain object, such as a baseball bat or a candlestick holder, the computer simply follows a step-by-step procedure.

When a customer wants to modify the specifications of a product, the programmer will input a new program to produce the desired effect. Everything is made much easier, compared to decades ago when tools were still operated by hand. The best-known example of this kind of lathe was the potter's wheel. Each piece was different, if only slightly, from another. Now the computer takes care of everything. Additionally, there are some lathes that have the option of reverting to manual operation temporarily, in case the programmer isn't there to write the new code.

A CNC lathe can produce items for a wide variety of applications. These include table legs, vases, glasswork, bowls, watches, billiard cues, chess pieces and musical instruments such as flutes. When purchasing a lathe for one's own business, it would be beneficial to find a supplier that has good feedback from its clients.

Wood Turning Safety - Essential for Enjoyment

The practice of wood turning involves throwing wood at one's face and stopping it with sharp tools. While this is said somewhat tongue in cheek, it is none the less true. It is to hoped that the method of securing the wood on the lathe will be sound but it also true that there is less than sound wood to contend with at times, not to mention the shavings that often come directly at the turner's face and which may be accompanied by splinters of wood and pieces of bark. Obviously some rules for safety need to followed. While most are simple common sense that does not mean that all wood turners everywhere follow them. In fact, the first and most important rule of safety is simply to use common sense. If something looks dangerous it likely is. Do not do it.

1.Know your lathe well. Read the manual and learn all the parts and what they do.

2.Protect your eyes, ears and nose. Use a full face mask for turning, hearing protectors when the noise is loud, and a good dust mask for sanding.

3.Keep dangling things away from turning wood which could catch them and pull you in. Long hair should be tied back and do not wear loose clothing, jewelry or other loose objects.

4.Use an appropriate speed for the wood on the lathe. If the lathe shakes, slow it down until balance is achieved.

5.Keep all belt guards in place and make sure that the tail stock and tool rest are tight. Check them periodically as you turn.

6.Rotate the wood by hand to ensure it clears the tool rest and lathe bed before turning on the lathe.

7.Turn off the lathe before adjusting the rest.

8.Maintain a firm but comfortable grip on the tool at all times.

9.Do not reach over turning wood. Shut the lathe off first. Make sure you have a firm stance and good footing. Clean up the shavings as they get in the way.

10. Regularly maintain the lathe to ensure it is sound and in good repair.

11. Dull tools do not cut well and may slip. Sharpen often. A good thing to remember is to sharpen to keep a tool sharp, not to regrind a dull tool.

12. Use good lighting in the work area.

13. If tired, rest. Do not use the lathe when tired or when using alcohol or drugs.

14. Beware of electric shock. Electric cords need to be in good repair and the lathe should not be used under wet condition.

15. Make sure all wrenches, chuck adjusting tools and other loose objecs are removed before turning on the lathe.

16. Never leave the lathe running unattended, even if only turning around for another tool.

Remember that the work is not over until a piece is sanded and a finish is applied. Sanding will generate an amazing amount of dust that is harmful to your lungs. A simple sanding mask should be worn and if possible a dust collector used. Many popular turning finishes are safe for human consumption but others may be toxic, including the fumes. Read all directions carefully and use appropriate safety measures such as ventilation and breathing masks. Above all, be aware that people have turned wood safely for thousands of years and a few simple precautions will continue to make it safe and enjoyable.

Woodworking With Dowel Rods

All woodworkers should be familiar with dowels. They are easy to work with and can make a lot of woodworking endeavors less complicated. They can add beauty and strength to many different types of projects. Just imagine all of the things that you can do and create. Dowels should be staples in your wood shop or garage. Learn about the different types of dowels and their uses.

1) Dowels can be used to create hanging rods, flag poles, toy parts, and many other wood crafts. They aid in joining wood together in bigger projects, like chair building and making shelves.

2) Choose the type of dowel that matches the rest of your project. Pine, birch, and cherry wood dowels are very light in color. Birch and cherry also come in darker varieties. Some darker types include maple, oak and walnut. Any hardwood dowel can be stained or painted to match your project.

3) Over time, you may see that you need a variety of diameters as you practice your trade. Some manufacturers can carve specific diameters for you. They can even use your materials to make your dowels if you have something that is hard to match.

4) Dowels are great for turning spindles or decorative poles on a lathe. They are essentially a blank for starting projects that require poles for decoration or functionality. They are great for getting in lots of practice on the lathe without investing a lot of money or time. People most often need spindles for doll house decoration, chair backs, stair railings, candlesticks, or on deck rails. You can use spindles to create decorative easement accents, table legs, drawer pull hardware, and more.

5) Dowels are commonly used in making toys or toy parts. You can use them to make axles in toy cars, jump rope handles, monkey bars, game pieces, and more. Many woodworkers like to advance their skills by taking on small projects. Creating toys is a fun and easy way to test your limits and learn new skills, without investing the type of money that it would take to say, build an armoire. Toys are generally quick and simple. You can practice your carving skills, create decorative accents, and create an heirloom quality piece that could be treasured for generations.

The more you work with wood, the more you'll start to appreciate the things that make your projects more predictable and less time consuming. A wood dowel is handy, inexpensive, and can be useful in a multitude of applications. You can choose softwood or a hardwood dowel, paint or stain, hand carve or use the lathe. Woodworking provides you with a variety of ways to accomplish a task based on your skills and personal tastes. Dowel rods can help you to keep that flexibility without starting from scratch when it's not necessary.

Choosing a Wood Lathe For Your Wood Shop

If you are a beginning woodworker, you probably are not yet ready for a wood lathe. However, if you have are at the point in your wood working where you are serious about outfitting your shop with the right tools then this tool is certainly one you should consider.

The basic operation of this tool is pretty simple; you place your work piece it the lathe and it spins around. You then use tools, such as gouges and chisels to shape the wood. Of course, there is more to the tool that this. Wood lathes vary in features such as horsepower, bed length, swing, and fixed or variable revolutions per minute (RPM). An important, but often overlooked, feature is the chuck. This is the piece that holds the wood in place as it turns. You will want to have the option of holding the wood between the jaws of the chuck or screwing the work piece directly onto the chuck. This is handy for pieced you are holding from just one end, such as a wood bowl. Your particular needs will dictate which of these features are most important for you.

As with many power tools, there are many brands to choose from. Many of these names will be familiar to you: Delta, Craftsman, Ohio Forge, Grizzly, Jet, Oliver, Glaser, Rikon, Stabilax, Powermatic, Supernova, and Tranpower. You probably have your favorite brand, but be sure to check out reviews so that you make sure you get the features you really need. A wood lathe is not a small investment, so make sure you do your homework before buying.