Welcome to the turning section

Any green as grass woodturners might be interested to know that we are about to start a feature of the woodturning novice (ME!) in Good Woodworking. Our resident genius woodturner Dave Roberts will be taking me under his wing to teach me the basics, with my thoughts on what I found easy or hard and Dave explaining why it can be so, and how to overcome problems, tool selection, you name it, he'll hopefully show me. Or punch me!

Once it's up and running, any readers with problems that they need help with can ask away and we'll try and build it into a 'how to' in the mag, with me hopefully trying to do turn the actual piece or technique that's a problem, and make my own comments and conclusions and Dave will then show and tell us all how to do it properly!

Andy

Hi Andrew, I've heard the myford is a very good lathe, unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of using one. The only drawback I can think it may have when turning larger items is the amount of shake because it doesn't have a solid base.

I've only been turning for the last three years so I'm no expert. But a couple of years ago I upgraded my Record lathe & bought a Wivamac DB801 which I can fully recomend, I think it would be worth your while checking it out. The web address is www.toolpost.co.uk/ & the before & after service is excellent.   

I have a lathe which is marketed under various names i.e. Fox, Draper. amongst others; it is the one whith the variable speed control, and the heavy cast iron bed.I recently tried to replace the "Multistar" chuck with a more convenient chuck which uses a "T" bar wrench tool.

On trying the first chuck it was not running true as was the replacement, but the machine ran true when a 150 mm faceplate was fitted. in the event both chucks were returned.

I must admit that the machine is quite old but nether the less I have turned some decent work on it.

I would welcome any suggestions.

T.A.J,

If i could only recommend one thing to you, it would be to get a copy of Keith Rowley`s "Woodturning a foundation course". I`ve only been turning for a couple of years, but it`s amazing how many people have recommended this book to me, professional & amateur turner alike.

It answers all the questions you have asked & much much more, get a copy, you wont regret it.

Baz.

Hi all,

I am looking at buying a Record Power CL1 lathe.  This will be my first lathe, do you thinks it is a wise buy.

Appreciate you opinion's.

Tom 

Hi Tom,

The CL1 is a good Lathe, and if your  going to take up turning seriously then go for it. But if youv'e never turned any thing in earnest before then I'd visit either a dealer demo day or a woodworking show where you can try before you buy. And join your local wood turning club who will be happy to help.

But the best bits of advice I can give to you ( and I was told this) is

1. Get your self enrolled on a wood turning course, there is nothing better than being taught by a pro from the start as this way you don't pick up all those nasty habits that form if you try to teach your self. And you will find out if turning is for you before you spend a lot of money!
2. However I would also purchase the late and great Keith Rowley's book and DVD called Wood turning a Foundation Course,  this in my humble opinion has got to be the wood turners bible.      

Hope this has helped a bit, hope you enjoy wood turning, best of luck.

Stevie

Andy King

I think it is a great thing for any turner to get the type of start Dave can offer, i know because he tought me the basics many years ago. but i think rather than going through the employees of your magazine why not offer it to a reader who could benefit from this type of a start.

Never the less good luck it's quite an experiance that will never leave you !

HI am thinking off upgrading my lathe and have been loking on ebay

can anybody tell me the diference between the union graduate lathe and the union jubilee.