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Here we go again.....

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I know this thread and ones just like it are plentiful and posted here often.... but I don't know anyone who works with wood , so here it is....


I had a tall Cottonwood tree fall into an agricultural field I own recently... Having always hade a fascination with hand carved spoons, I cut up the tree in lengths suitable to carve some spoons... I have completed one and will have several finished shortly... This lead to me looking around to see a down red oak nearby… the burled part led to pique my interest in bowl turning... I have a few pieces of wooded properties that have a variety of woods. So I made the decision to try my hand and bowl turning...

I already had a chain saw and access to some wood. So I have purchased an inexpensive Harbor Freight name brand mini lathe (on sale for $199.00) as well as a small Porter Cable band saw ( I got this to cut out spoon blanks). I also purchased a variable speed 8 inch grinder in anticipation of gouge sharpening...

I think that my next purchase will be a 1/2" bowl gouge but am struggling with which one ( I have read and read and read about them but its hard to wade through the advice and recommendations when the have links to Amazon in the article ) The grind is also a big question... fingernail grind or other ???? I also think I should get some type of sharpening jig ( Vari grind ???) but that too is confusing … Do you get Just the vari grind or the whole system... Which leads to the crux of the situation … money is a bit of an issue ( isn't it always ?) as I am trying to get into turning as economically as I can … This does not mean I am not willing to pay for QUALITY just don't want to OVER pay...

After reading this, If you would be so kind as to share your opinion on what I need moving forward and perhaps share your mistakes getting started, I would greatly appreciate it...
 

hockenbery

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It’s a challenging time to get started since no one is doing classes.
My suggestion is to take a basic class and use what the instructor teaches you to use.
david Ellsworth near Asheville is a fantastic instructor. Not sure if he will resume classes this year
https://ellsworthstudios.com/school-of-wood-turning

with a small lathe you might want to start out on spindle turning before trying bowls.
You will be limited to smaller bowls on the small lathe. You can do some nice ones.
Consider starting on finger tops, weed pots, mushrooms, boxes, crab mallets, gavels. Christmas ornaments.


I recommend the Ellsworth grind- it is the best for General bowl turning and definitely the best for Natural Edge Bowls.
My suggestion would be to get a parabolic fluted bowl gouge, 1/2” English measure (5/8” diameter bar )
http://www.turnrobust.com/product/5-8-bowl-gouge/ Called a 5/8
https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/129/948/artisan-Superflute-Bowl-Gouge. Called a 1/2
https://lylejamieson.com/product/signature-jamieson-grind-bowl-gouge-wood-handled/

3/8 spindle gouge,
https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/130/3483/artisan-Spindle-Gouge

1” round nose scraper.
a faceplate or a 4 jaw chuck.

for sharpening a grinder with 8” wheels, ONEWAY woulverine attachment & Vari-grind jig
 
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hockenbery

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You might be interested in taking a look at the working with green wood thread. In the tp sand techniques
It’s based on a demo I do for clubs. A set of slides. Demo of turning a bowl from wet wood for drying,
A demo finished turning a dried warped bowl including mounting and returning the tenon.

https://www.aawforum.org/community/index.php?threads/working-with-green-wood.11626/

you can see the tools I recommended in use.
 
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Roger Wiegand

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Lots of live remote demos happening now, many of them excellent. They are great to see how things are done. Many great books, I have found those by Richard Raffin to be invaluable. Turn stuff and ask questions here. It's a ton of fun.

A 5/8" bowl gouge with an Ellsworth grind will carry you for years. High speed steel is a lot easier to deal with. Many superb suppliers out there. It's only very recently I've added a 40/40 gouge and a "bottom feeder" to the collection, the Henry Taylor superflute with an Ellsworth grind did everything I needed for several decades -- it still would, but the other tools do some things slightly better/easier and I can afford to indulge my tool addiction.
 
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Lots of live remote demos happening now, many of them excellent. They are great to see how things are done. Many great books, I have found those by Richard Raffin to be invaluable. Turn stuff and ask questions here. It's a ton of fun.

A 5/8" bowl gouge with an Ellsworth grind will carry you for years. High speed steel is a lot easier to deal with. Many superb suppliers out there. It's only very recently I've added a 40/40 gouge and a "bottom feeder" to the collection, the Henry Taylor superflute with an Ellsworth grind did everything I needed for several decades -- it still would, but the other tools do some things slightly better/easier and I can afford to indulge my tool addiction.


Thank You Roger !! I have been watching a ton of videos but nothing like doing it yourself … Going to order a bowl gouge tonight !!! and try and set up a turning station in my garage this weekend ( not since Chernobyl has man been tasked with such a clean up
 
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All good recommendations above. Eventually you will find what works for you. There is a lot of information on different grind and V vs parabolic flutes. What I found that works for me is a V flute with ground back wings. I’ve tried different angles including the 40/40, but in the end I think I’m at 45 on my gouges. Don’t be afraid to try different things.
 
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It is too late to tell you to steer away from the vortex..... I have a bunch of mostly bowl turning videos up on You Tube. I do prefer 2 bowl gouges, one a 40/40 grind and the others 60 and 70 degree noses. I prefer the specialized tools rather than the one size does it all swept back type, but that can vary depending on your budget. If you can find a local club, do so. Most will have mentors who love spending time with hands on instruction.

robo hippy
 
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Blair, I'll make these suggestions in view of your financial approach to this hobby.
First, consider buying handleless tools and a handle. I think handless tools are much easier to manage at the sharpening station, and you may save a little in the long run.
Second, consider double ended handless tools (e.g. Oneway). They give you the opportunity to try out two different grinds at the same time.
If you go this route be sure your handle can accomodate a long tool. I like the Trent Bosch.
 
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I think part of the fun of buying tools with no handles is the making of your own handles. Spindle turning 101... Perhaps trying a few other turner's handles might help you figure out which style you prefer, but if you don't like your design, you can always make another one.... Most of the handles that are available are okay, but I prefer a straight cylinder... To each, their own style...

robo hippy
 
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All good recommendations above. Eventually you will find what works for you. There is a lot of information on different grind and V vs parabolic flutes. What I found that works for me is a V flute with ground back wings. I’ve tried different angles including the 40/40, but in the end I think I’m at 45 on my gouges. Don’t be afraid to try different things.


ThNk you for your post !! Sorry for the late reply I haven’t been able to sign in since my last reply ...
 
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It is too late to tell you to steer away from the vortex..... I have a bunch of mostly bowl turning videos up on You Tube. I do prefer 2 bowl gouges, one a 40/40 grind and the others 60 and 70 degree noses. I prefer the specialized tools rather than the one size does it all swept back type, but that can vary depending on your budget. If you can find a local club, do so. Most will have mentors who love spending time with hands on instruction.

robo hippy


No, it’s not too late !! Thank you for your post !! I am sorry forcsuch a late reply but I haven’t been able to sign in for some reason ..
 
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All good advise. For future reference you might want to ask one question at a time . I think you may get more responses but be prepared because we all have some quirks in the way we do things.

By the way welcome to the forum


Thank you for the welcome !! That’s good advice I will try to remember that but I honestly have SO many questions !! I apologize for such a late reply, but As I stated in previous replies, I haven’t been able to sign in for some reason ,,
 
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Blair, I'll make these suggestions in view of your financial approach to this hobby.
First, consider buying handleless tools and a handle. I think handless tools are much easier to manage at the sharpening station, and you may save a little in the long run.
Second, consider double ended handless tools (e.g. Oneway). They give you the opportunity to try out two different grinds at the same time.
If you go this route be sure your handle can accomodate a long tool. I like the Trent Bosch.
Thank you Mark. That sounds like sound advice... I will admit there is a tremendous amount of information to process, almost to the point of being paralyzing …. Sorry for the late reply but I had problems getting on this site since the day of my original post ...
 
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You might be interested in taking a look at the working with green wood thread. In the tp sand techniques
It’s based on a demo I do for clubs. A set of slides. Demo of turning a bowl from wet wood for drying,
A demo finished turning a dried warped bowl including mounting and returning the tenon.

https://www.aawforum.org/community/index.php?threads/working-with-green-wood.11626/

you can see the tools I recommended in use.


I just got time to review the slides and watch the videos.. I had actually seen the first one on youtube during my initial investigatory phase .. let me say that you do a wonderful job explaining the things you are illustrating … You also motivate me to get my stuff together and get turning !!!!
 

Bill Boehme

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....... I apologize for such a late reply, but As I stated in previous replies, I haven’t been able to sign in for some reason ,,

It wasn't just you, nobody was able to access the forum for nine days. Here is a thread that explains what happened: We're Back in Business
 

Bill Boehme

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Blair, you can do a multiquote and respond to several people in a single post. Just click on +Quote for each of the posts that you want to reply to and then select "quote these messages" in the editor.
 
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Blair, you can do a multiquote and respond to several people in a single post. Just click on +Quote for each of the posts that you want to reply to and then select "quote these messages" in the editor.


Thank you Bill … I appreciate your help. I try to respond to everyone who is so kind to offer advice as I am appreciative of the effort they put forth to help me...
 
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