• January Turning Challenge: Thin-Stemmed Something! (click here for details)
  • Conversations are now Direct Messages (click here for details)
  • Congratulations to John Lucas for "Lost and Found" being selected as Turning of the Week for January 13, 2025 (click here for details)
  • Welcome new registering member. Your username must be your real First and Last name (for example: John Doe). "Screen names" and "handles" are not allowed and your registration will be deleted if you don't use your real name. Also, do not use all caps nor all lower case.

Turning Tools for Christmas

Joined
Nov 26, 2008
Messages
39
Likes
0
Now that the Christmas shopping is done, I can buy something for myself. Just a thought and a question: if you could get any turning tool or accessory for Christmas what would it be? I am already getting a steady rest so a paid afternoon with a professional turner like Bill Grumbine (I just like his personality) would be nice.
 
Hit it on the head for me. IMHO, no money is better spent than time with the best turning teacher.

My vote goes to Stu Batty, who has spent years thinking through why things work better one way than another. Keith Gotschall is a close second.

But in any case, hands-on time with a top turning teacher is worth its weight in gold. No amount of videos or books can even come close.

Hope you can actually do it.


Dave
 
Now that the Christmas shopping is done, I can buy something for myself. Just a thought and a question: if you could get any turning tool or accessory for Christmas what would it be? I am already getting a steady rest so a paid afternoon with a professional turner like Bill Grumbine (I just like his personality) would be nice.

I have bought myself more than enough tools - I think a paid afternoon or day with one on one with one of the greats would be the best gift to myself

Bill would be a good choice as would so many others depending on your current skill set and what exactly you wish to learn

What part of the country are you in? That could really help guide your choice
 
Now that the Christmas shopping is done, I can buy something for myself. Just a thought and a question: if you could get any turning tool or accessory for Christmas what would it be? I am already getting a steady rest so a paid afternoon with a professional turner like Bill Grumbine (I just like his personality) would be nice.

Gary......

What steady rest did you decide on?

ooc
 
My Steady Rest Christmas Gift

Odie, I decided on the WoodenNicol version but opted for a three armed ring rather than the four. I hope to see it on the lathe Christmas Day! Of course I asked for it in Jet white too.

http://woodennicol.com/tools.html
 

Attachments

  • Steady Gift.jpg
    Steady Gift.jpg
    299 KB · Views: 49
Turning tools

I got mine from Jeff with 5 arm brackets so as to change to compensate for the laser or use all 4 arms. Great guy to deal with. Max
 
Another vote for private instruction.

I have a shop full of turning tools and gadgets that I have acquired over the past 15yrs. None have really improved my turning skills.

I spent a day in Bill Grumbine's workshop with 2 of my sons (neither of whom had ever turned) and we all had a great time. I learned more that one day than I have from any video. It has rekindled my woodturnign passion. I had Bill come up to my shop and help some local turners. They all had similar experiences to mine.

Use the money to get to a class or better yet one one one instruction.

Rick D
 
While there's nothing better than some good instruction, I'd like to add a cautionary note - be certain that your instructor is compatible with what you want to and how you turn (unless you're starting out!).

As an example, while I really like Stewart Batty, he insists on sharpening techniques that don't work well with my preferences. He's very entertaining and has great knowledge, but like many name turners, he wants you do do things his way only. There are others who will insist on you using tools with only the profile they espouse (Ellsworth is one), some that insist you use certain techniques and not others (waste blocks, jam chucks, etc., etc.).

I'm certain a good part of this has to do with an instructor having some control over the variables in the 'classroom', but since there are many, many different ways to accomplish the same thing in turning, make certain you have some level of agreement before committing lots of money.
 
A day of instruction

Both Stu and Keith are great people and teachers and you could not go wrong with either, but consider a day or 3 with jimmy clewes. Great teacher and he gets you think outside the box, besides he resides in LV and with the recession, they are practically giving away trips so you can take your SO.
 
I must wholeheartedly agree that turning instruction will get you the most value for money.

Though it's a good thing to "be compatible" with a turning instructor, sometimes their way, (usually a proven one), will get you thinking outside of your box. In any case, it will give you alternate methods of doing things, (some good, some not-so-preferable). But we all end up choosing what's right for our own style.

Learning from one of the "the greats" can't be beat! Depending on your proclivities, I'd highly recommend Cindy Drozda, Stuart Batty, Alan Batty, Mike Mahoney, and many others.

A master turner will be able to adjust the instruction to your capabilities/needs. (Within reason, of course... don't expect bowl instruction when finials are on the agenda).

(Remember to apply for local or AAW grants -- it's like getting an extra present from "Santa Claus!")
 
I agree with Katherine and others.

I have been fortunate to see the results of instruction.
Go for 3 days if you can
3 days is worth 10 times a 1 day and 1 day can be great.


There are dozens of fine teachers with great reputations. Of the ones I've seen in action
Jimmy Clewes, David Ellsworth, David Fry, Trent Bosch, Al Stirt, top the list for all skill levels.

Johannes Michelson, Christian Burchard, Cindy Drozda, Lyle Jamieson are excellent as well but I think they have more to offer to intermediate and advanced students.

It is better give than receive...
Why not run a 3-5 day workshop with one of the above for your local club. It will take some of your time but you can save the travel and lodging costs.

happy turning,
Al
 
Last edited:
Back
Top