Woodturning is a wonderful pastime, great fun and an ideal hobby that can, if you want, lead to a full career. It can be said that woodturners are tool junkies and proof to point there is certainly a dizzying array of tools available to the woodturner. Of course, that is not enough because woodturners enjoy the pleasure of making their own tools to conform to their particular style of turning.
Woodturning is one form of the art form known as woodworking. Essentially, woodturning involves using a lathe to create objects from some type of wood. As the lathe turns, the wood remains in the same position and slowly is shaped by the operation of the lathe. Using this basic process, it is possible to create many different objects from wood, including some designs that are intricate in detail.
The actual process of woodturning can be classified into two distinct methods. Spindle turning is a process that involves using wood where the grain runs in the same direction as the lathe bed. Items such as table legs, spindles for beds, and legs for chairs are examples of woodturning objects that are created using spindle turning.
A second approach to woodturning is known as faceplate turning. In this application, the wood grain runs vertical to the rotation of the lathe. Faceplate turning is the woodturning strategy of choice for such items as wooden platters, bowls, and charger plates.
Woodturning begins with a lathe and sharp tools (and wood!) The tools need frequent sharpening much like all woodworking tools. Although sharpening woodturning tools free hand can be difficult, working with dull tools is not only frustrating but also dangerous. Either make a sharpening jig or get a commercial one – either way it’s worth the time (or money) and saves frustration down the road.
Of course you need wood! Woodturning blanks are readily available, but there is no need for most turners to buy what they can easily find or make. Keep your eye out (and ear to the ground) for neighbors who have had trees fall or trimmed on their property – they need to get rid of the waste and you need the wood for one of your projects! Offer to go over and help clean up the downed tree in exchange for the raw wood.
Mass production of various goods still often make use of the basic woodturning strategies employed by lathes. The difference is that today these mass produced goods are manufactured on machinery that holds the wood in place and uses computer technology to quickly shape the desired object. Where an artisan may spend hours or even days on a particular project, modern machinery can do the same job in minutes or even seconds.
Whether using simple lathes or modern machinery, woodturning still supplies many of the products people use regularly. Baseball bats are common examples of woodturning efforts, along with pool cues and pepper mills. Chess pieces are also created using woodturning methods, as well as elegantly carved wooden Lazy Susans and the individual bowls that are included in each level of the device. While mass produced items made with woodturning machinery are usually less expensive, many people still prefer objects created using more traditional woodturning methods.