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Home > The Value Of Clay As A Learning Tool
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Wood Turning Projects - Learning while Producing by Darrell Feltmate
One of the first things a wood turner in the making does is put a piece of wood on the new lathe and turn it round. After a couple of tries there is an ease to getting a round piece of wood that is only equaled by the ease of getting piles of satisfying shavings around one's feet. Then the question arises, "what next?" Most wood turners begin turning on their own without instruction except for a book or a video and perhaps a web site for inspiration. Soon they find out about wood turning projects.
Bowls are a mainstay of the turner's craft and a mainstay of life. Small bowls can be easily made from "two by" stock such a 2x6. This enables the beginner to find a piece of dry wood easily as most wood suppliers will have kiln dried hardwood stock such as oak and maple readily available. A bowl blank needs to be cut from the stock. This is simply a circle of wood and in this case it could be about 5 1/2" in diameter.
This is mounted to a small faceplate with screws and the outside of the bowl is turned, seeking a pleasing curve. Then it is fastened to a glue block, the inside is turned to a constant wall thickness and the whole piece is sanded. Finally, the bowl is reversed onto a jam chuck and the bottom is finished. To complete the bowl a wood finish is applied and let dry. From this a beginner has learned to design a pleasing curve, to turn the inside and outside of a bowl to constant thickness, the use of glue blocks and jam chucks, sanding, and finishing. Moreover, there is a satisfying little bowl to enjoy at the end of the process.
Spindles are a basic building block for many turning endeavors. Tool handles are a great beginner's wood turning project as many wood turning tools are sold handleless. While this does save a couple of dollars it is actually done because many turners like to make their own handles custom fit to their hand. A block of wood sufficient for the tool handle is anchored between centers and turned round. It is then shaped to best fit the hand of the wood turner. Most simply look at the handle of their favorite tool and copy it, making the slight adjustments that will personalize it and fit their own hand. Often a piece of copper pipe is fitted to the end of the tool for a ferule and the end must be accurately turned for a press fit. Off the lathe the handle is drilled to fit the tool shaft and it is fitted on. With this simple project a wood turner learns to turn a piece of wood to round, shape it to a pleasing curve and fit, and accurately turn to a given dimension so that the ferule fits without slipping.
Most beginner wood turning projects should be easily and cheaply repeatable. Exotic and expensive woods can left for later when experience is gained. Local hardwoods have a beauty of their own and are easier to obtain as the projects are done time and again. In this manner the necessary skills are gained with interesting work and the turner learns to build interest in design with minor changes such as an altered curve or beads and coves that change the look of the piece. Each project should teach new skills and build old ones so that every piece turned is better than the one before.
Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.
About the Author
Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods , contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? Follow the page links for a free video.
You can easily ask your questions about wood turning at his blog at
Round Opinions (http://roundopinions.blogspot.com)
as well as comment on any thing related to the web site, this article or other aspects of wood turning, art and craft.
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