Supposing one was to start turning?

[Jelly]

What would the absolute essentials be?

I'm assuming a Lathe, Face Shield/Visor and Turning Tools...

The latter is a particular sticking point, as there's a phenomenal variety therof, a roughing gouge is seemingly essential, as is a parting tool, and the remainder of the tools are probably defined by the type of turning, as I'm looking to learn mainly for spindle work, detail gouges and skews would presumably be the next most important. If i was looking to turn spindles for furniture legs and the like, what would the most useful turning tools be?

The lathe itself is also a conundrum, am I better to go for the largest machine I can practically house or am I likely to get overwhelmed whilst taking my first steps? Are there particular features I should look out for?

Moreover, are there less obvious items which are if not required are at least very useful; I suspect that for certain woods a respirator, rather than just good dust mask is just such a worthwhile addition (though it is probably better off just avoiding them entirely).

I'm asking as I'm looking at the cost of starting turning to add to my skillset and give me more options in the projects I undertake, but budget is limited, so I want to do my research before junping in feet first.

 

[KimG]

Not an easy set of questions to answer without several qualifying points, like most purchases you make in life though, with Tools in particular, you tend to get what you pay for, so always buy the best quality you can afford, as someone once wisely stated regarding buying high quality kit, you only weep once when you buy it, with cheap stuff you weep every time you use it.

There are several good makes of Lathe on the Market, Jet are possibly the better end of the affordable stuff, with Axminster following closely, I recently bought a Jet 1642 which is a very capable machine, able to do as much as any begginer could wish and more, I know you say you want to do spindle turning now, but bear in mind the value of having a machine that can do all you might later wish to do, that way you only buy once.

Tools are something you tend to acquire as an initial set (by that I mean a small variety rather than a marketed "Set" )
and then build on as you gain experience and knowledge, Keith Rowley's Book, Woodturning, a foundation course is pretty much a must have and will guide you well.

Others will also recommend other machines and approaches, you must sift the info you get and make your decision on what makes most sense to you.

 

[henton49er]

And do visit the thread above entitled : New to Turning or the Forum? Visit Here FIRST!-- 22-09-12

Lots of valuable stuff there, not least on the safety aspects of turning.

 

[jaymar]

Through health issues I am no longer turning, hence my equipment is for sale. It comprises
Axminster CCBL lathe
Axminster K10 chuck
Jacobs chuck
About 20 turning tools (pm me if you want a list)
Sorby tool rests
Nu-tool bandsaw, small but capable of cutting blanks
Plenty of wood for blanks- Oak, walnut,elm,sycamore, and other bits and pieces
Polish, sanding sealer ,some sandpaper
Kieth Rowley turning book
I'm sure I have forgotten some bits and pieces.
I want £ 250 for the lot but I am not open to negotiation unless it involves the amount of kit in the price
I also have a Planet Pen Turning Kit, 9/10 pen kits, lots of blanks, a drill stand adapted into a press to assemble the pens- £30
A Trend Airshield face mask- £50
I am in Leeds an unable to post so would need collecting

 

[CHJ]

..I'm assuming a Lathe, Face Shield/Visor and Turning Tools...

...Moreover, are there less obvious items which are if not required are at least very useful; I suspect that for certain woods a respirator, rather than just good dust mask is just such a worthwhile addition (though it is probably better off just avoiding them entirely).

..

Your best bet is to attend a local club or a nearby member and get a better feel for the subject.
Two major caveat's though:
1. Do not be blinded by all that glitters and make sure the person advising you is long term 'producer' rather than a shiny tool collector.
2. Breathing protection, this if to be effective is likely to be the single most expensive section of the kit, avoiding certain really obnoxious woods may be possible but all woods are dangerous in dust form and many common UK woods are just as likely to put you in hospital if you let the dust get in your lungs or sensitise your body.

If you can obtain an older robust machine at the right price and learn to live with any limitations it might have regarding speed control etc. then you will over a period of months be able to draw your own conclusions as to which facilities you need or would make your life easier for the type of turning you prefer. By the time you have reached this state your turning tool control will have improved to the point that any self informed upgrade will not result in the disappointment that it is still firewood that is coming out of the shed at the end of the day.

 

[Jacob]

I'd start with one of the older books such as Percy Blandford's. Life was simpler then and they were less kit obsessed. Then go a step further back and look at pole lathe turning, where you hardly need any bought kit at all!
Basically you need a lathe (any lathe) and about three chisels - gouge, skew and parting.

 

[nev]

Have a glance through this post from last week ... where-to-start-t65697.html

 

[jeffdavies]

My advice would be to join a Woodworking course at your local College.
I joined 7 weeks ago and am already turning Bowls.

Also, my knowledge of both Lathes and associated tools and what to buy or not to buy has increased tremendously.

Not being an avid reader, I have found that viewing Woodturning videos on Youtube has also helped.

Good luck with your future hobby!

 

[Tazmaniandevil]

As with most things, buy the best you can afford. Don't be enticed by the sub-£20 sets of tools. Those are enough to put you off turning for life, and IMHO border on being lethal in the wrong hands.
As for choice of lathe, I got mine free from bare faced cheek by placing a wanted ad on freecycle.
Join a club if there is one in your area. It took me over a year to find one close enough to me, but the difference of having like minded folks helping is fantastic.

 

[Jelly]

Your best bet is to attend a local club or a nearby member and get a better feel for the subject.
Two major caveat's though:
1. Do not be blinded by all that glitters and make sure the person advising you is long term 'producer' rather than a shiny tool collector.
2. Breathing protection, this if to be effective is likely to be the single most expensive section of the kit, avoiding certain really obnoxious woods may be possible but all woods are dangerous in dust form and many common UK woods are just as likely to put you in hospital if you let the dust get in your lungs or sensitise your body.

If you can obtain an older robust machine at the right price and learn to live with any limitations it might have regarding speed control etc. then you will over a period of months be able to draw your own conclusions as to which facilities you need or would make your life easier for the type of turning you prefer. By the time you have reached this state your turning tool control will have improved to the point that any self informed upgrade will not result in the disappointment that it is still firewood that is coming out of the shed at the end of the day.

One of my extended family members is a skilled turner (amongst other things) so my first port of call will probably be going to see him for a bit of an introduction.

I'd already noticed that old lathes in working order were "cheaply" available on ebay (with the very largest being amongst the cheapest, presumably due to the difficulty of moving them), so that's likely to cover the biggest item.

As for respiritory protection, I already have negative pressure respirators for use with epoxy resins when laying up composites... They're a bit dramatic looking, but are a fraction of the cost of a powered respirator system, and getting dust cartridges would be cheap enough.

I'd start with one of the older books such as Percy Blandford's. Life was simpler then and they were less kit obsessed. Then go a step further back and look at pole lathe turning, where you hardly need any bought kit at all!
Basically you need a lathe (any lathe) and about three chisels - gouge, skew and parting.

I like your simple approach, though I don't know if I could summon the energy to use a spring-pole lathe. I shall have to look out the blandford book, you can never have too many books after all!

 

[Jacob]

........ I like your simple approach, though I don't know if I could summon the energy to use a spring-pole lathe. I shall have to look out the blandford book, you can never have too many books after all!

Just there as a reminder of how simple it can be.