Mark the centres on each end mount the wood between spur center at the head stock of the wood lathe and the tail stock at the other end. Make sure the wood will clear the tool rest before turning on the lathe. There will be some discussion among wood turners as to what the appropriate speed should be, but basically the speed with which you are comfortable is a good one to use. For things this size 1200 rpm is likely good to start.

Woodturning is known for its diversity. It may be necessary for some woodturners to think not only outside the box but also outside the bowl or outside the pen to move on with new skills and even greater enjoyment for this craft of the ages.

There are all types of woodturning tools that you need to equip yourself with. You will need a roughing gouge for the initial rounding of the wood. A spindle gouge will allow you to create all sorts of details. You will need a bowl gouge, a bowl saver and a hollowing tool as well. The hollowing tool is used for the making of deeper cuts. You will have to use a skew chisel and a specific scraper to smooth the wood. The auger is used for the drilling of holes. You will have to use a parting tool to separate the wood piece from the lathe.

One such project for the beginner is a file handle. The lines are simple and can be performed with roughing gouge, spindle gouge and parting tool. Maple or ash from the firewood stash will do a great job and the only addition needed, if desired, is a ferrule cut from some scrap pipe. Besides, every woodworker can use another file handle as can almost any amount of friends who can give encouragement as they exclaim in awe over the beginning wood turner’s new skills.

Going too fast: Trying to go too fast is the most common drawback that woodturners fall into. You want things to be easy. Avoid doing this. You will not only mess up your work but you damage to something more important-yourself. Making things happen fast is the top cause of injuries.

2. Most projects can be embellished with beads, coves, grooves, deliberate burn marks and other decorations, each of which is a learning experience for the beginner.

One of the delights of a woodturning project like this is giving it away to a woodworking friend. Most commercial file handles are miserable to use and a poor fit to most hands so this is a welcome addition to any woodworker’s tool kit. Also, the gratitude is usually more than sufficient to inspire the next one and the one after that. After all, in woodturning as in most other things, practise makes perfect, or at least close.

Eye And Ear Protection

Remember that becoming skilled in woodworking takes several years to become good and produce quality projects. There is a large learning curve that comes with it. However the bottom line is that with the right tools and good resource of project plans, you should have fun with woodworking. Nothing could be more rewarding than to see and use something you created that is beautiful and functional. Get the Projects for DIY Woodworking.

First of all they are instructive to the woodturner seeking to learn or to develop techniques. It is relatively easy to choose projects that are at the top end of an individual’s woodturning skill or even a little beyond. While turning one item will begin to teach the new skill, most projects are soon over and turning several will strengthen the new knowledge.