My new lathe showed up today from Amazon. Wow only took a couple of days I expected weeks. Could not wait to start turning.
Turned a few blanks from some dowels and a pole I had out in the shed. I sharpened up a few wood chisels and went right to work.
I did notice that although the blanks shaped up nicely, the texture of the wood in not nearly as nice as I expected.
I'm hoping that is due to the use of ordinary wood chisels, and not lathe tools. I need to go get a set of lathe chisels I think. Also, the pole I turned from has been out in the shed for years and may have been a little damp.
I tried turning at the original speed the lathe came set at, and am wondering if that may have been to slow.
Anyway, am eager to get started, any advice will be appreciated.
Thanx
Dan:D

Congrats and welcome to your new addiction!

I turn everything at the highest RPM. 3200 I think. And I use regular wood chisels too. I need to get some real turning tools, it'll probably make things a lot easier. I also sand the blank while it's still spinning on the lathe to smooth it out.

Have fun!!! And make sure you have all the safety equipment.

You can actually turn small stuff with regular wood chisels, as long as they are sharp. They act as short skew chisels. Better watch those catches though as you wont have much leverage. A block plane is a great way to turn a straight cylinder. A good set of turning tools will make things alot easier.

The roughness of the wood may be caused by the type of wood, dull chisels, or if you were cutting against the grain. Also, if the wood has been in your shed for years, it could be a little punky which would cause it to tear rather that cut. Lathe speed should be based on diameter of object being turned, stage of turning (ie, roughing or finishing) type of wood, and personal preference.

Watching someone else turn wood and then doing it yourself is the best way to learn.

Cogratulations::btu: Ya gotta get the best turnin tools that you can afford.You will have to sharpen alot less and they will cut alot smoother. Like the other guys said use a 60 0r 80 sandpaper while it's spinin on the lathe and finish with a 120-180.Watching it bein done for an hour is worth days of turnin yourself.

Enjoy and have fun.:D

I bought my self a good set of tools in sears and a chuck.
Still had problems till I cranked up the rpm. At top speed it works fine, the bounce became a smooth hum and the chips fly. Still needs a good sanding but at 3200rpms that goes quickly.
I can see this is gonna be real nice. Need lots of wood, and plenty of sandpaper.
Happy New Year
Dan :D