The wood lathe is a tool that allows you to turn a piece of wooden stock into a cylindrical shape. Using a lathe can be a rewarding and enjoyable activity for a beginner.
Before beginning any work, select a good quality lathe and set up the bed properly. This is an important safety step.
Basics
A wood turning lathe is a powerful tool that allows the crafter to produce a wide range of round work pieces. These can include spindles, table legs, pens, bowls, and ornaments.
First, you must decide what type of wood you want to turn. Some types of wood are better for turning than others.
Generally, wet wood is preferred since it dries faster and does not create as much dust. Some turners prefer rough turning, which involves mounting a piece on the lathe and turning only to its general shape, leaving enough thickness so that after it dries to equilibrium moisture content, it can be turned again.
Rough turning requires a lot of practice and can be dangerous because it is difficult to control the speed of the lathe. For this reason, it is best to start with a low speed for the first few turns until you can find your footing and make adjustments.
Once your wood blank is centered, you can raise the speed to get it spinning smoothly. Be sure to check the rpm and keep it in the range you need for your project.
Safety
A wood turning lathe is an expensive piece of equipment, and it should only be used with proper safety precautions. It is important to understand the machine’s operating procedure, and to follow safety guidelines from a video, book, or an experienced instructor.
First, ensure that your workpiece is free of cracks, splits or defects. These can compromise the integrity of the wood and make it more likely to break off or come off the lathe.
Second, be sure to set the lathe’s speed properly. The speed should be lower when working with larger diameter or rough pieces, and higher for smaller diameters and pieces that are well rounded.
Also, be sure to adjust the tool rest before adjusting the stock. It should be close enough to provide control, but far enough away so that the stock does not strike it when swung by hand.
Tools
When turning a wood turning lathe, the tools you use have a significant impact on the quality of your work. There are many different kinds of turning tools, and the ones you choose will depend on what you plan to do.
Parting, planing, beading, cove, and hollowing techniques are a few of the many types of cuts a turner can make with their tools. Each technique uses a particular type of tool to cut in a specific way.
While these skills can be learned, it takes hundreds of hours of practice to become a master at woodturning. Once you’re comfortable with the basic skills and techniques, you can begin to branch out and try more advanced work.
Maintenance
A wood turning lathe requires regular maintenance procedures to keep it working properly. This not only extends its life, but it also ensures safety for the user and prevents breakdowns and other less-than-desirable outcomes.
The first step in any maintenance routine is to turn the machine off and unplug it. This prevents accidental start-ups that could damage internal parts and cause hands to get stuck in moving machinery.
Another important part of lathe maintenance is to lubricate the bed and tailstock with a small amount of penetrating oil. This prevents metal chips and dust from clinging to the bearings, causing them to corrode over time.
Check the headstock, banjo and tail stock for loose or stripped Nylock nuts. These nuts are crucial to holding these parts in place.
In addition to these nuts, the bed, tailstock, and hand crank need to be lubricated with a bit of penetrating oil. This prevents the bearings from corroding over time and helps them to spin smoothly.