Trying to make my first bowl. It's been a challenge every step of the way. Wondering if I should try another piece and just let this one go. It's kicking my ass for sure.

I'm an avid woodworker but new to turning. This is my first project. It was supposed to be a carver's mallet but I had to keep cutting down the head to remove tear-out.

Marblewood head, brass ferrule, silver maple handle. Held together with epoxy and a 1/2" steel dowel.

Sanded to 1000 grit. Finished with tung oil and beeswax.

Couple practice pieces today. Still trying to figure out the whole multi-axis concept. The live edge stuff is coming along, each one a little better than the last.

So a short story. A few years ago before I started turning I picked up three different pieces that had been roughed out. This was from an estate sale after folks had passed on. Fast forward to today. 18 months into my turning journey I felt I could do these justice. Unknown wood which was stained a blue green. I hope when I pass someone takes my unfinished projects and finishes them. I hope I do these justice. Also for the unfinished vase in the last pic it very punky. I usually turn fairly fresh wood using hss tools. I do have carbide which I use for tenons. Any advice for that one is appreciated, carbide or hss, should I paint on epoxy or some other coating. Thank you.

I am interested in getting a wood lathe as a hobby in my garage. I am considering either buying new from harbor freight and going with something like the BAUER 14 in. x 20 in. Electronic Variable-Speed Wood Midi Lathe - Item 59583 https://hftools.com/app59583.

I have seen used options in my area as well. I am considering something like the 12" CRAFTSMAN #113.249070 WOOD-TURNING LATHE. Just like this one listed on this auction website. https://smithauctions.hibid.com/lot/11217-11318-22904/12--craftsman--113-249070-wood-turning-lathe

Similar costs up front around $500. Primarily purpose would be to make bowls and other smaller items.

Im curious to know in this sub those that have recently purchased and also went through this process where you came out. Thanks for the advice! Love to see all the cool inspiration in this sub!

I asked the seller and she told me that there was only 50 made and only one in walnut. I don't even know if I would dare to use it even if I could buy it.

When I finally get them to pick up stuff, I will leave both a purchase review and an actual review of it. Really hope it was worth all this grief rather than cruising down to my local Woodcraft and buying a Powermatic. This is my secondary/wife/guest lathe. Replaces a Rikon midi which was my first lathe. My primary is the Rikon 70-3040.

First impressions from assembling: Disappointed in little fit and finishes. Examples: powder coat on top bed of lathe not a distinct line it bleeds (will have pics in full review), they provide a tool “shelf” for each side but the provided spanner doesn’t have a slot that it fits in. Instructions weren’t great. We are all mechanical people so I figured it out, but if you say there are two distinct sets of legs, provide some type of labels or indicator on the legs to tell which they are. Was easy to align headstock and once built was really ready to go. Definitely more heavyweight than my Rikon Midi.

Will do first turning tomorrow. Open to questions.

Hopefully won’t need a third!

Just fooling around with some scrap burl. Back painted green milk paint and leafed over. Shellac over gold leaf then cast in resin.

Needs a bit more polish for some scratches, but overall I think it came out pretty decent.

What does everyone use to sharpen their HSS tools? Looking for both grinding wheel sizes/brands and jigs to hold the tool to get the right angle. Thank you in advance!

Google seems to indicate that I'm good, but I'd like confirmation from someone really familiar with orthodox laws.

Some folks a couple of blocks away from me had a VERY large birch taken down. All of the branches and detritus were taken away, but the logs were left on the lawn. I left them a note asking if they would be interesting in trading a couple of the logs for a bowl made with the wood of their own tree. They called and accepted my offer.

When I picked the wood up, they were very concerned that any finish I used be both natural and kosher. My thought was to use Tung oil. It's food safe and natural... but is it Kosher? Google seems to indicate yes, but I want to be 100% absolutely certain.

Can anyone advise?

Marty, we exchanged gifts during the r/turning secret Santa exchange in 2021. I would really like to ask you about the bowl you made from cedar of Lebanon, please message me!

First one of the year and it's a blow-out. What can I turn this into, or how could I fix it? I'm open to all suggestions!

Sorry for the witness marks, the camera got all the details on this one (including the details I didnt see with my eyes). Finished with carnuba wax. Quarter for scale.

I REALLY want a lathe and this one is super cheap compared to others. Is it good for a total starter to turning? I’ll be using it almost exclusively for one-like projects. At least to start….

I did some turning when I was younger in shop class and have the itch to get back into it.

I will take any and all criticisms and recommendations. Drove all over my city to get all of them, but I think it’s not too shabby of a starting point for the price.

Cheated with only two sections on these, and came out pretty clean. Parted the first one off the block, left the mortise on the second one. Sanded to 400, burnished, Tried & True. Boba Fett for scale.

It might be a fun build.

Hi folks, I have accumulated a few bowls and plates that we use daily. I've found that somehow Sapele does the best in terms of retaining finish and not getting too fuzzy or dry. So now I'm turning a few Sapele plates and I'm wondering what's the most durable finish? I've tried heat-treated walnut oil ("Doctor's"), watco tung oil (varnish blend which DOES have SOME tung oil), osmo. So basically I've tried oil, varnish, and hardwax oil. It seems that the walnut oil holds up best, but still not nearly as durable as the finish on some old Danish teak bowls which I think maybe had a lacquer finish? Is spray on lacquer an option? Downside would be that it might be glossy?

I know a lot of people recommend tried and true - is this substantially different than watco or another varnish?

Just a few questions, I'm new to turning. I've ordered this Nova chuck set. I want to make small boxes like this, this seems like an easy method.

• Could I use 2x2 blanks like these with 2" jaws or do you have to use 3x3 blanks? I don't know if the 2" jaws will be able to close enough to hold a tenon after rounding a 2x2.

• Could I use the pin jaws to hold 2x2 blanks if the 2" jaws don't work? I can't tell if the interior of the pin jaws are meant to hold a tenon or not and I'm not sure how far they can expand. I don't want to cut mortises into the pieces I make.

I think the 2" jaws will work, this page says "Tenon Diameter: Min Cylinder 45mm (1 1/14), Max Cylinder 65mm (2 9/19). Min Square 40mm (1 9/16), Max Square 50mm (2”)." Does that mean it can hold onto tenons between 1 1/14" and 2 9/19" in diameter?

I thought I’d share a platter I was working on, that I forgot how deep the recess was. I didn’t go through it, it was just not the same thickness as the sides.

So it was an opportunity to rethink what I was making. Please share your experiences, as I’m sure it will be helpful for new turners.