Thinking about a new hobby.

[cyberdan]

Does anyone out there use a wood lathe? Lots of YouTube videos make it look like fun and even my wife is interested which would make it easier to spend the money on a lathe. Are there any good chat groups or Facebook pages you belong to?

Is it harder than it looks on the videos? How long does it take to learn to make good pieces? I sell other things at my local summer Farmers Market. I think it might be something to add to my table. In the summer my town is a tourist destination.

 

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[sataro]

I turn ink pens, razors, and wine stoppers on my wood lathe. I had not touched a lathe since high school days (about 30 year gap) when I bought my lathe & got started. I read what I could & watched YouTube videos. It was not that hard to get started. I don’t do Facebook so I can’t help you there. An excellent source of information can be found here though: IAP Home

It will not take that long of a learning curve to get started.

 

[hvacker]

I have a friend that bought a lathe just before he retired. A Jet lathe. He also took lessons at the place he bought it. He was making really nice products right away. The wood was from his woods in the mountains where he lived.
I think if a person was good with their hands in other areas, they could learn on their own. A good teacher can save time though.

If you don't already know how to prepare the tools, learn to sharpen. For many wood workers, sharpening a chisel or plane blade or drill bit is a mystery, BUT don't make a religion out of it.

 

[cyberdan]

I turn ink pens, razors, and wine stoppers on my wood lathe. I had not touched a lathe since high school days (about 30 year gap) when I bought my lathe & got started.

Thanks, those pics helped. On the ones that have printing did you use a laser?

 

[A2coins]

Those look really cool I would love to learn how to do that