I did a fair bit of turning at the weekend, although nothing really important. I mainly finished off some bowls I had rough turned in the spring from newly felled timber and packed away in shavings to dry. One such bowl has some holes where branches had been, so had to be filled.
This is one of the areas I have problems. I watch guys like Stephen Ogle fill holes with dust and superglue and try to emulate their method. It never seems to work for me. Each time I spin the piece back up and try to either turn or sand the filled part – it comes flying out leaving the same hole again. It’s all very frustrating.
I know I am doing something wrong, but what that is, I have no idea.
I watched a video by another youtuber named Sam Angelo, who is in the process of buying a new lathe. Sam went into quite a bit of detail on what he needs from a lathe. I always find the views of other turners fascinating. Being a relatively new turner, and not relying on the lathe to make money for me, there is no way I could justify spending the amount required for a Vicmarc or Oneway. I have replaced my lathe twice since I began turning however. Perhaps I could have stuck with my original lathe and saved a bit longer? Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way for me. There is always a bill needing paid to take my tool money away.
Anyway, I didn’t bother taking any photos of the same old, same old. I decided that, rather than do that, I would instead write some history on my lathes. Perhaps someone just starting out will be looking for a lathe, or to “trade up” and my ramblings might just help in some way.
I also added a few words on safety, which we all must remember is our own responsibility – not someone else’s
Adventures in Turning 