Woods can be turned to make lots of different, practical
and beautiful objects.
Bowl turning for example, start life as a solid lump of
wood which is larger both in diameter and depth than the
finished article. Which is why bowls can be rather expensive.
It is therefore relatively difficult to make a good living
out of turning wood. Partly because of the waste as mentioned
above but also the wood is expensive and hard to acquire.
Also, the wood will arrive unseasoned and will therefore
need to be left for up to two years before turning.
If the wood is not seasoned sufficiently it will crack and
warp.
Seasoning
Fell your tree then saw it along the grain into planks. Store
the planks held apart to allow air to circulate around them.
You should store them for a couple of years in a shed.
You are able to purchase pre-seasoned, ready cut round blanks
but you will have to pay the price of not doing the work yourself.
Tools
Lathe,
Pole Lathe or
Treadle Lathe
Inside and Outside Hooking Knives
Scrapers
Chisels
Parting tools
Gouges
These tools come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and materials.
Treadle Lathe
The Treadle Lathe is foot powered the same as the Pole Lathe
but is a newer design that allows the wood being worked to
spin in the same direction for cutting even when the treadle
is released.
Popular things to turn would include, bowls, candlesticks,
spindles, vases, egg cups, dishes and works of art with no
practical use.
Turning a bowl
Cut a lump of wood to the approximate size for the finish
bowl. Glue a piece of waste wood to the base of what will
become the bowl (this is done t save cost and further wastage).
