Mastering woodturning involves learning a techniques, and using various tips and tricks to master them.

The "Universal Truths" of Woodturning

These Truths I hold as self-evident. These are the things about woodturning that I have learned to accept without question. They are above argument.  While the list may already seem long with forty (40) of these "truths", I have no doubt that many more can be added as I become more proficient in the art/craft of woodturning. I also have no doubt that there will be arguments on the merits of some of those that I have included. There is no importance in their listed order; I wrote them down as I thought of them.

FAQ Woodturning Answers

These are the “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQ’s) that I am asked by students. They are silimar to those I see being asked on Wood Central and other Internet forums by the new woodturner.  There many answers to these questions, all of them different, and all of them correct. I have listed twenty-three (23) of these FAQ’s, and I my answer to each them.  I will not listen to any arguments because I have already conceded that your answer is “right”. I only ask that you will admit the same for mine?

Conventional Woodturners

To get started, you’ll need a lathe, chuck, bowl gouge, scraper, face shield and parting tool. These are the very basic tools needed to get you going. You will need a drive center and live center but these will come with your lathe. A mini lathe is a great purchase for the new turner. It’s size is not intimidating and is safer for those with little to no turning experience. A lot of turners keep their mini lathes after upgrading at a later time. A second lathe comes in real handy down the road. The approximate cost for the set mentioned as new would be around $700.00 give or take a few dollars.

Woodturning Hints and Tips

Various Woodturning tips.

Guidelines For DIY Woodworking And A Few Ideas

DIY woodworking can be a great deal of fun, for the kids and for the entire family as a whole. What a lot of people do not realize is that most of the wooden devices and storage containers they buy are actually easy to make and are not worth their price. People always say, we pay for our ignorance, because all the products we buy are so expensive because manufacturers realize we cannot make them.  So how can you get into woodworking, even though no one in you family has ever done anything like this.   You never know, one of your children might eventually develop a passion for woodwork and earn a future living from that. However, there are a few guidelines you must follow before embarking on any project whatsoever.

The Reverse Curve

By far the most powerful shape used in woodturning is the reverse curve, or S-curve, because it is a combination of both convex and concave. This is sometimes referred to as the “vase form”, but it should be noted that it is equally effective upside down or on horizontal members such as stretchers.

Grain in Figured Wood Can Be Temperamental

Advancing your skills in woodturning isn't just about learning how to use new tools or learn new projects; it is also about learning how to deal with odd grain patterns in wood.

Drill Bit Size Chart

Ever need to know what the nearest metric (MM) size of bit is to your English (IN) one? Do you have to drill a 7 millimeter (MM) hole but don't have a metric bit and want to know what English one will be closest? Want to know what tap is needed for a particular sized hole?