Lathe Techniques To Give Your Woodturning Project the Right Design Touch

The same as any craft, woodturning demands a strong foundation in the basics, knowing the wood properties, tools, techniques and most especially design techniques or considerations. Improving this knowledge gives the woodturner the ability to express unique creativity in challenging ways, from the traditional to the modern style.

Spindle Turning Technique:

There are two basic tasks performed on the wood lathe, and spindle turning is the most popular. The process of spindle turning includes mounting a wood blank between the lathe's headstock and tailstock. Many different spindle types can be created, from furniture legs to pens. Several turning tools are used to shape the project. When turning small projects like wooden pens, wood turners use a small lathe size.

Decorative Spindle Technique:

Decorative spindle techniques, unlike the spindle turning technique, focus primarily on roughing, smoothing and sizing a cylindrical or tapered stock of wood. The technique includes elaborate cutting of grooves, notches, curves and unique shapes. But despite the fact this seems a complicated technique, all decorative spindle turning is based on two basic cuts of beads and coves. Beads are raised convex surfaces whereas coves are cut-in concave hollows. Though beads and coves can stand alone, usually, they are part of a combination of elements in the overall design.

Faceplate Turning Technique:

Faceplate turning technique is one of the most pleasing turning techniques, since the wood turner watches a rough block of wood change into a symmetrical, smooth, hollow timber item before his eyes. The whole process happens on the lathe. There is no assembly or fabrication of other wood pieces. The process is one fluid woodturning task. Faceplate turning provides the wood turner a good deal of design freedom.

Bowl Turning Technique:

Bowl turning is considered a little more difficult than spindle turning, but as the wood turner becomes more experienced in faceplate turning, he will improve his skills to the point that bowl turning will become second nature. The bowl gouge is the integral tool used in turning bowl. The wood turner holds the gouge's bevel on the wood blank that turns into a roughly shaped bowl. Scraping tools are also used in bowl turning.

Conclusion:

Wood turning is not only fun but when practiced it can be a very great and relaxing experience. Start with the simple design using the simple technique. As time goes by, you will learn strategies to make things easy and start practicing the next design technique. No single technique can make you an expert. You need to master these basic techniques and start making your own afterwards.

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Woodworking Tips - Workshop Safety

Woodworking is a relaxing hobby, but it can also be dangerous, what with all the sharp tools and equipment you'll be using. So before you undertake any kind of woodworking project be sure that you have a good attitude regarding safety. Here are tips to make sure you have a safe workspace.

First off are the clothes. Loose fitting clothes are a no-no when woodworking. You should always keep your clothes buttoned up and tucked-in. This is to prevent them from snagging onto things. You should always use safety goggles regardless of what size your project is. Just make sure that they fit comfortably on your face so you won't be tempted to remove them. You should also consider using face masks to protect yourself from the dust and fumes. And work gloves should always be a staple in your woodworking attire. Make sure that they are a perfect fit so that you won't be encumbered while working.

Next are your tools. Walk carefully when you're carrying your woodworking tools around, especially the sharp or pointed ones. With power tools, be sure that you check the power cord for damages before you even plug it in. And after using, you should always store your woodworking tools away properly. This is so you can easily find them the next time you need them and also help keep them in good working condition.

You should also know a few basic first aid techniques, and always have a well stocked first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher in your workshop just in case of emergencies.

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Exterior Wood Brackets

Despite the housing recession of the early 21st century, many builders have begun to bring back architectural detail to help set their homes apart. With new composites and plastics on the market this has also helped fuel the trend by offering details, which before would have only lasted 15-30 years. Despite this, exterior wood brackets are still one of the most common and economical ways to add structural detail to a home and can complement many of the older architectural styles that have been returning strong in the 21st century. Western red cedar is one of the most commonly used woods for these purposes due to its abundance, longevity, and low cost compared to other exotic woods on the market.

Western red cedar wood contains warm, natural color tones from light amber to a golden honey brown, and has the ability to easily accept and retain different types of stain finishes or paints. The finish product is usually smooth, but can also sometimes come in a rough form when leaving unfinished to give a natural look. This type of cedar is very useful as architectural wood brackets because it contains natural oils that helps repel insects and resist decay. Cedar also has a high resistance to swelling and shrinking due to moisture and with proper care and maintenance can last up to a hundred years. Western red cedar is comparable in quality and durability to both redwood and cypress and can cost half the price making it the ideal candidate for wood brackets and other exterior decorative millworks.

Not all brackets are shaped the same. Sometimes exterior brackets are small and compact and are often referred to as corbels or corbel brackets. These tend to be more decorative and less structural. Most traditional wood brackets are three-piece, with decorative accents on two of the legs and a central brace for support, but wood braces can be used alone as well in economical, small space settings to accent or support an area. Some of the usual structural applications for exterior wood brackets are for supporting overhangs, eaves, entrances, bay windows etc. The can also be used as accent pieces in porches, along columns, and in shallow gables.

Popular woods that are used in exterior millwork settings are cypress and redwood. They can be great choices for decorative millworks as well and you can check with local supply companies to see which materials are most common and economical in your area. In addition to wood products, other composites and plastic materials are beginning to be used with more frequency as well. In purely decorative scenarios where structure is not needed, the use of non structural materials such as urethanes, foam, vinyls, and cellular PVCs can be used for your architectural bracket needs. Some of these materials are lower in maintenance and can be more uniform and lightweight, but should only be used when structure is not a factor.

Cedar wood brackets can provide beautiful natural accent pieces to any home while enhancing the aesthetic curb appeal and increasing the property value of your home.

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Deck Water Garden.

This project is ideal for people who lack the space for an in-ground water garden but want to enjoy the soothing sights and sounds that it brings to the backyard experience.

Type of Information: woodworking free plans

Source : Home Hardware

You can view other related woodworking free plans plans found in our woodworking category http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/resources/index.php?cat=439

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Woodworkers Supply

If getting into woodworking is something you are interested in, going out and getting all the necessary woodworking tools is a must. This is just as true whether it is to be a professional career or just a hobby. The following is a guide to woodworkers supply.

You will definitely need some hand tools. They are the most important part of your woodworkers supply and are what you will use the most. Besides, you can not jump into power tools until you have first gotten the hang of the hand tools. The essential hand tools that you will need to get started include a hammer, a set of chisels, or at least one, maybe a one inch one, and a square for starters. As far as power tools, for cutting wood, the main ones you will want are a skill saw, chop saw, table saw, and a jig saw. For attaching it, you will need a screw gun or nail gun. Most nail guns require an air compressor and hose as well.

A good set of woodworking plans is also a must have. They can help you decide what your next project can be, and if you have something in mind, they tell you step by step how to build it. These save a ton of time, and if you're a pro, save money too. They can be found online.

Safety supplies are a necessity as well. Woodworking, while fun and rewarding, can also be very dangerous, not only for newbies, but even for people who have been at it for years and years. A good pair of gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask are good to have.

One final tip is to not be cheap on your woodworkers supply. If you are going to be spending significant time woodworking, quality is key. Cheap tools are just that - cheap. Cheap tools make a project much harder than it needs to be. Take it from me, when I first got into woodworking, I didn't want to spend a lot of money, and every project I did was a battle. When I finally started buying better tools, my jobs got way easier and the quality of my work got way better. I began to learn quicker too. Quality tools are worth every penny, and if you are a pro, they will even save you money.

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The Woodturning Lathe - Your Main Tool In Every Woodturning Project

What exactly is Woodturning?

Woodturning is an experience you can totally enjoy. It can definitely be a rewarding and an addictive experience as well. It is fulfilling in a sense that you have a finished product afterwards, or you can even do this for repairing your damaged furniture parts. The pleasure of making or repairing your own wood turned products is definitely yours to have. You did not just save a lot of money; you also gained experience and a new learning as well.

The Importance of the Woodturning Lathe:

One important thing you have to provide so that woodturning becomes possible is a woodturning lathe. Lathes have become more trendy as years passed by. Many people have discovered woodturning lathes that are more convenient and can absolutely provide high quality of finished product.

However, in trying to search for a woodturning lathe, you have to be very careful in selecting one and always choose the best lathe. Some of them might be overlooked and can give you frustration later. If the price might be too expensive for you, take it easy because you can still sell it later as a second hand.

There are Different Sizes:

Lathes, especially the ones manufactured today, come in various different sizes, from small pen lathes up to huge machines that turn bowls. They have been purposely designated in accordance to the greatest diameter of the material that is allowed to be swung over the top part of the bed. A lathe that is very much capable of turning a disk that has a diameter of eleven inches, is referred to as an 11-inch lathe.

The other dimensions that must be taken in to account are those with a center measurement. This determines the number that showcases the maximum length of the material needed, which, in turn, can be mounted in between the headstock and tailstock. Parts of a lathe may or may not include a leg or a stand. It functions as an elevator of the lathe bed to your desired working height.

Parts of the Woodturning Lathe:

Almost all types of lathes have a bed. One end of the bed is called the headstock. It contains high-precision spinning bearings. Further, headstock often contains parts to enable conversion of the motor speed into variety of spindle speeds. Another part is called the tailstock. It can be positioned at any part of the bed and therefore, it is usually referred to as the loose head. It has a barrel that slides in and out parallel to the axis of the bed, and directly in line with the headstock spindle.

In a metalworking lathe, a carriage with a saddle and apron is topped with a cross-slide. A cross-slide is a flat piece that is situated crosswise on the bed. Unlike a metalworking lathe, woodturning lathes do not have a cross-slide, but banjos. Same as cross-slide, banjos are placed crosswise on the bed. However, its position can be adjusted manually.

Types of Woodturning Lathes

Beginners Lathe (Mini Lathe): This type of lathe is actually one of the world's most famous choices for most beginners. It can be fitted in a limited space and can also be extended later if you desired to. One consideration you have to think before selecting your first wood turning lathe is the cast iron bed and cast iron headstock and tailstock. It should have a minimum of four speeds with the lowest being 500rpm or lower, and the highest being 2000rpm or higher. Lathes are better without those light sheet metal construction and those with spindle bearing at one end only.

Floor Lathe: This is a heavy duty lathe, floor mounted, bed is more rigid than any lighter models, and this is a machine for serious and advanced wood turners.

CNC Lathe: This type of lathe is usually used by industrial user rather than the beginners or for the hobbyist. Though it has the disadvantage of programming it really hard, this lathe is able to produce complicated designs.

Pen Lathe: Small specialized lathe, usually limited to maximum 2" swing, ideal for pen turning, or turning dollhouse objects, just like cups, pots, columns, plates, and vases. It can also be used for prototypes for railroad pieces (including power or sign posts) and doll or marionette limbs. Thousands of classical model building items may be turned with ease. Note that you will also need specialist accessory tools to match.

Additional Equipment:

Some of the additional pieces of equipment you have to prepare are sharpening equipment, set of tools such as skew chisel, spear chisel, round nose chisel, parting chisel and gouge, abrasives and safety equipment.

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How to Identify Quality Woodworking

Anyone who knows anything about woodworking knows that it isn't all great; that there is bad woodworking, and there is quality woodworking. While the difference between the two is pretty obvious to some people, there are plenty of people who just aren't able to tell the difference between the two. This is a real problem when they go out to get furniture and end up paying a lot of money for something that just isn't worth it. Here are some things to keep in mind the next time that you evaluate a piece of quality woodworking.

First and foremost, and perhaps most obviously, you need to make sure that the woodwork is sturdy. This holds true for both pieces of furniture, and other items like boxes. If it's a chair, make sure you sit down on it and shift your weight around. There are a few points where you want to make sure that it holds and doesn't wobble around. You want to make sure that the legs are planted firmly on the ground and that they seem to be properly attached to the seat and backing. You want to take hold of the arms and attempt to move them to make sure that they aren't going to shift as you move, and you want to make sure that the back is firmly attached and doesn't bow out where it isn't supposed to.

Now, a lot of these things that you're checking hold true for any other piece of quality woodworking that you are evaluating. Obvious a large chest isn't going to have legs to test, but the idea remains true. You want to make sure that all seams are closed and don't pry apart with pressure or shifting, and you want to make sure the whole thing is fastened properly together and doesn't have any obvious areas where the different pieces of wood are separating.

The ways that the pieces of wood are joined together are also an indication of how high quality the piece is. There are a few things that you always want to look out for when evaluating woodwork joining.

? Screws are almost always far superior to staples, as staples have a tendency to work loose pretty easily and quickly.

? In general furniture with rabbetted and butted joints are often indications that the furniture is cheaply constructed. A rabbeted joint is one in which a small groove is cut in the end of the top piece of wood to sit on the lower wood, and is usually glued or stapled together. A butted joint doesn't even cut a groove out and simply places two boards placed at right angles and glued or stapled together.

? High quality furniture tends to have screws that are sunk into the wood and that have little wooden plugs covering them to hide the screw. This is usually the case when screws are visible, but even high quality woodwork sometimes lets screws show on the underside.

? Bolts are also strong and durable, though the have to have a self-locking mechanism, and on high quality furniture they will be hidden.

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