One of my friends came in one day and threw me a Craft Supply catalog to me. We were talking as I thumbed through the catalog. He asked me if I had ever made pens before and I replied “How do you make pens”. It was all over with from there. I started dreaming after reading a few articles and a couple of internet searches. Started buying pen blanks before I even had a lathe. Made a pen press as I was saving for my “Machine”. Began my daily search on Craigslist for a used lathe and some tools. After a month or so I found a Jet vs Mini & a bandsaw. A two hour drive and I was set. I stared cranking out pens and little do dads every chance I could. That was two years ago and I find myself standing at the lathe every chance I can. I am not sure why a spinning piece of wood intrigues me so much. I guess it could be the first time you apply finish and the grain just “Pops” at you showing the beauty you have unlocked. It could be the time alone with no one but you to control the shape and the outcome of the final of the project you are working on. I do like the reaction of people when you give them something you have turned and they always say, “You made this?”. Then there are the shapes, too much here and not enough there can make a man cry, I never knew a 1/16 of an inch made such a difference. I just keep trying for perfection with a smile on my face as the learning process continues.
Time for some shavings…..........
-- Robert, So Cal, My Turn or Yours.....
8 comments so far
richgreer
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4472 posts in 1272 days
#1 posted 1241 days ago
I probably spend about half of my time in the workshop doing furniture, boxes, and other conventional woodworking where the primary objective is precise joinery. I spend the other half of my time on the lathe. I enjoy them both but in different ways. On the lathe I feel more like an artist. With conventional woodworking I feel a little more like an engineer.
-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.
Chris
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1849 posts in 2189 days
#2 posted 1241 days ago
I don’t think I could say it any better than Rich… I love being able to manipulate the shape and form at the Lathe at the same time I enjoy the precision of joinery work.
-- "Everything that is great and inspiring is created by the individual who labors in freedom" -- Albert Einstein
Andrew
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709 posts in 1396 days
#3 posted 1241 days ago
My time is the same as Richs, I really love to turn, but people want me to build stuff and to justify the expense of the tools I already have. Turning, is fun, fast, and messy. The artistic and technical aspects are a big draw for me aswell.
-- Even a broken clock is right twice a day, unless, it moves at half speed like ....-As the Saw Turns
Jim Jakosh
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7687 posts in 1303 days
#4 posted 1241 days ago
I brought a mini lathe to Az thie winter and I can spend all my time turning. It is so satisfying to create a new shape and make beautiful gifts to give or sell.
-- Jim Jakosh.....Practical Wood Products...........Learn something new every day!!
scrappy
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3475 posts in 1628 days
#5 posted 1240 days ago
I have really been bitten buy the turning bug. Would rather be doing that then any other woodworking. Just can’t get enough.
Scrappy
-- Scrap Wood's the best...the projects are smaller, and so is the mess!
Eagle1
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2042 posts in 1262 days
#6 posted 1236 days ago
I just got my lathe a while back. I’m addicted to it..
-- Tim, Missouri ....Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what the heck happened
Karson
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34396 posts in 2598 days
#7 posted 1235 days ago
I find that a lathe is fun, but haven’t delved into the deeper and bigger pieces. I’m sure that I’ll get there some day.
-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
a1Jim
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89156 posts in 1775 days
#8 posted 1225 days ago
Turning can be very addictive.
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
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