Friday, August 27, 2010

Make Your Wood Turning Lathe Your Favorite Tool

If you learn the best way to make use of a wood turning lathe, it'll soon turn out to be one of your favorite tools. To really make it easy (and it truly is) there's 3 suggestions you want to make note of. They will be applicable to any projects and you should keep them in mind regardless of whether you're turning a large, thick table leg or perhaps a fragile candlestick.

You need Good Wood To Get A Good Project

Bad wood is going to wreck a venture regardless of how great you happen to be at turning wood. Double check it for quality. Making use of the right kind of wood is important, however that is only one concern.

This may appear obvious nevertheless you also must make sure the wood is the proper size. People sometimes forget that you lose some the wood at both ends. Basically, make certain the wood is a little bit longer than the project calls for. There's nothing more frustrating than turning a superb piece and then discovering that you just can't use it.

You will also want to check the wood meticulously for quality. Your finished piece might not be up to your standards if the wood has splits or deep scratches. Look at your wood for visual appeal, also. You need to ensure that the wood is not discolored in any areas and the grain is appealing. If these are undesirable, your completed project will show that.

Every Job Calls For The Right Tool

The wood turning lathe you utilize should be made for the project you've got in mind. Not every single lathe will operate for each undertaking. You will learn this right away in the event you attempt to utilize a smaller lathe to turn a sizable piece of wood.

For example that pen lathe you own may be great, but it just won't work on a sizable project. Similarly, smaller sized lathes may offer a lot more precision and control than larger ones, making them well suited for modest projects. Before you even begin carefully consider both your equipment and the task. Will the lathe work with what you have designed? You should be able to answer that question in the affirmative with no hesitation.

A Great Project Is Not As Important As Your Safety

A wood turning lathe is a serious piece of equipment. There are a lot of injuries suffered each year from folks not making use of this powerful equipment right. It is well worth repeating a worn out cliche here. Remember "safety first."

Safety indicates making sure the wood is properly put into the lathe and that it fits snugly. Use all required protective gear. When the wood remains spinning, don't touch it. You can hold out a few seconds for the device to stop. Flip the power switch to the off position before you remove the wood. And always make sure you are utilizing the proper lathe cutting tools.

It makes no sense whatsoever to risk your safety to save a couple of minutes, regardless of how excited you might be to get the project done. Take the time and care and keep yourself safe.