“Woodturning is the craft of using the wood lathe with hand-held tools to cut a shape that is symmetrical around an axis of rotation. Like the potter’s wheel, the wood lathe is a simple mechanism which can generate a variety of forms limited only by the imagination of the artist or crafts person.”
At every art show we participate in, we have the pleasure of chatting with folks who are either experience woodturners or are just starting out and need some tips. A typical question is, “… I have this lathe, but I’m not sure what I’m doing with it…”
For us, woodturning is all about safety, skill and vision. We typically recommend that new turners join a woodturning club where they can be mentored by skilled turners. Woodturning clubs are located all over the U.S., so it’s not usually difficult to find one within reasonable driving distance.
A great resource is the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). They offer a wealth of information for turners at all skill levels. Here is a link for those just starting out in woodturning: https://www.woodturner.org/page/DiscoverWTHome