Well, I started using my wood turning lathe this afternoon. It was a fairly tough undertaking and already encountered problems even before turning. The turning wood square I was using was quite small, so the thingy (I'm too lazy to search for the term) that goes on the headstock had a sharp long point and the 'teeth' thingy weren't square on the wood. I moved the tailstock closer so that it could 'dig' in, and then I heard a “crack” sound and almost ruined the turning square. I was going to stop there, 'cuz that was my only piece of “trial” wood and I ruined it, but I decided to move along and begin spinning the darn thing. I tested it first, to make sure it doesn't fly off the lathe and knock me on the noggin… It was fine.
Having no skill at turning at all, and barely knowing which chisel does what, I tried the different turning chisels I had before finally settling on this gouge thingy and this other chisel thingy that had a straight beveled edge.
A few nicks and uneven chips later, I ended up with a decent piece. I can't exactly tell you what I turned because I'm giving these as presents to a few select people, but I'm telling you, it's not too bad looking! LOL. IMHO, the nicks make it look “hand chiseled”… ^_^
After giving it a good sanding, working my way from a lower grit (which I can't remember) to a higher grit (around 320), I used the Behlen's wood polisher thingy and ran the lathe. It looks so purdy all shiny!
I haven't actually removed the piece from the lathe because 1. I'd like to remove it when the finish has dried; 2. I haven't a bag for my vaccuum so there's crap and dust all over the place. Thank goodness for respirators.
p.s.,
I'm so freakin' tired right now. I need like, a bench to sit on while turning.
p.p.s.,
Don't ask me for my NaNoWriMo word count… I'm sooooo behind! >.<
