We outline how to turn wood on a lathe in our beginners’ guide. Anyone who works with the lathe will get to know manual precision. We explain what is important when turning — and how to do it correctly.
In the air there is the scent of freshly turned wood, on the floor a carpet of wood chips. This is how you imagine a classic woodturning workshop. Workpieces made of wood are usually processed here with various moving iron.
We wanted to try turning ourselves. Before you start, a little introduction to the lathe ABC is helpful. Because only those who understand the functions of the machine and tool exactly know how to use them exactly.
Find more guides and advice in our carpentry section
Turn wood on a lathe: The ABCs
Turning machine
The workpiece is clamped between the headstock (left) and tailstock (right). They stand on cast iron horizontal trolleys, the so-called machine bed. A hand rest holder enables quiet work.
It is advisable to install the turning device on a workbench. A simple table would do it too, but the heavier the table, the better it can be worked on.
Also important : In order to have as little imbalance in the object as possible, first determine the center point of the axis, mark it and then pre-drill with a 4 mm drill.
How to bend wood: steps using water, steam or fire
Different types of woodturning
When turning , one mainly speaks of two types of turning:
- Long wood turning: The wood is clamped between the tips, the workpiece rotates along the grain. Typical areas of application: chairs, posts, pens and figures.
- Cross-timber turning : A sawn-out piece of wood is attached to the headstock on one side. It turns across the grain. Typical areas of application: plates, bowls, cans and wooden rings. If metal is more your thing then Summit Machine Tools have a solid selection of metal lathes.
The right tool
With the woodturning tool, a distinction is made between gouges, gouges and inclined chisels:
- Hollow chisel : round shapes
- Wood chisels : smooth surfaces, convex shapes
- Inclined chisels : grooves, fine shapes
The tools quickly become blunt due to the friction on the workpiece when you turn wood on a lathe. It is therefore important to grind the cutting edge correctly, so you have to pay attention to the correct angle. A set of wood chisels costs around $100, for example new in a self-service box with four wood chisels.
TIP: Many beginning turners find that one of the first things they produce is a set of longer — and more attractive — handles for their new chisels.
The right wood
Not only the right tool, but also suitable wood is important when you turn wood on a lathe. It shouldn’t be too soft and not too hard. Oak and ash (fraxinus) are very suitable for woodturning work.
