Four Cuts - A Wood Turning Basics Lesson

There are only a few main cuts in turning and 3 turning blank orientations. Success comes from understanding the grains interaction with an edge/wedge. And since there are only a few handful of tools this is an easy reach for new woodworkers. Grasp this and your enjoyment of the craft and quality of results will all improve.
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Further Reference Material:
Turn Your First Bowl - • Turn Your First Bowl -...
Woodturning Demystified - • Wood Turning Demystifi...
Rough'n LIfe - • Rough'n Life - Rough T...
$20 Bowl in 20 minutes - • Make a $20 Bowl in 20 ...
4 Aspects of Bowl Blanks - • 4 Aspects of Turning Q...
Make and Sell Wood Tops - • Make and Sell Wood Spi...
Free Wood - • Free Wood & How to Dry...
Chucks and Jaws - • Woodturning Chucks, Ja...
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[@p0sher]

Rock solid understanding and knowledge expertly explained. Thanks! I've worked with wood most of my life and have a wood science degree. Your explanation of cutting theory and practice reminds me of my student days reading McKenzie and Koch! Having just recently purchased a lathe I need to learn and practice a new skill and this video has helped enormously! Everyone who works with wood should see this, not just wood turners!

[@chrisnedbalek2866]

7:00 skew 7:46 skew: plane, peel, slice, scrape 8:23 planing (Spindle turning) 9:36 skew: analysis of the edge of the blade 13:34 how to actually apply the tool to the wood 14:25 more on applying the tool with the angle of the tool to the wood 16:56 review so far 17:22 peeling (the most underrated cut) 21:15 The peeling technique 22:27 the Slice (is like cross cutting) 23:45 Slicing technique 24:52 slicing is one of the best ways to get almost finish ready Edge grain 25:07 Scraping 27:12 scraping technique 28:07 scraping is the quickest way to dull your tool. It'll dull it in about eight seconds. 29:23 Review 30:33 Spindle roughing gouge 32:00 SRG technique 36:32 Spindle gouge & bowl gouge 40:17 left-hand and right-hand in the use of the spindle gouge and bowl gouge. 41:10 technique with bowl gouge 47:32 Back to planing (with a bowl gouge) 49:30 ... and with a Spindle gouge 51:50 Wood is stupid. 52:38 End grain hollowing 56:50 EGH: scraping 1:00:52 Face grain work 1:06:42 the Facing compromise most turners make

[@MelkeinMaalla]

I have a DSc Tech degree and I just love how you put a lot of analytical thinking on what you do. You build indepth understanding instead of repeating generic advice. I have actually wached this a couple of times. This video is phenomenal.

[@MelkeinMaalla]

Sidenote: I was reading articles on wood turning and the skilled makers said there are two different cuts... I was like nope, four! It is really rewarding to learn the techniques as now I am experimenting with different woods. If the wood is not dense enough for one type of cut I can switch to another technique. Also understanding what happens where the chisels touch the wood allows changing the angle and rotate the tool without too much thinking. I take a bowl gouge and turn it sideways instead of using a roughing chisel. I rotate it to scrape a U-shape, and so on. Most rewarding was that I finally became friends with the skew yesterday. It takes a bit more power than the other chisels and it is necessary to understand how to use the pressure so that you don't push in a way that makes a catch. I was able to cut very straight end-grain surfaces freehand to glue different woods together without sanding.

[@shaunhayward]

Single best woodturning video I've ever seen. This demystified so much.

[@lukekirby4954]

What Shaun Hayward said ... new to this game and without good local tutors I have been playing, testing, trying, perfecting. I guess I have quickly learnt that tool sharpening and technique are key BUT understanding the engagement of the tool to the wood and grain structure will be a game changer. Great video well shot and very understandable.

[@johnleins5593]

Very good. Novice turner's should very carefully watch, listen, and learn. This video also makes you think. Signed. Novice.

[@robertf6344]

An hour+ video for me as a newbie that I felt I learned something all the way through and enjoyed watching. No wasted words. Very well presented.

[@balintbarki4121]

I very-very-very rarely say this, but this video was one of the best I have seen about woodturning/woodworking. Thank you!

[@Arduinerd]

Your videos have been so tremendously helpful. I genuinely thank you for putting in the time to teach these things.

[@TONY-ye1gg]

The best video i have ever seen related to woodturning Your videos has been a tremendous help Thank you so much Cheers

[@ConcreteLand]

My practice. Watch this video, go practice. Watch video again, go practice more. Repeat as necessary. Thanks for all the great videos. You’re awesome.

[@kevingowdy3651]

Watching this should be compulsory for anyone buying a lathe, BEFORE they begin turning. Less catches, less accidents and much more productive fun. Thank you for another great lesson. Kevin UK

[@jonjohnson647]

With zero experience, I recently purchased a wood lathe. I have watched numerous videos from many experts. I could not for the life of me figure out just what was going on with the complicated geometry of the tools. Until I watched your video, that is. Now, it all makes sense. Thank you so much for the instructions.

[@TheCaoimhin2]

This goes down as one of the great videos on KZbin! To be a good teacher is a real gift, and you are a great teacher. One of the best on KZbin and so one of the best in the world. Thank you for your time.

[@DaemnNoctus]

ok so I love watching wood turning videos, and I have never felt I understood enough to ever attempt it. This id the first video that explains what people are actually doing with the tools. I'm going to have to watch this a couple times once I get a laithe

[@briangreenlee166]

I watched several “Lathe basics” videos before I found this one and boy I’m glad I kept searching. If he’s not a teacher he should be. This was the most comprehensive easy to understand nuanced approach to showing not only what to do but why you want to do it this way I have ever seen on any subject on KZbin. I immediately became a subscriber and look forward to all your other videos.

[@1cooldadnOK]

Agreed. Very informative.

[@SkipFixesStuffAndKnowsThings]

Shawn, apologies for the long post. I’ve been woodworking for 25+ years and have done a wide variety of projects from which I’ve learned a ton about wood grain, cutting, and movement. But I’ve finally broken down and gotten a lathe and have been spending a significant amount of time watching beginning woodturning videos. The grain dynamics, while still universal, for me, still require a brand new paradigm given the dynamics of spinning wood. This video, with the deep dive into those dynamics and the simplicity of the four different cuts and how the different shaped tools have basically identical edge interactions, has been an eye opener and will help me immensely. As I said, I am just starting out and have found myself wanting to do a particular shape and then staring at my tools wondering which one to use. This results in tossing tons of toothpicks in the trash as I experiment, with no real understanding of what is happening. I will be referencing this video frequently as I move into this world. Thanks so much for taking the time to put this together. Skip. Also shout out to @chrisnedbalek2866 for indexing the time and topics for easy reference.

[@VictorAntonioLive]

Finally, someone puts 'cutting' in plain English...thank you.

[@HomeImProveMentHow]

I agree this was very helpful video adjust started to use ale the know-nothing this is a very helpful and education how long have you been using a lathe? ByForNow Ken

[@Jrb8k3n]

Couldn't agree more.

[@jonaweber7325]

Great explanatory video!

[@allenwc]

Again! So thorough, which in the end makes it so clear. I'm learning so much from these turning lessons. Thank you so much for doing them.

[@user-qr1gp3qw2n]

Absolutely great lesson.Thank you.Hello from Russia.

[@thegreatconvergence8422]

Thanks for your videos I appreciate them, i made all my chisels myself out of leaf springs from the scrapyard and lathed all the handles, it was a rewarding experience.

[@richmillett7815]

Being showed how to do something is one thing. But being taught why is so much more important. Thank you very much. You are the best teacher.

[@AndersOlausson]

Thank you. This is easily one of the most useful videos on the internet right now!

[@eileenbreen9057]

I agree, very well done. I am a slow learner so I need to watch a few learned so I had to watch several times and enjoyed each times. Very well presented,

[@jjow1]

Great Video as a old man learner this is very helpful one of if not the best videos for beginners that I have found , as an oldie just starting a new hobby we need all the help we can get and your video is just that. Many Thanks

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@jeffreyroybal8981]

Without a doubt this video has been the best explanation of how it all works! I have watched several and none have broken things down so I get it the way you did! You rock Sir!

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@raincreek8032]

Man, I’ve just watched you for 12 hours, and I’ve learned more than in the last 2 years! Bravo!

[@pinnaclegaming6019]

Most valuable and best 1 hour and 10 mins of my learning experience. Thank you very much for this video.

[@reprosser]

Been turning for years, and this is the best description and demonstration I have seen for the 4 cuts.

[@GaryWall]

The same here. I wish that I had this information in this format when I started out. I had to learn from my own mistakes.

[@overlycranked8674]

In this one hour video I learn more than a full day workshop I paid good money for. This is a very tricky subject to explain and you have done a masterful teaching here. Thank you

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@MrDaytrack]

Love your lecture, man. Now that I understand better what is 'actually' going on at the wood itself; and more to the point; the cutting edge, my turning is better. You-da-man ... Best ... William (Hampshire UK)

[@MarcFireHart]

Thank you for this video. There are hundreds of tutorial videos out there and this is the first time I learn so much about grain and how to work with it. Fantastic!

[@jeffreyrood8755]

Man, I think you for teaching these fundamentals. It's just what I needed.

[@timwatson2141]

Due to a "COVID" slowdown in my industry, I haven't been able to take the plunge into this exciting venture. What I have been able to do is watch WORTHEFFORT tutorials presented by Shawn Graham. WOW! A gifted person like Shawn Graham doesn't come along very often, but here he is! The in-depth explanations are 2nd to none! Thanks Shawn Graham for all you do! With your help, I look forward to diving in to this hobby! God has truly blessed you with this talent!

[@Rocknbike2011]

I'm an italian cabinetmaker who is trying to improve his own woodturning ..... I appreciate a lot your passion but mostly your very talented educational attitude!!!

[@kevinfontenot9463]

I’m learning more and more. I always come back to your and one or two others videos. The more I turn, the more things you’ve pointed out make sense allowing me to learn even more from your videos. I really appreciate the work you’ve put into your teaching vids. Thank you.

[@Bizissl]

Best video for learning about physics behind turning! Best man! Thanks so much 🙂

[@fiberinspector1304]

It's 2:30AM, I am so tired but, cannot seem to stop watching. Such a great video, learned a lot. Thanks.

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@peterrueckert5619]

The best video i have ever seen related to woodturning ! Great explanations, looks like I now understand what I was doing the last 10 years 😁 Many thanks from Germany 👍

[@erikhejblsrensen1671]

The video transform theory into practice and vica versa

[@burnleyize]

This is ridiculous! Spending ALL.my free time watching your videos! Superb. I have learned so much about lathe turning and it makes me rush out to the shop to try them out. And, I am finally enjoying turning bowls, boxes and mushrooms. Thanks, fella. ( And you are WAY TOO YOUNG to be so wise!)

[@wortheffort]

I'm officially a senior citizen this year.

[@ssum7733]

I always love the detail, comments, challenges and comedic elements in your commentary. Thanks for the lessons. You're great to learn from.

[@ournovascotiaadventure1619]

I have to make another comment, I just used what you showed us and it was so much more enjoyable, and safe lol. Thanks again

[@MrDavidHearn]

By far the best lathe video for beginners. Everyone else just skips over these crucial details. Thank you so much!

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@angusestcourt7120]

A perfect piece with really clear explanations, thank you from the UK. I’m looking forward to learning from your other videos. Thank you for your time making these excellent educational pieces 👍

[@user-cu2jh5ml6u]

As a new woodturner I find your videos invaluable. Love the way you describe everything that's easy for dummies like myself to understand. For the first time since watching this video I actually enjoy using a skew now instead of expecting a catch every time I try and use it.. Keep up the brilliant work.

[@shaz1616]

This is easily the best video explaining the difference in cuts and tools. For a nerd like me hearing the science behind each cut made it all click for me. Amazing video.l

[@nebuler1]

You are among the best teachers I've seen on all youtube, in any subject.

[@michaeldundas8245]

Thanks for taking the time to put together this video. The demonstrations plus the white board diagrams are very helpful.

[@brucemcnally3924]

Superb! Every question, every confusion I had about turning addressed and answered. Great tuition as always, many thanks.

[@Bass-guitarist]

As a complete beginner just about to use my first (second hand) lathe your tuition was awesome and i made an instant subscribe!

[@timmehling5147]

Very good job of keeping it simple and taking the time to show the actual cuts along with the mistakes. Keep up the great work.

[@jimmccorison]

The internet sure has changed many things. When I was learning woodworking in the 80's I bought a bunch of VHS tapes from Taughton Press. It's what there was. What they lacked in the enthusiasm of the instructors/narrators was almost made up for by the production quality. Here we have an incredible introductory lesson to wood turning. Sure, it doesn't have the fancy set, or spit and polish, of a production VHS tape from a big company. What it does have is a teacher who is passionate about what he is teaching, and engaging in how he teaches. The result is that I find myself really understanding and effortlessly absorbing the information. I'll take the real deal over fancy production sets any day of the week. Thank you for all the effort you put into your videos.

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@christopherstafford227]

I just started trying out woodturning and I'll tell you I've been working basically randomly. This video was the best investment of an hour! Thank you so much for the tutorial!

[@khendon2393]

Excellent video, best beginner turning video i've seen so far!

[@richlong2270]

Well this is the best explanation of the theory of wood turning I’ve ever had the pleasure of watching if your not in teacher it’s a shame thank you for making this video ✌️

[@erichough7080]

As a rank beginner, I find that this post is the very best that I have seen. Great teaching. Thank you.

[@rutabegared1]

The best instructional turning video I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@SlightlyRottenCarving]

Thanks for the information... I just started turning after a couple years of using dremels, grinders and hand tools to create my carvings. I'm excited for this... and I appreciate the work that people like you put into helping others understand this craft. Take care, friend.

[@imzzaudae]

Ya, I'm an avid box turner. Been learning from this guy for years. Always first class videos. Thank you.

[@GraemePayne1967Marine]

Very informative video! Many others (including some from woodworking magazines!) often say "do it this way" with little or no useful explanation. THANK YOU for explaining WHY we should "do it this way."

[@ironeagletrike]

Shawn you are seriously a great teacher! You know how to part information and made me go buy something other than pen blanks to start turning out some other things!

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@JamesRousseaux]

Thank you for taking the time to provide such a simple but in-depth explanation of how to use the different edges of different chisels in wood turning. I don't even have a lathe yet but I am keen to learn. When you watch the experienced turners and they make it look so easy. But there is a lot more to it. You have shared in one hour what would probably take years to figure out. Thank you so much. 😊 🇦🇺

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@user-wy5ik6zq4r]

Thanks for the video. Best I’ve seen for what each tool does. Helps us newbies

[@ezeddie9747]

You're a great teacher. Everything is explained very clear. I have been a carpenter over 40 years. I have taught many of Apprentice. I enjoyed that just as much as doing the work. Thanks for the great video

[@timmillswoodturner.]

Once again a super informative video. You are a master communicator (and a pretty fair turner to boot 😀)

[@bretteee]

Thanks for sharing your skills, and teaching us to be better turner's. You sir have helped me hone my skills much better than I was before. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills with us, you should write a book about your knowledge because it would be the go to book if you needed to check if you are doing and using the right chisel for the job. Thanks for sharing your skills

[@du3lmaul3rs50]

Excellent explanations and demonstrations. Just whenever I was thinking some of the explanations were starting to get convoluted, you followed with a demonstration that cleared it all up. You are a very good educator. Thanks

[@aliabazaid4293]

Everyone enjoyed and benefited from this valuable lesson and the next generation will do too.

[@davidsolivan5115]

EXCELLENT! Everyone who wants to get into word turning should watch this video first. So well explained. Thank you!

[@MrProman55]

As everyone has said, this is a great video which makes turning so much easier to understand because you have explained the interactions between the tools and the wood in each situation.

[@user-nx8jf1mc9t]

Very helpful! It's like a kind of collge lecture. Easily understandable :) Thanks for sharing experience of your professional wood turning!

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@barrylennard6046]

The clearest, by a mile, explanation about turning basics that I've ever seen. Thank you.

[@tj5153]

Best turning video that ever existed in the universe. Learned a lot!

[@chuck8228]

Ok I just ordered a lathe and some chisels. Guess you gonna be my teacher. I was thinking I could do this as retirement when I get old. I'm 53 so I better get started. I bought a new stihl chainsaw to. It wasn't be here for a week so I got time after work to watch videos. Here goes a new journey!!!!

[@varmintproblems]

Brandon Luter WOW!!! This is the most understandable, “user friendly”, in depth video on tool selection that I have seen on KZbin. I have never seen such a careful explanation and demonstration of the fine differences between blade shapes, and how they can be properly employed. Very well done, and highly recommended!!!!!!

[@rexb6478]

Thank you so much for explaining this and the others you do!

[@bobquinn314]

Excellent Video, even after turning for a few years now, it cleared up some problems I encounter. Will use this as a refresher as needed. Thanks!

[@sgtcrtrdnl]

Hands down, the best explanation of how HSS tools cut that I've ever seen. Great job!

[@bigleafwoodcraft1453]

By far the best informative woodturning video on KZbin! Thank you so much!!!

[@mattstarr4300]

What a great lesson. Thank you for taking the time to put this together! You’re really a very good instructor.

[@Gorthok]

This is a really good lesson, thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[@TimRobertsonWoodturning]

Nice job explaining the cuts. As always very helpful. Thank you for what you do.

[@matttrickel9033]

Wow- hands down the best video I’ve seen explaining how wood reacts to our tools. Well done!

[@Skyrunner_84]

This is an amazing video. I have never seen someone explain the basic mechanics of wood turning in such great detail. Yet this video is easy for a new person to this craft like me to understand. Thank you so much!

[@josephciaravino4115]

He’s such a great teacher.

[@tedcarson2971]

Ah Ha ... this time I found you ON PURPOSE and I am glad I did!! At this rate I'm beginning to actually UNDERSTAND what I'm doing. Thanks VERY MUCH for taking the trouble to explain what is actually happening with the plane, peal, slice and scraping cuts. Please keep your videos coming!

[@reeceguisse17]

This was definitely worth the effort to watch...and I'll probably watch it again several times. Thank you for your time.

[@khalsans]

One of the best I've seen. Thanks.

[@n2daair23]

Just wanted to say thanks for devoting so much of YOUR TIME to help all of us out. The explanations given here are very thorough and accurate. Stay safe!

[@craigsalyers7091]

This is a great instructional video. Not only does he explain HOW, but he also explains WHY.

[@KodyKimani]

only met you last night but i love u! lol - Thanks - you are a great teacher I know that for sure- saved you to my woodworking learning playlist! Gill in Ireland x

[@DavidL-ii7yn]

And this is the video that makes me realize how much I still need to learn. Excellent explanations, thank you.

[@stephanieray6587]

Shawn, you are a gifted instructor, but even so I had to watch this video many times to even begin to understand it. So glad now that you started with the skew and a planing cut, which build on what we learned about chisels and planes. So happy to be one of your patrons,

[@wortheffort]

Thanks

[@davidc3572]

Really great explanations and demonstrations. Thank you. I think I've slipped into some poor habits over the years.

[@Lakersawi]

I just started wood turning a couple of days ago and today I came across this video. This is the best learning video I have watched. Thank you very very much for such an informative job.

[@josephgosselin1808]

……as always with your videos………..knowledge! Useful knowledge!!!

[@hammerheadmouse]

This man has made me a far better turner in 1hr and 11mins and I haven't even made it to my lathe. Thanks for the thorough explanations!

[@tonyripacandida5015]

You teach really well, thank you, this has to be the best vid i have watched

[@netkissa]

I am in the process of buying my first lathe. This makes me so much more confident diving in this hobby.

[@passinthru5992]

Bravo,excellent teaching,now to digest and practice. Thank you very much!

[@michaelbutchee334]

Amazing information. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Everyone interested in wood working needs to watch this video.

[@519luvrock]

Thank you for this video! So much learning in one spot! Amazing!

[@victoryak86]

Such an excellent teacher! I always feel that in learning anything, it’s most beneficial to get down to the basics, the fundamentals of what’s really going on. I feel like I understand more the WHY of the different tools and how they interact with the wood. It’s better than just doing things by rote or imitation, you see why the tool is made this way and how it works in relation to the basic nature of wood grain etc. This is where this guy shines in all of his lessons.