Lathe Basics - WOOD magazine

Whether you're new to the lathe or just need a refresher course, WOOD magazine's Craig Ruegsegger covers the basic operation of this machine. Learn not only the proper technique to using a lathe, but the terminology associated with it. These are the building blocks to mastering the tool for safety and accuracy.
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[@jimfouche2910]

This is one of the best introductory discussions and video for the beginner on the wood lathe. Very clear, concise explanations of basic concepts of wood turning and a very succinct discussion on safely engaging the tools to the stock. Great video - thank you.

[@pnluther]

To the point - clear, concise and well done. Thank you.

[@AnimalBlundetto]

perfect for making wands of varying utility

[@anepictree]

Thanks, this is the clearest video I have seen for someone like me who wants to start - I have not seen any clip that shows what a four jaw chuck is, how it works and explains so simply the parts fo a lathe! thanks for this

[@pmacc3557]

Hi. Did you get started in wood turning?

[@anepictree]

Yes I did! Thank you - I started with a good solid bench top lathe with a besic selection of quality tools. I have been enjoying it thouroughly @@pmacc3557

[@timd5343]

thank you sure helps a new guy

[@demitriastevara8303]

the first 10 seconds of the video explain it all, i instantly get the idea of how a lathe machine works just by seeing the finished model and the machine... and a little bit imagination putting all the pieces together, thanks Craig.

[@dustinkeller29]

Thank you for this no nonsense introduction to the lathe. I feel confident enough to start playing around with it in a safe manner. All the best to you

[@dianayates7922]

Excellent video. Well paced and organized . Your work space is clean and not cluttered. I will watch this several times before my beginners class. Thank you !

[@brainsmith9827]

Thank you for your time, you’ve been very helpful

[@vivacewand6788]

I loved how he called the hammer an Impact Device. I laughed a little :-D

[@zagyex]

That gave just the right amount of authority to the video.

[@theHentySkeptic]

We call it a "fine adjuster"

[@alexsavchuk8190]

He said "impact device" because it didn't have to be a hammer but any impact device that is available readily.

[@DontNeedToKnow84]

I came here because I read a case where a piece of wood came flying off a lathe, hitting the user in their head. I didn't know what a lathe was. Now I do, haha. Very interesting.

[@DIMTips]

One of the best videos I have seen. Got myself a simple lathe so going to start using it more often

[@Adrak-Hiano]

Thx for the video, I got to work right away and did NOT end up with a wood piece lodged in my forehead x) even though I started with a rock hard 200 year old oak piece instead of a softer piece like any normal person would haha

[@robohippy]

I checked through the comments below. I was a production bowl turner for about 20 years. NEVER use a spindle roughing gouge on a bowl!!!!!! They can be used safely by an expert, but the way you show it being used WILL lead to a massive catch, breaking the tool, and quite possibly injuring the turner. A peeling cut used on bowls with that tool is suicidal. A SRG has a tapered tang for inserting into the tool handle. It is not very strong. A bowl gouge is made from round bar stock for the whole length, and they are made specifically for bowl turning, but work pretty well on spindles too. Another point for safety, I ALWAYS stand out of the line of fire when turning bowls, and even on spindles, especially when starting the lathe up. The lathe is the Jet 12/24, and it is my little lathe. You have the lamp in the second best spot for use. Best spot is in the trash. Doesn't get anywhere near what you need to light what you have on the lathe. The lathe is 1/4 or less of what you will spend to get set up for turning. That grinder, slow speed is correct, though you can use a high speed grinder. The high speed ones tend to eat the metal a lot faster. The grey wheel is only used for heavy tool shaping, not for a standard cutting edge. The white wheel will do okay, but is most likely an 80 grit wheel which is pretty coarse. An 180 grit wheel is more common, and most are now using the CBN grinding wheels. The platforms on that grinder are removed by almost all turners now days. Many after market rests that are far better. Jigs are most common for sharpening gouges.

[@NobodyReport]

What's the beef with a lamp?

[@robohippy]

Notice the position of it in the video? It is on way too short of a stem. If you do manage to bend it into a place where it actually shines light where you want it, it won't stay there, it vibrates down to where it is in the video. After market magnetic base lamps work far better, and put out more light.

[@emilysofiatrujillo7765]

Excelente, maestro.... Gracias por sus enseñanzas y por compartirlas.

[@josearrue4072]

Great vido and love the last tip. Always clean after finishing any job. Regards from Panama City, Panamá

[@theundergroundwoodshop5503]

this was incredibly helpful!!!

[@jerryjohnsonii4181]

Thanks for the knowledge about the Lathe

[@carolriley569]

Turning has become my passion!

[@9262361]

Very informative video. I just bought this particular lathe and plan to use it with resin projects.

[@mr.slippyfist4170]

This video was great, I've been wanting to try this for a while but couldn't find a video that makes sense and is truly helpful! Thank you for posting

[@teresamesa]

just got my first lathe and this helped out a lot! thank you!

[@martingsilva]

Thanks for the beginner on the wood lathe video . Great video - thank you.

[@eeshanvutkuri3011]

Great vid, just used for learning

[@eddieco]

Awesome video. I want to get a wood lathe and this video was very helpful. Thank you!

[@paulshaw6125]

Thank you very much, I liked it a lot. I'm looking for something for beginners, to make bowls cups etc . I need to learn

[@patrickcanter2831]

Excellent video. Very clear andinformative. Thanks

[@tonyworkswood]

Enjoyed the video. You have covered some great points. Tony

[@adventureswithcrystal]

This was a really good video for me. I'm just buying my first lathe and you helped me so much. Thank you

[@pmacc3557]

Which model lathe did ya get? Any recommendations!

[@patricklilwall6071]

Great intro to wood turning

[@sallyfox3445]

Excellent video

[@tavianandrew2012]

good job I'm in college for wood working would love to work with wood magazine

[@njord390blue5]

Great video!

[@LiveAndLearnWithMe]

Nice introduction!

[@jamesrutledge6707]

Easy quick 12 min watch, super helpful and easy to understand, didn't feel like my time was wasted. Thank you sir !!!

[@eastcoastwilly1373]

Awesome video thanks so much

[@pmacc3557]

Great 👍 video 👍 thanks

[@neilstubbs4575]

Very well done video. One question; what causes the tool rest to keep coming loose after you've tightened it during turning? Is it the vibration of the work piece as it revolves? I've been experiencing this with the mini-lathe I have. Is there any way to prevent this?

[@BruceWayne-us3kw]

This looks like fun.

[@timothymatthews7028]

Thanks man

[@stevehartz178]

I am going 2 get harbor freight lathe.i have wanted 2 do this 4 a while.i want all the advice I can get.dont have shop,am getting set up in my living room lol.cant wait any longer.

[@fireworxz]

Thanks

[@mickeyromeo]

thank you

[@kevinyoung6689]

Good introduction. How are spigots cut? Are special tools needed?

[@bartgiles1068]

How do you get the recess in the bowl? Probably the first thing you have to do?

[@Doc_of_derp]

I'm going to use this info to make wands.

[@AnimalBlundetto]

TWU

[@njoyingtube1]

Thanks my new hobby , will improve. ,, cleaning up Most essential.

[@sumanbiswas3927]

Nice sir

[@heartsrk]

How do you make sure your tool rest is parallel to the blank?

[@70JBALL]

What grit grinding wheel do you recommend? The aluminum oxide wheels that I’m finding come in many grit variations- great video - very helpful

[@dhimes3]

Awesome video question. How do you keep small pieces like bottle stoppers from losing grip. We drill. Then tap. Then mount. Seems tight but stops spinning any suggestions. And thank you

[@edwardharris869]

What model is that lathe? And where did you buy the chisels at, I've been trying to hunt them down online with no luck

[@Focie]

Thank you so much for such a decent tutorial on how to use this lathe. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me.

[@Alinverse]

SPEED????? What are the various RPMs for a square blank vs a round bowl. Do you start off slow, and then pick it up with sanding the fastest? Would be a very good addition to tutorial. Also, GRIT? On a spindle, do you go to 220 at 3500. Rpm? Is there a general rule of thumb? Thanks..

[@Ilikepots]

I’m in class watching this, I guess my teacher likes you

[@Wood]

We like your teacher, too. Tell them we said you deserve an A+.

[@Ilikepots]

@@Wood thank you, it’s wood work so I’m gonna get an A+ either way 😂

[@Boultonful]

hi with regard to having a grinder next to your lathe, this is a bad idea, as grinding derby has a good chance of getting into the lathe bearing, this could be very costly to put right. as fore dust and shavings, it is always best to clear them always as soon as you have finished whot you have been doing use a broom fare the larger shavings, and the a heavy vacuum cleaner to get all the dust, it has been known for a long time that dust that has been laying about for some time , together with static electricity, can self ignite, this has brenned down many workshops in the past.so cleanliness has its good side, keep safe and have a happy new year ,JB UK

[@douglaspierce7031]

I would use a soft face mallet to drive the center in. Over time you will bulge the end over time

[@monteglover4133]

That was my first thought

[@beno2782]

Thank you very much for this nice simple intro 👌🏼😊

[@davidthegood]

"Impact device." I laughed.

[@MakerMatt0512]

Great video! What model is that Jet lathe? I've been considering learning how to turn and that looks like a good garage size model.

[@laclmht9393]

Can I ask how much is that lathe and its price?

[@benjaminmagnay3607]

Thought my guy was at bunnings😂

[@stevethomas211]

On the belt pulleys, "small means Faster, Bigger means Slower" I never use a wood lathe. Need to know what wood to use for Slower and Faster???

[@ashraf61]

Thanks for sharing. ;-)

[@jasonenz4238]

If a lathe says 12x14... Which size is the length and which is the size of the diameter that will fit? Sorry if a dumb question. Long time woodworker, but never turned anything. Thanks!!! :)

[@jasonenz4238]

WOOD magazine - Thanks so much! Excited to finally get into this :) 👍❤️

[@Boultonful]

nice try, a couple of points from an old turner, NEVER use a steel hammer on morse tapers, always a mallet or soft hammer,you forgot to lock the tailstock quill, and NEVER use a roughing gouge on faceplate work, I was quite shocked to see you do this, the tang of a roughing gouge is not as strong as a bowl gouge, to get the best hold from a four jaw chuck, you should only have a maximum of 1/8 of an inch gape between the jaws when fully closed down on the work, one more thing keep your grinder away from the lathe, as grinding grit may get into the lathe bearings , I hope you are not offended by my remarks but safety must always come first, and remember to where your safety glasse , you only get one pair of eyes so look after them. all the best from an old tuner. JB UK.

[@craftsmanwoodturner]

This is just one of many such videos or articles I have seen where a general woodworking magazine gets their in-house woodworking expert to talk about turning, instead of finding a specialist turner. As you say, while most of the points made are good, there are some cringe-worthy examples of bad practise on display... One other that I noticed was trying to lock the toolrest banjo along the bed, instead of across the bed and then rotating the rest to be perpendicular. A regular turner would not make such errors.

[@BEElaine1008]

I’m nit a woodworker but I noticed that right away 😖 (or at least put a small block of wood in between)

[@tomt9543]

Is a grinder a smart thing to have beside a machine who’s function is to make sawdust? Looks like a huge fire danger! Even if you sweep frequently, lathe locations tend to have hidden piles of sawdust everywhere! Still a good overview of beginning lathe skills.

[@BIGDW-ie8st]

Do you have any brands of Lathes that you would recommend for beginners?

[@BIGDW-ie8st]

@@Wood Thanks for the info

[@Eddielopez708]

Where do you get the wood to start

[@Wood]

It grows on trees. Or you can buy turning blanks at a hardwood store or mill.

[@Eddielopez708]

@@Wood thank you

[@bobojenkins5805]

how do you know what shape itll end up being?

[@Wood]

You just cut away anything that doesn't look like shape you want.

[@BlindSquirrelCarpentryy]

How big is a lathe?

[@mallikagamage3059]

❤❤

[@MinerGT]

Where my Industrial Arts (woodshop) viewers at?

[@michaelcramer4303]

What RPM do you recommend?

[@RoubinCreations]

It depends on the diameter of the workpiece

[@user-sq1nd6km5u]

great video, thank you

[@mistermusturd6402]

WOOD

[@brucebonkowski3037]

can you help me make a project my kids want a certain toy a toy a walk behind gas powered mason cement mixer to pull behind his Tonka stake truck

[@brucebonkowski3037]

,this plan on the cement mixer drum never been done can you help.me

[@ding9916]

twu

[@brucehunter2325]

sorry.. did he just call a hammer an 'impact device' 20:40

[@jackcrook8981]

wood magazine come get your mans

[@ReallyNo.01]

So this is how to get lathe huh

[@tabitha2706]

I cringed when I saw the spur center struck with a hammer

[@Glorious_Kim_Jong_Un]

Have you ever considered getting lathed? Like make a human sized lathe, go inside it and if you are wanting to lose weight, you just have someone else lathe it off. Waiting for the Chinese to take this idea like they take everything else.. smh

[@user-iw1hc8so6l]

I got my chunks well lathed off past season when doing jobs with stone and mortar, and now I,m watching this because I,m building my workshop for lathes and the like staff. What are you mrs Queen doing to get yourself slim? I cant imagine a turner, even a beginner, thinking such similes. You truly are a woman and I told my husband a minute ago that I,m talking to the real Queen. Please remain your majesty,the idea of talkingto tge Queen, that,s the same for me as being slimmed off in a human lathe!

[@ranveerbisla3215]

Why is the quality so bad?

[@kaethsa5001]

Bit rude lmao?

[@ranveerbisla3215]

@@kaethsa5001 how?

[@kaethsa5001]

@@ranveerbisla3215 ummm read what you wrote lmfao?

[@ranveerbisla3215]

@@kaethsa5001 so it rude giving feedback?

[@kaethsa5001]

@@ranveerbisla3215 it just came off like that lmaoo

[@zak2807]

Impact device? NERD!

[@kirbylee57]

I dont really want any dishes made of wood, and making your own furniture to me would be like having to make your own clothes. I guess when you think about it, it doesn't make since to make anything these days, except for the the feeling of accomplishment of something you made yourself , but that feeling is something not sold in stores.

[@mikeingeorgia1]

It really depends on what you’re making. You may not be able to find something in a specific dimension at any store

[@timberwolf3781]

will people please stop hitting hardened steel with hardened steel. Come on you are Wood Magazine. Do better!

[@bobosterberg1751]

This video needs to be shot by an experienced turner. If a beginner watches this, he will learn the improper use of tools, that could, lead to the user hurting himself.....badly. First, the roughing gouge is really called a Spindle roughing gouge. It is called this for a reason, it is Not to be used on endgraib, as your demonstrator shows it being used to round out a bowl blank. Essential using it on end grain. Second, the tool placement, and how it is used to address the workpiece, specifically the spinle, and bowl gouge, is incorrect. Your demonstrator insures that the user will experience catches, catches that could tear the tool out of the users hands, and most likely damage the workpiece. There is no mention of touching the tool rest before the workpiece. Some may say that they use a tool a certain way, but the rule of thumb needs to be understood, and why,. An experienced turner knows not to use a spindle roughing gouge on end grain, but may use it at time, knowing the risks involved. There were several other instances demonstrating the lack of knowledge by the demonstrator, and would advise the viewer to watch a few other lathe demonstrations prior to starting. Most of your videos are very informative, but this one needs to touch on some very important safety rules, so the user is aware prior to turning!

[@gentlebear2722]

After watching less than 4 minutes of this video and seeing 3 safety hazards, you get a thumbs down.

[@theogburner]

Are we really calling the dang hammer an "Impact Device"?! Like an elevator in an outhouse and just strokes somebody's ego to be able to use more complicated, convoluted words than necessary. Pointless and counterproductive if you are trying to get new people into the craft.

[@theogburner]

@@Wood "Impact Device" Sorry that I didn't identify the "classic humor" in that description. I was not expecting a humorous video so I overreacted.

[@KSRMarc]

@@theogburner Wow,hmmmm

[@mikecagle984]

Great video except for the two ad interruptions. I will quit watching if this continues. I dont care if they pay for the video or not, it is rude and not needed.