Richard Raffan - your first go on a wood lathe.

If you've never turned wood on a wood lathe, this is for you.

[@6Sally5]

My wife is wanting to try wood turning, and instead of ruining our marriage by teaching her, I’m sending your wonderful video to her! Thanks much!

[@alantiffany1761]

The most informative video I've seen so far. So much useful information for beginners.

[@hankfrankly7240]

Thank you for the video. I'm just getting started... at 76. This was very helpful.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Better late than never.

[@craiguttley5192]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning better "lathe" than never 👍

[@simonsmith8610]

from Rochester NY U.S.A, but born in High Wycombe UK. Just wanted to express my appreciation for these Legacy videos and also to the person who is helping to film these. I have watched them all and many of them several times. Thank you so much for passing your life's work on. Cheers from Simon J. Smith

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

In the 1970s I used to buy teak from Bamburgers in High Wycombe. It's mostly me behind the camera, so thank you.

[@ShevillMathers]

Richard made a point of learning to use and set up his own cameras-hence the excellent quality imaging to best demonstrate his turning techniques. The lack of music and including a head shot is what separates the men from the boys, so to speak. So many You Tubers could learn so much from watching his demonstrations-and increase audience numbers tenfold. In my humble opinion. Greetings from Tasmania Australia, 👍😁🇦🇺🦘

[@PaulO-mv6ku]

What a fantastic video - so very helpful. Thank you.

[@wright1049]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. This content helps restore my faith in the value of the internet! I truly value watching and listening to your instructions and applying these lessons in my shop. Thank you!

[@jamestillman3150]

Excellent instruction. Thank you!

[@penguinista]

This was very helpful for me. The idea of just making shavings for a while is very smart. Thank you!

[@randycosgrove3608]

I think I knew most of what you showed but some of it I didn't know how to express so clearly. It never hurts to see something you think you know shown by someone more skilled. Thanks for the way you present your material.

[@mobilehomelife4028]

I am 100% new to woodturning and looking forward to getting my first lathe this week. I have also watched your video on catches, very informative. My brother is the one who got me interested so I am taking the plunge. I was able to use his lathe to test run some simple small bowls, very enjoyable.

[@johnduffant9694]

Excellent video from a true master. Thank you for sharing your time I’m looking forward to watching more of your videos.

[@daveschroedersworkshop4479]

Thanks Richard! It's never too late to learn. I've never seen a piece break before but I've certainly had a piece go whizzing past my head thanks to a catch. That will surely teach you not to stand in the "line of fire"...

[@dtork47]

Thanks again R, always helps to go back to the basics. Can’t believe at my age how much I forget, thanks for the refresher. Cheers from MT USA

[@workmcb3838]

"you need to come to terms with" catches, truer words were never spoken😅. Thanks Richard.

[@shadeth]

I'm having a hard times coming to terms with the fact that these catches will happen. I don't much like them at all... But I guess it's one of those things that sometimes you learn the hard way!

[@peg4692]

Hi Richard, I was just thinking back 18 years ago when at the wood club I got a few beginners lessons, then later a few more advanced lessons, then three one to one lessons. You really are the best teacher, sound instruction, over the years when I’ve had to take a break, your advice has been so valuable and the suggestion to make shavings to hone your skills has been a blessing, and the sharpening lessons were equally valuable. Very valued lessons, and now your videos are very inspiring.

[@EntrepreneurialSpirit85]

I agree!!

[@emgiwoodworks]

I'm planning a class for my grandson. This will help us to think of what to make: Lots of Shavings! Thnx Richard! 😎

[@yupk8303]

thank you, sir. the usual folks i watch would never let their mistakes be shown on video, as though they were gods gift to turning and above all reproach. its comical sometimes, really. you however are a champ, thank you for the mistakes and purposeful mistakes alike. very important to see

[@bradgotschall3259]

Such a great tutorial. Nice explanations on cutting types and angles. Always great content Richard, thanks for sharing your knowledge with us all 😊

[@thenorthernwoodhouse5015]

hi just starting out wood turning have watched lots of vids on beginners like me. and yours has been the most interesting and the most informational on getting started little things just how to hold your chisel on the work peace thank you it has been a big help to get me started😀 off thank you nick from the UK

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Many thanks for the feedback.

[@KC2ATE]

I've watched a bunch of videos on this topic but your was the best. Very helpful. thank you.

[@makenchips]

So well done Richard what an excellent Starter video could not ask for better hope the best for you and your family in 2024

[@alexinmidwales7506]

Thanks Richard, I have watched every single video you have made and I am always so impressed with how you approach and explain everything in such a practical way. You have completely changed my perspective as to what is possible and I have learned so much putting in to practice the tools and techniques that you have developed over so many years.At some point could you do a video on bowl shaping and explain the practical and aesthetic decisions that you make when approaching a piece and what to do and what not to do to enhance the final piece?. I am finding it a bit difficult to fathom what works and what doesn’t in the grand scheme of it all so any help as always is greatly appreciated.

[@user-qx2de7js7h]

Lying on my back, in hospital, having fractured a vertebrae, watching your videos has greatly improved my days. I’ve wanted to try wood turning for years and when I get back on my feet I will find a course to give it a go. Thanks

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I wish you a speedy recovery.

[@user-qx2de7js7h]

Cheers

[@danielspain7231]

Absolutely priceless back to basics instruction, thanks Richard

[@johnnyb95678]

Thank you for sharing your expertise and experiences. Every time I watch one of your videos, and I've seen most of them, I learn something new.

[@WildWoodlandsSW]

Great instructional video. Just planning for my first lathe,so found this very helpful,and will check the video on catches also. Thankyou.

[@ValioMadre7]

Excellent video, much appreciative. Can't thank you enough.

[@peterkelly8953]

Great practical lesson

[@jorisdemoel3821]

Good, soild, basic instruction it's good for everyone to think on on occasion. Thanks Richard.

[@kenvasko2285]

Well done. Good intro for new turners and a good recap for experienced turners who may be developing bad habits.

[@joer5627]

Well done, Sir!

[@jackthompson5092]

Great tutorial Richard.

[@user-pl7oy9hi2z]

Richard Thank you for your knowledge, just acquired a Lathe and have not turned yet, but your videos explain in detail, Methods, How To, shall follow your instructions

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You'll find a lot more information on my turning techniques in my books. www.richardraffan.com.au/books-and-dvds/

[@brianhawes3115]

I was having catches on some days and not so much other days, and then I saw you making beads, and that helped so much that I rarely have them anymore even with my skew, it was also helpful to imagine what profile to put on the bead and that visualization has changed my approach while at the lathe

[@markashlock9017]

Excellent! Thanks!!!

[@lenshandcraftedwoodsigns6033]

Thank you for the explanations and examples. They are very helpful.

[@Mckmake]

Richard thank you for yet another excellent video, always full of your knowledge and lots of information

[@talltimberswoodshop7552]

I'm a novice and I really appreciate your advice.

[@Laikeen]

Thanks so much for all the video you make, all are inspiration for me, Serge from France

[@dennismcdougall372]

Excellent introduction to turning!

[@tomcoker9882]

Thanks for another useful video. Back to basic practice is good for beginners and always a useful endeavor after any long break, if only to warm up before starting a project. Thanks for the video. Cheers, Tom

[@leebo95]

great video, i am just starting to turn and this will really help. thank you.

[@morningsong7885]

Another great video full of super useful basic instructions that I will watch several times 👍🏻👏🏻 Thank you, Master Richard ☺️🙏🏻 Your videos are invaluable! I will go and look for the one about the catches now.

[@alangibb3100]

Richard, I thank you for that video it was most informative a lot of good tips for new turners and not so new

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard

[@pmacc3557]

Excellent 👍👌

[@dagwood1327]

Thank you.

[@rraffaell73]

A Master class!

[@timd5343]

very good thnx good tips

[@craigpennifold3498]

Very good.

[@glencrandall7051]

I'm not a beginner but a refresher like this never hurts as a reminder. I must comment about when you were describing holding the tool on the rest and recommending hand position to keep shavings from hitting you in the face. If you are wearing a face shield shavings hitting you in the face would not be a problem. Pretty much else I agree with. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I always found shavings bouncing off a face shield very irritating, and they also seemed to distort my vision.

[@bernardfutter5327]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Richard, neither am I a beginner but still enjoyed your teaching style and illustration of certain features, such as shaving forms and a violent catch. I comment because a total beginner is bound to be clumsy and should not see you adjust the tool rest with the lathe running. This was really rammed home to me as a beginner, as was not using a roughing gouge on cross grain work. Just my two pennorth, thanks. Bernard.

[@Istropolitanus]

Thanks

[@metz64]

Another fantastic video. Is there any chance you could show how to turn a front knob for a Stanley hand plane or replacement handles for turning tools. Thanks again

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There's a tool handle video kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHvadZirZdebY7M and also kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZzOl52JqcuZl9E on reshaping a tool handle. And if you need to remove a handle kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2S2YpmpYp6GbpI.

[@rickirizarry5079]

I have never done this kind of woodworking and I am getting ready to start. Do you find it easier to turn hardwoods versus softwoods?

[@jimsullivan8649]

I’m so pleased that I came across your channel and I have purchased your book and as new to turning I’m so looking forward to starting. I’m just now finishing up my retirement workshop and I purchased a General 260 lathe from a gentleman whose dad purchased it new, mint condition. The lathe has variable speed, forward, reverse. The question I have and can’t seem to find an answer is does one typically change belt positions with variable speed? Or keep it in one position that could get up up to say 2000rpms. I hope you don’t mind me asking a question. Thanks in advance

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I suggest a maximum of 2000rpm for overall use and a lower range if you start turning larger bowls. My recollection is that on the General is a sprung spindle lock to the front and it's handy to have a wedge to keep that in place when you want to lock the spindle.

[@user-fx3ti5py8d]

Спасибо, очень познавательно

[@ivanbukh7576]

Хороший урок для начинающих токарей!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

я надеюсь, что это так

[@calebhyatt5090]

Hey Richard! I have a question. I am mostly using wet wood like you showed here in the video. Let’s say I am making a mallet or something similar. How can I keep it from cracking after making it. I have made a couple of candle sticks and small vases, and they all crack/split within a short period of time. Thank you!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It's difficult to say what your problem is without seeing work in question. Often there are micro splits you might not have seen and these will open up as the wood seasons. You need to ensure that you cut blanks clear of the pith as well all splits, as you see in all my videos on cutting blanks. A mallet turned from deftect-free green timber is more likely to distort as it dries rather than split.

[@calebhyatt5090]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thank you for the response. I am actually not using cut blanks. I have just been using smaller logs cut from trees in the woods. Does that change anything?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@calebhyatt5090 Most logs will split as they dry, so if you're turning recently cut logs, splitting is pretty well guaranteed. This Understanding Wood video should help kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5Szl3SIpdCfjKs

[@pmacc3557]

If the head and tail spikes are 1cm out of line.....any remedies?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'd have to see the lathe. I've never heard of a centre that far out. The headstock might be misaligned on the lathe bed. A tailcenter is usually adjusted with shims.

[@pmacc3557]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thanks 👍🙏. Just finished watching this video again for a second time. You are a natural teacher. I will review the head section but I believe there's only one way it can sit on bed. It's a HBM 1100. I like this machine so didn't want to return it but they have fantastic customer service so hopefully I can do some kind of adjustments to get ends more lined up

[@adrianschoch7607]

Hallo Richard,in welchem Winkel schleifst du deine Schalenröhren?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Die Google-Übersetzung ist nicht klar. Bei Hohleisen beträgt der Fasenwinkel etwa 45°. Ich kann die Wörter, die Sie verwenden, in den deutschen Exemplaren meiner Bücher nicht finden. www.richardraffan.com.au/books-and-dvds/

[@adrianschoch7607]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Hallo,genau das meinte ich.Vielen Dank für die Hilfe

[@catamures1]

Hello , you just got a new student. 😀I do woodturning for fun and relax. Now , will your help, maybe I will become a real woodturner . Thank you and I wish you all the best .

[@tobykathan8277]

I’ve just started on the lathe and bought carbide tools used with the machine. Can you talk about the comparative benefits of carbide and traditional? Sharpening intimidates me.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Unfortunately for you you'll have to come to terms with sharpening as some woods blunt even HSS or carbide turning tools in seconds - literally three or four seconds. Carbide soon loses its utlimate sharpness and whilst remaining somewhat sharp for some time it's unable to deliver a surface as clean and smooth as you'd get shear cutting with a gouge or skew chisel. To appreciate the difference, which is considerable, you need to compare a cabide scraper with a freshly sharpened scraper. Carbide is okay for hogging out the insides of bowls and even a reasonable surface off the tool with facework. The downside to carbide is on spindles where it's near impossible to get the clean surface off the tool that you'd achieve with a slicing cut using a skew chisel or gouge. I rate traditional tools made of High Speed Steel HSS as vastly superior to carbide scrapers and I suspect they're much easier to sharpen.

[@bernardfutter5327]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I reserve my carbide tools for use as you describe and should I get a reasonable surface on an uncomplicated spindle am inclined to finish it with a carbon steel skew. Very smooth but plenty of sharpening! Bernard.