Understanding Woodturning Catches

Richard Raffan demonstrates why woodturning tools catch on the lathe and offers tips for preventing them. Visit www.FineWoodworking.com for more woodworking technique videos.

[@observersnt]

Simple, clear, unpretentious, sensible not gooning around trying to be a comedian, no annoying background music. High standard video complement high standard technical demonstration. Thank you so much for this superb and very helpful video.

[@tedspens]

I overcame my fear of catches by running my lathe at it's slowest speed. That got rid of the anxiety factor and allowed me to focus on what the cutting edge of the tool was doing. As I got more comfortable, I turned up the speed a little and practiced more, and continued doing that until I was comfortable at normal turning speeds. I did this with the skew, bowl gouges, spindle gouges, scrapers... basically every tool that is prone to catching. This is also a great way to learn how to use the tools, not only to avoid catches.

[@Zionwway]

That's kind of reassuring, I'll start woodturning very soon and this video get me anxious to start. But at least it will help being prudent

[@aarondavis176]

Oooh I like that. Thanks for that tid-bit of advice. I just barely bought a lathe.

[@MartynStubbsTBS]

I now am afraid of the skew chisel but I must overcome this.

[@dvandamme00]

old reply, but still gold (from another learner). i just wish i could make my circular saw a variable speed. damn i hate single speed devices

[@tedspens]

@@dvandamme00 My Ridgid worm drive has soft start, compared to my previous Skil worm drive that would try to jump out of my hand when I hit the trigger. It's not variable speed but still a nice feature.

[@hudsonriverlee]

Today 16Dec19, I used my New Excelsior Mini lathe for the first time, I recall using a lathe in a shop class in 8th grade.. I am 63,, lol.. I still recall the tool catching the wood on that very day in shop class. I am glad you were kind enough to post this video. It is a welcomed sight to prevent disaster Thank you ....

[@kzookid2051]

One of the scariest, yet most informative videos I've seen in a long time. Excellent techniques to practice while learning. Kudos to the cameraman for the wonderful, clear angles to see exactly what was being discussed. Thanks!

[@keithomilak3693]

It's no coincidence that this video has 1.4 million views at the time of this comment. Very well done!

[@MrJohnnyboyrebel]

Best 12 minutes I've spent all year. This explains what I'm doing incorrectly. No more "exciting" catches for me. Keep up the excellent work!

[@RobertHorton1975]

Never mind making the cameraman jump. I jumped watching some of those! Top notch work. Thank you, Mr. Raffan.

[@mynameisandycook1]

Yeah... I've wanted to learn how to lathe for a long time. This video is going to save me time and money... because I'm going to stick with carving.

[@cw4608]

I jumped each time that happened. Good to know they are manageable. Thanks for demonstrating proper tool use.

[@MauiSponge]

Aloha from Hawaiʻi. Iʻm a sports photographer and carver by profession, and have recently started turning small bowls and found your channel about 2 weeks ago. I am greatly appreciating your videos! Thoroughness in explanation, always discussing caution and safety, and helping me learn that with patience, practice and proper technique , I can start off small and turn some pleasant little projects. Mahalo ā nui no kou manaʻo! Much thanks for your knowledge. -Eddie

[@candybriggs5344]

so helpful. I just started turning about a month ago and couldn't figure out why I was catching while attempting bowls. now I know and can be much more safe. Thank you

[@VestigialHead]

There was a knock on my front door. I answered and my neighbour was standing there. He had a bandage around one arm and a patch on one eye. He asked me if I wanted his wood lathe for free. I said so whats the catch?

[@mikeanglada742]

haahaa! Knot Bad, Bro!! :D

[@paulbamford972]

Hehe WOOD you believe it, a lathe joke

[@ibelieve1674]

Lol now that's a woodworking joke.

[@windsunh2o]

I know! The catch is there's a family of rabid raccoons living underneath the lathe and one of them bit his arm. Oh, and he happens to be a pirate.

[@MrSoundofmusic]

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Ultimate Dad joke!

[@peterhague5626]

This is the single best woodturning video I've seen. Makes things so clear. Not just how to use the tool, but why to use it that way. Also shows that is important to respect the tool, but not fear it

[@WigglesNation]

this is probably the best wood turning information on KZbin. I really appreciate the amount of detail you've given and with this knowledge I have gotten much better at turning bowls. Knowledge cures fear.

[@ManhattanWoodProject]

Wow, excellent video. I'm still learning lathe tooling techniques and this may have been more useful than anything else I've read.

[@myvess06]

Im glad Ive watched this video before setting up and using my lathe for the first time. You are a natural at teaching!!

[@yealife2947]

Excellent. Cant get enough of this no nonsense simple approach. Nice one

[@Sklallamstrong]

I just picked up a used lathe and am so excited to start turning on it, but first these type of videos are getting me ready. Thank you for taking the time to teach.

[@rh5971]

This is exactly the kind of video I’ve been looking for as a person who has just been fortunate enough to get their hands on a very nice antique wood lathe. Such a beautiful 1938 Sears craftsman model. Thank you so much for showing these technique correcting videos.

[@buddyletendre]

I’m very new to turning and I’m thankful I found your video, I’ll be subscribing for sure. Thank you for going into detail about the “don’ts” all the videos I’ve seen so far have only shown proper technique and how to become better. That’s fine and dandy, but you are teaching from the bottom of the ladder. Such a great video! Thank you so much.

[@neilgrout5019]

Fantastic tutorial thank you. As a newcomer to turning the skew was a struggle. It all makes sense now. In the workshop today and the difference is immeasurable after this brilliantly simple but effective masterclasses. Now a subscriber!

[@inspectorsteve2287]

I'm really glad I watched this and didn't just dive in. I would have made every mistake. Especially when cutting out a bowl. I didn't know you had to roll the tool like that. Thank you for the video.

[@Idiopidity]

I love this guy! No matter what level this is a good video. Just getting started back to turning after four years and badly needed these lessons!

[@charliehay7409]

I have never watched a video and jumped so many times!!

[@gamingSlasher]

I was kinda watching through my hands like a horror movie all the time.

[@kareemaszz]

I think it just was me 😂

[@hughfitzpatrick3096]

Yes and I still jump when it happens to him

[@albertmacdonald7575]

Very good teacher, explains in detail.

[@michaelsandiego5668]

First time I saw it and it made me jump and cringed.

[@jedicazador]

I've been woodworking for many years however never explored turning, just recently I begun to turn and this video is an excellent touch on the use and misuse of turning tools and techniques , thank you for a wonderful lesson.

[@gambar]

A very new beginning beginner newbie here - and I can already tell that this video saved me lots of grief in the near future! Very much appreciated, Richard!

[@ralphdurant1682]

I am planning to get a lathe and I have been watching videos for the past three months, and even though those video get me excited to start, this has been the best learning video I have seen. I have watched it several time. Thank you

[@Ted1735]

Thank you so much for a simple thorough explanation of these types of catches! This will improve my turning skills 100%!

[@nicksshitbro]

I just got an antique lathe with a nice set of craftsmen chisels and I haven't had time to really practice with it much before now, but I am soooo beyond glad I found this video. I didnt know ANYTHING about skews until this video.

[@eddiejulian8550]

I find these videos showing what can go wrong if you aren't using the tools properly to be more educational and effective than the standard how to videos because they scare the crap out of me and make me really respect the tools I'm using and think before I cut. Great video.

[@watermain48]

Impressive to watch a craftsman who is not afraid to show us what can go wrong. Very informative, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@slorts312]

I am half way through this video and have already learned quite a bit. I have been doing lathe work for about a year or so now and in 5 minutes you have explained several things that I have been doing incorrectly with catches. Thank you. I have subscribed and look forward to more of your videos.

[@frankhart7702]

Fascinating! This is The first one I have watched. I see I have much to learn before buying my first lathe. You are a very good instructor. I look forward to more of your training videos.

[@peterross97]

Having resigned my skew to nothing more than a scraper, even after watching video after video about how to avoid catches, this one finally explained it in a simple manner that finally works for me! Thank you so much sir!

[@aldotanca9430]

Excellent demonstration. I have your manual, it was the first I bought, even before getting a lathe. I am still learning so much from it.

[@adamrobinson6951]

Having just started turning over the last few months, this video was exactly what I needed. Thanks!

[@ImprovisedSurvival]

Superb demonstration! I am hopefully going to start turning within the next week or so, currently soaking up every drop of knowledge I can before I begin. This was a valuable gem, thanks from Chicago. Liked and subscribed.

[@haydenbird8306]

Thank you so very much for this, about the most useful video on turning I have seen to date. You have definitely helped me to avoid a few nasty moments but also to help me understand them when they do occur. Great teaching style too. Thanks

[@stephenbochicchio4506]

I'm new to this sport. Thank you for explaining the physics of why it catches. I now have an understanding of what I am doing and why. Best video I have seen explaining the basics of wood turning.

[@wessie51]

The most informative wood turning video I have ever watched. Learn how to use the tool is so much better than watching a video on how to make a specific project.

[@pwmoffitt]

Great video! Just started turning, I will watch this many times and practice with each tool. Thank you very much for the thorough explanation on each tool!👍

[@elrey8876]

Doing a beginner's class in woodturning and catches are terrifying when they happen. This explanation is great.

[@eserinemaibeline9745]

Thank you for making this video! I am just learning how to use a lathe and the tools it came with. I’m really grateful that this video exists because it help me understand how to use the tools and lathe better. So again thank you.

[@jennyharding6407]

Thanks for a very clear, simple, to the point explanation without any waffle. Spotted this at a good time as I am just learning/practising how to use my skew chisel. I got those very neat cirles around the wood and couldn't figure out why. Now I know.

[@equitecengineeringtechnolo7762]

Excellent teaching and demonstration Mr. Richard. Appreciate your contribution.

[@mars217]

i wish i had known you about 12 years ago, i wasted a few hundred dollars in wood finding that out the hard way. excellent work in showing and explaining why and how catches happen.

[@waynee.2856]

I'm waiting for my first lathe to arrive, so I'm trying to soak up as much info as I can ahead of time. This video is helpful in that it teaches folks to respect the lathe and focus on what you're doing. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous about working with a lathe but just like any other tool it will take time and practice. I'm not new to woodworking, just the lathe and I've always thought the lathe was the most dangerous tool in a shop next to a table saw. Thank you for this video. I'll definitely look for more safety tips on this subject.

[@taz0k2]

This is the best video for a beginner (like me) that I've found. This deals with the important stuff right away and not just fluff.

[@justinandrus6731]

You definitely earned my subscription, this was very concise very instructive video on the dos and don’ts of lathe work

[@thebobbicus]

Just starting into wood turning, excellent and very educational video, thank you. Makes it very clear exactly how the catches happen and how to avoid them

[@gilelicyd]

Best explanation of catches I have ever seen and demonstrated.Thank you.

[@thehobbymachinistnz]

I'm new to woodturning and I have had some of these catches. This is the best video I have seen so far which explains why you get these catches. Thank you for sharing this information in an easy to understand way.

[@cableferret9804]

This is fantastic. I am considering taking up woodturning and was concerned by not knowing how things can go wrong. But you show exactly how the catches occur and how to use the tools safely to avoid getting them into that situation.

[@crowznest438]

Thanks for posting this because there are plenty of how-to vids but few that tell what can go wrong, and why. First thing I ever made on a lathe, I caught the tip of the skew and now I know what I did to cause that.

[@KirkDiet]

This is by far, the best video I have seen for the fundamentals! Now I just have to practice using the correct way. Thank you!

[@trevorbezzina546]

Definitely one of the best videos so far. Very few show you how to deal with mistakes and catches. I just started wood turning and the information from this video is a great start.

[@loganbrown898]

I watched this video before I got my lathe and didn't give it much attention, but now I've got my lathe, this video has really helped.

[@spencerabdo9868]

This video is the most useful video I have seen for woodturning. I review it every couple of months to stay sharp (no pun intended) and caught up (pun intended) with my craft. Thanks a million.

[@randysmith5403]

An excellent video produced by a well-versed professional with a passion for teaching and sharing......thank you so much for this tremendously informative video. I am a rank amateur on the lathe and this video is precisely what I need at the beginning of this adventure.

[@combinesawmill]

I love the way you teach! Just this video alone has taught me why some of my mistakes keep happening!

[@windswepttwigg]

Great vid on the mistakes we make and why.. Should be more like this, so that people who Really want to start turning can use for reference. Top marks for this one.. well done team.

[@bribbripnairbnab7301]

Got an old woodturning book years ago. It helped a lot, but I still could not eliminate catches when trying to shear cut beads with a skew. So I usually scrape cut them. This video as finally the eureka moment! Excellent instruction finally enabling me to skew cut beads without worrying about catches.

[@michaelgavigan2633]

Thank you for this video. I am new to would turning (about 2 years) and self taught so I have had my share of catches. This was a great help in understanding catches.

[@Notoldfart]

Excellent. Your catches made me jump. I still have them on occasion. I gave up on the skew but after watching your video I now see what I was doing wrong. Will try again. At this point, the bowl gouge is my favorite tool but had to learn how to use it as well. Brendan Stemp's "no catch bowl turning" is what did the trick. Watched yours later, great.

[@ErikAnderson1]

You are scaring me in this video! Great video Fine Woodworking Richard Raffan Rocks!

[@dannyclark8668]

E

[@joell1813]

Amazing video, I tried woodturning a bowl myself and got a few ones...very interesting and you're an amazing teacher. Please keep going!

[@petermcdonald6813]

By far this is the best video on how to and more important, how not to turn wood. It should be on every turner's must-watch list. Well done!

[@mgoodwin8231]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I have a couple of your books, but there is nothing like a video to get the full concept. I know how to use skew, but your explanation on why it catches makes sense.

[@highjix]

I know this is an old video, but franly, this was one of the hardest videos for me to watch in a long long time, I was practically jumping out of my chair watching those catches. I have done wood turning since I was a teenager back in the 90's in high school and I don't recall ever getting a catch so that shows how lucky the stupid can be.

[@rorysmith8039]

I’m glad videos like this are available. I’m about to start woodworking, and it’s so easy to make grandiose plans without stopping to learn about tool safety.

[@andywilson3560]

I’ve watched loads of videos on wood turning, I’ve learned more on that one video than all the others put together… superb thank you so much , excellent, brilliant.

[@billmc1965]

THANK YOU!!! This video helped me a LOT, I am a novice turner, I have not ever had anyone explain "catches" to me and this video helped me understand WHY tools catch and how to avoid it!

[@tmikeporter]

we need more videos from Richard Raffan!

[@ScotDavids]

Agreed!!

[@BAILEYWOODWORKS]

Yes please!!!

[@MrBantar1000]

Thanks for this video. I just got my first lathe and am going to be watching a lot of vids before messing with it and this is the best yet! Would love to see an instructional set on different chisels.

[@danc101]

I'm relatively new to woodturning and this is possibly the most helpful video that I've seen so far

[@dandeloge3]

I've been debating about buying a lathe. I've watched many quality videos, but this video...brilliant! Throughly enjoyed.

[@montyswoodworkscrafts2232]

despite woodturning for years, the skew still fills me with fear every time I use it, thanks for making and sharing this video, certainly helped me with using my skew.

[@vincentmassaut1810]

Very well done video. And thanks for explaining the reasons of the catches... For beginners, the catches are what we are afraid of... Vincent (from Belgium)

[@chixterschannel3367]

Very informative. Clear explanation on why and how catches happen = learning how to avoid them. Thank you sir.

[@MichelleCameron]

Thank you. You've explained very nicely why I keep getting these catches in my own turning

[@dennishughes3250]

Excellent. Surely a "must see" for any prospective woodturners (and maybe some current ones). Thank you.

[@JoshDoubleM]

Your video is a great help to this frustrated newbie. I think I will watch this before each session, until I stop seeing those horrible spiral catches. This is the first time I have really seen the causes explained, and the prevention so clearly described.

[@coldblu357]

Oh wow! Thank you so much as I've been making all those catch errors, lol. I look forward to trying to improve my skills using your methods.

[@b.a.patriot1643]

Fantastic stuff. I'm just getting started in woodturning, and this kind of information really helps!

[@TomGlander]

Excellent video. Invaluable information for those of us not already experts in turning. Thank you.

[@premnas651]

Thank you! This is the best video I've seen to date for understanding catches.

[@NathanCosgrove97]

Fantastic video. Qualified Carpenter here looking to make Wood turning a hobby. Seen enough things go wrong on site, nice to get a good heads up before something goes wrong in a shed! cheers!

[@jolox.]

Thank you so much! Just starting and working on my first bowl made from sweet gum. I have had a few catches and this is really useful in helping me to understand why this happens!

[@tmikeporter]

I've watched a lot of videos on catches, but this is hands down the best!

[@Crustyswede1]

Perfect demonstrations. Only experience would allow this to be done on purpose with out injury. Great job. Thank you!

[@gill2837]

Finally I got the right kind of shaving coming off- didn't last but I will get it again with practice - thank you Richard- you are the best teacher! And king of the skew! Gill (Ireland) x

[@speedbuggy16v]

Thanks for the informative video, I just got a lathe and after watching this. I think I have a lot more videos to watch before I fire it up.

[@CowboyDave1812]

THIS is why, despite years of experience as a woodworker, I plan on taking lessons before I invest in my first lathe. There is so much about the dynamics of wood turning that is less than obvious.

[@LBCAndrew]

Excellent video. I'm currently looking to purchase a fairly basic lathe to see how I like wood turning and this is one of the best videos i've seen for explaining how and why catches occur. I have to admit though, the first catch you showed on the video made me jump slightly. haha. Most videos out there typically explain how to use the tool properly, but don't go into how and why a screw up happens. But I guess most people aren't confident enough to intentionally catch a gouge for a demonstration. So hats off to you!

[@larissapowell394]

LBCAndrew my husband started with a bolt and a nut and a cordless drill than bought a 40$ Craigslist tile saw old school with 3/4 horse motor belt driven the saw blade spindle had a 5/8 nut on it he took a 5/8 drill chuck and spun it on used that for a month. With a lot of freehand cussing and trying to make a rest out of scrap wood bricks and a lot of c clamps he bought a 70 year old running shop smith and is now teaching me if you love it start with the same start making a few rings with a nut a bolt and cordless drill and for faster results add a angle grinder with flap disk lol but try to make some simple ring and if you keep trying to be better on purpose than chances are you got the bug

[@angobansoar8174]

An excellent vid buddy. Actually one of the best tutorials, iv seen on here. Too many turners only want to pass on their knowledge for money. :-) Thanks again. Big, big thumbs up.

[@jasonpickler5753]

Thank you for this. I've just begun my journey into woodturning and kept running into this issue. Your explanation was much needed!

[@joell3102]

Excellent video. I'm completely self-taught and I had no idea I was using my skew the wrong way all this time. Maybe I'll try a bowl again after all... and may not get a catch with the bowl gouge this time!

[@joestallings6993]

Most informative lathe video I've seen. Thank you!

[@WoodFlipWorkshop]

Thanks for this very useful and entertaining video. For me as a newbie to woodturning I really appreciate your Catch-Collection !!!

[@Lazarus-aap]

Great informative video this is! Thank you for teaching us! I honestly didn't realize there was this much technique involved in wood turning...

[@Frithgar]

Thank you sir, you've helped clear up a number of points for me, to the extent that I'm even going to gather my courage and pick up a skew chisel again!

[@Uglybottombowls]

I hear you, I just chunked out a piece myself recently.