Your Quick-Start Guide to Woodturning

[@RexKrueger]

I am NOT posting a link to the carbide tools from this video because I hate them. They are cheap and low quality and I do not recommend them. If you'd like to suggest some good carbide tools, feel free to mention them in the comments. Thanks!

[@stuffalecmakes]

What about the tools feel cheap?

[@mikes-mz5xb]

I find that it is best to craft your own carbide tools.

[@stuffalecmakes]

@@mikes-mz5xb I did the same and I'm still very happy with them

[@earlmorton1216]

I've been very happy with Easy Wood tools--both the tools themselves and the Easy Chuck.

[@hobsondrake]

@@mikes-mz5xb I agree. It only takes simple tools. But I understand the chicken/egg issue with needing tools to make tools.

[@weisnowhere]

When this video was first posted, i didn't watch it because I didn't have a lathe and was salty because I thought I wouldn't get one for years to come. Life surprised me with a great deal and now I have a lathe! So glad these vids are here thank you!

[@shortstupids.5267]

When you’ve been turning for a while now but still watch a beginners guide cause it’s Rex 👌

[@timothylarson3583]

The best advice I can give is to find and join a Woodturning club. Most have mentors and other members that can help anyone learn and solve issues as they arise. I have a couple of lathes and many tools, I am happy to have folks come over and try things out. Our club runs classes as well, most are for beginners. I have also gone to a few members homes and helped them with their own equipment. I expect most clubs are like the two I belong to.

[@palominox64]

"Don't cross the streams!" almost killed me. Love this video and the foot massager? (I was expecting a bowl when I saw the title) is just perfect, builds skills without too much frustration. Genius as ever. Humans will love this. :)

[@RexKrueger]

I'm glad you liked the project. Took a bit of thought.

[@rjmac3001]

I bought a harbor freight membership just to get a lathe, got the 36in lathe for $350, and i also got a 30% discount on the $80 tool set, made it $60. Easiest and cheapest setup to start wood turning i could imagine. So far ive made lots of neat things.

[@bobt2522]

I need to unbox my lathe and do something with it. It is a store-brand lathe I bought at a yard sale a few years ago. The first owner never used it either. It may be a complete piece of garbage but I won't know that I until I try it.

[@RexKrueger]

When you're first starting out, the best lathe is the lathe you've already got.

[@SleepLessThan3]

What kind of lathe is it?

[@SleepLessThan3]

I picked up an antique craftsman lathe for $30 about a month ago, and I finally finished a stand for it yesterday. Also picked up a set of robert sorby tools for $40. All I have left to do is finish printing out some sharpening jigs on my 3d printer and I'll be good to go turning some gas station fire wood :)

[@slomkaadas9603]

We need more videos like this at this yt cannel - that will be great! Cheers from Poland 🍻

[@Handcarvedbyrandy]

Way back in the 70s I was learning how to turn at my Grandfather's shop. Unfortunately, we never got to do a lot, but I was hooked. My dad got a lathe which I played around with until I got married and moved out and for 20 years, didn't have easy access to a lathe. Now I have a WEN 12X18 with a 22" extension bed, and my Dad's lathe. I also bought a mini lathe, but I kind of hate it. My Dad's lathe is being restored to be a dedicated tool handle lathe and the WEN will do whatever else I want.

[@nickg5473]

i was never super interested in wood turning till you started doing it now i want a lathe

[@RexKrueger]

It's worth having a little one. Many uses.

[@patatje1434]

Everyday woodworking arrived in the mail yesterday. i can't wait to get started and have your book to guide me 😀 Thanks for these great videos. you're one of the best.

[@markp6062]

You really are a great cheerleader for us new woodworkers. Thanks much for all your efforts!

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Afternoon Mr Krueger! I made foot roller, first thing I did actually!

[@ronmacalister5059]

Rex, I'm not a wood turner, but I always enjoy your videos. Thank you. I hope you and the family are doing well.

[@sgsax]

Such a great intro walkthrough for noobs like me. Good to demonstrate you don't need $1M tools to get started, you just need to start. I was promised a lathe for my birthday last year but still haven't cashed in on it yet. I should do that. Oh, and save the foot shots for OnlyFans. 😁 Thanks for sharing!

[@timothylarson3583]

Maximum lathe speed is determined from diameter of the work piece. A 2” spindle can go 3000 rpm’s, a 10” bowl would be less than 850 rpm’s for a turner with less experience. The surface speed effects centrifugal force, you don’t want your piece to blow apart. Slower speeds are better until to workpiece is balanced. Otherwise the lathe can vibrate and move, or throw the workpiece off the lathe. Wood with cracks and defects should not be used without dealing with the defects first. No one wants to get hit in the head with part or all of the wood they were working on.

[@E1nsty]

If your shop has just a concrete floor you might want to look into some mats for standing next to machines for long periods of time. Flexible mats have been used next to machines in factories a lot, it's healthier for both your feet and your back, plus it helps conserve body heat. The two likely options are a light wooden grate or one of those rubber mats with holes. It needs to have a bit of give to it.

[@MrTELarson]

There's a whole video you could do on sanding on the lathe, to get the best finish. Starting with use the best sandpaper you can afford... The cheap stuff loses it's grit and leaves very deep scratches. On spindles, the lathe leaves scratches across the grain, and these are more visible. Hand sanding with the grain can help remove them. I also looked into making my own inertia bowl sander, but by the time I figured out the costs and sourced the various parts, there wasn't enough cost savings, so I just bought one.

[@inspiringbuilds]

A foot massager from turning is awesome! Basic techniques here that will make any DIY’er/woodworker want to turn. 👍🏼

[@GaryKlineCA]

Thank you for posting this! Starting out from scratch is rarely covered, and this gives us a way into the craft.

[@MrDaneBrammage]

"When I make a mistake, I'm already set up to make another one." Yeah, that's when I usually make the second mistake too.

[@GuitarsNAmmo]

I love my lathe! BTW, I turn walnut all the time. It's easy with sharp tools and the right speed to get a good finish.

[@johnhemby8631]

I had no clue that the lever on the front was a belt tensioner. Game changer

[@RexKrueger]

That's why I made the video! Those seem like dumb details...unless no one ever explained them.

[@johnhemby8631]

@@RexKrueger now I may actually change speeds instead of leaving it full tilt all the time

[@dwightl5863]

It's amazing what one can learn from the manual as well!!

[@TalkingTrey]

Rex I was wondering where you were and when you’ll be uploading! I’m glad you did when you did! Love the content and truthfully I think you are one of the most wholesome and down to earth KZbinrs there is. I appreciate the work and now come to watch your videos for you! I don’t own a lathe but I sat here and watched because your like a mentor teacher I’ve always wanted. Thanks for what you do keep it up! (By the way you are what really sent me down the woodworking rabbit hole. Your video about mistakes when making a workbench is what brought me to you and I’ve been here ever since! Never stop sharing your experience and expertise !)

[@simonadams818]

Wow I've got to turn some handles for a plane project later and you're releasing a video on woodturning - ESP, Rex! Also some gushing... I love your videos dude; keep up the amazing work - we all really appreciate it!

[@RexKrueger]

That's very appreciated. Thank you!

[@doczoff5655]

ESP Simon! I recently restored a No5 plane but I don't like the feel of the cheap plastic tote and knob, and just last week I salvaged some nice beech from a junked settee... You just gave me a great idea for my first turning project, thanks buddy!☺️ I've already carved a few totes for other restorations so if I can turn a knob I'm sorted. And thanks as always to Rex for endless inspiration... You the man!!

[@omegaflameZ]

Carbides are great for starting in on turning and I've done a lot with them but I will say that getting a roughing gouge was like night and day for my spindle turning. I hated using my carbides for roughing but the gouge can chew out some serious shavings and leave a more than adequate finish for doing details with the carbides. The edge geometry also makes it surprisingly OK to touch up by hand with the same diamond paddles that I use to touch up the carbide inserts.

[@doczoff5655]

"You bought a wood lathe but maybe you haven't made anything yet?". Yup, you're absolutely right Rex... except I bought my wood lathe in the 1990s, really is about time I made something with it!!

[@jimhyslop]

Thank you! It's good to know I'm not the only one who does this sort of thing!

[@richardherbert1375]

Not relevant to this video, but a couple of months ago I commented that your great book "Everyday Woodworking" had still not arrived from Amazon to me in the UK six months after ordering it. I am pleased to state that it has now arrived, after an 8 month wait. Unfortunately it still isn't listed on Amazon's UK website!

[@RAWest-wo5ki]

Hey Rex, Love your videos. I am starting to turn wood and it is great, and helpful that you are demonstrating with the exact same WEN model that I purchased a year back. Look forward to all your videos, keep up the great work.

[@joesurf4]

Rex, I appreciate your content. Also half expected you to whip out a treadle lathe. :)

[@SteveC38]

It doesn't get any simpler than that! Thanks Rex!

[@samueljaramillo4221]

The master teacher. You make it look so easy.👏👏👍🏻

[@stevenpopp4649]

Really cool idea to get people started, and coming from.a factory worker these are a life saver

[@jacohop]

I was low-key hoping you’d start with “you might think you “need a lathe” but you can actually make a reasonable start with …” 😁

[@gmmeier321]

You touched on this point when you said don’t use a rag. But you didn’t mention that you need to always remove the tool rest when putting your hands on spinning work. You can lose a finger if the tool rest is close. And you can get a burn if you push any paper too forcefully. It gets hot.

[@dwightl5863]

Turning the speed down while sanding helps the heat generated problem. As always let the sandpaper do the work rather than forcing it.

[@mariushegli]

I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.

[@ocuanadesigns]

Great video Rex. Really makes me want to get to work on my own lathe when I get home

[@paulbateman5769]

I half expected you to have made your own lathe and had a vision of you pedalling it at different speeds :)

[@RexKrueger]

Look back to the summer of 2019.

[@fatbikeexpedition9841]

perfectr timing i just bought a used lathe yesturday

[@redmikey24]

To get some simple detail use a piece of wire with some wood handles. It burns in some great looking lines.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Rex! Really amazing info! 😃 Thanks a lot!!! Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@kdoubleg]

Im a machinist and run a metal lathe almost every work day. Its generally considered a no no, but i often use the machines made for metal on wood. It often feels like cheating, but you need to be quite careful or you can completely destroy a project in an instant. It can also be dangerous.

[@jrk1666]

For spindle turning I really prefer Alan Lacer's safety cup center but a spur is fine too

[@timothylarson3583]

With traditional tools, I am much faster knocking the corners off on the lathe. A spindle roughing gouge is a great tool for rounding spindles. It is one of the easiest tools to sharpen. The spindle roughing gouge should only be used on workpieces with the grain running between centers, otherwise the forces involved with end grain cutting can fatigue and break the tool, sending parts of it flying.

[@CrimeVid]

Ooo ! I used to have one of those horrible little lathes (some chinese factory) A pox on carbide scrapers ! I have never understood the American fascination with scrapers anyway ! Gouges and parting tools for a start, then the skew chisel

[@thomashverring9484]

Ooooh, I wish I had a lathe!

[@penjon]

Not sure if it's the same model as yours, but it looks like Amazon's finally listing a 12x18 inch Wen lathe again.

[@gfsimmons1]

I have been turning for a couple years but the basics should always be reviewed. I live in a rural area with no turners, I know of, nearby. Being self taught is the definition of unskilled labor.

[@XxStratAttackxX]

Hey Rex how about a lathe powered drum sander video?

[@richardhart7652]

Hi Rex another informative video, but is it an old or new one as you tube are not showing me when you post them, again

[@uniqko]

Wow amazing

[@KuntaKinteToby]

Another excellent video Rex!

[@hellscreation]

I wish this was the video I found when I started turning! I do want to point one thing out though, if your lathe speed is operated by a dial rather than a pulley system (like mine, I inherited it), NEVER adjust the speed with the lathe off. This can cause the lathe to start up with too much slack in the belt and can cause serious problems!

[@Spott07]

This concern is quite true for a machine with variable-width pulleys or tapered sheaves, where the knob is making mechanical adjustments to the drive system, which is present in some high-quality, large, older lathes. It's much better to adjust the drive system with everything in motion so that the internal parts can move and maintain the expected tension (much like trying to move the steering on a car while moving even slowly, vs while sitting stopped). However, if your machine has an electronically controlled motor drive (like most modern, small, inexpensive lathes) then it's not a concern. The knob is simply a "volume control" for speed, and the belt never slides or slackens on the pulleys in this type of machine. It's straightforward to tell the difference: The mechanically adjustable systems require some physical force to move the adjuster, similar to moving the depth adjustment in a bench plane or moving the gear shift on a manual transmission. The electronic adjustments require no more force than turning the volume knob on a stereo.

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Please do recommend some good carbide turning tools, and other high steel tools .

[@jimjimdanglebun685]

hey rex, I've been binging all your videos while doing work and I was wondering if you have ever thought about making a list of woodworking books that may be of interest to others, kind of like a reading list. I noticed you mention some throughout your channel but I always forget to write them down... and then I forget the video you mentioned them in. You may have already done it on patreon and if so I'd gladly sign up just for that resource!

[@TeddXplosion]

Ghostbusters reference... sub'd

[@sealed2mybff]

I was given my friend's lathe when he died, and I have yet to do anything with it. It kinda scares me, to be honest. Another buddy showed me his mushroom collection that he'd made on his lathe, and even made one while I was there. Super fast. I need to pull it out and give it a try.

[@kornelmoleda]

Hi rex waiting for your pole LATHE :)

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

Hey Rex, You may have said this but what size is your Wen lathe? What lathe do you recommend for a beginner? I have been looking at the Jet

[@Raye938]

"Never use a rag because they can get caught" *looks at the loose shirt sleeve a couple inches from the piece*

[@ErictheHalf_bee]

"Look around...can you form some sort of--rudimentary lathe?" Guy, aka Crewman No. 6, Galaxy Quest.

[@wiseoldfool]

lol

[@TheWoodenRider]

Hey Rex, nice video When I turn with classic tools (I never used carbide tools), I tend to raise the tool rest a bit and try to start the tool from the top of the piece and then bring down the angle until I get good shavings. I do find that your carbide tool was a bit on the lower side of the piece which may better explain the catches I've turned walnut before and usually get very good results especially when I keep my tools sharp. Any particular reason why you started with a carbide tool instead of a roughing gouge? I'm wondering if you had done this maybe you might have had better results from the carbide tools - did they chip in any way?

[@RexKrueger]

I was just going for the quickest way to get started. I'm no fan of carbide, but folks need to start somewhere.

[@dragonthunder2145]

Didn’t you buy a custom strike block plane from a guy on Instagram a while back? I never saw a video on it or I haven’t seen you using it in a video. How’d it turn out?

[@philip1982]

"If I make a mistake, I'm already set up to make another one, and I won't waste any time." Yeah, it's always easier and quicker to make the second mistake once you've already made the first.

[@James_T_Kirk_1701]

Rex if I remember you have the small harbor freight lathe too. Which do you like better the Wen or Harbor Freight?

[@RexKrueger]

I had the big harbor freight lathe for years. I paid about $280 for mine and for that price, you can't beat it.

[@James_T_Kirk_1701]

Thanks.

[@stuffalecmakes]

I ended up diy-ing my carbide tools when I had first started. Pretty easy and much cheaper

[@CountDoucheula]

I did the same, but carbide turning tools are pretty cheap these days on Amazon & eBay. For not much more than the price of the carbide inserts and some 10mm mild steel rod, you could purchase a carbide turning tool with 3 interchangable heads, square, round & detail diamond. The only downside is they're probably Chinese, given the price point.

[@stuffalecmakes]

@@CountDoucheula the interchangeable ones tend to freak me out, cause I can't imagine the connection is super strong

[@CountDoucheula]

@@stuffalecmakes honestly, it's not too bad. I purchased an aluminium handle and a detail diamond on a 12mm shaft and the handle secures to the shaft with 2 decent sized grub screws. I feel like I'm more worried about the insert itself coming loose rather than the handle, because of its close proximity to the workpiece, but I'm sure we're both being paranoid. The only downside to those aluminium handles with the interchangeable shafts is that a lot of them have round shafts, so you have to pay attention to the angle at which you're introducing the tool into the piece. I like my lump of mild steel bar with a carbide insert drilled in a little better, because it's square in profile so I know that the shaft will always be flat against the toolrest, therefore I'm always presenting the tool perpendicular to the workpiece. Something like this would be a pretty decent foray into carbide turning. You get pretty much the 3 most used profiles of insert, one piece construction so you're not worrying about wobbly handles, and the shaft itself is square so you're always nicely seated on the toolrest. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353982872794?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=_KdJTK7KQq6&sssrc=2349624&ssuid=rEuAh3OZQaS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@stuffalecmakes]

@@CountDoucheula huh, the more you know! I can definitely get the appeal of these then

[@davidkehrer7342]

I was hoping a treadle or spring lathe would have made it to one of your woodworking for humans projects.

[@jamesmade]

Need to get myself a lathe! hello facebook marketplace...

[@DeeegerD]

But I didn't buy a wood lathe?

[@windhelmguard5295]

just one thing: flared base!

[@NomenNescio99]

The "foot-massager" looks a lot like something I saw in the window of a sex shop in the red-light district next to the train station in Amsterdam.

[@fish8930]

Ah yes terrible terrible chipping. I’m having the same issue on a dresser I’m making out of red oak. Turning the legs are a complete nightmare. I seriously wish I took more time to think about species 😂

[@RexKrueger]

Oof! That's a tough one. Dry red oak is chippy. All I can say is that traditional tools will do far better than carbide. You'll need to learn new techniques... but no time like the present.

[@dogsoupblues]

Lookin good, tho I prefer to just make fists with my toes 😁

[@philipderoos8871]

Is it OK to just use chisels instead of "turning tools" ?

[@dwightl5863]

First off the handles are to short. Second the bevel on a chisel is much to shallow making it an aggressive lathe tool. Not saying it can't be done but the risk of some serious catches is very high. Highly recommend a full face shield and leather turning apron, good to use with the proper tools but absolutely a necessity if you are going to use chisels.

[@timothylarson3583]

Not a good idea. The metal used is different, the turning tools take a lot more abuse from the wood. Standard chisels don’t have the mass, and would most likely snap in time. Especially on end grain cutting. Additionally, most modern turning tools are made of high speed steel M2 or better, the edge lasts a lot longer… it is not uncommon for the tool to have traveled over a mile on the wood in under two minutes.

[@weesnaorc1203]

But Rex, i have not a lathe

[@ytiralc]

Step one, get the tools, a workshop and a lathe............................................................... Oh right, that's the bit we skip for all of this.

[@pietjepuk9575]

A foot massager? yeh right, i guess a lot of woman would use it for something else 😁😁😁😁👍👍👍👍

[@tonydomingo8357]

offsets....

[@DerHarlekin]

Oh I hate these live premiere announcements! Everyone does then now and I find them highly irritating. If this gets any worse then I have to try for 5 minutes to figure out if a video I want to watch is actually live already. It's just a nuisance!

[@Struthio_Camelus]

You just need a better class of content providers? Go ahead, complain about the farmers, just don't talk while your mouth is full.