Lathe Basics – WOOD magazine

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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50 Comments

  1. Jack CROOK on February 28, 2022 at 11:18 pm

    wood magazine come get your mans



  2. Scott Ogburn on February 28, 2022 at 11:21 pm

    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.



  3. Tabitha Feller on February 28, 2022 at 11:21 pm

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



  4. ding on February 28, 2022 at 11:22 pm

    twu



  5. robohippy on February 28, 2022 at 11:23 pm

    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.



  6. Blind Squirrel Carpentry on February 28, 2022 at 11:24 pm

    How big is a lathe?



  7. Bruce Hunter on February 28, 2022 at 11:25 pm

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



  8. Jose Arrue on February 28, 2022 at 11:26 pm

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



  9. Jerry Johnson II on February 28, 2022 at 11:26 pm

    Thanks for the knowledge about the Lathe



  10. anepictree on February 28, 2022 at 11:30 pm

    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



  11. njoyingtube1 on February 28, 2022 at 11:30 pm

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



  12. DIM Tips on February 28, 2022 at 11:30 pm

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



  13. John Boulton on February 28, 2022 at 11:32 pm

    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



  14. Matthew Willis on February 28, 2022 at 11:32 pm

    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.



  15. Jason Enz on February 28, 2022 at 11:33 pm

    If a lathe says 12×14… 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!!!
    🙂



  16. Sally Fox on February 28, 2022 at 11:35 pm

    Excellent video



  17. Bruce Bonkowski on February 28, 2022 at 11:37 pm

    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



  18. Somewhere Down The Road on February 28, 2022 at 11:38 pm

    Just getting started and I love this video. Thanks.



  19. Patrick Lilwall on February 28, 2022 at 11:40 pm

    Great intro to wood turning



  20. Douglas Pierce on February 28, 2022 at 11:41 pm

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



  21. MinerGT on February 28, 2022 at 11:43 pm

    Where my Industrial Arts (woodshop) viewers at?



  22. VivaceWand on February 28, 2022 at 11:44 pm

    I loved how he called the hammer an Impact Device. I laughed a little 😀



  23. Eddie Conna on February 28, 2022 at 11:44 pm

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



  24. Diana Yates on February 28, 2022 at 11:44 pm

    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 !



  25. Neil Stubbs on February 28, 2022 at 11:46 pm

    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?



  26. Njord390 Blue on February 28, 2022 at 11:48 pm

    Great video!



  27. Kirby on February 28, 2022 at 11:49 pm

    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.



  28. Timothy Matthews on February 28, 2022 at 11:52 pm

    Thanks man



  29. Bob Osterberg on February 28, 2022 at 11:53 pm

    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!



  30. BIGDW 2700 on February 28, 2022 at 11:59 pm

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



  31. Bart Giles on February 28, 2022 at 11:59 pm

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



  32. Mike Cagle on March 1, 2022 at 12:00 am

    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.



  33. Robert Woodward on March 1, 2022 at 12:00 am

    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..



  34. Emily Sofia Trujillo on March 1, 2022 at 12:00 am

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



  35. Dustin Keller on March 1, 2022 at 12:01 am

    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



  36. Ranveer Bisla on March 1, 2022 at 12:01 am

    Why is the quality so bad?



  37. Eeshan Vutkuri on March 1, 2022 at 12:04 am

    Great vid, just used for learning



  38. Carol Riley on March 1, 2022 at 12:05 am

    Turning has become my passion!



  39. Paul.H Le on March 1, 2022 at 12:06 am

    Nice introduction!



  40. Mister Musturd on March 1, 2022 at 12:09 am

    WOOD



  41. Popular Wood Turning#Shorts on March 1, 2022 at 12:09 am

    Amazing! Looks great
    We are CNC woodlathe machines manufacturer in Turkey.Could you please like and share our page
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  42. tay andrew on March 1, 2022 at 12:09 am

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



  43. fireworxz on March 1, 2022 at 12:10 am

    Thanks



  44. James Rutledge on March 1, 2022 at 12:10 am

    Easy quick 12 min watch, super helpful and easy to understand, didn’t feel like my time was wasted.

    Thank you sir !!!



  45. Zak on March 1, 2022 at 12:13 am

    Impact device? NERD!



  46. John Boulton on March 1, 2022 at 12:14 am

    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.



  47. artiste soundbox on March 1, 2022 at 12:15 am

    Question can composite deck wood be used on a lathe



  48. The Underground WoodShop on March 1, 2022 at 12:15 am

    this was incredibly helpful!!!



  49. Edward Harris on March 1, 2022 at 12:15 am

    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



  50. M.Ashraf Moustafa on March 1, 2022 at 12:16 am

    Thanks for sharing. 😉