There has been an upsurge in the popularity of woodturning in recent decades and along with it the woodworking tool manufacturers have accommodated the new market with a wide selection of wood lathes in all price ranges. For the beginner woodturner there is thus a confusing array of choices in purchasing a lathe. While there is a lot of advice available in the choice of a beginner's wood lathe, the advice has to be sifted with reason.
One of the things that makes woodturning so enjoyable is the camaraderie of the turning population. Woodturners like to share information about the tools they use, the way they sharpen, how they turn special projects and of course about their lathes. Beginners can learn a lot about wood lathes simply by asking other woodturners and standing back to listen. Not a lot of prompting will be required.
The difficulty here of course, is most of the people consulted will be practising turners of some years experience. They will have formed opinions, both good and bad, of not only lathes in general but especially the one or ones upon which they turn wood. Their personal lathe may not be the ideal one for the beginner.
First of all, many woodturners gradually tend to specialize in certain forms or types of woodturning, often without realizing it. The lathe that is perfect for a pen turner may not even be close to meeting the needs of a bowl turner while beginners will likely want to try both. Some of the things they may now desire in a wood lathe may also be so esoteric to the needs of a beginner that they are immaterial in the beginner's desires for a working tool.
Secondly, most woodturners will want to introduce a friend to the joys of turning wood, but will forget the first days of their own turning and try to convince the newcomer to the craft that they need the same lathe as the experienced turner. The budget of the beginner seldom reaches that of the woodturner on his or her second, third or higher lathe.
Still, woodturners in their shops and on the web have a lot to offer for good advice as to what is needed as far as reliability, enjoyment and availability are concerned in wood lathes. An introduction to the local woodturning club is often filled with invitations to try other people's lathes, an invaluable aid to someone looking to purchase their own. There is also the possibility of someone in the club having a lathe for sale as they upgrade. Plus, woodturners know what else is needed to get started and have advice on where it is easiest and best purchased locally.
As with all free information, you get what you pay for. However, information is valuable and having a lot of it will make you a more informed buyer and therefore one more likely to enjoy the future use of your purchase.
Darrell Feltmate is a juried wood turner whose web site, Around the Woods, contains detailed information about wood turning for the novice or experienced turner as well as a collection of turnings for your viewing pleasure. You too can learn to turn wood, here is the place to start. Wondering what it looks like? There are many free videos on the site dealing with everything from sharpening to making a bowl.
There are several wood turning projects fully explained on the web site. In particular, a selection of beginner's projects may be found on the Beginner's Projects page complete with explanation and step by step photos.
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