Wood Turning Lathe - Is Bigger Better?

Posted on | June 15, 2007

Wood turning lathes seem to be machines on steroids some days. They are getting bigger and more massive all the time. This is likely in response to two trends in the wood turning world. First is the response from manufacturers to a tendency among turners to make bigger and bigger pieces. Second is the prevailing idea that bigger is always better in almost every part of life. Sometimes it is just not so.

Ed Moulthrop was likely not the first to turn large pieces but he became famous for them in the twentieth century. His yard would be filled with huge sections of tree trunk more than three feet in diameter, awaiting their turn on his home made lathe. Most of them would be arranged on a slope above the shop to make them easier to manage when trying to get them indoors. He had to use a block and tackle to get them to and on the lathe and the lathe was home made to get something big enough and slow enough to turn them safely.

Here we get an idea of what the turner of large pieces of wood has to contend with each time a piece goes on the lathe. Wood is heavy and the hardwood that most turners work with is heavier still. When you consider that most of us start with green wood, the weight is even greater. How many people will really want to wrestle with a chunk of wood more than 150 pounds in weight each time they wish to turn? That is a section of log big enough to turn a 24 inch bowl. A 24 inch hollow form will easily start at 300 pounds for the blank. Considering that some turners turn upwards of four foot diameter bowls, the weight is considerable. In maple the blank, assuming you could find a tree 4 feet in diameter, would be about 1200 pounds.

For the average turner, if such a person exists, a big bowl tends to be 12 inches in diameter and for the beginner, 10 inches is a good size. It will hold a lot of salad, is large enough to handle, and can appear more intimidating than it needs to be. Many beginner level lathes will handle a 10 to 11 inch bowl and will generally serve for several years to come.

What is important for the beginner is to obtain a lathe. Be sure it is sturdy enough to use with safety and enjoyment. Wood turning is growing quickly and wood turning lathes for beginners are becoming popular with the manufacturers. This is a good time to begin your enjoyment with a wood turning lathe.

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? Follow the page links for a free video.

You can easily ask your questions about wood turning at his blog at Round Opinions as well as comment on any thing related to the web site, this article or other aspects of wood turning, art and craft.

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