Michael Klein, MD, formerly with Texas Health Center in Victoria, likes to work with wood during his free time. One of Dr. Michael Klein's favorite pastimes is wood turning, in which hobbyists use a lathe to create items like bowls, table legs, and curtain rods.
Creating bowls usually requires a lathe with a larger diameter than smaller projects, such as handles and table legs. Turning a bowl requires a larger piece of wood stock.
A wood turner will need turning tools, which look similar to chisels or awls, to shape the wood once it's on the lathe. Turning tools come in sets of several pieces, with each tool having a different head to provide a slightly different effect. Turners must regularly maintain their tools, or they will become dull.
Due to its moisture, freshly cut green wood works well for bowl turning. Ideally, however, one should take the time to prepare it for turning by cutting it into a rough, rounded shape using a circular saw or band saw. Those without access to fresh-cut wood can also turn to manufacturers who produce stock specifically selected for turning purposes.
Creating bowls usually requires a lathe with a larger diameter than smaller projects, such as handles and table legs. Turning a bowl requires a larger piece of wood stock.
A wood turner will need turning tools, which look similar to chisels or awls, to shape the wood once it's on the lathe. Turning tools come in sets of several pieces, with each tool having a different head to provide a slightly different effect. Turners must regularly maintain their tools, or they will become dull.
Due to its moisture, freshly cut green wood works well for bowl turning. Ideally, however, one should take the time to prepare it for turning by cutting it into a rough, rounded shape using a circular saw or band saw. Those without access to fresh-cut wood can also turn to manufacturers who produce stock specifically selected for turning purposes.
