Five Common Woodturning Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Woodturning is a rewarding craft, transforming blocks of wood into beautiful and functional objects. However, like any skill, it comes with a learning curve, and certain mistakes are frequently made, particularly by beginners. Understanding these pitfalls is the first step to avoiding them, leading to safer work habits and higher quality results.
Here are five of the most common mistakes in woodturning and how you can steer clear of them:
1. Ignoring Lathe Speed Guidelines
One of the quickest ways to get into trouble on the lathe is setting the speed incorrectly. A common error is running the lathe too fast, especially with larger or unbalanced workpieces. Excessive speed on a wobbly blank can lead to dangerous vibrations, the wood potentially coming off the lathe, and a significant risk of injury. Conversely, a speed that is too slow for the tool and wood being worked can result in scraping rather than cutting, leading to poor surface finish and increased frustration.
How to Avoid: Always start the lathe at a slow speed, particularly with new or unbalanced blanks. Gradually increase the speed while observing the workpiece for vibrations. A general rule of thumb is that larger diameters require slower speeds, while smaller pieces can be turned faster. Consult guidelines for safe turning speeds based on workpiece diameter, and always trust your intuition – if it feels too fast or wobbly, slow down.
2. Improper Tool Rest Positioning
The tool rest is your primary point of support and control while turning. Positioning it incorrectly is a recipe for catches, digs, and loss of control. Setting the tool rest too far from the workpiece creates excessive tool overhang, leading to chatter and difficulty making clean cuts. Placing it too close risks the workpiece hitting the rest as it spins. Having the tool rest at the wrong height can cause the tool to be pulled into or pushed away from the wood unexpectedly.
How to Avoid: Position the tool rest as close to the workpiece as possible without it touching the spinning wood. Ensure the tool rest is slightly below the centerline of the spindle or the intended cutting path for most operations. This allows the bevel of the tool to rub, providing support and reducing the chance of a catch. Always double-check the tool rest position and secure it firmly before starting the lathe and frequently as the diameter of your workpiece changes.
3. Working with Dull Tools
Using dull tools is a common and detrimental mistake. A sharp tool slices through wood fibers cleanly, creating smooth shavings and requiring minimal effort. A dull tool, however, scrapes and tears at the wood, leading to a rough, torn-out surface that requires extensive sanding to fix. Dull tools also increase the likelihood of catches as they tend to bounce and grab the wood rather than cut.
How to Avoid: Develop a habit of sharpening your tools frequently. There's a saying in woodturning: "You spend more time sharpening than turning." While this might be an exaggeration, it highlights the importance of a keen edge. Learn proper sharpening techniques for each of your tools and touch up the edge regularly, even in the middle of a turning session. A sharp tool makes the process safer, more efficient, and much more enjoyable.
4. Poor Cutting Technique Leading to Catches
Catches are perhaps the most feared event in woodturning – a sudden, aggressive grabbing of the tool by the spinning wood that can damage your work, your tool, or even cause injury. Many catches stem from improper tool presentation and technique, such as leading with the wrong part of the tool's edge, having the bevel off the wood, or attempting to cut directly into end grain without the correct approach.
How to Avoid: Understand the intended use and cutting action of each of your tools. Learn to use the bevel of the tool as a guide, keeping it rubbing against the wood just behind the cutting edge. For different cuts and tools (like the skew chisel or bowl gouge), practice the correct angles and movements. When cutting end grain, use scraping tools or approach with a shearing cut using a sharp gouge. Start with shallow cuts and gradually increase depth as you gain confidence and control.
5. Skipping or Rushing the Sanding Process
After the turning is complete, proper sanding is crucial for a smooth and professional finish. A common mistake is not sanding adequately through the grits or, worse, sanding against the grain while the piece is spinning on the lathe at higher grits. Sanding against the grain creates microscopic scratches that become very apparent when a finish is applied, ruining the appearance of your work.
How to Avoid: Sand methodically through a progression of sandpaper grits, starting with a grit coarse enough to remove tool marks. Don't jump grits; ensure you've removed the scratches from the previous grit before moving to the next. For the final grits, especially on spindle work or when a perfectly smooth finish is desired, stop the lathe and sand by hand with the grain to remove any rotational scratches. Take your time with sanding – it's a critical step that can make or break the final product.
By being mindful of these common mistakes and actively working to avoid them, you'll find your woodturning skills improve, your projects look better, and your time at the lathe is much safer and more fulfilling