Lovely return to Turning

First woodturning spindle in over a year

Spent the day in the woodshop, the Tools are finally all fixed and freshly sharpened. It took longer then expected, much evidence of sabotage and ignorant abuse from the ex, but all is fixed and set to rights.

I spent last saturday at the WoodTurners Assoc, WorkShop they hold once a month. Found out I was not using my blades as I should, learned a lot. So practice I wanted to start with to get used to turning again, and to also apply new knowledge. The first half of the day was for making glue chucks. Took no time at all to fix my bad habits, a small plus from not turning in over a year. Had to fix a few mistakes through the whole first project, but it felt so good to be turning again. When I was done, I had two very nice glue chucks. Making bowls will be a soon to come project.

I was contemplating calling it a day, but I had to grab one of my spindle blanks. Itching I have been to get one turned out. It took forever to get the general size and shape set upon the wood, Not as dainty in the styling, and my heart shaped bottom is a bit lacking. However for my first is such a long time, I am very pleased with it. I finally mastered the trick of finishing the point fully on the lathe, so the tips are perfectly balanced, and the top tip is so very sharp. It spins like a dream.  If it wasn’t for me having to WoodTurn for my supper so to speak, I would be sorely tempted to keep this one, even though I am not liking the sharp triangular tip as much as my standard heart that I prefer. But it just spins like a dream. The tiniest flick sets this one a whirring.