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Woodturning is a form of woodworking, that is used to create wooden objects (e.g. a bowl or a table leg) on a lathe using cutting tools. Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking, in that the wood is moving while a (relatively) stationary tool is used to cut and shape it. Many intricate shapes and designs can be made by turning wood.

There are two distinct methods of turning wood, spindle turning or turning between centers and faceplate turning. In spindle turning, the grain of the wood runs lengthwise, and the piece is typically spun on centers between the headstock of the lathe and the tailstock, with material removed from the side of the wood. In face plate turning, the grain of the wood runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation, and the piece is often attached to the lathe via a plate or a chuck. Most bowls, platters and vessels are face plate turned, while pens, table legs, and other slender pieces are typically spindle turned. Regardless of the method of attachment, the orientation of the grain determines the method in use, the type of tools to use, and the direction of cut.

History


The origin of woodworking dates to around 1300BC when the Egyptians first developed a two-person lathe. One person would turn the wood with a rope while the other used a sharp tool to cut shapes in the wood. The Romans improved the Egyptian design with the addition of a turning bow. Early bow lathes were also developed and used in Germany, France and Britain. In the Middle Ages a pedal replaced hand-operated turning, freeing both the craftsman's hands to hold the woodturning tools. The pedal was usually connected to a pole, often a straight-grained sapling. The system today is called the "spring pole" lathe (see Polelathe). Spring pole lathes were in common use into the early 20th Century. A two-person lathe, called a "great lathe", allowed a piece to turn continuously (like today's power lathes). A master would cut the wood while an apprentice turned the crank.

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Just in from a bit of woodturning in the workshop. Quilting sewing m/c wedges,Elanor's porridge stirrer and a start on Lorcan's tooth box.
Winebuff (Winebuff) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:57:25 -0000
Just in from a bit of woodturning in the workshop. Quilting sewing m/c wedges,Elanor's porridge stirrer and a start on Lorcan's tooth box.
#5: Woodturning Design http://ff.im/aWdMd
melvinsfrederic (Melvin S. Frederic) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:34:02 -0000
#5: Woodturning Design http://ff.im/aWdMd
Woodturning in the woodshop. http://www.woodjars.com
WoodJars (Diane Gracely) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:51:29 -0000
Woodturning in the woodshop. http://www.woodjars.com
Just saw a video on Animoto called "Rustic woodturning": http://animoto.com/play/hycsM1C7tgAHmIFhMsejJw
KirstyKustard (Kirsty Jury) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:44:12 -0000
Just saw a video on Animoto called "Rustic woodturning": http://animoto.com/play/hycsM1C7tgAHmIFhMsejJw
New #woodturning class dates announced. Intro to Woodturning & Christmas Ornaments -- come see me in Loveland, CO, www.daystarhandworks.com
daystar07 (Katherine Kowalski) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:27:16 -0000
New #woodturning class dates announced. Intro to Woodturning & Christmas Ornaments -- come see me in Loveland, CO, www.daystarhandworks.com
New turned bamboo ring! #jewelry #handmade #woodturning #woodworking #rings #bamboo http://bit.ly/4xU5nF
dveldhuizen (David Veldhuizen) Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:56:13 -0000
New turned bamboo ring! #jewelry #handmade #woodturning #woodworking #rings #bamboo http://bit.ly/4xU5nF

 
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GRACE SMITH1 - Offers the Razor Sharp Edgemaking System.

Augum's Pen Works - Offers supplies for woodworking, woodturning, pen making supplies, wood blanks, tools, adhesives, etc.
Meta Description: [ Finest wood pen kits with pen making tools & supplies, woodworking supply & woodturning pen kits. Offers quality wood pen kits, pen making tools & woodworking supplies online. ]

Behemoth Woodturning Tools - Offers woodturners an alternative to similar hollow turning tools.
Meta Description: [ High quality wood turning tools designed to give you stability and control while turning. ]

Crown Hand Tools Ltd - Offers a large range of woodworking tools.
Meta Description: [ Woodturning, woodworking and woodcarving tools and sets from Crown Hand Tools Ltd. World class manufacturers of handsaws, decorators tools and much more based in Sheffield, UK. ]

Hegner UK - Manufacturer of woodworking and turning machines, including bowl lathes.

One Good Turn - Seller of Vicmarc lathes and chucks, and other turning tools.

Pro Machine Tools, Ltd. - Offers woodturning lathes, lathe accessories equipment, and other woodturning supplies.

T-J Tools - Offers specialist sharpening tools for woodturners, wood carvers and cabinet makers

Turningways - Offers stabilized, laser guided hollowing systems for the wood turner.
Meta Description: [ woodturning tools, woodturning supplies, woodturning lathes, wood working tools, stabilized hollowing tools, wood cutting tools, wood cutter, lathe wood tools, wood lathe steady rest, boring bar ]

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