Improving the Performance of your Lathe
To get the best performance out of your lathe it is good woodturning practice to keep all chisels
and tools sharp. This can be achieved by regularly grinding the cutting edges on a grinder with
the aid of a sharpening guide. Keeping the edges sharp significantly reduces the loading on the
motor allowing for better output. Consequently turning conditions are improved and cleaner
finishes are obtainable.
For improved turning it is desirable to have wood removed in shavings as opposed to chips. The
position of your tool to the work-piece is very important in achieving this.
It is advisable to have an angle between the tool tip and the work-piece. The angle allows
shavings of wood to be 'scooped' off in strips. It must also be noted that the type of wood and
grain will affect the removal of wood from your work-piece.
To gain maximum torque from the motor it is advised that the belt is run on the smallest motor
pulley diameter i.e. closest to the Outrigger. Use the middle step for other general work.
Learning Turning
The last section outlined some simple guidelines and recommendations to get you started.
However the art and technique of turning is a subject beyond the scope of this operating
manual. It is recommended that you receive hands-on instruction on lathe turning and/or
refer to books and videos on the subject. For reference, some woodturning books are:
Woodturning A Foundation Course
by Keith Rowley
Turning Wood With Richard Raffan
by Richard Raffan
Creative Woodturning
by Dale Nish
The Fundamentals of Woodturning
by Mike Darlow
Woodcraft in the USA offer woodturning instruction courses. For more information visit
Woodcrafts website at www.woodcraft.com
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