subject: Basic Equipment, Tools & Supplies Required For Woodturning [print this page] Woodturning can be defined as an art where the craftsman carves a piece of wood into different artifact using various tools, equipment, and auxiliary woodturning supplies. A branch of woodworking, the woodturning uses a stationary tool to rotate the piece of wood while, using tools like gouges, scrapers, etc. to carve and sculpt into a definitive shape. With this effective technique, the craftsman can even create the most intriguing shape and design from a piece of wood.
Like any other form of art, woodturning art also requires some sort of investment. In this case, it is in the form of equipment, tools, and supplementary woodturning supplies. Let us see some of the basic equipment, tools, and woodturning supplies that are required for woodturning.
Woodturning Equipment
1.Lathe The primary equipment that is required for woodturning is a lathe. There are many lathes available in the market with different features. Some are full sized while others are small lathes. However, choosing the type of lathe entirely depends on the personal preference of the craftsman.
2.Safety Equipment The safety equipment should be the first priority for the craftsman as they will be working with sharp and moving objects. A face shield will protect the craftsman from the spinning object while, dust protection prevents wood dust entering the respiratory system of the craftsman. Buying gloves and leather steel-toe boots are also necessary to protect hands and foot from sharp and heavy objects.
Woodturning Tools
1.Gouges Set It is used to carve and shape the fast rotating wood on the lathe. Typically made from durable metal such as steel, high speed steel (HSS), or carbon steel, gouges are available in a wide range for woodturning. There is roughing gouge, bowl gouge, spindle gouge, etc. that is used for various purpose for a specific project.
2.Scraper As the name suggests, it is used to scrape wood fiber to give a smooth finish to the wood turned objects. There are different kinds of scrapers available in the market such as side cutting scrapers, captive ring scrapers, square end scrapers, round nose scrapers, etc. for woodturning.
3.Chisel Set These set of tools are typically used for cutting and refining curves in wooden spindle such as pepper mills, chair legs, candlesticks, letter opener, etc. They are also used to add details to the spindle.
Woodturning Supplies
Woodturning supplies are the auxiliary items that accompany each wood turned artifact. If the craftsman is working on pen, then he will need pen blanks, pen mill reamer, pen kits, etc. If he is working for any other artifact then woodturning supplies like weather instruments, memo holder, calculator, letter opener, insert clock, etc. are also used.
