Getting Started with Basic Wood Turning

Before realy getting into actual turning on my wood lathe, I thought it was very mportant to gather some literature and learn to do this the correct way. Also, tops at my list (and hopefully yours), get some basic safety equipment and make sure you wear it.

I started at the library, in the wood working section and found a few books. I ended buy two which I heartily recomend:

• Woodturning by Phil Irons - A good little instruction book that actually is "two books in one." The upper two thirds of each page covers the hot to on 22 different projects. Everything from cord pulls to hollow forms. The lower third focuses on techniques, everything from selecting raw wood to using tools, etc. The cool thing is, you can open up to one technique and use it while you review any of the projects.
• Turning Wood with Richard Raffan - This is really an excellent all around guide to wood turning. Richard has been turning wood since the 1970s and he covers lathes, tools, stances and grips, techniques and some projects. I really like his simplistic approach to shaping and finishing the wood.

There are links to Amazon to buy each book below, or you can find them in most book stores. I also try to look in used book stores, garage sales, flea markets, etc, for any cheap books on the subject. I also included a link to Richard Raffan's DVD Turning Wood. To see this man in action is quite incredible!

Also - Please invest in eye and face protection. ALWAYS wear safety glasses, at a minimum, and I'd suggest a decent safety face shield. I picked up mine for $13 and change at Amazon (the link is below) and it actually works quite well. The strap fits comfortably on my head and once it's on, I don't even realize I'm wearing it. I've already had several pieces fly off the lathe (fortunately none have hit me!) but I can see it happening. My face isn't that pretty, but I can't see hitting it with some high velocity flying wood blocks as an improvement.