Originally posted by Fangar
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Originally posted by cteaglesc
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Originally posted by elody21
<br />It would be nice for someone to write up instructions with photos! I am sure there are many different ideas on how to do this, but a general instruction guide would be great! Anyone interested?
Russ Fairfield already has a blank cutting article on his site.
I ran across it long after I decided to get the best looking blanks as opposed to the most pieces from a piece of stock.
As far as the mechanics go, I got into pen turning after many years of HA woodworking.
A written tutorial is not the best way to learn how to use sharp spinning things that can cause bodily injury.
I realize many pen turners are not "woodworkers" per se.
If experience with sharp cutting edges is limited I strongly recommend hands on (excuse the pun) advice from a person who is familiar with power tools whether it be a relative, neighbor or a course from a local woodworking store.
Because pre cut, drilled and even glued up blanks are available I can see where someone who has absolutely no experience with woodworking tools can get interested in pen turning, not to mention and interest in turning materials that don't even require the use of a saw blade.(fabric,string and clay pens comes to mind)
Certainly any information regarding the different methods of cutting blanks would be helpful but not as a "how to" for someone who is not familiar with tools.
I am the type of person that has learned much of what I do by trial and error as well as from watching my father years ago. I agree that sometimes people follow half written examples so cloesly only to be injured as they missed something or worse yet, what was thought to be obvious by the writer of the instructions and therefore omitted or left out.
Always remember to be careful and that you can't get cut if you don't put your hands, fingers, toes, hair, gloves, clothing, arms, neck, etc. where they shouldn't be. I have never been cut on a saw, but have seen others who have.
My neighbor came over once when I was resawing some rough stock. He asked for some advice on what table saw to purchase at a decent price. I made some recommendations. About a week later he cut his right index finger off. I was mortified. I know it wasn't my fault as I hadn't given any instruction on it's use, or safety, etc, but still.
There are many things to be learned even with a slightly elevated amount of experience that I feel I have acquired over the years. You can learn even from the novice turner, or novice anything for that matter. So sharing information is pinacle.
A good disclaimer from me though is that I always assume that people I share information with have a great understanding of the tools that they are going to be using and therefore have a flat line of safety and precaution established. If this is not the case, I feel that one MUST take it upon themselves to research and learn.
Don't be the person that has the saw running, hands in place while reading a printed out email at the same time. DOH! [:0]
Cheers,
James