How to Become an Excellent Woodturner
Today, I would like to share five strategies to becoming an excellent woodturner.
EffortIf you expect to become a proficient woodturner, you will have to put in the time required in front of the lathe and make the effort to learn and understand what is going on while you’re there. The key here is to analyze what you learned in the shop immediately after each session so you can carry it with you the next time. Woodturning relies on the skill of the craftsman more than any other woodworking discipline. Success with the following steps also requires effort, attention and analysis. Study shapesMost of us don’t just automatically have a good eye for form and shape. For most of us this is a skill which must be learned. I suggest classic pottery shapes as a good starting place. One Woodturning author even suggests turning forms and then painting them black so as not to be distracted by the various grain patterns of your piece. His reasoning is that would allow one to focus on the shape alone. Books, videos, club demonstrations, YouTube, fine art galleries and museums all play an integral part in recognizing which shapes are pleasing to the eye and why. You may also consider the “500” book series. I have several and refer to them often.Join a local Woodturning clubMost AAW Woodturning chapters are filled with craftsman eager to teach you whatever it is you need to know and their tutelage is usually free for the asking. In addition, they know all the best resources. Like where to get free wood! If you have to pay for your wood they will know who has the lowest prices in your area. If you are struggling with some technique that just seems to elude you, you have access to people who can help you and people who want to see you succeed. If you have a question about any kind of equipment from lathes to scroll chucks to lathe tools including sharpening they are almost always your best resource.Take Woodturning classes from experienced woodturners including professionalsThe value of formal classroom training, whether in groups of 10 or more, or one–on–one, cannot be overstated. Most professional woodturners are also excellent teachers and are eager to share the insights they have learned over many years of experience in the craft. If you’re having difficulty with the particular cut or technique, they will know almost immediately what you’re doing wrong and will help you correct your mistake on the spot. It will be up to you to practice the proper technique after the class is over. This will be some of the very best money you ever spend in learning to become an excellent woodturner.As you may know I have been a professional woodturner for about 10 years now and have demonstrated, presented and taught nearly 1,000,000 people. I still take Woodturning classes from my peers. Just so you’ll know I’m serious, I’ve either taken classes from, or received counseling and advice face–to–face from Kirk DeHeer, Chris Stott, Jimmy Clews, Stuart Mortimer, Mike Mahoney, Nick Cook, Don Russell, Paul Schurch, Jeff Ferriss, Richard Raffin, and Dick Sing to name just a few which you may have heard of. These people know more than I do about certain things and all of them have been more than eager to steer me in the right direction. The value of their wisdom, knowledge, skill and insight cannot even be measured. Turning symposiumsWhether national or regional, turning symposiums are one of the very best sources of education, inspiration, encouragement and camaraderie that you will ever have available to you. The cost in dollars is usually very modest. In time it’s a three day weekend plus travel time to get there and return. The dividends that you will reap from what you see attending one of these events cannot even be measured. Regardless of what your skill level is you will be a better wood turner for having attended a symposium. Most symposium organizers go out of their way to make their event friendly to couples and families.
My inspiration for this week’s message comes from:
Proverbs 15:22 NIV –– Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.
