It seems like, there is a new lathe on the market every time you pick up a new issue of a woodturning magazine. Most of them are of little or no interest to me. However, recently two new lathes have come out that really get my attention. I think they are going to become very popular. I think the new Powermatic 2014 is really going to revolutionize the under $2000 market.
I went over to the dark side a couple of years ago when the price of good CBN grinding wheels dropped down near $100.
I recently decided I should start recommending the purchase of CBN wheels for newbies. You never need to “dress” a CBN grinding wheel thus the size of the wheel never changes. This really simplifies things for newbies. Once they get their grinder and sharpening jigs set up they never need to adjust things. Continue reading CBN Grinder Wheels→
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Meta Description: Carl recommends CBN wheels for newbies. They really simplify things because the size of the wheel never changes. What grit? Get a wide wheel?
I have a concrete floor in my studio. I also have flat feet, thus I need really good floor mats in my studio. Over the years I have tried lots of different options for floor mats.
I tried the cheap ones from Home Depot, etc. When they were not soft enough, I tried stacking up the cheap ones, etc. I even let someone at a AAW symposium talk me into a really expensive $200 mat. A sucker is born every minute! I hate that mat with a passion! It will not stay put! It is always sliding out of position! Err!!!
A few years ago I decided to change all of my mats to the expensive kitchen mats with holes from Rubber-Cal. If they are good enough for chiefs who stand on them all day in the kitchen then they are good enough for me.
Meta Description: Carl recommends “Rubber-Cal Dura-Chef" floor mats. Good tough Anti-Fatigue mats that stay put. Not to soft or hard. Affordable with Amazon Prime free shipping.
I have found that face shields are HIGHLY PERSONAL. What one person
likes, others will hate!
Therefore you should try before you buy. Try at a class, school,
club or a friends house.
I have several different models of face shields in my studio. I
can never predict in advance what people will like.
Continue reading Face Shields→
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Meta Description: Carl reviews face shields. Face shields are HIGHLY PERSONAL. Therefore you should try before you buy. What are your options? Powered vs non powered. Etc.
Here is my “Craft Foam Projects Bowl Rim” tip that appeared in the “Tips” section on page 15 of the AAW February 2019 “American Woodturner” Journal. Continue reading Foam Cole Jaws→
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Meta Description: Link to Carl's "Foam Cole Jaws" AAW magazine "tips section" PDF. Sticky-back craft foam on my Jumbo Jaws helps protect a bowl’s rim when reverse-chucked to finish the bottom.
Here is some advice I wrote for a new turner who has just purchased a Powermatic 3520C lathe. He was looking for advice on chucks, faceplates and a drill chuck. A threw in a little extra stuff.
Join the American Association of Turners (AAW)
You should join the AAW for there Journal magazine ASAP. The great mag easily pays for membership. It has lots of GOOD stuff for beginners and experience people. Go here: https://www.woodturner.org/page/MemberBenefits
Meta Description: Carl's suggestions for a new woodturner. Join the AAW, Take a Class, Turning Tools, Faceplates, Drill Chuck, 4 Jaw Chuck, and Turning Smocks.
