I can speak with some authority about being a beginning woodturner; I am one. I hope sharing steps and missteps will prove beneficial to other beginning woodturners and Tormek sharpeners. I post this on the forum because much of my turning time involves sharpening with my Tormek, and because some of my Tormek sharpening is not directly out of the handbook.
First some background information:
I just set up my lathe. It is a 1930s vintage Sears Companion “garden variety” wood lathe. The original owner was my grandfather. It was also used by my father in the 1950s and briefly by me in the early 1960s. It has a nine inch swing and thirty inches between centers. It has 3/4”x16 threads and #1 Morse Taper. I realize that larger threads and Morse taper are preferred today. I have no desire for a larger lathe. I would like to turn the small Viking bowl that Glenn Lucas has popularized. I have no desire to turn large bowls that that. I am quite content with my lathe. For anyone reading this, I would recommend larger threads and Morse taper.
I have made two worthwhile upgrades. I replaced the original four prong drive center with a Oneway safe center. The safe center converts catches to harmlessly stopping the work. It has completely removed my apprehension about using the skew. I also changed the dead center to a Oneway three bearing live center, eliminating the need for using beeswax to prevent the wood from burning. I did not realize it at the time, however, the old dead center would also work as a driven safe center. I consider the conversion to the safe center the more important upgrade.
I also purchased a Taper Mate to keep the Morse Taper openings clean. I recommend this.
Along with good housekeeping of the lathe, I replaced the original cord of the 1/3 hp motor and the V belt. My lathe runs smoothly and quietly now.
I have found several good sources of online videos. Alan Lacer, both Stuart and the late Allan Batty, and, of course, my teacher, Ernie Conover, come to mind. I have found no shortage of good information.
So far, I have been practicing on inexpensive 2x4 stock cut in half. I have many skills to learn. The first project slated for the not too distant future will be a handle for my unhandled detail gouge.
I have spent considerable time learning how to reshape and sharpen my skew to the Alan Lacer grind using my Tormek.
Two ideas are presently in use, but undecided. I have been sharpening my 3/4” spindle roughing gouge with the SVS-38 short tool jig instead of the recommended SVS -50 Multi Jig. The 3/4” spindle gouge will also fit in the older model SVS-32. If this method proves useful, my larger, 1 1/4” roughing gouge can fit into the SVS-38 with only the slightest minimal amount of filing on the jig.
I have also had very good success using my collection of 3/4” bench chisels for roughing, planing and making tenons.
I had originally planned to share these thoughts with three members who I know to be active turners. I decided to post this topic to see if there is any more general forum interest. I welcome comments.
Ken