Wood Turning Projects - Skills Are Us
Wood turning projects approach the central theme of many wood turning activities, the learning and development of new skills.
Like many if not all of the arts and crafts of the world, wood turning is an activity that knows of no bounds to learning.
There are always new things to master.
In order to appropriate a particular set of cutting modes and turning stances it is necessary to repeat the same cuts and motions many times.
Here is the place where wood turning projects shine.
Rather than a set of exercises performed over and over with nothing to show for results except shavings, you can finish with an assortment of gifts or small articles for sale.
Keeping the wood turning projects small in size accomplishes a few things for us:
In a sense the wood lathe is the potter's wheel turned 90°.
All the forms of the turning potter are available to us but like the potter, they can only be accomplished if they are learned well.
This is a learning not only of the mind but also the body and unlike the potter, it is far more difficult to return lost wood whereas clay may be remoulded many times.
The wood turning project allows the wood turner to practice the techniques that need to be second nature when creating the final product.
Like many if not all of the arts and crafts of the world, wood turning is an activity that knows of no bounds to learning.
There are always new things to master.
In order to appropriate a particular set of cutting modes and turning stances it is necessary to repeat the same cuts and motions many times.
Here is the place where wood turning projects shine.
Rather than a set of exercises performed over and over with nothing to show for results except shavings, you can finish with an assortment of gifts or small articles for sale.
Keeping the wood turning projects small in size accomplishes a few things for us:
- cost is kept to a minimum.
While some of the projects should be turned in inexpensive local woods, if the final piece is to be made in an exotic and expensive wood, at least one of the practice pieces should be as well. - repetition is encouraged as each project pieces is brought to a finish
- it is easy to see where improvement is called for on the next turning and it is quick to get to it
- mistakes are easy to see and learn from.
If the practice project is deemed not fit for repair cuts there is little waste, little expense, and an easy opportunity for repetition with better success. - the needed cuts may be practiced without alot of distraction.
It is likely that many of the project cuts are not those needed to be practiced but the size of the piece allows them to be quickly accomplished and the new cuts attended to.
Of course it should be noted at the same time that all cuts are good practice and every one can be improved upon.
In a sense the wood lathe is the potter's wheel turned 90°.
All the forms of the turning potter are available to us but like the potter, they can only be accomplished if they are learned well.
This is a learning not only of the mind but also the body and unlike the potter, it is far more difficult to return lost wood whereas clay may be remoulded many times.
The wood turning project allows the wood turner to practice the techniques that need to be second nature when creating the final product.
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