The local Sears had a good sale on the Delta Midi Lathe ($100 off), so I invested in one, set it up in my garage, turned it on, and played a little bit with the parts sent along with it. It certainly looks cool, but now what? I'm interested in turning handles, both cork and wood, and maybe some other things like bowls and pencils. Can anybody discuss how to turn a handle of exotic wood - what kind of tools and what sort of technique? I'm a complete novice at wood turning. I gather the Delta is an M2 lathe, so the Clemens chuck I have doesn't fit. Should I get a Jacob chuck? Where should I look for tools? I also get the feeling I should get a grinder to keep the tools sharp. I kind of feel like I did when I was about to wrap my first rod, so any help will be appreciated!

Jeff,

In the very next issue of RodMaker, we begin a three part series of how to make things like wood seat inserts, hosels, caps, etc., with the lathe. The first installment, will concern the lathe; selecting and buying, what accessories are useful and which ones to acquire, how to understand and use the various tools, sharpening, etc.

It will also feature a sidebare with a whole group of places you can buy parts, chucks, turning stock, accessories, etc.

Finally, the Delta Midi lathe will work with not only M2 chucks and accessories, the headstock spindle is also threaded so threaded accessories will work with it as well. Just make sure that you get accessories with the same "threads per inch" (tpi) so they will fit your machine.

The Volume 4 #5 issue of RodMaker mails next week.

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One of the best sources for all kinds of woodturning stuff is called "Craft Supplies", in Provo, Utah; have a nice catalog, a real candy store. I have no commercial connection, etc.etc., just that they're where I look first for turning stuff.

I agree a Jacobs type chuck mounted on a taper fitting your tailstock is a basic tool, for any kind of boring. A 4-jaw scroll chuck is probably next, threaded to fit your headstock. I like the older "Nova" brand, there are similar newer ones too, choose one sized to the kind of work you'll do. This kind of chuck will hold round, rough-round, square, or rectanglar blanks, on center and accurately enough that you can re-chuck the same piece a second time and still find the same center, within tolerances we can be happy with.

Get good cutting tools, high speed steel recommended, because it stays sharp much longer, and if you occasionally overheat it at the grinding wheel, you won't destroy the temper (edge-holding quality) of the steel. But just two or three tools can be enough for lots and lots of work, you don't need the 200 styles they might offer!

Find a cheap source for chunks of hardwood you can practice on. Fortunately lots of shops throw away chunks big enough for reel seats, so you can turn out 20 or 30 practice projects without worrying about material cost. My advice is get into the groove of turning off nice smooth long shavings, making nice smooth surfaces right off the gouge, and don't even think about cutting into a $10 chunk of burl exotic wood until you've done 30 practice pieces.

Beyond that, look for the upcoming series in RodMaker, I know it'll be very informative.

Another source to consider for woodworkers is Lee Valley Tools.
No commercial connection with them, but I get their catalog (which is exceptiona, by the way) and they have some very good ideas for small woodworking projects including a minilathe and lots of accessories and even hand tools, etc.
A great resource. They have a website, I believe by their name leevalley.com or leevalleytools.com

I'm looking forward to the RodMaker article.