What you need to start woodturning
At a minimum, you need a wood lathe, a few turning tools, a way to hold the wood, a way to sharpen your tools and proper protective gear. The tools themselves are only part of the picture. Woodturning is a skill best learned with instruction, such as a local club, a class or a mentor.
Safety before the lathe turns
A lathe spins wood at high speed, and tools can catch. Treat safety as part of the kit:
- Face shield and safety glasses. A full face shield protects against flying chips and, in the worst case, a piece of wood leaving the lathe. Wear safety glasses under it.
- Respiratory protection. Turning produces fine dust, and some woods can irritate skin and lungs. Use a respirator or powered air unit, and consider dust collection at the lathe.
- Hearing protection if your setup is noisy.
- No loose clothing, jewelry, or hanging hair. Roll up sleeves and tie hair back. Avoid gloves near the spinning work.
- Check the work before starting. Inspect blanks for cracks (see types of cracks in wood), loose knots and bark. Mount them securely.
- Start at low speed. Spin the work by hand first to check clearance, and increase speed only as the piece becomes balanced. Follow the lathe manufacturer’s speed guidance, particularly for large or unbalanced pieces.
- Position the tool rest close to the work and just below center, and stop the lathe before adjusting it.
- Stand out of the line of the spinning piece when starting the lathe.
- Keep the tools sharp, because dull tools tend to need more force and are more likely to catch.
- Finishing materials: many oils and finishes are flammable, and rags used with some of them can heat up and ignite. Follow the label for ventilation and rag disposal.
Choosing a beginner lathe
The lathe you choose affects what you can make. Consider:
- Size: swing (the largest diameter that fits over the bed) and distance between centers (the length you can turn). A smaller benchtop or midi lathe suits pens, small bowls and spindles, while larger bowls need more swing and a sturdier machine.
- Speed control: variable speed is convenient, since different sizes of work need different speeds.
- Weight and stability: heavy machines vibrate less. A bench or stand should be solid, and many people add weight at the base.
- Headstock thread and accessories: check that chucks and faceplates are available for the thread size.
- Support: a manufacturer with spare parts and good manuals is worth considering.
There is no single best lathe for every beginner. Buying used can be good value, but check for worn bearings, damaged ways and missing guards or accessories.
The core set of turning tools
Many beginner guides suggest a small set of about six tools that handle most spindle and bowl work. Typical sizes below are approximate and vary between makers.
Spindle roughing gouge
A large gouge, often around 20 to 25 mm, used to turn a square blank into a cylinder between centers. It is meant for spindle work, not for turning bowls, and many turners advise against using it inside bowls.
Bowl gouge
A deep-fluted gouge, often about 10 mm or 3/8 inch, used for shaping the outside and inside of bowls and for heavier spindle forms. It is often considered the workhorse for bowl turning.
Spindle gouge
A gouge with a shallower flute, often around 10 mm, used for details such as coves and beads on spindles.
Round nose scraper
A flat bar tool with a rounded end, used for smoothing curves, shallow bowl bottoms and box interiors. Scrapers are used with the edge presented flat on the tool rest, and held carefully to avoid catches.
Parting tool
A narrow tool used to cut grooves, set diameters and part a finished piece from the waste.
Skew chisel
A flat chisel with an angled edge used for planing cuts, V-cuts and beads on spindles. It is famously prone to catches in inexperienced hands, so many beginners practice on scrap and take guidance from a teacher.
Some turners use carbide-tipped tools with replaceable cutters as an alternative. They hold an edge longer and are easy to use, though they work differently than traditional tools. Many beginners find it useful to learn with a mix, and to try tools before deciding.
Holding the work
- Spur (drive) center and live center: hold spindle blanks between the headstock and tailstock.
- Faceplate: screws to the wood to hold bowl blanks. Use screws of an appropriate length and size for the blank.
- Scroll chuck: grips bowl blanks and finished items on tenons or in recesses. A chuck is a popular early accessory for bowl turning.
- Drill chuck and Jacobs-style accessories: for drilling on the lathe.
Make sure everything is tightened correctly before turning on the lathe.
Sharpening
Sharp tools are safer and cut better. A bench grinder with a slow speed or a suitable wheel, together with a sharpening jig, helps you reproduce bevel angles. Wear eye protection and keep your hands clear of the wheel. Dress the wheel as needed. Consider asking an instructor to show you how to sharpen each tool.
Measuring and finishing
- Calipers for checking diameters.
- Pencil and ruler for marking.
- Sandpaper in a range of grits, with a respirator or dust extraction.
- Finishes: wax, oil and lacquer-type finishes are all common (see our wood finishes guide). Read the product label for ventilation and safe use, and avoid leaving oily rags in a pile.
Getting the best value
Because prices vary widely, think about value rather than a number:
- Buy a few good tools rather than a large set of poor-quality ones.
- High speed steel tools are widely recommended over lower-quality carbon steel for holding an edge.
- Start with the core set above, then add specialized tools as you need them.
- Consider used lathes and tools from reputable sources, and borrow or try tools at a club before buying.
- Do not skimp on safety gear.
Other tools to consider
Turners also use general shop tools such as a drill, saws for preparing blanks and sanders. If you are building your first shop, our guides to power tools for beginners and essential hand tools for carpentry cover these basics, and corded vs cordless tools can help you choose between types.
FAQ
What tools should a beginner woodworker have?
A tape measure, square, hand saw, clamps, drill/driver and safety gear are a common start. For turning specifically, a lathe, the core gouges and scraper, a parting tool, a way to hold the work and a way to sharpen.
What tools are needed for wood lathe work?
A lathe, turning tools, centers or a chuck, a tool rest, sharpening equipment, and protective gear including a face shield and respirator.
What is the best wood turning lathe for a beginner?
It depends on what you want to make and the space you have. Choose a stable machine with variable speed and good support, and try one at a club or shop if you can.
What are the best woodturning tools for the money?
A small set of well-made high speed steel tools usually gives better value than a large budget set. Buy the core tools first.