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GETTING STARTED WITH WOODTURNING
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO START TURNING
New to woodturning? Learn the basics, understand the tools, and discover everything you need to start turning with confidence. From choosing your first equipment to creating your first project, Easy Wood Tools is here to help you get started.
WHAT IS WOODTURNING?
Woodturning is one of the most approachable and rewarding forms of woodworking. It is the process of shaping a piece of wood while it spins on a machine called a lathe. Using specialized turning tools, you remove material to create everything from simple, functional items to detailed works of art.
Whether you're interested in making pens, bowls, bottle stoppers, ornaments, table legs, or decorative vessels, woodturning offer endless opportunities to be creative.
One of the best things about woodturning is that you don't need years of experience to get started. Modern carbide woodturning tools have made learning the craft more approachable by simplifying the cutting process and eliminating the need for traditional tool sharpening.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GET STARTED WITH WOODTURNING?
Getting started with woodturning doesn't require an entire workshop full of equipment. With a few essential items, you can begin learning the craft and creating your first projects.
Here are the basics you'll need, along with general price ranges to help you plan your investment.
WOOD LATHE
The lathe is the machine that spins your wood blank while you shape it with turning tools. You can start with a smaller benchtop lathe or invest in a larger machine as your skills and projects. grow. Many local area turning clubs have lathes and offer time at their lathes to the members.
Typical cost: $400 - $10,000 with many popular options falling between $1,500 - $3,000.
WOODTURNING TOOLS
Choosing the right turning tool sis one of the most important decision you'll make as a beginner. Easy Wood Tools carbide turning tools are designed with an intuitive cutting approach, ergonomic handles, and replaceable carbide cutters.
Typical cost: Beginner sets under $200, with larger specialty sets around $600.
WOODTURNING SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Safety should always come first. A quality full-face shield is essential for protecting your face from flying wood chips and debris. Depending on your setup, additional protective equipment may also be needed.
Typical cost: $50 - $650, depending on the type and features of the protective equipment.
WOOD AND RESIN BLANKS
The lathe is the machine that spins your wood blank while you shape it with turning tools. You can start with a smaller benchtop lathe or invest in a larger machine as your skills and projects. grow. Many local area turning clubs have lathes and offer time at their lathes to the members.
Typical cost: A Few dollars for pen blanks to approximately $40 for specialty resin blanks. Typical bowl and spindle blanks range from $5 - $50
WOODTURNING CHUCK
A chuck securely holds your workpiece on the lathe and makes it easier to work on different types of projects. While not essential for every beginner project, a chuck becomes especially useful as you progress into bowls and other larger projects.
Typical cost: $200 - $429
WHY CHOOSE EASY WOOD TOOLS?
Choosing your first set of woodturning tools can feel overwhelming, especially when you're unfamiliar with the different tools, cutting techniques, and sharpening requirements.
That's where Easy Wood Tools comes in.
Our carbide woodturning tools are designed to make woodturning easier to learn and more enjoyable. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, our tools offer a simple, effective approach to shaping wood.
NO TRADITIONAL SHARPENING REQUIRED
Our replaceable carbide cutters eliminate the need for traditional sharpening. Simply rotate the cutter to expose a fresh cutting edge.
CONSISTENT CUTTING PERFORMANCE
Carbide cutters provide a consistent cutting edge to help you achieve smooth, predictable results.
EASY-TO-LEARN DESIGN
Our intuitive tool designs help simplify tool presentation and give beginners a shorter learning curve.
DESIGNED FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL
From your first pen to large bowls and specialty projects, we offer tools to support your woodturning journey as your skills grow.
THE EASY WOOD TOOLS DIFFERENCE: SPEND LESS TIME WORRYING ABOUT SHARPENING AND MORE TIME ENJOYING THE PROCESS OF CREATING SOMETHING WITH YOUR OWN HANDS.
HOW TO USE EASY WOOD TOOLS
Learning how to properly use your woodturning tools is an important part of becoming a confident turner. Easy Wood Tools is designed to simplify the cutting process, but understanding proper tool positioning, lathe speed, and cutting techniques is essential.
TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED
1. START AT A SAFE LATHE SPEED
Always begin at a speed appropriate for the size, weight, balance, and mounting of your wood blank. Larger or unbalanced pieces require slower speeds. follow your lathe manufacturer's recommendations.
2. INCREASE SPEED CAREFULLY
As you remove material and the blank becomes more balanced, you may be able to gradually increase the lathe speed. Never increase speed if the workpiece is vibrating excessively or running unevenly.
3. TAKE LIGHT, CONTROLLED CUTS
Especially when working with wood and resin combinations, take light cuts and pay attention to how the tool responds to different materials. Avoid forcing the cutter through the workpiece.
4. WATCH FOR HEAT BUILDUP
Both wood and resin can be affected by excessive heat.
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Resin: Excessive pressure, friction, or an ineffective cutting edge can cause resin to melt, smear, or produce and undesirable finish.
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​Wood: Excessive heat and friction can cause burning, discoloration, or checking in some woods.
5. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR TOOL
Listen to the sound of the cut and pay attention to vibration and resistance. If something feels or sounds wrong, stop the lathe and investigate before continuing.
REMEMBER: Proper tool positioning, a securely mounted workpiece, appropriate lathe speed, and the right safety equipment are essential to successful woodturning. Always consult your lathe and tool instructions before starting.
UNDERSTANDING WOODTURNING HOLLOWING TOOLS
Hollowing is the process of removing wood from the inside of a turned project to create hollow forms such as vases, vessels, decorative containers, and other unique creations.
As you become more comfortable with woodturning, hollowing opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Choosing the right hollowing tool depends on the size, depth, opening, and shape of your project.
HOLLOWER #1
This straight bar removes material from the vessel.
HOLLOWER #2
The slight curve of this tool lets you start the curved portion of your hollowed form.
HOLLOWER #3
This curve lets you get right up to the inside lip of your work.
BEGINNER TIP: Hollowing requires careful attention to wall thickness, tool control, and workpiece stability. Start with manageable projects and learn the technique before attempting deep or complex hollow forms.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT WOODTURNING TOOL SIZE FOR YOUR PROJECTS
One of the most common question new woodturners have is: Which size turning tool should I buy?
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The answer depends on what you plan to make. Different tool sizes are designed for different project scales, from tiny details and pens to large bowls and hollow forms.
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Easy Wood Tools offers a range of tool sizes to help you find the right fit for your projects.
MID-SIZE TOOLS
Offer greater versatility for turning bowls, plates, lidded boxes, and a variety of everyday projects.
MICRO TOOLS
Perfect for detailed and miniature work, including pen turning, lidded boxes, finials, ornaments, and other tiny projects.
MINI TOOLS
Great for smaller projects such as goblets, wine stoppers, knife handles, and small bowls.
FULL-SIZE TOOLS
Designed for larger work, including spindles, table legs, larger bowls, and other substantial projects.
PRO-SIZE TOOLS
Ideal for large projects and turners who need tools designed for more demanding turning applications.
NOT SURE WHICH SIZE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Think about the projects you want to create most often. If you're interested in pens and smaller decorative items, a smaller tool may be the right place to start. If bowls, plates, and larger projects are your goal, consider a larger tool size. You can always expand your collection as your interests and abilities grow.
WOODTURNING ACCESSORIES: THE EXTRAS
Once you have your lathe and turning tools, there are plenty of accessories that can help expand your skills, improve your finishes, and add creative details to your projects.​
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Here are some popular additions to explore as you progress.
YORKSHIRE GRIT
A finishing abrasive paste used to refine the surface of turned projects and help create a smooth finish.
FACEPLATES AND RINGS
Help mount and secure your wood blanks to the lathe for different turning applications.
DRIVE CENTERS
Transfer rotational power from your lathe to the workpiece, helping hold it in place during turning.
ADDITIONAL CHUCK JAWS
Expand your chuck's capabilities with different jaw options designed for holding a variety of workpiece sizes and shapes.
WIRE BURNERS
Add decorative burned lines and unique details to your turned projects for an extra touch of creativity.
BEADING CUTTERS
Create decorative beads and detailed profiles that add dimension and character to your projects.
WOODTURNING GLOSSARY: LEARN THE LANGUAGE OF WOODTURNING
New to woodturning? You may come across terms that sound unfamiliar. We've put together a helpful glossary of common woodturning terminology so you can learn the language of the craft as you go.
Bevel: The part of the tool which is ground to form the cutting edge.
Blank: The blank is the form the piece for wood takes when it has been prepared for turning.
Carbide: A hard, wear-resistant material.
Centers: The parts in immediate contact with the workpiece when it is held in the lathe by both ends. (Turning between centers)
Chuck: A device which holds the workpiece on the lathe.
Detailer: Creates small coves, beads, and other fine details.
Dovetail Recess: A recess with an undercut edge cut in a workpiece to accept the jaws of a chuck.
Drive Center: This is attached to the drive shaft in the headstock by either a morse taper or a thread. It supports both the wood and transmits the drive to it.
Faceplate: Circular place held on the headstock spindle to which the workpiece is attached by screws.
Finisher: Round cutter for inside and outsize curves and final shaping.
Grain: The alignment of the cells relative to the long axis of the tree, straight, diagonal, interlocked and wavy grain.
Headstock: The assembly fixed on the left-hand end of the bed of the lathe which provides the drive for the workpiece.
Hollowing: The process of removing wood from the interior of a workpiece to create a hollow form, often a vessel or bowl.
Live Center: A center in the tailstock which revolves with the work.
Mandrel: A means of holding a workpiece by use of a rod of wood or metal running through a central hole.
Morse Taper: A standard taper on a drill chuck or lathe drive center which enables the device to be removed from, or attached to, the relevant machine quickly and easily.
Negative Rake: A cutting edge that slopes downward from the workpiece, making them less aggressive and more forgiving than traditional tools.
Parting Tool: For parting off. Cutting off the waste or dividing the workpiece into sections.
Rougher: Square cutter that removes bulk material fast and efficiently.
Sealing: The first step in the finishing process. A sealer is applied to the bare wood to act as a barrier to the ingress of moisture and dirt. It also serves as a grain filler and as a base for further finishing coats.
Tailstock: The moveable assembly to the right of the headstock which slides along the bed.
Tang: The tapered end of a woodturning tool which fits into the handle.
Tool Rest: Adjustable part of the lathe which fits into the banjo and supports the turning tool whilst work is in progress.
Woodturning: The action for shaping wood with a lathe.
LEARN, CONNECT AND GROW WITH THE WOODTURNING COMMUNITY
One of the best ways to improves your woodturning skills is to learn from others. Whether you're looking for advice, inspiration, or hands-on experience, the woodturning community is full of people willing to share their knowledge.
Here are some great resources to help you along your journey.
American Association of Woodturners (AAW)
Connect with other turners, discover local clubs, attend demonstrations, and access educational resources.
LOCAL WOODTURNING CLUBS
Many local clubs offer demonstrations, mentoring, workshops, and opportunities to practice using equipment. Joining a club is a great way to learn from experienced turners.
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