I am just a weekend turner, but I was able take a wood turning class at
a local collage. I will never forget I was having problems when the
teachers aid came over when I asked for help. I went to hand him the
gouge and he said you do it. Next thing I know he reaches up to the end
of the gouge handle and moves and twisted just a little and the shaving
started flying. I am finding that wood turning is a touchy feely thing.
I would look for a club in your area and ask for help. Guys will fall
over themselves trying to help. Have them stand behind you and give you
that little assist. Once you feel it you will have it made. Once you
have that feeling go home and turn some practice bowls. As for me I did
not have a lathe and the next weekend I thought I would have it made,
but I lost it. It took almost the whole class to get that feeling back
and get in the grove. I just did not re-enforce that feeling to have it
cement in. Like the bike once you get it, you will not forget. Good luck

Bruce





Pete S wrote:
I have looked at several videos on using the bowl gouge and listened, as
carefully as I can to the audio.
In addition, I have looked at several websites/forums where this issue
is discussed.
---Still can't get the hang of it, the hollowing in particular.
Most videos are shot by a videographer, I think, who doesn't really know
what's going on, and so, misses the points that a novice like me needs.
One example: the instructor says something like: "hold the gouge like
this". The video shows the instructor's fist clamped around the tool,
while the tool's business end is completely hidden by the hand.

I would quit bowl turning altogether, and switch to basket weaving, but
we have 70 acres of woods and lot of bowl blanks drying.

Is there any way an ordinary human can learn this skill without a live
tutor?

Pete Stanaitis
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