Woodturning as a hobby is a sort of paradox. You can't learn to turn well
until you learn to sharpen well. Its almost like having to learn two
equally difficult skills simultaneously. Most people are so eager to get
started turning that they forget all about having sharp tools to start with.

And, then there is the problem of beginning turners not really knowing "How
sharp is sharp?" That was my problem, I only thought my tools were sharp.
I have a little rule, now, that usually works in almost every situation. If
whatever cut you are trying to make just isn't working quite right, no
matter what you "think" the problem might be, stop and sharpen your tool.
It works for me almost every time. Good luck.

Barry


"Terry Poperszky" wrote in message
...
I have been turning for about a year now and while I have achieved a
suitable level of mediocrity, I am having trouble climbing up the skill
level ladder, most which I blame on my tools (Of course). But my wife gave
me an early Christmas present, the "Woodturning: Fundamentals of
Sharpening"
DVD put out by AAW, and I now understand that it isn't the fault of my
tools, but how I have been sharpening them. Even with the Oneway Wolverine
Jig system, I have been having a real problem getting repeatable grinds,
and
I was really starting to get discouraged. I have a couple of books that go
into sharpening in detail, but I was never able to translate that to a
properly sharpened tool. But after watching this DVD, I went down to my
workshop and became a sharpening fool, even my roughing gouge cuts like a
knife through hot butter. One of the things that I really liked about the
video was that four different instructors gave instructions on four
different areas of sharpening wood turning tools, using both free hand
methods as well as the proper techniques for the Wolverine jig system.
This
really allows you to examine different techniques and to use the one that
suits you the best. I can not recommend this DVD highly enough, if you are
just getting started it should be on your list of must have items.



It is available from Alan Lacer's site http://www.alanlacer.com (he is one
of the presenters and from AAW http://www.woodturner.org.