Hello all,

I got a new lathe a little over a month ago and have noticed a few things
that I would appreciate some comments on - in particular physical
strains/difficulties.

When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death. Within a couple weeks, I've noticed a pain in my
upper back/neck area. I assume this is at least in part due to how tightly
I am gripping the tool handle.I use an overhand grip on the tool and my
little finger is pressed against the tool rest. After a time, my whole hand
becomes numb.

Have any of you also experienced these discomforts? If so, how did you deal
with them?

Thanks,
-k

Hi Kevin,

When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death.

Have any of you also experienced these discomforts? If so, how did you
deal
with them?

You just offered your own solution. Relax your grip on the tool. Hold it
firmly and in the right position and it will cut with almost no effort. If
it is going to catch, it will catch whether you hold it in a death grip or
not.

One other item that might contribute to your discomfort is the height of the
lathe. It is generally accepted that the spindle should be at your elbow
level. If it is much lower, you will be hunching over the work and that
certainly aggravates my back.

Just fool around with the tools on scrap wood until you understand how they
should be oriented to make a smooth cut. I firmly believe that one of the
differences between an experienced turner and a beginner is how quickly they
can put the tool in the correct cutting position. The experienced turner
puts the tool on the rest in the correct orientation and cuts with
confidence. The rest of us have to work a little harder.

Hope this helps,

Harry

Kevin
about that super hard grip; Do not do that. Good posture is necessary in
this game as is a light touch and grip. If the tool is presented
properly to the wood, all that is needed is generally a soft guide.
sometimes I forget and let go of the tool next to the tool rest. No
problem. Also, make sure the lathe itself is a comfortable height so you
can stand without stooping to turn.
--
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate
Truro, NS, Canada
http://www.roundthewoods.com

"Darrell Feltmate" wrote: about that
super hard grip; Do not do that(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's easy for YOU to say, but remember--when someone is gripping the tools
(or the steering wheel of a car) with great force, it is because of
uncertainty and fear. Just telling them to lighten up is like telling a
trapeeze student not to be tense.

I have seen instructional videos in which the turner holds the gouge lightly
in two fingers, or even rests it against his waist, with no hands. To do
this, you MUST have the tool properly oriented, both with respect to the
wood and the tool rest. I recommend viewing several videos, and, if
possible, getting some instruction.

As soon as possible. Once you form a bunch of bad habits, it will be all
the harder to get it right. And by then you may also have back trouble. We
don't want anything to interfere with your blossoming woodturning career.

As you practice, you will lessen your grip without thinking about it.
It will just start to come naturally. Try to borrow a video on the
skew chisel as once you have mastered this, you will not worry so much
about the other tools.

As regards your posture, try to get your elbow at the same level as
the centre height of your workpiece. That works for me anyway and I
have existing neck and back problems. Also don't go too long without
having a break, even for a cuppa. (normally tea in this country but
no doubt coffee over there).

You will soon find that you don't want to be away from the lathe.

Regards and good luck

Paul



On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 16:58:17 GMT, "Leo Lichtman"
wrote:


"Darrell Feltmate" wrote: about that
super hard grip; Do not do that(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
That's easy for YOU to say, but remember--when someone is gripping the tools
(or the steering wheel of a car) with great force, it is because of
uncertainty and fear. Just telling them to lighten up is like telling a
trapeeze student not to be tense.

I have seen instructional videos in which the turner holds the gouge lightly
in two fingers, or even rests it against his waist, with no hands. To do
this, you MUST have the tool properly oriented, both with respect to the
wood and the tool rest. I recommend viewing several videos, and, if
possible, getting some instruction.

As soon as possible. Once you form a bunch of bad habits, it will be all
the harder to get it right. And by then you may also have back trouble. We
don't want anything to interfere with your blossoming woodturning career.

snip
Kevin wrote:
When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death. I use an overhand grip on the tool and my
little finger is pressed against the tool rest.

Everybody's addresses the holding too hard issue, so I'll suggest that
you hook your forward/left hand forefinger under the tool in the groove
of the toolrest and just put your left thumb above the tool. Holding it
in thumb and forefinger, in other words. Ruth tells of her teacher
trying to take the tool from her grip and saying that if there was any
resistance, she was gripping it too hard. Watching other turners in
person or movies will help. Where do you live? Most areas have local
clubs with people who will be happy to help someone learn to turn
safely.

Dave in Fairfax
--
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net

Hi Kevin, I think most everyone hangs on tight when they first start turning.
You can listen to everyone tell you to relax and use a lighter grip but untill
you feel comfortable it isn't going to happen.
Once you feel more comfident you will find you loosen up and actually enjoy
yourself more.
Be sure your lathe is at the right height and your toolrest is set correctly
for the tool you are using.
And most importantly turn with your body not with your arms.

Hello all,

I got a new lathe a little over a month ago and have noticed a few things
that I would appreciate some comments on - in particular physical
strains/difficulties.


Bob, Naugatuck Ct.
http://www.outofcontrol-woodturning.com

"Kevin" wrote in message ...
Hello all,

I got a new lathe a little over a month ago and have noticed a few things
that I would appreciate some comments on - in particular physical
strains/difficulties.

When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death. Within a couple weeks, I've noticed a pain in my
upper back/neck area. I assume this is at least in part due to how tightly
I am gripping the tool handle.I use an overhand grip on the tool and my
little finger is pressed against the tool rest. After a time, my whole hand
becomes numb.

Have any of you also experienced these discomforts? If so, how did you deal
with them?

Thanks,
-k


Kevin: We have a turning club in your area Capital Area Woodturners.
You can find our brochures at the Woodcraft store in Springfield Va.
Come see us and all your troubles will go away. Nothing is better than
hands on training.

CA

Kevin,

Take a beginning turning class as soon as you can or spend a few hours with
an experienced turner before you get too entrenched in your bad habit.

"White Knuckling" your tools doesn't make them cut better and more than
"white knuckling" the steering wheel makes you a better driver.

Please don't forget, "If turning isn't fun, you aren't doing it right."
Done right, turning should relieve stress, not create it. Good luck. Let
us know how it goes.

Barry


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I got a new lathe a little over a month ago and have noticed a few things
that I would appreciate some comments on - in particular physical
strains/difficulties.

When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death. Within a couple weeks, I've noticed a pain in
my
upper back/neck area. I assume this is at least in part due to how
tightly
I am gripping the tool handle.I use an overhand grip on the tool and my
little finger is pressed against the tool rest. After a time, my whole
hand
becomes numb.

Have any of you also experienced these discomforts? If so, how did you
deal
with them?

Thanks,
-k

In message
Darrell Feltmate wrote:

Kevin
about that super hard grip; Do not do that. Good posture is necessary in
this game as is a light touch and grip. If the tool is presented
properly to the wood, all that is needed is generally a soft guide.
sometimes I forget and let go of the tool next to the tool rest. No
problem. Also, make sure the lathe itself is a comfortable height so you
can stand without stooping to turn.

I would suggest elbow as being the minimum. I remember a demonstrator
who specialised in restoring old lathes showing a picture of a Victorian
factory with the lathes at nearly head height. I think they could be
right, I've got back problems too.

Another point not so far made is spectacles. I have to use reading
glasses but I find a slightly weaker prescription better for turning as
I can stand further back and not so hunched over the lathe. The same
applies to using the computer and I use full field glasses, not
bifocals to avoid the pain in the back of the neck. My weaker glasses
are my old pair so nothing is waisted.

Incidentally, I have yet to find a face mask that fits properly with
glasses, any ideas, better make a new thread for that one.

Dave Lawson
Redditch UK

Kevin,

Here are two different suggestions:

Make the lathe be 2-4" above the elbow. Again, hunching will cause to to
over-compensate in other ways, like a tight grip.

Buy a dead center from Delta or Oneway and use it as your headstock driver
when turning between centers. If you get a catch because of poor tool
presentation, the wood will just stop spinning. Consequently, it will force
you to make better cuts with proper tool presentation.

I also echo the "get assistance" advice. Contact the local clubs in your
area and ask to visit a club veteran. Many clubs have mentoring systems in
place to assist new turners free of charge.

Joe Fleming - San Diego



"Kevin" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I got a new lathe a little over a month ago and have noticed a few things
that I would appreciate some comments on - in particular physical
strains/difficulties.

When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death. Within a couple weeks, I've noticed a pain in
my
upper back/neck area. I assume this is at least in part due to how
tightly
I am gripping the tool handle.I use an overhand grip on the tool and my
little finger is pressed against the tool rest. After a time, my whole
hand
becomes numb.

Have any of you also experienced these discomforts? If so, how did you
deal
with them?

Thanks,
-k

I raised the lathe to where the spindle is at or slightly above elbow
height, added some padding/rugs to the floor where I stand when turning, and
"I'm feeling myuch better now" ...Professor Albert Wickwire


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I got a new lathe a little over a month ago and have noticed a few things
that I would appreciate some comments on - in particular physical
strains/difficulties.

When turning I tend to hang on to the tool- be it a skew, gouge, or
scraper - like grim death. Within a couple weeks, I've noticed a pain in
my
upper back/neck area. I assume this is at least in part due to how
tightly
I am gripping the tool handle.I use an overhand grip on the tool and my
little finger is pressed against the tool rest. After a time, my whole
hand
becomes numb.

Have any of you also experienced these discomforts? If so, how did you
deal
with them?

Thanks,
-k