History of Woodturning
Carved wooden vessels and implements are as old as human kind. Together with pottery and stone, wooden vessels have been used throughout time as containers for vital materials. Woodturning dates back several centuries, and is a form of woodworking that carves and shapes to create objects by spinning wood on a lathe and cutting against a stationary tool.
Spring pole lathes pre-date recorded history and were foot powered by the turner. Some of the most ornate and technically challenging turnings ever made were produced before the discovery of electricity on springpole (reciprocal), continuous (treadle & flywheel) or great wheel (turned by your apprentice) lathes. Some of these turnings have never been duplicated on modern power lathes. The earliest powered lathes were generally water powered (line shaft) lathes, and then steam engine powered, and subsequently electric motor powered lathes that we know today.
There has been a renaissance revival in turning that has grown substantially in the last thirty years. Advances in equipment, tools and techniques have enabled ever increasing varieties of turnings particularly in bowls and other artistic creations.
Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while the tool remains stationary. Intricate shapes and designs can be made that can range from highly artistic "gallery" pieces, to utilitarian bowls and vessels designed for daily use.
Spring pole lathes pre-date recorded history and were foot powered by the turner. Some of the most ornate and technically challenging turnings ever made were produced before the discovery of electricity on springpole (reciprocal), continuous (treadle & flywheel) or great wheel (turned by your apprentice) lathes. Some of these turnings have never been duplicated on modern power lathes. The earliest powered lathes were generally water powered (line shaft) lathes, and then steam engine powered, and subsequently electric motor powered lathes that we know today.
There has been a renaissance revival in turning that has grown substantially in the last thirty years. Advances in equipment, tools and techniques have enabled ever increasing varieties of turnings particularly in bowls and other artistic creations.
Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while the tool remains stationary. Intricate shapes and designs can be made that can range from highly artistic "gallery" pieces, to utilitarian bowls and vessels designed for daily use.