Woodturning Videos

This first video is a summary of what to expect. It briefly introduces the tools, safe practices, materials and techniques at the core of this series.

Before using any tool, it’s important to be aware of good safety practices. Louis provides a thorough overview of personal protective equipment and maintaining a safe, uncluttered shop, supported with practical advice for adopting a mindset that supports working safely.

A solid, reliable lathe with useful features and accessories is essential, and the largest purchase an aspiring turner will make. Louis guides you in what to look for – how select a lathe sized for the projects you intend to make, recommended features and essential attachments.

There’s a vast array of turning tools available, but for the beginner, a simple, versatile set allows you to improve your skills by making a range of projects. Louis walks you through the core tools and covers useful accessories such as calipers, three-jaw chucks, Jacobs chucks and centers.

Stock requirements for woodturning are significantly different from furniture making. This video covers how to find suitable blanks, what qualities to look for, how to prepare them, and appropriate wood species.

The most daunting skill for the novice turner is tool handling. In this video, Louis breaks down the techniques into simple, approachable steps. He shows you how to start with a square blank, rough it to round, then practice a series of cove and bead cuts to develop your technique.