Woodturning is a form of woodworking that is used to create wooden objects on a lathe (see: also antique wooden polelathe). Woodturning differs from most other forms of woodworking in that the wood is moving while a stationary tool is used to cut and shape it. Many intricate shapes and designs can be made by turning wood.
The origin of woodturning dates to around 1300BC when the Egyptians first developed a two-person lathe. One person would turn the wood with a rope while the other used a sharp tool to cut shapes in the wood. The Romans improved the Egyptian design with the addition of a turning bow. Early bow lathes were also developed and used in Germany, France and Britain. In the Middle Ages a pedal replaced hand-operated turning, freeing both the craftsman's hands to hold the woodturning tools. The pedal was usually connected to a pole, often a straight-grained sapling. The system today is called the spring pole lathe (see Polelathe). Spring pole lathes were in common use into the early 20th Century. A two-person lathe, called a great lathe , allowed a piece to turn continuously (like today's power lathes). A master would cut the wood while an apprentice turned the crank.
Turning tools might all look pretty much the same, but the end result of using one over another can differ substantially. Chisels and gouges should have their blades kept as sharp as possible for achieving the best results. Basic wood-turning projects will require only standard-strength turning tools, but be aware that heavyweight tools are available for the larger jobs.
A roughing-out gouge can be bought in a variety of sizes and is one of the most basic and elemental of wood-turning tools available. A roughing-out gouge of appropriate size can turn a square block of wood into a cylinder and is a good tool for the absolute beginner just learning how to turn wood on a lathe.
