# Sovereignty Module: Turn the Wood

## Complete Woodturning and Lathe Work: From Log to Bowl

Woodturning transforms rough wood into functional and beautiful objects. This campaign covers lathe types, tool selection, turning techniques, and project progression.

### Chapter 1: Lathe Types

| Lathe Type | Power | Size | Cost | Best For | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring pole lathe | Human (foot) | Small-medium | Very low (build) | Historical, off-grid | Moderate |
| Treadle lathe | Human (foot) | Small-medium | Low (build) | Off-grid, quiet | Moderate |
| Bow lathe | Human (hand/foot) | Small | Very low (build) | Primitive, portable | High |
| Mini lathe (electric) | Electric | Small | Low-moderate | Pens, small items | Low |
| Midi lathe (electric) | Electric | Medium | Moderate | Bowls, spindles | Low |
| Full-size lathe (electric) | Electric | Large | High | Large bowls, furniture legs | Low-moderate |

Spring pole lathe construction: 1) Two uprights (posts) secured to ground or heavy base. 2) Adjustable poppets (headstock and tailstock) on uprights. 3) Tool rest between poppets. 4) Overhead spring pole (flexible sapling or bungee). 5) Cord from spring pole, wraps around workpiece, connects to foot treadle. 6) Press treadle: cord pulls, workpiece rotates toward you (cutting stroke). 7) Release treadle: spring pole pulls cord back, workpiece rotates away (return stroke). 8) Cut only on the down stroke (toward you). 9) Reciprocating motion (not continuous like electric). 10) Can be built entirely from wood and cordage.

### Chapter 2: Turning Tools

| Tool | Shape | Use | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roughing gouge | Wide U-shape | Remove bulk material (spindle) | Bevel riding, sweeping cuts |
| Spindle gouge | Narrow U-shape | Detail work, coves, beads | Bevel riding, rolling cuts |
| Bowl gouge | Deep U-shape, swept back | Bowl interiors and exteriors | Bevel riding, pull cuts |
| Skew chisel | Flat, angled edge | Smooth cylinders, V-cuts, beads | Bevel riding (high skill) |
| Parting tool | Narrow, straight | Cut grooves, part off work | Straight in, no angle |
| Scraper (round nose) | Flat with curved edge | Finishing cuts, bowls | Trailing edge, light cuts |
| Scraper (square) | Flat with straight edge | Flat surfaces, tenons | Trailing edge |

Sharpening: 1) Sharp tools are safe tools (dull tools catch and kick). 2) Grind on slow-speed grinder (white aluminum oxide wheel). 3) Gouges: maintain consistent bevel angle (40-55° for bowl gouge). 4) Skew: maintain flat bevel on both sides (25-30°). 5) Hone with slip stones or diamond paddles. 6) Sharpen frequently (every few minutes of turning). 7) A sharp tool cuts cleanly with minimal pressure. 8) A dull tool tears wood and requires force (dangerous).

### Chapter 3: Spindle Turning

| Project | Difficulty | Skills Learned | Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cylinder (practice) | Very low | Roughing, tool control | Roughing gouge |
| Tool handle | Low | Tapering, shaping | Roughing gouge, skew |
| Rolling pin | Low | Cylinders, handles | Roughing gouge, skew |
| Candlestick | Low-moderate | Coves, beads, detail | Spindle gouge, skew |
| Table leg | Moderate | Complex profiles, repetition | All spindle tools |
| Staircase baluster | Moderate-high | Precise duplication | All spindle tools |

Spindle turning basics: 1) Mount wood between centers (headstock drive center, tailstock live center). 2) Adjust tool rest close to work (1/8 inch gap). 3) Rotate work by hand (check clearance, no catches). 4) Start lathe at low speed. 5) Rough to cylinder with roughing gouge (bevel rides on wood). 6) Increase speed as wood becomes round. 7) Shape with spindle gouge and skew. 8) Sand while spinning (start 120 grit, progress to 320+). 9) Apply finish while spinning (oil, wax, or friction polish). 10) Part off or remove from lathe.

### Chapter 4: Bowl Turning

| Stage | Action | Tool | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount blank | Screw chuck or faceplate | Wrench | Off |
| True outside | Round the blank | Bowl gouge | Low-medium |
| Shape outside | Create bowl profile | Bowl gouge | Medium |
| Create tenon | Flat foot with tenon for chuck | Parting tool, scraper | Medium |
| Reverse mount | Mount tenon in chuck | Chuck key | Off |
| Hollow interior | Remove interior wood | Bowl gouge | Medium |
| Refine wall thickness | Even walls (3/8-1/2 inch) | Bowl gouge, scraper | Medium |
| Sand | Progressive grits | Sandpaper | Low-medium |
| Finish | Oil, wax, or lacquer | Cloth, brush | Low |

### Chapter 5: Wood Selection

| Wood | Hardness | Grain | Turning Quality | Color | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Medium | Fine, straight | Excellent | Warm reddish-brown | Bowls, spindles |
| Maple (hard) | Hard | Fine, may be figured | Very good | Light cream to white | Bowls, platters |
| Walnut | Medium | Fine to medium | Excellent | Dark brown | Bowls, decorative |
| Oak (red/white) | Hard | Coarse, open | Good (sharp tools) | Tan to brown | Platters, large items |
| Ash | Medium-hard | Coarse, straight | Good | Light tan | Tool handles, spindles |
| Birch | Medium | Fine | Very good | Light, may be figured | Bowls, platters |
| Pine | Soft | Medium, resinous | Fair (tears easily) | Light yellow | Practice, rustic items |
| Olive | Hard | Wild, figured | Excellent | Yellow-green-brown | Small bowls, decorative |

### Reference Card

1. Sharp tools are safe tools (a dull tool requires force and catches unpredictably; sharpen every few minutes). 2. Bevel rides the wood (the bevel behind the cutting edge must contact the wood; this controls the cut). 3. Cut downhill on grain (cut from large diameter to small on spindles; from rim to center on bowl interiors). 4. Speed matches diameter (large diameter = slow speed; small diameter = fast speed; too fast with large work is dangerous). 5. Tool rest close to work (the closer the tool rest, the more control you have; adjust frequently as the shape changes). 6. Green wood turns easier (freshly cut wood is softer and cuts cleanly; it will move as it dries, which can be a feature). 7. Wall thickness matters (too thin = fragile; too thick = heavy and may crack; 3/8 to 1/2 inch is typical for bowls). 8. The lathe is a shaping tool (it spins the wood; you shape it with hand tools; skill is in your hands, not the machine).