I have been using a lathe for a few years now, thought I had it figured out. Well, I have now been shown the light and know that I have been all wrong in my approach with the tools. There is a place near my work that I go hang out at quite often and I also get a lot of my woods from there. The guy that runs the place is always telling me that I need to come in one day and he can show me some things about the tools that will cut down on my time. I always told him I would, but up till now I hadnt done it. Well, I went in there Tuesday, and DANG did he open my eyes. He showed me a way that once I turn the call, all I have to do is hit it a time or two with 800 grit sandpaper and the piece will be smooth as glass. And every bit of that had to do with my approach with the tool to the wood. I figure that will cut out half the time I spend on the call and get a better quality product to boot. Its all about slicing the wood away from the call. The way I was holding the tool, it was tearing wood away, thus I had to spend more time sanding. Just tonight I worked a piece of silver maple that I have always had problems with tear out in the past, and it turned out smooth. Mark also showed me how to properly use CA glue for a waterproof finish that is unbelieveably durable and beautiful
