Community checklist for new woodturners: essentials beyond the lathe

A long-running AAW forum thread started by Alan Weinberg has become a go-to, crowd-sourced checklist for what new woodturners need beyond the lathe. Dozens of hobby and professional turners have contributed practical, experience-based advice on tools, safety, sharpening, and learning paths that help new lathe owners save money, stay safe, and cut their learning curve.

Most contributors break essentials into clear priorities. First come holding and turning accessories: a reliable scroll chuck with jaw sets, faceplates for bowls, and a good drive center for spindle work. Tool basics include a small, focused selection of gouges and chisels — bowl and spindle gouges, a parting tool, skews and a couple of scrapers — with the recommendation to add specialty tools only as specific projects demand them. Toolrests, banjo accessories, measuring calipers and other small hardware get steady mention as overlooked but important kit.

Sharpening consistently emerges as a linchpin. A bench grinder combined with a dependable sharpening jig and a selection of abrasives will dramatically improve results and reduce frustration. The community emphasizes that a sharpened edge beats an expensive dull tool every time; learning to sharpen early prevents a lot of bad habits and poor finishes.

Safety and health advice is front and center. Contributors urge immediate investment in personal protective equipment: a full face shield, a good dust mask or respirator, and hearing protection. Dust collection and shop ventilation are not optional suggestions — many turners report respiratory and health problems from poor dust control and recommend setting up basic extraction and air flow early. Good lighting and a solid bench or stand for the lathe also improve safety and accuracy.

Finishing and consumables are part of the starter list: sandpaper in a range of grits, finishes such as tung oil, wipe-on polyurethane and CA glue, plus practice blanks and scrap hardwoods to build skills without wasting expensive material. Practical tips repeat across posts: demo tools before buying, join a club, and take hands-on classes so mentors can steer purchases and technique. Try-before-you-buy saves money, and club mentors help avoid common equipment mistakes fast.

The takeaway? Build a foundation: secure holding gear and basic turning tools, learn sharpening, and protect your lungs and eyes. Our two cents? Start small, get your edges sharp, and spend your time at the lathe more than your wallet at the tool store — join a local club or class, practice on scraps, and let the community help you add the right specialty tools as your skills grow.