One increasingly popular aspect of woodworkingis woodturning. Woodturning is comparatively safe, can be done comfortably by people of nearly any age, and a little practice can yield some remarkable results. But why is it so popular? Why do so many people have an interest in woodturning but no interest in traditional fine woodworking?
Perhaps it's because of the variety of popular projects that can be turned. There's an entire sub-culture of woodturners who only turn out pens, made out of rare wood species, colorful acrylics or even exotic materials (I saw an entry in a woodturning catalog recently where one could fashion a pen by turning snakeskin).
Other popular turned items include bottle stoppers, bowls of countless sizes and shapes, and of course, spindle items such as bed posts, table legs or balusters and finials.
No matter what type of woodturning project one should endeavor to accomplish, the basic techniques employed by the woodturners are nearly identical. If you're interested in learning how to begin with this extremely satisfying aspect of woodworking, learn the basics in Woodturning 101. Once you understand and have mastered the basics (with a good bit of practice), you'll be ready to venture off into all kinds of interesting woodturning projects.
