Turning wood is a rewarding and pleasurable activity.
A number of aids exist now, in the form of books and particularly videos on YouTube, to help you acquire the skills that you need to become a successful woodturner. But none of these can take the place of guidance from an experienced turner.
Look on it this way. Learning to turn is a bit like learning to drive a car. There are a number of skills to be learned, seemingly all at once – steering, adjusting the speed, changing gears, being aware of other traffic, and so on – skills we could learn by ourselves but which we learn more quickly and efficiently under the guidance of an experienced driver. So it is with wood turning.
That is why, when asked what’s the best way to learn, a woodturner will say ‘learn from somebody, join a club.’
Woodturners WA recognises this. Its member groups are set up to assist anyone to learn the art and craft of wood turning, from acquiring the basics to developing advanced skills. They can also advise you about the tools you need, the lathe and other equipment to buy.
Why don’t you approach the group near you and see what they can offer.