It's a awesome journey. I have been making calls, bowls, platters for quite a while now. But some days I only make firewood! Like you said it's very rewarding and FUN.
I use a Harbor Frieght Lathe. I actually have 2 of them. I would recommend that you get some of the carbon turning tools. The ones I use, you can change the tips. They have square, round and triangle shape. My favorites are "Easy turn". Get you a lot of wood and practice practice and more practice.
I don't use bowl gouges or spindle roughing gouges. I have turned a lot of wood species, a lot of FOG wood (found on ground).
Most of all be safe and have fun!!!
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