Book Review: All Screwed Up by John Berkeley

I have a love-hate relationship with All Screwed Up by John Berkeley.  However it is definitely more love than hate!

Berkeley’s passion for thread chasing is eminent and features in almost all that he portrays in this book, but this isn’t a book directly about thread-chasing, it’s about making timeless puzzles and boxes that feature a thread chased element. However, since the majority of thread chasing is done to enhance turned boxes, there is a good deal of relevance.

>> Buy this book on Amazon <<

If this was the only book available about thread chasing (and it almost is, this is a very limited field) then you could certainly learn many of the required skills from here.  There is a practical section on wood selection (there are very few woods that will take a hand chased thread – 20 listed here), tool choice and the process (with hints and tips) for starting to chase threads.  The rest comes down to practice.  I’m sure that in creating all the puzzles taught in the book your thread chasing will improve immensely.  The puzzles themselves are often intricate turnings which demand good attention to detail.

All Screwed Up contains 117 pages and is split into 6 main chapters:

  1. Introduction
  2. Notes on:
    1. Measurements
    2. The Puzzles
    3. Photography
  3. Tools and safety
  4. Choice of woods
  5. Thread chasing
  6. The projects:
    1. Box Basics
    2. In The Soup
    3. Tire ’em Out
    4. Barrel and Ball
    5. The Zulu Box
    6. The Ball and Chain Puzzle
    7. The Invisible Gift
    8. The Wedding Ring Box
    9. The Castle Money Box
    10. The New Castle Money Box
    11. The New New Castle Money Box
    12. The Egyptian Box
    13. The New Brass Money Box
    14. The Ball and Three Strings
    15. The Sceptre Puzzle
    16. The Lighthouse Puzzle
    17. The New Persian Puzzle
    18. The Arabi Gun Puzzle
    19. The New Jubilee Puzzle
    20. The Trunk

 

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All Screwed Up! by John Berkeley

All Screwed Up! by John Berkeley

Featured Turner: Sam Angelo, In His Own Words

Featured Turner: Sam Angelo, In His Own Words

ABOUT SAM ANGELO (a.ka. The Wyoming Woodturner)

Image12 - Sam and CocoFull Name: Samuel Joseph Angelo

Year of Birth: 1950

Nationality: Italian. I grew up in a strong Catholic, Italian family. Until I travelled off to college, the family met each Sunday at my Grandmothers house. It was something we looked forward to and was no doubt a contributing factor in setting my values and strong bond with my family.

Place of Birth: Akron, Ohio

Where do you currently live? Worland, Wyoming

Image1What is, or was your main job?  In 1973 I began a career in education. My experience as a teacher began in a one-room schoolhouse in southeastern Montana. I taught grades 1-8 with 12 students in school. My school was 65 miles from any town. I lived in a teacherage with no running water. I continued in various settings which included a Catholic parochial school and the Montana state reform school for boys. Somewhere in that mix I served a term as Custer County Superintendent of School. In this position my duties included supervision of 17 rural, one-room schools in Custer County, Montana. In 1980 I accepted a position teaching history at Worland High School. For the better part of my 40 year career I coached various sports. For my remaining 25 years I served as a school guidance counsellor. I have been retired since 2010.

Image2What would be your dream job?  This is perhaps an oxymoron: dream-job. I worked with students of all ages and setting for 40 years. I never “went to work” in the morning. It was not a job but for the most part, it was a dream. Being a teacher or educator is a privilege and I was honored to work with kids for 40 years. But now? I turn every day in my shop: another dream. I have been blessed.

Other than woodturning, do you have any other notable hobbies?  First, woodturning is not a hobby for me. It is who I am. It is my life. But years ago, I used to fish a lot…..

ABOUT YOUR TURNING

Are you a professional turner, hobby turner or something else?  Since 1983 I have had a woodworking business which supplemented our household budget. I refinished furniture, built furniture, and eventfully turned to working on the lathe. All that I have done outside of education has financed my shop and all the machines. Yes, I consider myself a professional.

Sam Angelo Image3When did you begin turning, and why?  I started turning in 1988. I borrowed a worn out Boice Crane wood lathe and started to teach myself how to turn. I can’t pinpoint why I started other than someone gave me an old worn out lathe. I literally never saw another person turn for maybe 4 or 5 years. We had no internet at the time. I eventually ran across a turning magazine and started to understand. My biggest regret is that in 1986 the American Association of Woodturners was founded. I simply did not know it was there. I do not want anyone to have that experience. I try to pass on what I know either by my YouTube channel or through teaching in my shop.

https://www.youtube.com/user/WYOMINGWOODTURNER

Sam Angelo Image4Are you a member of a turning club and if so which one?  In 2007 I co-founded the Worland Wyoming Woodturners. In 2009 we became a sanctioned chapter of the AAW. It is the only chapter in Wyoming. We meet once each month in my shop. We have 6 to 8 faithful members who attend. Our main club fundraiser for the community is the Festival of Trees which brings in money for local charities and organizations. Last year our tree was auctioned off for $2200. We do receive about 25% of this amount which helps with our own activities. Our club includes turners of all levels as well as a painter, a gold leaf gilder and a very promising pyrographer.

Can you share contact details of the club (address, website etc)?  We currently have no newsletter or website. My e-mail address is samandcheryle@gmail.com if you have questions or comments.

Sam Angelo Image5Who (or what!) has had the greatest influence on your turning?  Hands down it would be Richard Raffan. In the early 1990’s I discovered Richard’s work: VCR tapes (yes VCR) that still work and I still watch. I have all of his books which are classics and timeless. Richard taught me “long distance.” I turned scoops, spurtles, boxes and everything contained in his books. He was the mentor I never had. I was lucky to see him demonstrate at the Utah Woodturning symposium this past May.

Who are your favourite woodturners?  Here is my list….. Jimmy Clewes for his teaching and demonstrating style, Cindy Drozda for her friendship and kind, supportive nature. I learned all I know about finials from Cindy. She is one of the most articulate and precise teachers in the world. Stuart Batty who I believe to be technically the best overall woodturner in the world. His videos on Vimeo are a must watch. He is also one of the best teachers of woodturning. Nick Agar who is so willing to share his knowledge. Alan Lacer who is also a great teacher. My first experience demonstrating was with Alan who helped direct me in ways he may never know. Finally, I must acknowledge David Nittmann who is missed by anyone he touched. His influence on us all was immense.

Sam Angelo Image6Do you have a favourite artist, in any medium, other than woodturning? Not really. Although I do look at many forms of art including pottery which is an important comparison to turning wood.

Do you have any formal training that helps your turning (e.g. Art, Design, Photography, Engineering etc)?  No

Do you have any other similar or allied skills? I am 66 years old. I began working for framing contractors the summer before high school: age-15. I continued through college and after. I have worked with wood in one form or another ever since. I have built furniture and cabinets and turned replacement parts for chairs and tables which was my foundation for turning.

Sam Angelo Image7What is the most unusual thing that you have turned?  I am not sure if I have turned much of anything that is so unusual. Maybe it would be chasing threads by hand which is out of the norm for most turners. (I do have a few very weird items I would never show on the internet).

What are your favourite pieces that you have turned?  (Images of these are interspersed through the article)

What is your favourite ‘sphere’ of turning (e.g. Bowls, Platters, Boxes, Pens, Hollow forms etc)?  I would have to say that chasing threads by hand is the most important aspect of my turning. I make items such as burial urns and lidded boxes so I can include a threaded fitment. I connected with John Berkeley author of the book All Screwed Up and the video series Screwples. Through several months and countless e-mails he mentored and taught me proper thread chasing. Any thread chasing skills I have, I owe to John. Below is a playlist of 26 thread chasing videos.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL5-IWEcq6B9UA1YSW19pZGTanviEKNTy

Sam Angelo Image8Are there any other woodturners (or artists / crafters etc) in your family?  My brother Carl is a master at stained glass work: including Tiffany style lamp shades. My brother Mike restores late 1960’s cars. I have learned much from him about finishing and sanding.

What has been your biggest disaster?  On February 6, 2015 I lost part of three fingers on my table saw. Since I had no inclination to stop or alter anything I was doing in my shop, I uploaded a video announcing my mishap and my intentions for the future.

“My Accident” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThMHyEeG8BM

Sam Angelo Image9ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP

Is your workshop a dedicated space or shared with other activities (i.e. a garage shared with a car, art studio etc)?  It is a free standing, 1800 square foot building totally dedicated to messing around with wood.

How many lathes do you own?  I own four lathes currently: …..And I teach woodturning classes in beautiful Wyoming.

  • Powermatic 3520
  • Oneway 1224
  • Jet JWL-1221VS
  • Delta 16″ Steel Bed

What is the make and model of your main lathe? Powermatic 3520

Sam Angelo Image10

YOUTUBE

Do you have a public YouTube channel that you would like to promote?

 https://www.youtube.com/user/WYOMINGWOODTURNER

If you produce YouTube or similar videos, what are your three favourites?

Video ONE: Turning Two Burl Bowls

Video TWO: Resin and Maple Burl Lidded Box

Video THREE: Carver’s Mallet: Chasing the Threads (part 1) (Link to part II in video I).

WEBSITE

Do you have any websites that you would like to promote?

I spend much of my time in my shop turning, making videos then editing videos. I must admit I should spend more time watching videos and visiting websites. I could list 20 YouTube channels and many websites. Here are a few that are my favorites:

Alan Stratton–As Wood Turns – https://www.youtube.com/user/AsWoodTurns

Mike Waldt – https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCymruBoy

Stuart Batty on Vimeo – https://vimeo.com/woodturning

Yuval Lahav – https://www.youtube.com/user/yuvallahav, (See Featured Turner Article)

RonBrownsBest – http://www.ronbrownsbest.com

I do watch or visit other sites.

FOOD

What is your favourite drink and snack food whilst in the workshop? Black coffee, Peanut butter, it does not matter what I put it on.

AND FINALLY…

Anything else you would like to say or be known about you and your turning life?  Just keep in mind that YOU are a better and more experienced turner than someone else. That means you can pass on knowledge and skills needed by someone else. And finally a big THANKS to Tom for setting all this up and making it possible. I appreciate your support and friendship over the years. Sam Angelo


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Coming up in future Featured Turner articles we have, amongst others, the ‘Goblet Master’ himself Mike Waldt and Stephen Ogle

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SOLD! Nova DVR XP Lathe for Sale

DVR 1

Nova DVR XP (Stock Image)

I’m happy to announce that this is now sold and will be going to its new owner very soon.  The new owner is a well known YouTube turner, so I will happily be able to keep an eye on it over the coming years! 

 

Due to the purchase of a Jet 3520b, I am unfortunately having to sell my lovely Nova DVR lathe.  I had hoped to keep them both but I have realised I just don’t have the room.  I will eventually buy another, much smaller lathe.

 

The Details

Record Power branded Nova DVR XP Lathe, 2HP digital motor.  No belts / pullies to change! 100 to 3500 rpm variable speed.  I have had this for around 3 years from new.  It is in almost perfect condition other than one manufacturers sticker starting to peel and the addition of a magnetic tool holder! This cost £2,200 and includes full outrigger turning kit with outboard tool rest and extra large bowl surfer rest.  The sale includes all the equipment shown here at ‘Yandles’ and much more (see below):

http://www.yandles.co.uk/record-power-nova-dvr-xp-lathe-cw-stand/p4968.

Full specs on manufacturers page:  http://www.teknatool.com/products/Lathes/DVR%20XP/Nova%20_DVRXP.htm

DVR Bowlsurf.1

Bowlsurfer Rest (Stock Image)

 

The package includes the Nova Bowlsurfer rest. This can be used in either the standard banjo or on the included outrigger unit.

http://www.teknatool.com/products/lathe_accessories/other/rests.htm

 

 

 

The lathe has the additional benefit of fully fitted wireless remote control.  This can either be worn on the wrist like a watch or attached to any part of the lathe as it is magnetic.  I remove the straps and attach to either the tool rest or tailstock.  This cost around £120.

(http://www.teknatool.com/products/lathe_accessories/Remote/NOVA_Remote.htm)

 DVR Remote1DVR Remote2

Included with the lathe are:

1 Supernova-2 scroll chuck with two sets of Jaws – Standard 50mm / 2 inch and Pin Jaws. Cost £120.

1 Axminster Sk114 Evolution Scroll Chuck (No jaws supplied) Cost £180 – http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-evolution-sk114-woodturning-chuck-ax884747

Other parts and tools specific to the lathe will be provided, including original Spur Drive and Live Centre, Beall Spindle Tap (to make your own chucks, faceplates and jigs), Peter Childs dedicated ‘screw chuck’ and various faceplates.  The image to the left shows a large magnetic strip along the front of the lathe bed.  I used this to hold small tools and spanners etc.  This strip is included.

 

DVR-Chucks-and-Faceplates

Chucks, Faceplates and Accessories included

 

 

DVR-Discs

Package includes homemade friction plate and sanding disk.

 

 

Total Cost of Equipment:

Nova DVR XP Lathe Package £2,200
Bowlsurfer Rest £40
Wireless Remote Control £120
Teknatool Supernova2 Chuck £120
Axminster Evolution Chuck (Bare) £180
 Accessories in excess of £150
Total Cost In Excess Of £2,810

Image of actual lathe. Draws and shopvac not included!

Image of actual lathe. Draws and shopvac not included!

Review: Turning Green Wood – Michael O’Donnell

Turning Green Wood by Michael O’Donnell

When I first saw Turning Green Wood advertised on Amazon and at retailers, I have to admit that I dismissed it as the cover seemed uninspiring. However, I eventually bought it when on an offer and it has become one of my favourite go-to books.

In ‘Part 1′ of Turning Green Wood, Michael O’Donnell discuss’ everything from the basic anatomy of trees to how features like burrs and burls grow.  Using fantastic graphics and images he explains how wood dries, shrinks and warps depending on where it is cut from particular trees.  Before buying the book I was aware that timber shrunk as it dries, but was less aware of how well it can be predicted and therefore used to our advantage.  O’Donnell explains how to work out the best way to cut raw timber in order to get the maximum return, but also to get the best results from shape, grain and features.  Particularly useful are sections on how to recognise hidden features within a tree, how to encourage spalting and drying methods including using the microwave.

>> Buy This Book on Amazon <<

In ‘Part 2’ O’Donnell guides you, with clear methods,  through the creation of your first green wood projects with a number of ‘Natural-Edge’ and ‘Translucent’ bowl and goblet projects.  The projects cover everything you need from timber selection, chucking, tool choice, recommended cuts and cut direction, support of longer pieces and finishing.  There is a great section covering part turning of bowls, re-chucking and reverse chucking to finish the bottom of projects.

Turning Green Wood has 135 fully illustrated pages, split into 2 parts and 11 chapters:

Part 1: Planning and Preparation

  1. The tree
  2. Bowls in the tree
  3. Timber, tools and techniques
  4. Planning the work

Part 2: Turning Bowls and Goblets

  1. Making shavings
  2. Translucent cross-grained bowl
  3. Natural-edge cross-grained bowl
  4. Translucent end-grain bowl
  5. Natural-edge end-grain bowl
  6. Natural-edge end-grain goblet
  7. Part-turned functional bowl

 

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Turning Green Wood by Michael O'Donnell

Turning Green Wood by Michael O’Donnell

 

Featured Turner and Artist Reviews

Below are a group of articles featuring individual turners and artists who I consider to be noteworthy.

 

I try to add a new feature roughly every three weeks.  If there is someone you would like to see reviewed, please let me know using the contact form.  Please subscribe to my newsletter to ensure you are notified of future articles.

 

Featured Turner: Mike Waldt, In His Own Words

Featured Turner: Mike Waldt, In His Own Words ABOUT MIKE WALDT Full Name: Mike Waldt Year of Birth:  1951 Nationality:  British ...
Read More

Featured Turner: Sam Angelo, In His Own Words

Featured Turner: Sam Angelo, In His Own Words ABOUT SAM ANGELO (a.ka. The Wyoming Woodturner) Full Name: Samuel Joseph Angelo ...
Read More

Featured Turner: Jeff Hornung, In His Own Words

Featured Turner: Jeff Hornung, In His Own Words.  Jeff Hornung tells us his woodturning story, from car crash to creativity! ...
Read More

Featured Artist: Ruth Niles, In Her Own Words

Featured Artist: Ruth Niles, In Her Own Words.  Ruth Niles explains her woodturning history and growth as an entrepreneur. ABOUT YOU ...
Read More

Featured Artist: Alan Adler, In His Own Words

Featured Artist: Alan Adler, In His Own Words.  Alan Adler gives an insight into his creativity in both work and ...
Read More

Featured Turner: Yuval Lahav… In his own words

Featured Turner: Yuval Lahav... In his own words.  Yuval Lahav shares insights to his woodturning methods and inspirations. ABOUT YUVAL ...
Read More

Featured Creations

Below are a selection of Featured Creations.

 

I’m not in the habit of posting about every piece that I turn (let me know if you think I should!), however when I have created a piece that demonstrates something that I particularly want to share then it will be highlighted here.

 

 

‘Alien’ Seed Pods

Video showing the creation of my 'Alien' Seed Pods I was invited by Woodworking Europe to take part in a ...
Read More

Graduated ‘Flame’ Sycamore Pot

I started this 6" Sycamore 'pot' in early March 2016.  It was hollowed using the Simon Hope Hollowing Jig to ...
Read More

Three Footed Bowl

Following on from my 'Four Footed Bowl', I have recently produced a three footed version.  This should have overcome the ...
Read More

Laburnum ‘Twig Pot’

I turn pieces of all shapes and sizes and naturally favourites arise.  These aren't always the biggest pieces though.  This ...
Read More

Spalted Beech ‘Pot’

This represents one of my favourite woods - FIREWOOD!  This piece of Beech was rescued from our firewood stock in ...
Read More

‘Moorish’ Box

This little walnut box was inspired by the wonderful work of Richard Raffan.  I deliberately turned the piece with a ...
Read More

A Small Four footed Bowl

A small 'four footed' bowl (in Beech) I turned before the 'Three Footed' variant.  This bowl started to move as ...
Read More

Buffing Wheel Disaster!

 

When you have spent all your precious time on, and poured all your creative juices into a piece, don’t take your eye off the The Beall Buffing Systemball at the last stage and suffer a disaster like this.   This lovely little Copper Beech bowl had swallowed much time with burl problems and metal inlays (copper) to add feature and fill holes! It never ceases to amaze me how much time smaller turnings can demand.  Furthermore, I had already dedicated this piece (and signed it!) to my surgeon who is currently giving me treatments for Arthritis.  Mr Koch, please accept my apologies and eternal thanks!

 

Bottom of Copper Beech Broken Bowl

Bottom of Copper Beech Broken Bowl

Anyway back to that ball, and not taking your eye off it… it was, in fact, a ball that took my eye off the ball as I had tennis (Wimbledon! Go Andy Murray!) playing in the workshop.  In a split second of distraction, the edge of the bowl caught on the wheel and it was instantly ripped from my hands and bounced around the lathe.  The trauma ripped a chunk out of the very thin outer edge.  Now before you say “You could fix that!”, take a look at the last photo.  The sides of the bowl have multiple dents that I can’t remove.  They are too deep and I don’t have enough wall thickness to re-turn them.

Lesson learnt.  I’ll move on, but I’m mighty peeved!

 

Dents in Sides of Copper Beech Bowl

Dents in Sides of Copper Beech Bowl

 

 

Featured Turner: Jeff Hornung, In His Own Words

Featured Turner: Jeff Hornung, In His Own Words.  Jeff Hornung tells us his woodturning story, from car crash to creativity!

ABOUT YOU

Full Name:  Jeffrey C. Hornung

Year of Birth:  1968

Nationality:  American

Place of Birth:  St. Louis, Missouri.  USA

Where do you currently live?  Florissant, Missouri.  USA

What is, or was, your main job?  I have been a full-time woodturner and supplier since March 2016.  The 24 years before that I was a retail florist

What would be your dream job?  I think this full-time woodturner and supplier gig may actually be my dream job.  I can create, sell, experiment, talk shop with awesome people AND work from home!

Other than woodturning, do you have any other notable hobbies?  Fly tying and Fly fishing.  I do also enjoy hiking and kayaking too.  Haven’t had much time for any of that but I’ll work something in soon!

ABOUT YOUR TURNING

Are you a professional turner, hobby turner or something else?  Hmm…I am an artist and supplier that turns. So, “Something else” is probably accurate!  Lol.  I’m also a recently hired woodturning instructor at the Craft Alliance here in St. Louis. 

When did you begin turning, and why? I began turning in October 2012 as therapy for a minor brain injury I sustained in a car accident in March of 2011.  I received a minor concussion in the accident but had pretty severe Post Concussion Syndrome;  Headaches, trouble focusing and concentrating.  My wife wanted to take a vacation and I wasn’t helping choose anything.  She tossed a course catalog, for a place called John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, at me and said to “just pick something I’d like to do”.  Folk School…but I don’t want to be a hippie, honey!!”…Ok, I said that last part on the inside.

I wanted to take blacksmithing but was pretty sure St. Louis County wouldn’t let me build a forge in the backyard if I ended up liking it.  I settled for Woodturning because I was fairly sure I could pick a lathe out of a product catalog if I needed to.  Fairly sure.  We went and I really didn’t feel well.  Classes started and I really didn’t want to be there.  My head was pounding and I was just going through the motions…figured I’d get through an hour or two then go back to the room and lay down.  The instructor had us put a spindle blank between centers, pick a tool and mess around for a bit.  Just to get the feel for things.  My head was really hurting but I figured we spent the money and I needed to at least try. 

Now,  I doubt this is what actually happened but it’s how I remember things…

The second the gouge touched the wood, my headache stopped.  I swear, it just stopped.  Next thing I knew it was lunch time and I didn’t want to turn off the machine.  Before the week was over, I had a wobbly old mid-’80s vintage Craftsman lined up from Craigslist and picked up the $45 turning tool set from Harbor Freight when we got home.  Have been addicted ever since and I know this not only helped me finally recover from a brain injury but has also made me even sharper, mentally, than before. 

Are you a member of a turning club and if so which one?  Yes, I am a member of the St. Louis chapter of the AAW…Woodturners of St. Louis.

Can you share contact details of the club (address, website etc) We meet at the St. Louis Carpenters Joint Apprentice Building in Afton, Missouri.  The website is http://turnedtreasuresllc.com/wstl2/

Who (or what!) has had the greatest influence on your turning?  Kirk DeHeer has been the biggest direct influence on me.  I’ve been fortunate to not only have been able to attend 2 different week long classes with him, I’m also (still) allowed to contact him by phone.  His influence has been game changing for me in technique, tool use and sharpening.

Carmen De La Paz has been the biggest indirect influence as I’ve not met her personally yet but we have talked many times and her input tends towards things more artistic and business related.

Who is your favourite woodturner?  I cannot honestly answer that.  I also cannot honestly answer who my least favorite would be, either.  I see turners as a group of people I’m honored to be a part of and understand that we all bring something different to the lathe. 

Do you have a favourite artist, in any medium, other than woodturning?  Same answer, I can’t honestly say.  Art is subjective so I try to keep my view of art and artists as fluid as possible.  I might like or dislike a piece of work or a style but I try and understand what that piece or style means anyway. 

Do you have any formal training that helps your turning (e.g. Art, Design, Photography, Engineering etc)?  I started my work life in the family ceramics business back in 1984.  That evolved into a retail florist in 1991.  I think everything I’ve done up to this point has contributed to my turning. 

Do you have any other similar or allied skills?   I’ve started doing more with pyrography and plan to start dabbling with carving.  I’m also going to start a metalsmithing class for jewellery making… I have ideas to incorporate metal into my turned art pieces but have no experience with any level of smithing.  Time to change that. 

What is the most unusual thing that you have turned? 

Don’t tell anyone but I did try to turn crushed glass inlay once.  DO NOT TRY THIS!!!   I ruined a HSS tool and risked getting glass in my eyes and lungs, even though I was wearing a filter and eye protection.  Another unusual but successful turning was a piece I ended up calling “Discarded”.  It was mystery wood and just really oddly shaped.  I was able to use the natural “dents” in the piece to create a bowl that when finished with reactive metallic paint, actually looked like it could be an old discarded metal bowl. 

What are your favourite pieces that you have turned?

In no particular order: 

The Clarinet Pen.  This was my first real concept piece and my first attempt at metalsmithing.  Yes, those are real clarinet parts.

'Clarinet Pen' by Jeff Hornung

‘Clarinet Pen’ by Jeff Hornung


Smoke and Mirrors. Dyed, textured and silver leaf in the bowl.

'Smoke and Mirrors' by Jeff Hornung

‘Smoke and Mirrors’ by Jeff Hornung


Cherry Vase With Crysacola Inlay. Some carving of the natural flaws and cracks first. 

'Cherry Vase with Inlay' by Jeff Hornung

‘Cherry Vase with Inlay’ by Jeff Hornung


Celtic Pool.  Inspired by the Viking Sunset Bowls of Nick Agar

'Celtic Pool' by Jeff Hornung

‘Celtic Pool’ by Jeff Hornung


Large Ambrosia Maple Platter.  18 inches diameter and hard as stone

'Ambrosia Maple' by Jeff Hornung

‘Ambrosia Maple’ by Jeff Hornung


Pill Boxes, inspired by headaches!  Threads are hand chased

'Pill Boxes' by Jeff Hornung

‘Pill Boxes’ by Jeff Hornung

What is your favourite ‘sphere’ of turning (e.g. Bowls, Platters, Boxes, Pens, Hollow forms etc)?  I can’t honestly answer that.  I’m the kind of person who gets bored easily and one of the major things that appeal to me about woodturning is the vast variety of things we can do.  Though, I do like making “spheres”. 

Are there any other woodturners (or artists / crafters etc) in your family?  My Mom was a certified ceramics artist and instructor. 

What has been your biggest disaster?  I’ve been fortunate to not have anything overly disastrous happen yet.  The scariest thing was discovering the quill on my Powermatic didn’t have a built in stop…while I was drilling blanks with a 10mm bit…and the bit got stuck…then the bit, Jacobs Chuck and quill all came out of the tail stock…while the machine was running and I was on the other side of the spinning mess and couldn’t reach the power button.  That was tense.  The drill bit snapped and the assembly hit the wall…and the wall held.  Whew!

ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP

Is your workshop a dedicated space or shared with other activities (i.e. a garage shared with a car, art studio etc)  I have about ¼ of a very small 2 car garage.  The deal is my wife’s car is supposed to sleep inside the garage every night.  I also lay claim to one of our spare bedrooms.  This is my office as well as paint, pyrography, pen prep and new design development work area. 

How many lathes do you own?  3

What is the make and model of your main lathe?  Powermatic 3520B

Have you had any previous lathes?  Yes, that 80’s vintage single tube Craftsman

What is your ‘dream lathe’?  Not sure I have one as my Powermatic does exactly what I need it to do.  If someone were to say “I’ll give you any lathe you want, just pick one.” I’d probably say a Robust.  Just don’t think that I have a dream lathe. 

Other than your lathe, what is your favourite tool or machine?  This is kind of the same deal as asking what do I like to turn the most.  It totally depends on the moment.  If you asked what my one go-to tool is, I’d say a 5/8 inch bowl gouge.  I’m not brand specific. Right now I have a Woodriver and a Sorby. 

Is your workshop very tidy, a ‘work in progress’ or a disaster zone?  It will never be “Mike Waldt” tidy but it’s a lot better than it used to be.  I’ve discovered I need a certain level of clean and tidy in order to function best.  Right this second, it’s a disaster zone because I’ve been pretty busy.  Before I turn anything again, I’ll have to clean up first!

YOUTUBE

Do you have a public YouTube channel that you would like to promote?  Yes, you can find my channel on YouTube at The Walnut Log Studio.  My current series is The Turning Shed. I’m still newish at vids and don’t have as big a selection as many. 

WEBSITEWalnutLoglogothumb-300x300

Do you have any websites that you would like to promote?  My website is www.thewalnutlog.com

FOOD

What is your favourite drink and snack food whilst in the workshop?  Coffee for favorite drink and Poptarts for favorite snack.  Now, if you want shop time or lessons…I can be bribed with pizza.  Just saying. 

AND FINALLY…

Anything else you would like to say or be known about you and your turning life?   I fully believe woodturning not only brought me back from a brain injury but has also made me not only a better artist but a better person.  Woodturners in general seem to be some of the best humans I’ve come across.  Doesn’t seem to matter where in the world they are from, either.  Outstanding group of people.  Much respect to everyone who reads this. 

Two favorite quotes:

“The best I can ever hope for is to stand on the shoulders of the giants that came before me”

Kirk DeHeer

“Give good, get good”

Carmen De La Paz


Jeff Hornung is a US reseller of Teknatool (Nova) products, Yorkshire Grit and Hampshire Sheen.  Stop by his website, The Walnut Log, and check him out!

 


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Coming up in future Featured Turner articles we have, amongst others, Sam Angelo (The Wyoming Woodturner) and the ‘Goblet Master’ himself Mike Waldt.

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