A Heart Felt Apology to All…

Firstly a HEART-FELT APOLOGY.

In August 2016 I vanished from social media without saying goodbye. Having built up your trust via Facebook, my blog here at tomturns.com and the AcolyteTurner YouTube channel, I abandoned you. I hope that after reading this you will forgive me and welcome me back to your social media circles.





Those that have ‘followed me’ over the past few years may be all too aware that I suffer a number of health problems, though not all of my ‘complications’ are known to you. I have for many years been fighting a deteriorating condition in my left foot and ankle. 18 months ago I was lucky enough to be referred to a good surgeon who started to lay plans for restoration surgery. Sadly, last year, he gave me the frightening news that he felt he couldn’t make a repair and that my best option was complete below-knee amputation.

In the lead-up to this devastating news, my wife and I had been making changes to our home, along with a small extension (I believe they call this an ‘addition’ in many countries that aren’t at the centre of my universe), in order to provide a safer and more accessible space for us. This renovation work went horrendously wrong, due to problems found underground, and eventually led to me being unable to safely access my beloved workshop.

In a nutshell, the combination of leg amputation and no workshop pushed me ‘over the edge’ and I turned my back on virtually everything ‘wood related’. This probably wasn’t the best and most adult action, but hey it’s my life 😉

So, here we are in February 2017. Our renovation work is ongoing; due to all the problems we ran out of money. However we have (most) walls complete, a poured concrete floor and a new roof over our heads. The rest will come with time.

THE GOOD NEWS!

Following a further series of CAT scans and tests, specialists have now decided that they can save my ankle (phew! was that a relief – I am rather attached to my leg!) and hopefully the operation will happen very soon. The downside to that though is that I will be off my feet for around 6 months. Between now and then however, I am spending as much time in the workshop as possible and look forward to sharing my efforts with you again soon. I promise that I won’t vanish again, even if I am once again unable to turn.

During my ‘disappearance’ I received a great number of enquiries about my absence which lead to a wonderful show of support and good wishes from many. A HUGE thank you to everyone of you, you may never know how much I valued your comments and how much they have helped in getting me back here again now.

Many of you may recall that I bought a new lathe (Jet 3520b) last year and also an Axminster AT1416VS midi-lathe. I only had a few hours use of the Jet, and never even turned the Axminster on until this month. I shall review them and comment on their merits as soon as possible.

A final apology must go to Stephen Ogle and Erik Anderson (The naked Turner). Both put a good deal of effort into information for my regular (and greatly received) Featured Turner articles on tomturns.com. I promise that they will appear soon now that I am back ‘in the real world’.

Once again – a sincere apology to old friends, but also a ‘welcome’ to new!

Featured Turner: Mike Waldt, In His Own Words

Featured Turner: Mike Waldt, In His Own Words

Mike Waldt, often dubbed 'The Goblet Master'

Mike Waldt, often dubbed ‘The Goblet Master’

ABOUT MIKE WALDT

Full Name: Mike Waldt

Year of Birth:  1951

Nationality:  British (Welsh)

Place of Birth:  Cardiff, South Wales

Where do you currently live?  Bedfordshire, England

What is, or was, your main job? I am a bus/coach driver, and have been for the past 16 years. Prior to that I came from a Sales and Marketing background.

What would be your dream job?  Professional Woodturner/Instructor

Other than woodturning, do you have any other notable hobbies? In the past I used to enjoy building Gaming Computers, and playing golf. But now woodturning, coupled with my garden, take up most of my “free” time.

ABOUT YOUR TURNING

Staved Goblet

A Staved Goblet

Are you a professional turner, hobby turner or something else?  Definitely a Hobby turner.

When did you begin turning, and why? I got my first lathe in November 2011, after randomly watching a turning video by my now good friend Carl Jacobson. I think it’s fair to say that after the first time I turned on the lathe…I was hooked!

Are you a member of a turning club and if so which one? No, I am not, as my “free” time is very limited, but I would like to join my local club one day.

Who (or what!) has had the greatest influence on your turning? There are so many turners that inspire me, I couldn’t single out just one.

 

Who is your favourite woodturner? Again, I don’t have a single favourite turner, as there are so many great and talented people that share their work, for us all to be inspired by.

Do you have a favourite artist, in any medium, other than woodturning? Not really no…however in the art of Opera singing Luciano Pavarotti is my all time favourite “artist” 🙂

Do you have any formal training that helps your turning (e.g. Art, Design, Photography, Engineering etc)? No, I’m completely self-taught…and sometimes it shows!

Do you have any other similar or allied skills? If general DIY and working with wood counts then yes

Birds Eye Maple Bowl

A Birds Eye Maple Bowl

What is the most unusual thing that you have turned? Most of the things I turn are unusual, as they rarely end up as I had anticipated initially.

What are your favourite pieces that you have turned?  I have only a few absolute favourite pieces and they are

A Staved Goblet –

A Birds Eye Maple Bowl –

A Natural Edge Ash Vase – 

An Oak Burr Natural Edge Bowl –

What is your favourite ‘sphere’ of turning (e.g. Bowls, Platters, Boxes, Pens, Hollow forms etc)? Apart from “segmenting”, I enjoy all areas of turning, but I have to say that goblets have a special place in my heart, for some reason.

A Natural Edge Ash Vase

A Natural Edge Ash Vase

Are there any other woodturners (or artists / crafters etc) in your family? No, I am the first in a very short line!

What has been your biggest disaster? There have been many, as each time things go wrong it seems like it’s the biggest “mess up”.  I think the Coventry demo I recently did at UKIWS ranks pretty high on the disaster stakes, as far as turning goes anyway 😉






ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP

An Oak Burr Bowl

An Oak Burr Bowl

Is your workshop a dedicated space or shared with other activities (i.e. a garage shared with a car, art studio etc)? I share my workshop with my wife’s car, and no amount of pleading will make her keep it outside!

How many lathes do you own? Just the one.

What is the make and model of your main lathe? The Axminster Trade AT1628VS

Have you had any previous lathes? The Axminster AWVSL1000

What is your ‘dream lathe’? I think it has to be the Robust American Beauty.

Other than your lathe, what is your favourite tool or machine? My Record Power BS400 Band Saw

Is your workshop very tidy, a ‘work in progress’ or a disaster zone? I do like to keep the workshop as clean and tidy as possible, but there are times it looks like a disaster zone, despite what the majority of my turning friends think!

Mike's lathe (Axminster Trade AT1628VS) is under here somewhere...

Mike’s lathe (Axminster Trade AT1628VS) is under here somewhere…

 

YOUTUBE

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

Yes I do here’s the link to it – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI_tt3HOlpZguB8ebtB4k1w

FOOD

What is your favourite drink and snack food whilst in the workshop? Diet Coke and Walkers Plain Crisps….lol

AND FINALLY…

Anything else you would like to say or be known about you and your turning life? I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my friends in the turning world, who have given me incredible support, and inspiration over the years, for that I am truly grateful.


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Coming up in future Featured Turner articles we have, amongst others, Stephen Ogle, Erik Anderson (The Naked Turner), Carl Jacobson and Cindy Drozda

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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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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 ...
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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 ...
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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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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

Full Name: Ruth Niles

Year of Birth: A long, long, long time ago!

Nationality: Polish / Ukrainian

Place of Birth: New Jersey

Where do you currently live? In the middle of beautiful Amish farmlands in central Pennsylvania.

What is, or was, your main job? I had a job in 1971 and 5 years later I knew I was meant to be an entrepreneur and started my first business.

What would be your dream job? Exactly what I’m doing but with a marketing assistant and my own IT guy!

Other than woodturning, do you have any other notable hobbies? I love to garden; vegetables and flowers.

Ruth Niles - SS Niles Bottlestoppers

ABOUT YOUR TURNING


Steelers.cap2apple.stopperAre you a professional turner, hobby turner or something else?
 
I guess I’m a professional turner only because I always had to support myself so whatever I did had to make money.  Professional in that I worked for contractors, furniture repairmen and antique dealers doing reproduction turnings.

When did you begin turning, and why? I got my first lathe in 1990, a Craftsman monotube.  I always liked working/playing with wood and I love all crafts so I wanted to give it a try.  I borrowed a book from the local library, opened it up on the lathe and started to turn. It was “Turning Projects” by Richard Raffan.  It was about 2 years before I saw another person turn on the lathe. 

Are you a member of a turning club and if so which one? I am a member of the Cumberland Valley Woodturners club in Chambersburg, PA.

Can you share contact details of the club (address, website etc) The club’s website is: www.cumberlandvalleywoodturners.com

Who (or what!) has had the greatest influence on your turning? I think I learned the most from books and my own trial and error.  Then over the years, attending club demonstrations and just talking turning with various people.  Woodturners love to share how they do things, the best tools and personal techniques.

pendant.1IMG_1867

Who is your favourite woodturner? That would be Richard Raffan and the reason being that I love to turn small, useful items and his earlier books were filled with small projects.

Do you have a favourite artist, in any medium, other than woodturning? That’s a difficult one to answer because I love art; from music to oil painting, from welding to stitchery and my “favourite artist” is whichever one I am reading about, watching work or attending an exhibit of their work. 

Do you have any formal training that helps your turning (e.g. Art, Design, Photography, Engineering etc)? I like to tell people “I don’t have a background” when they ask this question.  When I think I am interested in learning or doing anything, I read all I can about it and give it a try.  Not everything works but I am learning constantly.   I do often wish I had taken an art or design course at a community college; it might have saved me a lot of time experimenting and failing!

Do you have any other similar or allied skills? I am an excellent seamstress, even made a living at it.  I love to draw; gave myself a 30 day challenge to draw an eye that was as real as possible and did it.  I can turn any yard into a beautiful garden; I love playing in the dirt.  My 20 year old grandson says “If Grandma’s outside, there’s going to be a garden.”  I can sell, I am an entrepreneur, I started 4 different businesses over the years and each succeeded.  That’s the only skills I have. 

What is the most unusual thing that you have turned? A “sampler” hollow form.  I was going to give a demo at my woodturning club on various embellishments on turnings.  Rather than make 3 or 4 different items, I divided the hollow form and did a different enhancement in each section.  What was done with little artistic thought, rather “I’ll just put stuff on this to show the club members”, turned out to be (in my opinion) the best piece I ever did.

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What are your favourite pieces that you have turned? The piece I mentioned above; the sampler hollow form.

IMG_2943A “Fairy Forest” ornament.  I made it for a little girl who had a hard time going to sleep, she felt scared.  I told her the good fairies would go inside the ornament and stay with her all night.

My coffee scoops.  They are replicas of seed scoops that were used over 100 years ago.

What is your favourite ‘sphere’ of turning (e.g. Bowls, Platters, Boxes, Pens, Hollow forms etc)? Small boxes, individual salad bowls, rice bowls and bottle stoppers.


Are there any other woodturners (or artists / crafters etc) in your family? 
My granddaughter, Sarah, is very artistic and creative.

What has been your biggest disaster? Well, I haven’t had my “biggest” yet ….. not that I’m looking forward to that!  The only thing that comes to mind is when I demonstrate for a club, I always feel it’s a disaster because I am too nervous. 

RN.coffee.scoopsABOUT 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 a wonderful workshop, it is approximately 30’ x 30’ with big windows, double doors in the back and a nice audio system.  It’s a metal 3-bay building, 2 of my sons, my grandson and a friend divided it in half, insulated, wired and built my shop in one weekend …. for food and beer!

How many lathes do you own? Two lathes, a General 260 and a Jet Mini.

What is the make and model of your main lathe? That is the General 260.

Have you had any previous lathes? Just the one I started with, the Craftsman monotube that I do wish I had kept.

What is your ‘dream lathe’? I’m quite content with my General.  At the woodturning shows, I look at all the new lathes and they are beauties but the General and I get along nicely.

IMG_1970
Other than your lathe, what is your favourite tool or machine? I like my Burnmaster for doing pyrography and my dremel for carving and making unique enhancements.

Is your workshop very tidy, a ‘work in progress’ or a disaster zone? If I’m really into working on a project, my workshop is a disaster zone.  When I’m done, I would like to say it becomes very tidy but a “work in progress” is a better description.

YOUTUBE

Do you have a public YouTube channel that you would like to promote? Well now, I would have to say Eddie Castelin, Tom Stratton, Allen Tyler and Carl Jacobson.  These all did demonstrations on turning bottle stoppers and using the Joyner off-set jig that I sell.  Each is great in their own way which I really like because we all turn projects a little differently.

WEBSITE

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

FOOD

What is your favourite drink and snack food whilst in the workshop? I don’t take food nor drinks in the workshop.  Not for any purposeful reason, I just don’t.

ssNilesLogo


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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  If you have enjoyed this review, please

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Book Review: Turning Boxes with Threaded Lids – Bill Bowers

I hate to admit it, but this is one of two books in my collection that fail to impress me.  Both of these books are on the subject of thread chasing, something that fascinates me and keeps me endlessly entertained.  It is one of the most rewarding turning skills I have ever attempted to master and it may be because of this fascination that I blindly bought this book.  Don’t get me wrong, the book contains some great information and instruction on thread chasing and turning some fairly unique boxes, but the format is dire.  It reminds me of high school French lesson material.  The pages are filled with endless photographs, with just a short caption accompanying each one and little formatted text to tie the book together.  Of course if I had read the beginning of the book before purchase I would have seen that it is described as a ‘caption driven instructional text’….

But that’s not all.  The majority of the pieces are decorated with a Rose Engine Lathe.  Though it doesn’t mention this on the front cover, I enjoy to see Rose Engine work, but it leaves my pieces looking incomplete and lacking.  There is a decent sized chapter on Rose Engines within the book, but this just leaves me even further out in the cold!  The photographs in many turning books leave you agog at the beauty or complexity of the pieces.  But again, this is an ‘instructional text’ and the pictures are definitely more instructional than beautiful.

Containing 80 pages,  it is split into 7 chapters:

  1. Cylinder Boxes with Dyed Epoxy Threads
  2. Cubic Boxes with Threaded Pyramidal Lids
  3. Threaded Spherical Boxes on Pedestals Embellished with Rose Engine Ornamental Designs
  4. Threaded Rotating Ring Capsule Boxes with Rose Engine Lathe Decorations
  5. The Nuts and Bolts of Threaded Boxes
  6. Threaded Pierced-Through Boxes with Rose Engine Lathe Embellishments
  7. Gallery

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Turning Boxes with Threaded Lids by Bill Bowers

Turning Boxes with Threaded Lids by Bill Bowers

Book Review: Turned Boxes (50 Designs) – Chris Stot

Superficially this is a very simple book.  50 designs are presented with all the project details required to create the pieces yourself.  Following through the projects sequentially you will be introduced to more complex designs and more demanding tool work with each piece.  However as you progress through the book you should also find yourself examining form and detail in other work and starting to explore your own potential.  The first part of the book is dedicated to materials, tools and design inspirations.

Turned Boxes has 177 pages and is split into three parts:

Part 1: Technique and Inspiration

  1. A brief history of turned boxes
  2. A woodturner’s life
  3. Safety in the workshop
  4. Tools and machinery
  5. Timber and materials
  6. Deciding what to make
  7. Inspiration and where to find it
  8. Decorating boxes
  9. Finishes for boxes
  10. Displaying your work
  11. Common Faults

Part II: 50 Turned Boxes

  1. Simple box
  2. Chinese hat box
  3. Onion-top box
  4. Finial box
  5. Easy box
  6. Spherical box
  7. Vase box
  8. Beaded-lid box
  9. Zebrano box
  10. Yew box
  11. Elegant box
  12. Square-lidded box
  13. Pill box
  14. Teardrop box
  15. Ginger jar
  16. Collector’s box
  17. Mosque box
  18. Egg box
  19. Ball box
  20. Yew saucer
  21. Footed box
  22. Mushroom box
  23. Apple box
  24. Saturn box
  25. Japanese lantern box
  26. Pagoda box
  27. Bird-box ornament
  28. Bird box
  29. Finial egg box
  30. Tipsey boxes 1 and 2
  31. Trinket box
  32. Seattle tower box
  33. UFO box
  34. Galaxy box
  35. Clam box
  36. Skep or beehive box
  37. Inset-lid box
  38. Double-decker box
  39. Four-stack box
  40. Commissionaire box
  41. Top hat box
  42. Bowler hat box
  43. Jockey cap box
  44. Acorn box
  45. Picture-frame inset box
  46. Three-centre spire box
  47. Lattice-lidded box
  48. Doughnut box
  49. Off-centre oddity box
  50. Flask box

Part III: A Gallery of Turned Boxes

Showing work from: Allan Batty, Kip Christensen, Michael Hosaluk, Ray Key and Hans Joachim Weissflog

 

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(50) Turned Boxes by Chris Stott

(50) Turned Boxes by Chris Stott

 

Book Review: Woodturning Design by Derek Hayes

Like many other turners, design for me used to mean waiting to see what would happen with the piece of wood I had chosen to turn and then convincing myself that I had planned this all along.

My perspective on design started to change after enrolling on a University course on design principles.  Though based around product and packaging design the course encouraged me to start keeping a little book of sketches depicting shape and style that I found interesting.  Over time I started to ‘see’ the little idiosyncrasies of design within a multitude of forms.  Woodturning Design takes you on the same journey, but naturally with an emphasis on what can be done with turned materials.

Woodturning Design starts with a forward, which I quote here, by Mark Baker, currently the editor of Woodturning Magazine.

“Good design is fundamental to all that we make, but it is an area that is often perceived as difficult, esoteric or for the ‘art brigade’, so it is given a cursory glance until we hit a problem with what we are making.  It pays to spend a bit of time thinking about what we are going to make, how it is to look, the implications of its purpose and what impact changes will make to it.  One doesn’t have to a born artist to master some of the fundamental principles explained in this book, so don’t be put off of by the dreaded ‘design’ word.  A few simple steps following the guidelines shown and you will be well on the way to creating masterpieces of your own and having a lot more fun too.”

The book contains 175 pages and is split into 4 parts and 11 chapters:

Part One – Principles

  1. Design Elements
  2. Sketching
  3. Proportion
  4. Pattern

Part Two – Practice

  1. Open Forms
  2. Enclosed Forms
  3. The Foot
  4. The Rim

Part Three – Application

  1. Using Wood
  2. Using Decoration
  3. Using Colour

Part Four – Gallery

 

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Woodturning Design by Derek Hayes

Woodturning Design by Derek Hayes

Book Review: Ellsworth on Woodturning – David Ellsworth

The two biggest names in the world when it comes to woodturning have to be David Ellsworth and Richard Raffan.  They came from a time of pioneering in both woodturning skill and, certainly in David Ellsworth case, woodturning adventure.  Living from hand to mouth they touted their skills around the world on a demonstration circus as the new woodturning craze started to develop.  David Ellsworth was something of a pool hustler and tells tales of playing every night in order to fund his turning habit.

There is hardly a skill or technique Ellsworth doesn’t cover in this book, from making your own tools (as he did for most of his career) to harvesting and drying green wood, with Yoga thrown in for good measure.  Everything is covered here.  I treat this like a coffee table book.  I have read it many times but like it handy so that I can ‘dip into it’ for inspiration or practical advice when needed.  I love the mention of an old mexican proverb – “a man’s wealth is measured by the size of his wood pile”.  Perhaps I am a millionaire after all.

Containing a whopping 247 pages, this tome is split into 17 main chapters:

  1. Working with Green Wood and Dry Wood
  2. Managing Materials
  3. Why Turning Tools Work
  4. Making Tools and Tool Handles
  5. Sharpening
  6. Chucks, Glue Blocks and Faceplates
  7. Design
  8. The Body
  9. Turning an Open Bowl with a Cut Rim
  10. Turning an Open Bowl with a Natural Edge
  11. Turning the Exterior of a Hollow Form
  12. Turning the Interior of a Hollow Form
  13. Turning Spirit Forms
  14. Jam Chucks and Vacuum Chucks
  15. Sanding
  16. Finishing
  17. Drying Green Wood Vessels

Appendix – Teaching

Glossary

Resources

 

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Ellsworth on Woodturning by David Ellsworth

Ellsworth on Woodturning by David Ellsworth

Book Review: Woodturning, A Foundation Course – Keith Rowley

First published in 1990, but reprinted and updated many times, this is the defacto bible on Woodturning, especially in Europe, but popular throughout the world. If there is only one book on your shelf, this is the one to have.  The latest version of the book has an accompanying DVD. I’m not sure if DVD’s had even been invented when I bought my copy!

The book covers almost every aspect of turning, but looked at from the aspect of a new turner.  From lathe choice, through tools and chucks to wood selection. From your first trip to the lathe to producing your first pieces, EVERYTHING is covered.  However, the most important information I took on board from the book, when I was a novice, was Keith Rowley’s six ‘Laws of Woodturning’ which I reproduce here.  In the book they are covered in greater detail.

  1. The speed of the lathe must be compatible with the size, weight and length of wood to be turned.
  2. The tool must be on the rest before the whirling timber is engaged, and must remain so whenever the tool is in contact with the wood.
  3. The bevel (grinding angle) of the cutting tools must rub the wood behind the cut.
  4. The only part of the tool that should be in contact with the wood is that part of the tool that is receiving direct support from the toolrest.
  5. Always cut ‘downhill’ or with the grain.
  6. Scrapers must be kept perfectly flat (in section) on the toolrest and presented in the ‘trailing mode’, i.e. with the tool handle higher than the tool edge.

These six simple laws should keep all turners safe and in control.  They certainly worked for me.

The book consists of 177 pages and is split into 11 main chapters:

  1. Trees and Wood
  2. The Woodturning Lathe and Accessories
  3. Tools of  the Trade
  4. On Sharpening
  5. Laws of Woodturning
  6. Turning Between Centres
  7. Faceplate Turning
  8. Copy-Turning
  9. Sanding and Finishing
  10. Boring and Routing on the Lathe
  11. Safety, Design, Courses…

 

Amazon LogoKeith Rowley - A foundation Course

Book Review: Woodturning Wizardry – David Springett

Woodturning Wizardry is a book to blow your mind and stretch your imagination.  David Springett is the master of mind bending sculptural pieces, with spheres within spheres, impossible multifaceted spiky stars within square turnings atop beautiful thin stemmed goblets, fabulous lattice work and an incredible turned arrow passing through a glass bottle!

Many of the pieces in this book require a variety of special jigs and tools, but the creation of all these are covered in the book.  Fantastically detailed plans, descriptions and photographs accompany all the projects and pieces.

I have made a couple of jigs and tools but have yet to complete a piece that I would consider a keeper.  However I keep picking up this book time after time for inspiration and wouldn’t want to be without it.  One day I’ll get there!

The book is split into three parts and 19 chapters:

Part One Preparation

  1. Wood
  2. Making jigs and chucks
  3. Toolmaking
  4. Turning spheres
  5. Setting out the surface of a sphere

Part Two Projects

  1. Arrow through bottle
  2. Lattice circles
  3. Offset lattice lid
  4. Box with domed lattice lid
  5. Lattice Pomander
  6. Singapore Ball
  7. Spiked star in cube
  8. Spiked star in sphere
  9. Captive cube in sphere
  10. Lidded box in sphere
  11. Chinese balls
  12. Chinese rings
  13. Pierced sphere
  14. Interlocking spheres

Part Three Gallery

 

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Woodturning Wizardry by David Springett

Woodturning Wizardry by David Springett

Book Review: Woodturning Evolution – Nick Agar and David Springett

This book may confuse you.  If it doesn’t then it will likely change your view of turning hollow forms for ever!  The subtitle of the book is ‘Dynamic projects for you to make’. In ‘Woodturning Evolution’ Nick Agar and David Springett introduce a method of creating hollow forms and sculptural pieces form flat boards of wood.  If you are immediately thinking segmented turning then you need to think again!  The pieces on the front cover of the book have been formed by mounting two boards on a simple jig, turning a section away from the ‘interior’ of each board, then combining them into a ‘tube’.  The tube can then be sliced in various angles and rejoined to create totally new pieces.  Confused?  I was at first, I have to admit, however after understanding the process I now find this an absolutely inspiration method of creating sculptural forms that I have been experimenting with for some time.  I hope to have a series of pieces, created with this process, developed during 2016.

The book contains 176 pages in 7 chapters.  14 project pieces are covered in full detail:

Chapters

  1. Foreward
  2. Introduction
  3. Suitable Woods
  4. Tools and Equipment
  5. Holding the Work
  6. Health and Safety
  7. Finding Inspiration

Projects

  1. The Wave
  2. ‘Chinese’ Vessel
  3. ‘Clarice Cliff’ Vessel
  4. Cockerel, Iguana and Kiwi
  5. Iguana
  6. Kiwi
  7. Snake
  8. Zebrano
  9. Elephant Vessel
  10. Deco Vessel
  11. Whisper
  12. Outside the Box
  13. Wall Plaque
  14. Horn

 

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Woodturning Evolution by Nick Agar and David Springett

Woodturning Evolution by Nick Agar and David Springett

On My Bookshelf…

Throughout June / July 2016 I am gradually adding a list of turning related books that adorn my shelves.  I try to give a short review and content details with each one.  If there is any specific details that you would like to know about a book or its contents, just ask!

Listed in no particular order, click the book covers below for full details:


Hilary Bowen - Woodturning Jewellery

Woodturning Jewellery by Hilary Bowen

Woodturning Evolution by Nick Agar and David Springett

Woodturning Evolution by Nick Agar and David Springett

The Art of Turned Bowls by Richard Raffan

The Art of Turned Bowls by Richard Raffan

Book: Mark Sanger - Turning Hollow Forms 1

Turning Hollow Forms by Mark Sanger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Woodturning Wizardry by David Springett

Woodturning Wizardry by David Springett

Keith Rowley - A foundation Course

Woodturning, A foundation Course by Keith Rowley

Ellsworth on Woodturning by David Ellsworth

Ellsworth on Woodturning by David Ellsworth

Woodturning Design by Derek Hayes

Woodturning Design by Derek Hayes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(50) Turned Boxes by Chris Stott

(50) Turned Boxes by Chris Stott

Turning Boxes with Threaded Lids by Bill Bowers

Turning Boxes with Threaded Lids by Bill Bowers

Turning Green Wood by Michael O'Donnell

Turning Green Wood by Michael O’Donnell

All Screwed Up! by John Berkeley

All Screwed Up! by John Berkeley

 

Book Review: Woodturning Jewellery – Hilary Bowen

A 150+ page book, packed full of jewellery ideas and methods.  Hilary Bowen is a British female turner, of most forms, with a special interest in jewellery.  The book is written for turners, by a turner, not from the view of pure jewellery design.  Her methods and ideas are practical and achievable by most turners, with something for all experience levels. Though I didn’t do it justice in the long run, my video Video #16 – Update and Make Your Own Laminated Blanks’ was based on a principal from this book.

The book is split into 3 parts and 17 chapters.  Part three has particular relevance to turners in general, not just jewellery creators.

Part One – Preliminaries

  1. Health and Safety
  2. Tools and Equipment
  3. Timber
  4. Chucking Techniques
  5. Design

Part Two – Projects

  1. Earrings
  2. Brooches
  3. Bangles
  4. Rings
  5. Necklaces

Part Three – Further Techniques and Refinements

  1. Stains and Dyes
  2. Inlay Wire
  3. Laminating
  4. Other Decorative Techniques
  5. Finishing Techniques
  6. Jewellery Findings
  7. Turning Alternative Materials

 

Amazon LogoHilary Bowen - Woodturning Jewellery

 

Book Review: The Art of Turned Bowls – Richard Raffan

 

Possibly one of the best bowl turning books ever published.  Richard Raffan, a British turner now living in Australia, was one of a handful of turners from the 1960’s and 70’s that popularised the art and craft of turning around the world.

Split into 7 chapters, the book covers all aspects of bowl turning:

  1. Wood – What to Look For and Where to Find it
  2. Preparing Blanks – From Log to Lathe
  3. Form – The Good, The Bad and The Sublime
  4. Walls, Rims and Bases – Bowls That Feel as Good as They Look
  5. Green-Turned Bowls – Working with Warp
  6. Surface Decoration – Detailing , Coloring, Burning, Sandblasting
  7. Decorative Reshaping – Carved, Pierced, Hacked, Hewed and Joined

Chapters 4 and 6 are the winners for me.  There is wealth of information on every conceivable rim design and piece decoration and how that can ultimately dictate the overall design of the a bowl.

With 160 pages overall, the majority are packed with eye watering images to stretch your imagination.

Amazon LogoRichard Raffan - The Art of Turned Bowls

Book Review: Turning Hollow Forms – Mark Sanger

This is a wonderful introduction to turning hollow forms.  Though known for some quite modern pieces, here Mark Sanger introduces a range of timeless vessels with his own unique twist.  The text assumes basic turning ability but no prior knowledge of hollowing and walks you through from wood selection to finished piece. Seven project pieces are covered in greater detail with relevant designs, plans, dimensions, hollowing sequences and finishing notes which should provide you with the skills to handle any future hollow forms.  Chapter 2, ‘Wood’, is especially useful for it’s information on log selection and orientation to make the best use of your wood.

Though I was far from a novice hollower when I purchased the book I have found it invaluable and inspirational on many levels.  The book contains five main chapters:

  1. Health and Safety
  2. Wood
  3. Tools
  4. Form
  5. Projects

 

 

Amazon Logo

Mark Sanger - Turning Hollow Forms 1

Seed Pod Follow Up and Yorkshire Grit Give-Away

Following my Alien Seed Pod post and video, I have created a simplified version this week which uses a separate piece of wood for the tail.  This not only speeds up the process, but is also cleaner, easier and more achievable for most turners.  This was still only a prototype and proof of concept.  More work is required!

 

Pod 4 Relief CarvedI started by preparing a spalted Sycamore blank for the seed pod, with a tenon on both ends. After mounting in my chuck I drilled a 12mm / ½ inch recess to receive the tail section later.  After reversing the blank in the chuck I then proceeded to turn and hollow the seed pod shape, leaving a thicker rim for a little bit of carving.  On this pod I shaped the ‘leaves’ around the opening in relief unlike previous ones.

Next I cut a small section of board (in this case American Cherry) suitable for the tail section and mounted this in my chuck, end on.  I then turned a tenon to suit the recess in the pod, checking a couple of times to get a good fit.  I could have turned some of the waste board away at this point but it was easier to do this all in one on the bandsaw.  After removing the section from the Pod 4 Draw Tailchuck I drew my intended tail shape on one side and one edge, then cut the waste material away.

Moving to my pillar drill, I mounted a sanding bobbin in the chuck and proceeded to shape the tail, in all directions and dimensions, until I was happy with the result.  I hadn’t considered this method previously, but it was suggested by Alan Adler and turned out to be a most wonderful technique.  I then used regular woodworking glue (Titebond Original) to join the two pieces together and left this for a few hours to set.
Pod 4 Joined HalvesAfter joining the two halves I returned to the drill and cleaned up the joint between the two parts with the sanding bobbin.  I have only ever used the bobbins for light touch up jobs before this.  I now really appreciate the benefit of an oscillating spindle sander and will be looking to add one soon.  Following this I gave everything a hand sanding to 400 grit before texturing the tail with my pyrography machine.  I made sure that the burning came up above the joint between the two pieces to ensure that it was totally disguised.  I took the opportunity to experiment with textures again, though it isn’t too clear in the picture that the ‘scale’ effect gets smaller as it reaches the ‘hairy’ end of the tail.

 

Give-Away is now over, but Yorkshire Grit is available from http://yorkshire-grit.com

Yorkshire Grit Woodturners Abrasive Paste

Tin of Yorkshire GritThere has been plenty of discussion online recently about a new product on the market called Yorkshire Grit.  This is an abrasive paste produced by a chap local to me and is used to ‘wet sand’ a piece after sanding to 240 grit.  It is basically a blend of wax and grits that break down to finer and finer mesh sizes as it is worked over the surface of the piece, abrading to around 800 grit.  I have been lucky enough to ‘blag’ a tin of the product and I’d like to give it away to one of you.

Between now and 17th June 2016 simply watch the video above and sign-up for my FREE NEWSLETTER on this site and I’ll enter you in the draw.  Don’t worry if you have already subscribed and signed up, your name is already in the bag!  Hopefully the lucky winner will be drawn by Mike Waldt at the UK and Ireland Woodturning Symposium on 18th or 19th June 2016.  Unlike many other give-aways this isn’t country specific and will be shipped anywhere in the world.  There are only three rules:

  • Only one entry per person
  • No alternative is available
  • You have to be signed-up for the newsletter to be entered in the draw!

 

You can see more about the product in these videos:

 

Mike Waldt: Woodturning – Yorkshire Grit Review

Keith Barrow: Woodturning at 54a. #79 Trying out Yorkshire Grit abrasive paste

 

‘Alien’ Seed Pods

 


Video showing the creation of my ‘Alien’ Seed Pods

I was invited by Woodworking Europe to take part in a collaboration event to celebrate European Maker Week (30th May to 5th June 2016), which is a celebration of ‘makers’ and ‘innovators’ across 28 countries.  Participants were asked to create something on the theme of a star (inspired by the European flag) and to produce a YouTube video to be published simultaneously at 12:00 UTC on 29th May 2016.  Since this may be the last year that the UK is a part of Europe I was happy to accept the invitation and help promote British woodturning and ‘makers’.

I have recently started exploring the design potential of vessel openings (the entry hole on a hollow form for example) and knew immediately that this would form my ‘star’ inspiration.  I have also just started exploring non-functional, sculptural ideas for woodturning (very much inspired by artists like Alan Adler).  From this my ‘Alien’ Seed Pod prototypes happened.  Following these I plan to go on and explore the potential of these most interesting forms.

This was my first prototype of a seed pod. It has a long way to go!

This was my first prototype of a seed pod. It has a long way to go!

I made three prototypes initially, all in Sycamore.  The first explored a basic shape and colouring idea (including the star opening) which moved me forward but was somewhat disappointing.  The second expanded upon the carved tail idea and toyed with pyrography details.  This left the third which formed the main emphasis of the required YouTube video, developed a workable colouring idea and furthered the carving of the tail details.  Following these I have a minor plan to change the tail to a method incorporating a separate piece (in a different wood perhaps) which will also require less carving and shaping.

In all three pieces I started by turning a basic flower / seed pod shape (not based on any particular species) and hollowed the interior to within a couple of millimetres thickness except around the opening area which I kept thicker to enable carving.  Using a simple template I produced a star shape around the top which I then carved and shaped to produce something almost petal like.  On the second and third prototypes I created texture, depth and definition to the ‘petals’ which added to it’s seed pod like appearance.  I expanded the size and complexity of the tail details which were carved insitu from the Sycamore blank with a variety of rotary tools and a lot of sanding!

This is the forward view of the second prototype.

This is the forward view of the second prototype.

 

After I made the second pod, I knew immediately what changes I wanted to make and how I wanted to proceed.  I put this one aside, unfinished, and moved straight on to the third.  I chose to make the video around this one so it actually took a couple of days to produce, compared to just a few hours with the first two. I had planned to use some form of pyrography on the third pod (you can see a little around the ‘mouth’ of the first), but I proceeded to colour and finish it before the pyrography plan formulated.  As I had already lacquered the piece I didn’t want to risk damage to the surface so returned to the second to pursue the pyrography.  This was my first foray into pyrography on a turned piece.  I have played around with waste wood and a simple soldering iron type in the past, but I have recently bought a ‘proper’ burner (Peter Childs Artist’s Pyrography Machine) and was itching to experiment with it.

 

Here I demonstrate the texture on the tail, produced with a pyrography pen.

Here I demonstrate the texture on the tail, produced with a pyrography pen.

After decoration, I left pod two with an unfinished surface which looks beautifully raw.  It really needs a protective coat of something, but I need to explore this further.  I played around a little with the pyrography to try and produce a ‘scaled’ appearance on the tail.  I’m not sure I achieved this, but I’m very happy with the result anyway.  Oddly I think this little prototype has become the most tactile piece I have made to date.  I can’t wait to explore the pyrography textures further.

 

 

A look into the mouth of prototype 3!

A look into the mouth of prototype 3!

Piece three is from a slightly larger blank which allowed me to open out the ‘mouth’ a little further and produce more detailed petals / folds and the addition of the stamen.  The tail is far more complex making better use of all the space within the blank, but adding a lot of work.  I planned to build upon the ‘marine’ colours of pod one but to induce a more iridescent effect with the spirit stains by over laying and merging colours.  I also wanted to explore a new medium I have just purchased, resistive / masking fluid.  When painted on to a surface it provides a latex cover which resists further colour.  Rubbing with your fingers quickly and easily removes the latex when required.  I used it here to create a mottled effect around the ‘petal’ area.  Though I like the result produced, I shall bring the effect further down the body next time and create a less defined separation between the colour zones.

The full view of 'marine' pod 3 showing the colour details

The full view of ‘marine’ pod 3 showing the colour details

 

Tools and Equipment Used

There is nothing really complicated in these pieces, but I did use a lot of tools and equipment in order to get the result I wanted.  Now lets be honest here, after the initial turning you could create the whole piece with a single carving tool and a load of sandpaper, but where would be the fun in that?  I enjoy using power tools as much as hand carving (which I like to save for opportunities when I am away from my workshop).

For hollowing the pod I used a ‘straight’ Kelton Hollowing Tool and the Crown Teardrop Scraper in the Crown Revolution Handle.  I can just squeeze both of these tools through a 16mm opening, though I had plenty more room on these three pieces.

An example of Latex Art Masking Fluid. This is the brand I used, but there are many others.

An example of Latex Art Masking Fluid. This is the brand I used, but there are many others.

For most of the ‘tail’ wood removal I used a Proxxon Long Kneck Mini-Angle Grinder and Dremel 4000 Series rotary tool with a variety of carbide burrs.  Details of these can been found on my Carbide and Rotary Tools page.   Further to these I also recently bought (and used to great effect on these pieces) a Kutzall Taper carbide burr (which has clusters of carbide ‘hairs’) and a set of relatively cheap (Chinese import?) 120 grit diamond burrs which were fantastic for sanding in difficult to reach areas but also for smaller areas over the entire piece.  These were well complimented with a set of (also cheap) diamond files which I bought from Axminster Tools in the UK, however they appear to be fairly generic Chinese tools and available from usual sources.  Not seen in the video was two sets of  ‘rifflers’.  These are shaped files and rasps for roughing and shaping in almost any direction.  I have an extremely course set, stone rifflers, and a very fine set designed for general metals and jewellers and I find these to all work well on wood.

 

 

 

A typical Chinese Diamond Burr Set

A typical Chinese Diamond Burr Set

These course rifflers, sometimes called 'Stone Rifflers' are very course and great for fast roughing.

These course rifflers, sometimes called ‘Stone Rifflers’ are very course and great for fast roughing.

A set of fine 'file' rifflers. Stone rifflers are extremely course.

A set of fine ‘file’ rifflers. Stone rifflers are extremely course.

Cheap Diamond File Set

Cheap Diamond File Set

 

I also used a few FlexCut carving tools.  I only have four, but use them all quite regularly and employed at least three on various parts of these pieces!  The ones I use have one handle and a range of interchangeable tools.  These can also be used in a Proxxon reciprocating carver which is on my ‘To Buy’ list.

Flexcut 'Craft Carver' Set

Flexcut ‘Craft Carver’ Set

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For your convenience, here are links to most of these tools etc on Amazon.

Diamond Burrs http://geni.us/XzCBB
Diamond Files http://geni.us/uZ6m
Riffler Sets http://geni.us/UtuO6eh
Art Masking Fluid http://geni.us/rtiB
Dremel 4000 http://geni.us/jLivAA
Proxxon Long Neck Grinder http://geni.us/B4LCquf
FlexCut Carving Tools http://geni.us/CdrW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Links to Amazon and other adverts may provide me with a small commision (at no cost to you) which aids the running of this site and my YouTube videos.  Though I may use products and services mentioned in my articles this does not mean that I endorse or recommend them unless explicitly stated.

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 play.

ABOUT ALAN ADLERAlan Adler Profile

Full Name: Alan Adler

Year of Birth: Before 1950

Nationality: US

Place of Birth: New England

Where do you currently live? New Jersey, USA

What is, or was, your main job? Business founder of Cases By Source and Source Packaging (http://www.casesbysource.com/).  We design and manufacture cases and speciality packaging solutions to enhance our customer’s brand.

What would be your dream job? Philanthropy.  Having a foundation that helps people and organizations that do not have access to mainstream funding.  I have the name and business plan, just need to do it.

Other than woodturning, do you have any other notable hobbies? Family and Career.

ABOUT YOUR TURNING

Norfolk Island Pine Bowl

Norfolk Island Pine Bowl

Are you a professional turner, hobby turner or something else? Hobby turner.  My portfolio is available at http://www.AATurning.com

When did you begin turning, and why? April 2009.  After more than 30 years of designing projects for clients it was time to return to my design roots and create things that were of a personal nature. I was looking at painting, print making, sculpture when I came across a Norfolk Island Pine bowl by Ron Kent in a gallery. It was several thousand dollars and after struggling with it, I decided I would take lessons and see if I could learn this skill.  After a two day class at Woodcraft, I was fully addicted and purchased a Nova DVR one month later.  Attached is photo of a Norfolk Island Pine Bowl that I made.

Are you a member of a turning club and if so which one? Hudson Valley Wood TurnersWe meet once a month in Mahwah NJ.  www.HudsonValleyWoodturners.org.  Write me at Alan@AATurning.com for more information.

Who (or what!) has had the greatest influence on your turning? It was a Ron Kent piece that captured my attention to learn woodturning.  Also, Betty Scarpino‘s work which influenced me to cut up and reassemble turned items.  Michael Hosaluk  who influenced me to explore color, texture, carving and making a piece with personality.

Who is your favourite woodturner? Michael Hosaluk

Do you have a favourite artist, in any medium, other than woodturning? Henry Matisse and Rene Magritte

Do you have any formal training that helps your turning (e.g. Art, Design, Photography, Engineering etc)? Drop out engineer.  Master’s Degree in Package Design from Pratt Institute.

Do you have any other similar or allied skills? What fascinates me about woodturning is all the other skills we use and learn to make our work better.  I had no idea how to sharpen tools, make tools and fixtures, set up a vacuum chuck system, do pyrography, airbrush or replace motors until I discovered woodturning.  I must thank all woodturners who openly share information not seen in any other art form.

What is the most unusual thing that you have turned? On my To Do List is an Urn for my favorite cat, Weinstein.

What are your favourite pieces that you have turned? StarFish Bowl, Sea Urchin Series, Zipper Series, Matisse inspired- Dancing On Air, Jewelry pendants

 

 

 

Jewelry Pendants

Jewelry Pendants

What is your favourite ‘sphere’ of turning (e.g. Bowls, Platters, Boxes, Pens, Hollow forms etc)? I never go on the lathe without knowing what I want to accomplish.  Usually the project is supported with sketches and I do not seem to favor one area over another.  I do enjoy making jewelry from colored pencils and have never made a pen.

 

Are there any other woodturners (or artists / crafters etc) in your family?  There are several artists in our extended family mostly in print making, painting and sculpture. My wife helps me with the jewelry making and I can be found in a bead store more frequently than her.  I used to hate going into those stores, now I lead the way.

 

 

Zipper Series

Zipper Series

What has been your biggest disaster?  Nothing comes to mind as a disaster.  I have had many failures due to the wood not cooperating or my skill set is not capable of pulling off the challenge.  I put these items on the side, look at them for a year or so and then come back to them for completion.  The Zipper series was a result of a cracked vase that was not deserving of firewood.

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 a dedicated space in the basement.  I like to call it a studio, but that would be a stretch.

How many lathes do you own? One lathe

What is the make and model of your main lathe? Robust American Beauty.

Have you had any previous lathes? Nova DVR

What is your ‘dream lathe’? Got it.  I thought the DVR was my last lathe, until I tried a Robust.

Other than your lathe, what is your favourite tool or machine? High Speed Piercing and texturing tools

Is your workshop very tidy, a ‘work in progress’ or a disaster zone? Depends who you ask.  To my wife, it is a filthy disaster zone.  To me it is Man Cave Heaven.

YOUTUBE & WEBSITES

If you produce YouTube or similar videos, what are your three favourites? Never did a video.  Been asked several times, but it is not on my list.

Do you have a website? http://AATurning.com

FOOD

What is your favourite drink and snack food whilst in the workshop?  Never eat in the workshop except for flying wood chips.

AND FINALLY…

Anything else you would like to say or be known about you and your turning life? Woodturners are the most giving and generous artists.  There are no secrets and the masters are accessible to the beginners.  The support system to learn this craft is like no other and now that I have learned a few skills I am able to give back by teaching and sharing my skills with others.


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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You can find all the other Featured Turner articles here

 

Graduated ‘Flame’ Sycamore Pot

I started this 6″ Sycamore ‘pot’ in early March 2016.  It was hollowed using the Simon Hope Hollowing Jig to around 3mm (1/8th inch). By the end of April it was dry enough to colour and finish which took place at the beginning of May.  The pot was stained (with spirit stains) all over in yellow, then from the bottom to roughly the shoulder with a weak red solution.  A band around the bottom was then layered in full strength red.  The whole vessel was washed again in yellow and all colour boundaries blended.  This was one of three vessels finished to fulfill a customer request.

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.

Yuval Lahav Headshot

The Man Himself – Yuval Lahav

ABOUT YUVAL LAHAV

Full Name: Yuval Lahav

Year of Birth: 1977

Nationality: Israeli

Place of Birth: Beer Sheva

Where do you currently live: Italy

What is, or was, your main job: Web and mobile multi players games programmer, front and back end.

What would be your dream job: A pilot

Other than woodturning, do you have any other notable hobbies: Scuba diving, hang gliding (both out of practice), snowboarding and having kids.

 

ABOUT YOUR TURNING

Are you a professional turner, hobby turner or something else: Hobby, more of a weekend turner, although by twists of life I have more time to turn over the week than the weekend.

When did you begin turning, and why:I started turning on August of 2012, and a year before I’ve seen a video of a guy turning a lamp shade out of a log, and I thought to myself that it was something I had to learn how to do. For a year I consumed every turning video I could find, and bought a very (VERY) cheap lathe to start with (which is why I don’t discourage people from buying cheap lathes, you’ve got to start somewhere).

Are you a member of a turning club and if so which one:  No. Italy, or at least central Italy, is terrible for turners. There is nothing for us here, a club that does social gatherings at best, not a single shop for tools or wood.

Who (or what!) has had the greatest influence on your turning: That is difficult to answer, since I’ve learned all I know from Youtube, each of the great teachers there have gave me different bits of information which I compiled into my current knowledge base. I learned to most from Carl Jacobson, but I’m in awe by the artistic turnings and carving of Mark Henry Doolittle.

Who is your favorite woodturner: Cindy Drozda.

Do you have a favorite artist in any other medium than woodturning: Salvador Dalí.

Do you have any formal training that helps your turning (e.g. Art, Design, Photography, Engineering etc):

I’ve been a student and practitioner of art most of my life, be it painting, drawing, sculpturing in clay and more, as the son of an art teacher, and the grandson of an art teacher, and the only child of four who showed artistic tendencies, I didn’t really have a choice in the matter.

Do you have any other similar or allied skills: See answer above.

What is the most unusual thing that you have turned: One of my last project was a footed torus bowl, that is by far my most unusual project to date.

What are your favorite three pieces that you have turned: Footed torus bowl, Olive emerging goblet, and spiraled vase.

What is your favorite ‘sphere’ of turning (e.g. Bowls, Platters, Boxes, Pens, Hollow forms etc): I find Hollow forms most enjoyable to work on, but I fear that is because I like adrenalin and things that scare me the most. I thrive when I put myself to a challenge.

Are there any other woodturners (or artists / crafters etc) in your family: Both my mother and grandmother were artists of sorts, my sister makes decorated cakes. 🙂

What has been your biggest disaster: While turning the Christmas ornament for 2014-15 I cut my right index finger almost to the bone on the table saw. It took me a few days to get used to not use the hurt finger, yet it took me almost a month to get myself used to use it once it healed. If we’re talking lathe disaster, I had a ring of wood detach from a plank of wood which I was parting off for an economy bowl, which went on the explode into large and small fragments. Luckily I was away from the line of fire and I wasn’t hit. Should I have been hit, I doubt my face-shield would have stopped any of the fragments.

 

 

ABOUT YOUR WORKSHOP

Is your workshop a dedicated space or shared with other activities (i.e. a garage shared with a car): My workshop doubles as my smoking room at night, as I don’t smoke in the house or much, if at all, during the day.

How many lathes do you own: One.

What is the make and model of your main lathe: Fervi 0751. It’s the same Chinese made lathe most hobbies have, but for some reason the Italian version is only ½ horse power where most of these are ¾ horse.

Have you had any previous lathes: Yes. I had a brandless lathe, super simple design, which I found on sale for 90 euros. It is what I got to find out if I would enjoy woodturning. I did.

What is your ‘dream lathe’: I would love to have one of those British made, cast iron, short bed, large bowl turning lathe, I can’t remember their name right now, but everyone knows those. I want to turn large, very large, things. Failing that I really like the Robust line of lathes. I would love a lathe I can turn a delicate finial on, but chuck a 60 cm (two feet) wide log on and turn a drum shell.

Other than your lathe, what is your favorite tool or machine: I love the angle grinder, I always wanted to start carving in logs, but I never find the time. I’m pretty sure I would have said a bandsaw if I had one, but I never did, so I might just be dreaming it’s my second favorite tool.

Is your workshop very tidy, a ‘work in progress’ or a disaster zone:  A “work in progress” is a good description. I don’t tidy up while working on something to the point of loosing a kid in the mess. But when I’m done with a project, I reset my shop in a way that will make most people scared to come near me, I vacuum the floor, I set my glues in order like soldiers, every single tool, bolt and container has to go back to its place, or else I can’t start another project.

 

YOUTUBE

If you produce YouTube or similar videos, what are your three favourites:  See answer to “What are your favorite three pieces that you have turned”.

FOOD

What is your favourite drink and snack food whilst in the workshop: Lipton green tea lemon iced tea, Romanian pickled hot peppers.

AND FINALLY…

Anything else you would like to say or be known about you and your turning life: I turn because I love it. I don’t seek fame and fortune. If it finds me, I won’t send it away. What I love the most second to turning is being able to teach others.

Yuval Lahav at Rest

Yuval Lahav at Rest After Completing His Torus Form

 

 

Many thanks to Yuval for allowing us a look into his life and for sharing his thoughts.  Please take the time to peruse his videos and subscribe to his growing YouTube channel.

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


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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.

You can find all the other Featured Turner articles here

If you have enjoyed this article, Subscribe to my newsletter to ensure you don’t miss out on these wonderful insights, giveaways and more!

Carbide Rotary Tools and Discs

Image

During my video of the Three Footed Bowl I promised a short video on the carbide rotary tools and cutting disks that I had used, along with links to the manufacturers sites.

The video review can been found here.

Before I go any further, please note that I am not sponsored or connected in any way with the companies products that I mention or show and I am not able to endorse them beyond the usage that I demonstrate or discuss.  The way that I choose to use them may not be the method recommended by the manufacturer and may not be suitable for you!  Right, now that’s out of the way….

The rotary tool I use is a Dremel 4000 series.  I use this with their flexi-shaft option most of the time.  When I bought this I couldn’t source any of the ‘better’ rotary tools within the UK like Foredom.  A week after buying the Dremel I found a website which seems to stock a good range of Foredom and other machines.  When I can warrant the upgrade this is a route I shall go.

SaburrTooth ShapesWith the Dremel I use rotary burrs from many manufacturers, but the ones of interest here are the carbide burrs made by SaburrTooth.  They are available in three grits (depending on shank size) and a whole range of shapes and styles.  These tips have a large number of carbide ‘teeth’.  I have a couple of different ones in two grades, course and fine.  Though there is a difference in the finish from the two grits, in future I would only buy the course for rapid stock removal and use other finishing methods like those offered by Dura-Grit.

 

Dura-Grit ToolsDura-Grit rotary tips are covered with a carbide grit, rather than teeth and give a reasonably fine, controllable finish.  They are available in many shapes and styles with various grits from 80 to 240.

The mini-angle grinder I use is the Proxxon Long Kneck 50mm / 2″ model.  Proxxon tools are generally available in both 240v and 110v. I understand the offering by ArborTech is much better and far more versatile, but at a higher price point.  The Proxxon does all that I need at the moment, and hopefully for the foreseeable future.  The carbide disks I use come from both SaburrTooth and King Arthur’s Tools.  King Arthur’s Tools do a fabulous range of disks and rotary burrs that I look forward to trying in the future.  Their disks are used by renowned turner Nick Agar to great effect.

 

Proxxon Logo DuraGRITlogo2 Saburrtooth Logo

King Arthur Tools

Three Footed Bowl

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Following on from my ‘Four Footed Bowl‘, I have recently produced a three footed version.  This should have overcome the ‘rocking’ issue with the first one as it moved slightly with moisture changes.  I used a lovely piece of ‘rippled’ Sycamore that is pretty enough to not need any embellishment beyond a buffed coat of Chestnut’s Wood Wax 22.

I have just finished a short follow-up post and video that covers the carbide burrs and tools I used in order to create the feet.  Of course there are many other ways that this could be done – use what ever method you are most comfortable with!  The follow-up, with links to the manufacturers, can be seen here.

 

I produced a video of the creation of this piece.  It can be found here: Video – Three Footed Bowl

Laburnum ‘Twig Pot’

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I turn pieces of all shapes and sizes and naturally favourites arise.  These aren’t always the biggest pieces though.  This little Laburnum ‘Twig Pot’, or ‘Bud Vase’, demonstrates that often you need to look at the smaller pieces to find real beauty in wood.

This was the first piece to dry well enough from a supply given by a lovely lady, local to me, who will always be known as Mrs Laburnum.   It was presented to her as a ‘down payment’ on future wood.  The neck contains a glass insert which allows the display of both fresh and dried flowers.

Laburnum Twig Pot

 

‘Moorish’ Box

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This little walnut box was inspired by the wonderful work of Richard Raffan.  I deliberately turned the piece with a tenon on the lid, as apposed to the usual tenon on the body, to see how it would look.  By experimenting we learn what works and what doesn’t… I’ll let you form your own opinion 😉

 

 

 

Video #26 – Simple Photography for Woodworkers

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For a few years I watched woodworkers produce wonderful pieces that they had worked tirelessly to finish and then try to show those pieces to the rest of the world with, quite frankly, frighteningly terrible photographs.  This isn’t because they didn’t care about the pictures, but because they didn’t know a few simple, cost free little tricks to make their pieces look fantastic.

In this video I introduce a simple concept to improve your photography.  This isn’t meant to be a one stop solution, just a stepping stone to get you started, but I’m sure you will see the benefits immediately.

Video #22 – Off Centre Egg Plate, Part 1

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This was the first time I experimented with using the Ruth Niles Off Centre jig on anything but bottle stoppers and jewellery pieces.  It was a fun piece to turn and led to a few other pieces in the future.  The wood was Walnut and finished with a food safe oil.

 

Part two can be found here.