Hot and humid Wednesday here in south central Pennsylvania. We could use some rain here in the valley.  Garden is getting dry.

 

Speaking of the garden and some rain, here's a simple little turning project that you fisherman might be able to use. This thing is called a worm stick and is used for "Worm Grunting". The one pictured was not made on a lathe. Another one, I saw, had ridges turned on the vertical stick- an easy job on the lathe. Here's a link to information about this mystical process- http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0003472 . There are several methods of "calling" the worms. The turned stick is just one type of instrument.

 

 

 

I was perusing another turning site and came across this video discussing a technique called Shear Scraping. The author of the video- John Lucas- demonstrates the advantage of this method using a variety of turning tools. 

 

  

As for me, I finally had a chance to get to my lathe and make some shavings. We decided to take out the shrubs at the front of the house. They were here when I moved in so I know they were over 50 years old. Not sure what species they were but I can tell you they are completely unforgiving when you fall face first into them, from a ladder, while hanging Christmas decorations- don't ask.

 

The piece I used was at the corner of the house. After chainsawing it out of the ground and doing some preliminary trimming, I ended up with-

 

This is what was hiding inside-

 

The turning is about 5" tall and 6" in diameter at the top. Sanded to 4000 grit. The only finish is paste wax. Totally impractical but I really like to make something from each tree/shrub we have had removed.

 

Safe Turning

Lew thank you so much for taking the time to post these weekly reports. I love them. 

I find the outside links you provide are very interesting as well.

And your pictorials are always fun to view. Thanks Lew!

Thanks for the kind words, John!