Another active week here in the Woodturners Forum and some really AWESOME news!

 

A lot of us use and love our Easy Wood Tools. Well, Jim Luely, from Easy Wood Tools, is now a member of The Patriot Workers!!! Easy Wood Tools has been a sponsor of our little community since the very early on. They have generously contributed to our various campaigns and fund raisers. If you use their tools, you know how well they are made and well they perform. If you haven't tried them, do yourself a favor and give them a go. I understand that the Easy Wood Chuck will be re-released soon. Their chuck is absolutely the finest chuck on the market. If you get to Woodcraft, touch it, maybe test drive it. I truly believe you will be impressed. THANK YOU, Jim for all of your support!!

 

Our members have posted some really great stuff this week.

 

Steve Posted images of his shop made steady rest. 

 

Check out the full description here- http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/topic/19267-wip-steady-rest-for-tall-forms/

 

Steve's steady rest used in-line skate wheels and that encouraged Jesse to post a jig he built which used a slightly different type of wheel-

 

Jesse's jig used a softer RC car wheel. His description of his jig is here- http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/topic/19274-steve-mentioned-inline-skate-wheels-for-a-jig/ . Even though Jesse's jig isn't strictly for turning, it certainly could be used to prepare turning blanks.

 

Steve also posted a platter he turned to be used during his presentation to the woodturners club, in which he is a member. Unfortunately, things didn't go exactly as planned and the walnut had other ideas about what shape it wanted to be. The piece warped after turning. I think we all own that T-Shirt!

 

Here's where you can see additional images of his platter- http://thepatriotwoodworker.com/topic/19280-when-good-platters-go-bad/

 

When learning to turn, one of the first questions that is often asked is about grinding/sharpening the tools. There are a wide variety of grinding profiles. It can be confusing to the beginner (and experienced) turner. I stumbled across this page which has some good information/images of the various grind profiles.

 

http://woodcentral.com/newforum/grinds.shtml

 

The Woodturning OnLine newsletter came this week. As always, they have some interesting information. One thing caught my eye was the article on "egg turning". Our member Ron has been experimenting with his new chatter tool and egg turning. This article explores using a similar tool for decorating the turnings.

 

http://www.turnedtreasures.com/project.html/textured_egg.html

 

The complete newsletter is at-

http://www.woodturningonline.com/index.php

 

A few months ago, a friend sent me a glued up blank and materials to create an awl. Once I managed to clear out the shop, I was able to turn the handle and put it together. The blank was glued up in a similar manner as the Celtic Knot rolling pin. The shaft is a 3/16" twist bit and the brass is a compression ferrule filed and shaped.

 

Safe Turning

Nice job Lew, I've said it before but this concept is really neat.

 

Steve

Well done Lew, and thanks for the shout out to EWT! They have been staunch supporters of ours since the beginning, great post Lew!

Well Done!

Great job on this one for the week

Great post Lew.  I love your awl and I really liked the egg article too.  I have never made an awl but have a small collection of them and ice picks.  I have a slight fetish for them. Need to make one of my own.  It is great to take a second look of this weeks posted projects.  Thanks.

Lew, Yet another "platinum" post of Wednesday's Wisdom...Beautiful craftsmanship on your awl...nice to see your work in the weekly thread too! Thanks!