Wednesday's Wisdom For Woodturners December 20, 2023

[lew]

Hope everyone has an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas.

 

 

Our Patriot Turners-

Our continuing thread of "What's On Your Lathe" has been really busy this past week! @forty_caliber, @Fred W. Hargis Jr and @Gerald have been busy cranking out some awesome turnings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch up on all that's been happening here-

 

 

@Gerald also posted in the thread "Off The Lathe And Finished" -

 

Gerald's description is at-

 

 

@John Hechel asked our members for their opinion on a lathe set up for his Mrs. She needs to turn small items and still be near her store. Check out John's post and see if you can provide some input-

 

 

What’s Coming Up-

Click on the images for links to more information and registration-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email to:  neowta.events@gmail.com

 

 

 

For The Newbies-

A simple turning to practice hollowing, and a place to put your spare change, from Craft Supplies USA. 

 

 

Some bowl turning techniques from Richard Raffan-

 

 

 

Expand Your Horizons-

Want to get into bowl turning but you are holding off to purchase a chuck? Wait no longer- Kent Weakley, from Turn A Wood Bowl, has the answer-

 

 

This short video, from Lyle Jamieson, offers other reasons why a chuck may not be what you need to make some turnings-

 

 

A neat project from Alan Stratton using yet another one of his shop made jigs. Offset turned icicles!

 

 

And not to be outdone, Carl Jacobson turns a lidded bowl with an offset turned finial. Carl uses the Joyner Offset Jig for his turning.

 

 

 

 

Everything Else-

From Ron Brown's Newsletter-

 

The Genius Of Simple

 

Simple can often be complex. The adage “KISS – keep it simple silly” is a foundational principle and applies to virtually every area of our daily lives. As a lifelong salesman, I was often coached to give my presentation to a 5th grader. If I could explain my product or service in terms a 10 to 12-year-old child could understand, my story was simple enough for most adults to understand. I would have more success in a shorter amount of time.

 

When we try to explain how we approach a project or execute a particular cut, we too must keep it simple. You don’t have to explain every little detail and nuance you’ve discovered. When teaching a subject or giving a demonstration, think of levels like schools; 101, 201, 301, etc. Club demos are almost always at level 101, while all-day hands-on might be at level 201 or even 301 in rare cases.

Remember that your knowledge base comes from your lathe, in your shop, with your tools ground for you. Everyone else has a different situation. When you explain your subject in level 101 terms, they can adapt your insights to their situation and enjoy newfound success for themselves.

 

When it comes to design, simple classic shapes with fair curves and flowing transitions usually work best. Even projects that are greatly embellished fall flat if the core shape is not pleasing. Here are two examples of what I mean:

1)    Pens: Slimline pens (the most popular) are not meant to incorporate beads, coves, or lumps and bumps. They always look best as a simple cylinder relying on the figure of the wood or other material to impart beauty to the project. Even the larger pen kits are always more appealing with simple lines rather than bulbous shapes. You can always spot new turners who feel they must offer more than just round and straight. (Just my opinion).
2)    Finials: One of the best-known finial turners is Cindy Drozda. If you study the finials she turns, you can’t help but be blown away. There are always 4 elements to her work; 
    a.    a large Fibonacci cove as the base (Golden Mean)
    b.    next is a large bead 
    c.    followed by a tall ogee-curved taper
    d.    ending in a delicate tip usually with a series of small disks with a point.

 

Here is a link from The American Woodturner Magazine in the spring of 2006 where Cindy gives an analytical approach to her finial design for comparison. (Not Simple)

 

If folks want more details, they will tell you. Tell them a little more while still keeping it simple and so on.

 

 

I was prepping some turning blanks when the washing machine bit the dust. Everything needed to be moved to allow access for its replacement- tomorrow. Sycamore, cherry, red oak and somewhere back in there is a chunk of walnut. Merry Christmas to us. You know those old ringer type never wore out.

 

 

Safe turning

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

That pot that Gerald turned is so cool......

[HandyDan]

Liking what I see for videos this week Lew.  Thanks for the recap of the week too.

[Grandpadave52]

1 hour ago, lew said:

I was prepping some turning blanks when the washing machine bit the dust. Everything needed to be moved to allow access for its replacement- tomorrow.

Bummer...luck of Dave strikes Pennsylvania. Well I guess shopping for Mimi is done. Don't forget the green and red bow

[Gerald]

Thanks for the post Lew. Fred thanks for the comment.

[lew]

@Fred W. Hargis Jr  Thanks for commenting!

 

@HandyDan  Thank you!

 

@Grandpadave52  Thanks for the bow reminder 

 

@Gerald  Thank you!