Wednesday's Wisdom For Woodturners January 31, 2024

[lew]

End of January already. Friday is Groundhog Day and in 2 weeks it's Fastnacht Day!

 

 

Our Patriot Turners-

@Steve Krumanaker posted images of a bird turning. This one is different than the small birds he adds to his bird house ornaments

 

Check out Steve's post for his description and inspiration for these lovely likenesses.

 

 

Keeping with the bird theme, @HandyDan posted some awesome birdhouses/gnome houses

 

Dan has gotten those tiny birds down to an science! See his post for more images and additional information about these fantastic turnings!

 

 

@Fred W. Hargis Jr posted a safety oriented video that reminds us there are dangers lurking when using the lathe! I, for one, will take this video to heart.

 

 

A few things were added to our "What's On Your Lathe" continuing thread.  You can catchup with all the comments and more images starting at- 

 

 

A gorgeous ring box made by @calabrese55

 

 

An incredible lighted turning from @teesquare

 

And a walnut bowl along with a white oak platter with a Pewa patch

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up-

 

Click on the above image for the link to more information and preregistration.

 

 

For The Newbies-

If you are considering using traditional tools for bowl turning, you may be confused by all of the different "grinds" or shapes for the bowl gouge. In this short video, Lyle Jamieson discusses his signature grind and why he uses it.

 

Here are a few more resources for learning about the various grinds-

https://turnawoodbowl.com/bowl-gouge-basics-beginner-guide-parts-use-sizes-grinds-inforgraph/

 

https://turnawoodbowl.com/bowl-gouge-sharpening-angles-illustrated-guide/

 

https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/video-understanding-bowl-gouge-grinds/

 

https://stuartbattytools.com/free-videos-%26-articles#11a33c77-bf25-4de7-9257-fd1dbc667a1c

 

 

When you first start down the slippery slope of turning, it is tempting to purchase expensive exotic woods for those beautiful pieces you've seen. In these two videos, the common thread is to use "green"  (freshly cut) wood. Green wood turns much easier than dried wood. It is less expensive than the exotics. And, you'll often be surprised at the beauty hiding within the pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

Expand Your Horizons-

Add some finesse to your next lidded box with a finial!

Lyle Jamieson discusses finial design considerations-

 

 

Mike Waldt has started a multi part in-depth guide for turning a lidded box-

Part#1

 

 

 

New Turning Items-

Woodturners Wonders has become a dealer for Easy Wood Tools

 

Check out the products at- 

https://woodturnerswonders.com/collections/easy-wood-tools?_kx=gV5SF2As_3IwtBi5TrpHVQM0F3UvGVbQKzhWGippDlk%3D.VJvU8R

 

 

Everything Else-

Safe turning

 

 

[Grandpadave52]

Thanks Lew. As anticipated, another awesome weekly thread. Our active talent here is inspiring even for non turners.

[HandyDan]

Thanks for the nod Lew.  Busy week with many new posts.  I like the platter you posted.  The nice grain and the patch add to it's charm.

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

I must have missed the post on Steve's larger birds, I'll have to look it up...those are really nice.

[Gerald]

Thanks for the post Lew and I just happen to have a bunch of fresh cut elm in the shop.    If i live long enough cause she would kill me If I go there w/o clearance.

[lew]

@Grandpadave52  Thank You!
 

@HandyDan  Thanks!

 

@Fred W. Hargis Jr Thank You!

 

@Gerald  Thanks! Stay Safe 

[Gerald]

Watched the Raffin video probably because of my new supply of elm. A question came to mind. I prefer to start between centers, form sides and turn a tenon. Note I see some pros and club members start a square blank in chuck jaws. Note Raffin did also start this way but blank not being square he used two jaws. So result is the same but why do some start that way? Yeah too much time on my hands spent on my butt since knee is not a ready player yet.

[lew]

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

Note Raffin did also start this way but blank not being square he used two jaws

Maybe he didn't want to pull the chuck to add the drive center. With green wood being really soft, a drive spur might have a tendency tear out where the jaws would be more secure. Just my thoughts.

[HandyDan]

I like how he enjoys small items in his turning.  Magical how he turns multiple beads at a time.