Welcome to 2025! 

 

 

Our Patriot Turners-

@Ron Altier created an beautiful ornament from a very old piece of wood!

 

Ron tells us  about the wood and where he found it, in his post-

 

 

Some how I missed posting this when it was first added. @Fred W. Hargis Jr asked us our opinion concerning a source for turning blanks. This post has had a bunch of activity. Comments, suggestions and good old fashion drooling have been taking place.

Sorry, Fred, for not posting this sooner.

 

 

More entries on the topic of "What's your favorite wood"-

 

And, some comments on this post about bowl turning/sanding-

 

 

 

We have had more activity on the "What's ON/OFF The Lathe"

Thanks to @kreisdorph, @RustyFN, @Gerald and @teesquare for "What ON"-

 

 

 

 

 

Catchup on all of the comments and posts starting here-

 

 

From "OFF"-

@kreisdorph, @User74 and @RustyFN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of comments on the one from @User74's post. He was asking if we could identify the species used for his bowl.  Please check the entire post and if you recognize the species, give him a shout!

 

 

 

What’s Coming Up-

Click on the images for more information and registration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For The Newbies-

A couple of videos on sharpening and using the spindle gouge-

 

 

 

 

 

Expand Your Horizons-

The first of the month and the "4 Ways" Collaboration videos have been uploaded. Always interesting how different turners approach the same project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Turning Items-

Sorry...

 

Everything Else-

From Ron Brown's newsletter:

 

New Year’s Resolutions for Woodturners

Here are some woodturner's resolutions to consider for the new year:

 

1. Improve Tool Sharpening Skills

2. Commit to keeping your turning tools sharp and well-maintained for smoother cuts and more precise work.

3. Experiment with New Wood Types 

   1. Challenge yourself to try different wood species, exploring their unique characteristics and how they behave during turning. Turn wet           wood cut less than 48 hours ago. Turn a resin project.

4. Expand Techniques and Projects

5. Push your creativity by trying new techniques 

   1. Such as hollowing, segmented turning, or use only a skew from beginning to end.

   2. Try making a bowl from a board 

      1. Using a band saw to cut the rings at an angle

      2. Cut rings at an angle with a thin parting tool. (There is a jig for that!)

6. Organize and Clean the Workshop 

   1. A tidy, well-organized workspace is essential for productivity and safety. Make it a goal to clean and reorganize your tools and                      workspace regularly. 

      1. Donate unused turning tools to your turning club or give them to a buddy just starting out.

      2. Saw dust can be a hazard, this is a good time to sweep it away.

7. Focus on Safety Practices 

   1. Always wear appropriate safety gear and continually assess your turning practices for improvements to minimize the risk of                           accidents. Always wear breathing protection when sanding.

   2. Stand to the side when turning in case something detaches from your blank. Be out of its path.

8. Master Finishing Techniques 

   1. Experiment with different types of finishes, oils, film such as varnishes, lacquers, water based, etc., Pick one you haven’t used.                     Enhance the beauty and durability of your turned pieces.

9. Set Monthly Goals 

   1. Set realistic, achievable goals each month to keep you motivated, such as completing a specific project or mastering a new turning               technique.

10. Join a Woodturning Community 

   1. Connect with other woodturners through

      online forums, local clubs, or workshops to share tips

   2. learn new techniques, and be inspired, YouTube videos are a good source.

   3. Join the AAW if you are not already a member and read their magazine cover to cover.

11. Pick a time, once a month, to have other turner(s) over for a couple of hours and share what you’ve discovered recently.

12. Document Your Work 

   1. Take photos of your finished pieces and document the process. This will help track your progress and create a portfolio to showcase           your craftsmanship.

13. Teach or Share Your Knowledge 

   1. Consider teaching others the basics of woodturning or sharing your knowledge with beginners, whether through workshops, tutorials,         or informal mentoring.

 

 

Safe turning

Thanks Lew.  The four ways project looks interesting.  Thanks for posting them.

Thanks Lew. I love watching the four way projects.

Thanks Lew , looks like the Christmas lull is over and the shop lights are turned on

Sorry about being late checking in. Still trying to figure out what day this is...

 

@HandyDan  Thank You!

 

@RustyFN  Thanks!

 

@Gerald   Thank You! I believe you are right!