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A question for the group/readers. Patriot member @Handfoolery started a running topic in the "General Woodworking" forum called "Shorts, Anyone?" Members can post "shorts" videos there, they created. Is this idea, specific to the turners forum, that would be of interest? We would appreciate feedback on the idea. Would the videos need to be member generated? The videos would have to be posted on YouTube or Vimeo and then shared here. Thanks! Our Patriot Turners- @Gerald posted some of his turned kitchen utensils in the General Woodworking forum as an addition to those shown by @MrRick. As with most woodworking, there's more than one way to serve a piece of cake- The postings can be seen here- Gerald also commented in a post about "Sweet Gum" wood. Mr. Rick showed a ring box he made from the species. Gerald added images on how very different the same species can appear. Compare both projects here- @FlGatorwood posted in the "What's On Your Weekend..." forum , showing us the start of a snowman ornament. I doubt that Steve had an actual snowman to reference from! His post is here- @FrederickH shared images of the gorgeous red oak burls he turned. Lots of great compliments from our group! Check out more images here- What's Coming Up- Last Friday's presentation by Tod Raines, from the Woodturning Tool Store, is available on YouTube. Cindy Drozda will be doing her Tool Talk on Friday January 16, 2026 at 2pm Eastern time. Click on the image for the link to registration. For The Newbies- @John Morris shared an article from Workbench Magazine! It brought back many memories of my first lathe project. My lamp was turned from a bowling Pin (maple in those days)! Mike Waldt provides tips to maintain your lathe. Tim Yoder practices his spindle skills turning some cheese knives. Great practice and great gifts- Sam Angelo explains why, when sharpening, the burr is important Expand Your Horizons- The Magnolia Woodturners ( @Gerald's club) posted a couple of demonstration videos. I wish I had seen the carving one earlier! Mike Peace upgraded his wooden tool handles with turned aluminum adapters Tomislav Tomasic posted an adjustable dust collection hood. Simple yet very effective- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- I want to be sure to acknowledge the awesome and generous folks at Easy Wood Tools. Their support of our site and veteran's communities is appreciated beyond words. Their donations helped us raise over $1500 for our Christmas project. The recipient family definitely had a Christmas to remember. The EWT demonstrators are back in action! https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/dayton https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/phoenix @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Woodturners Wonders sale Click on the image for the link. Everything Else- Pretty much finished with the 4th attempt on the Vessel of Illusion. Some non-turners were critical of the glossy finish on the previous one so I tried a softer approach this time. Took @Gerald's advice and tried the sculpted creases. Need to dig out the light box and do better images. The spalted sycamore is nice but I believe it detracts from the carvings. The inner vessel is maple. Turned completely with Easy Wood Tools products. Finished with Yorkshire Grit and wax. Safe turning
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Starting off the year with lots of information- Thanks to all our turners for posting their stuff! If you haven't checked already, here's who walked away with the awesome prizes from our Christmas project. We raised over $1500 for our Soldiers Warriors Family. Thanks to everyone who participated! Our Patriot Turners- Last week, @RustyFN mentioned he reground his new 3/4" bowl gouge to make if more efficient. Rusty posted an update with a picture of the tip. And he showed us just how great the new grind works! Rusty made a little lidded box out of some gorgeous mystery wood- There were lots of comments and guesses as to what the wood might be, in his post @FrederickH askes a question concerning burls, Rick scored several red oak burls and he was curious about the possibilities of turning them. Maybe you can give him suggestions from your own experiences. More images and comments in this post- @FlGatorwood posted what he had planned for some wood he scored. First time, in a long time, we've had a post in this topic- Thanks, Steve!! Remember @Rusty S's post a sharing how he made his Celtic Knot ornaments? Well check out their family Christmas tree!! A little more here- What's Coming Up- Last Friday's Tool Talk, from Cindy Drozda is available on YouTube- Also from Cindy- "I'd like to share with you how to make a Lidded Jewelry Bowl, Live on Zoom, January 24th, 1pm Eastern (17:00 UTC)" Registration is here- https://www.cindydrozda.com/ For The Newbies- Another short video from Tim Yoder on your stance while turning- #stances #spindlegouge.mp4 More skew practice from Craft Supplies USA- Expand Your Horizons- While searching the "Interweb" for this week's post, I ended up following Alice down the rabbit hole. It all started with a post on the AAW about what computer programs do folks use for designing their projects. Aside from Sketchup, Woodturner Pro, Segmented Project Planner, adobe and others I ran across this one- https://lumencarver.art/ Instructional videos are found here- https://vimeo.com/lumencarver As often happens, one thing leads to another and these are some of the results. Did you ever wonder how those perfectly aligned embellishments, around the circumference of a turning are done? Here you go- https://mdfre2.colvintools.com/ELFOSv3/Activity-Pearling.html And then further, past the empty orange marmalade jar, realizing that many turners have 3D printers, you get these ideas for woodturning associated items- https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=Woodturning&page=1 And if that's not enough- https://makerworld.com/en/@BodieDesigns/upload The "4 Ways" collaborators posted their projects for January- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools in action. JP Woodwork shous us that you don't need the traditional gouges to create beautiful object from a tree log! I have been putting these tools to the test lately. I'm really starting to like the hollowing process- @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Ron Brown Has released a newly designed two wheeled Steady Rest Check out more at- https://longworthchuck.com/ Woodturners Wonders has the Kodiak products back in stock! To see the entire stock, click on the image above. If you watched Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk (also above), She demonstrated 2 new drive centers from Axminster. These are available from the Woodturning Tool Store- Click on the above image for the link to more information. Finally, Robert Sorby has a new Slim Parting tool- Available from our very generous sponsor, Woodcraft- https://www.woodcraft.com/products/sorby-thin-kerf-parting-tool Everything Else- Safe turning
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Didn't see this in time to include it with the "Wednesday's Wisdom..." post- https://streamyard.com/watch/HAsnMsSB35mC
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Tomorrow is Christmas. Let's hope our Soldiers Angels family has the best Christmas ever. There is still time to donate and get entered into the raffle for the awesome prizes!! Our Patriot Turners- @John Hechel was able to score some awesome cherry burls! We certainly looking forward to seeing what he creates from them. @RustyFN turned a Christmas present due to a request from his wife (we've all BTDT!) This beautiful turned box will certainly be cherished by the recipient! Rusty tells us a little more in his post- New member @Polinn_ee posed a question in the Introduce yourself forum. As it had to due with turning, thought we would post it here for more responses. Check it out and let him know your lathe travels! What's Coming Up- A replay of last Friday's Cindy Drozda Tool Talk video It's a bit down the road, but the AAW Symposium is coming up in June 2026. The link for more information and registration is here For The Newbies- If you want more skew practice, Tomislav has a new video- We featured this grinder, from Mike Peace, before. This time Mike reviews the grinder with the Wolverine Jig System. One questioned often asked by new turners is- "Are XXX brand tools worth buying?". Sam Angelo reviews a couple of Hunter Tools in his latest video. While you are watching the video, look for why turners say "Life's too short to turn crappy wood". Expand Your Horizons- Cute Christmas gift turning from Car Jacobson. Reminds me of the "Dad" joke about the earthquake on a cattle ranch in Montana. A subject that comes up by experienced and new turners, alike. What should I charge for my work? This was part of a World Wide Wood Turners meeting video. Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Portion of an email from Easy Wood Tools- @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Couple of new items- A review of a new, lower priced powered respirator by Ashley Harwood- Sale at Niles Bottle Stoppers- https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/tenderizer-set/ Haven't tried this stuff but it looked like it might be useful for protecting lathe ways and other shop equipment. https://carbonmethod.com/ Everything Else- If you need an escape over the holidays from all of the commotion. Safe turning
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Only a couple weeks remaining in our annual Christmas project. We need to make this the best Christmas yet for our military family. Please consider donating. You will be entered into the raffle for some awesome prizes. Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker created another Dragon Fly turning. This one is a special gift. Steve tells us about the story behind the present. @Gerald shared an image of some of the "4-in-1" screwdrivers he makes from Harbor Freight parts. They look really comfortable to use. @Rusty S Shared pictures of his Christmas ornaments. You know I love these!!! I'm fascinated as to how Rusty added the contrasting species within the knot itself! What's Coming Up- This Friday, December 19, Cindy Drozda will have her live addition of "Tool Talk" Here's the link for registration and more information-https://streamyard.com/watch/a7JJ8NcsaqXJ For The Newbies- This week, Stuart Batty released a bunch of new instructional videos. Normally we embed them here but with so many it seems prudent to provide the link to his main YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@StuartBattyTools/videos Craft Supplies USA published a very comprehensive video on skew chisels. This is one of the better presentation on the skew. Tim Yoder shares a lathe sanding tip- Mike Peace turns and decorates some snowman ornaments Thinking about getting a lathe? Richard Raffan just upgraded and leads us through the process of setting one up- Expand Your Horizons- Tomislav explains how to get the best finish, on the inside of a bowl, using a standard scraper. You've made pepper grinders and salt shakers but have you tried to put them together? Sam Angelo makes a fancy holder to display that special ornament- Alan Stratton turns some small square "bottles" and decorates them with laser embellished medallions. Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- The Easy Wood Tools demonstrators are taking a well deserved rest over Christmas but they will be fired up and ready to go after the first of the year!! A couple of videos by McCollim Woodworking demonstrating the ease at which various materials can be turned. Burl- 3ab8c37b-1951-4f42-b4fa-6d51fa1e0b35.mp4 Deer Antler- Project 3.mp4 New Turning Items- We previously mentioned the Stuart Batty instructional videos. Included were sharpening videos for their new replaceable blade negative rake scrapers. https://stuartbattytools.com/buy-woodturning-tools/ols/categories/negative-rake-scrapers-nrs The sharpening videos are at the same YouTube channel as mentioned above- https://www.youtube.com/@StuartBattyTools/videos. You'll need to scroll down a little to find them. Axminster previews their new smaller lathe Perform PD205WL woodturning Lathe in this video short- Everything Else- Getting back to the vessel of illusion project for attempt number 3. This is first attempt. There was a collar at the top with a small opening. Unfortunately the idiot doing the turning did one more cut and the collar separated. Now it's a vase. The second attempt in somewhere at the bottom of the trash can- The third one is on the lathe awaiting the finish. I have no artistic talent. The opening is very plain. I hope at least to be able to finish the vessel with the inner filler. Safe turning
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Our Christmas project is underway! Please consider making this a special time for a deserving military family! Our Patriot Turners- I think all our turners are out shopping for presents this week! I was gifted some spalted, maple (I think) and was turning a small bowl as a thank you gift. Normally I turn bowls using a mortice to attach to the chuck but went with a tenon this time. Shaped, sanded and discovered the tiger stripes with beautiful chatoyance Then reverse chucked to finish off the bottom using the chuck jaws in expansion mode, making sure to protect the inside from marring and not applying too much outward pressure. Switched the lathe back on and spun it up... BAM!! Never heard a crack or any indication that the blank was stressed when opening thee jaws. No visible cracks. It simply came apart along a spalted line. I think this would have occurred earlier in the turning process if I had been using a mortice. The chuck jaws were probably holding the piece together. What's Coming Up- Click the images for links- Cindy Drozda has a two part IRD coming up- For The Newbies- Sam Angelo demonstrate methods of sharpening a spindle gouge- Sam also shows us how to make lathe tool handles to save some money on those new tools- Mike Peace turns a globe Christmas ornament without hollowing- Expand Your Horizons- Another take on how to make your Christmas ornaments emit real smoke, from Carl Jacobson- Using the John Jordan shear scraper- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- If you do social media, Easy Wood Tools currently has an accessory pack give-a-way - The social media links are- https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BvFJy1aXL/ https://www.instagram.com/p/DSAZNssjtiY/ Upcoming EWT Demonstrations- https://schoolofwoodwork.com/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/indianapolis @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- From our very generous sponsor, Woodcraft, a demonstration of the new xTool F1 Laser Engraver- Ashley Harwood has posted information on some of her signature tools- From Axminster- From Wood Magazine a review of a new Harbor Freight Dust Extractor. @Grandpadave52- Go HF Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- @RustyFN scored some wood which, I think, he will use to turn propellors Rusty tells us about the species and how he lucked into the wood- What's Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration- For The Newbies- Are you considering a new lathe first and/or replacement? Sam Angelo reviews the Robust Scout- Sharpening your HSS tools might become easier with this grinder reviewed by Mike Peace- Another skew exercise from Tomislav Tomasic- Expand Your Horizons- We don't often get a complete video from Glen Lucas but this one on bowls is really nice- Square platters can be knuckle busters! Alan Stratton demonstrates doing it safely- Looking for Christmas present ideas? Popular Woodworking has some ideas- https://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/carved-rim-bowl/ https://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/wine-bottle-stopper/ https://www.popularwoodworking.com/projects/wooden-fishing-lures/ Well, it is the beginning of the month and the "4 Ways" collaborators are sharing their ideas on a Spatula Pots. Hate sanding? I hear you!! Tim Yoder has a solution! Download.mp4 Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Next week's Easy Wood Tools demos- https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/in-indianapolis-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=indianapolis How about some Easy Wood Tools in action! From across the "pond", JP Woodwork- Pat Lapp and his Easy Chuck Tim Yoder doing beading with the fantastic carbide beading cutters- Why use EWT carbide? @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Everything Else- A little turning from Frank Howarth and some CNC And now some shameless, flagrant self promotion. This is my entry into the Turner's Warehouse St. Jude Christmas ornament fund raiser. Feel free to bid on it at the following eBay page. https://www.ebay.com/itm/205890177881?itmmeta=01KBGG6XVSVKP1FDV38TCX88ER&hash=item2ff002cb59:g:97gAAeSwvBtpLl6L Turners Warehouse- https://www.turnerswarehouse.com/pages/ornamentcharityauction Preview all the donated ornaments- Safe turning
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Our Christmas Project is underway. Help us to make a military family's Christmas one to remember! Check out all the awesome prizes and details here- https://thepatriotwoodworker.com/forums/topic/42294-adopt-a-warrior-family-for-christmas-2025/ Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker is putting his new laser to good use creating unique Christmas ornaments! Check out these two post from Steve to learn more about how these are done Unfortunately, there was a "catch" during the turning process as Steve explains here- A couple of weeks ago we had a post asking our preference for either a Longworth chuck or vacuum chuck. There have been a few additional comments. The post picks up here- From @Gordon on our "Off The Lathe" topic, a gorgeous natural edge bowl in a board type turning. Check out the comments and catch with some of the other comments on past posts. @RustyFN scored some awesome maple! Preparing the blanks for storage kept him busy!! Head on over to Rusty's post to see the rest of the blanks!! New member, @Rusty S, shared a heart breaking incident with a walnut turning he had "almost" finished. In his post, he explains what happened and received lots of sympathy from those of us in the "BTDT Club" What's Coming Up- If you missed the Fall Vendor Showcase, it is available on YouTube. Unfortunately, the link won't embed the video but clicking the link will take to YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKJVVo-vrKA Cindy Drozda will be hosting here Tool Talk on Friday November21, 2025 Here's the link for registration- https://streamyard.com/watch/nFhunNEiiBP6 Cindy also has some of her previous IRD's available for rent. This trailer is for her Gilded Sphere Box- The link for renting the IRD video- https://www.cindydrozda.com/html/IRDvideo4rent.html For The Newbies- Turning tools are expensive. Some manufacturers sell the tools without handles, which reduces the costs. Tools with round shafts are fairly simple to create handles by drilling the correct size hole. But, what about the tools with square shafts? Sam Angelo has a solution- Looking for a project that can help you advance your skills and learn a few new ones? Check out this ornaments from Carl Jacobson. Using a jam chuck can solve a lot of "How do I hold this piece". Richard Raffan demonstrated using this type of chuck for bowl/lid turning Expand Your Horizons- Add a little custom bling to your life with turned ring! Mike peace show how it's done. You know if Alan Stratton is going to share a video it will have some cool jigs involved! This one is no exception! I've been known for doing some crazy glue-ups on some of my turnings, but this one is insane! Roger Wollam demonstrates Tangential segment turning. Tim Yoder demonstrates how to create and finish captive rings- Tomislav Tomasic may have you rethinking how you create your tenons on those turning blanks Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- If you haven't seen it yet, check out the unique Easy Wood Tools, midsized rougher created specifically for The Patriot Woodworker Christmas project- To paraphrase a well known person- "Bid Baby Bid" We find Easy Wood Tools turning all sorts of materials. Deadrise Wood Crafts turns some leather pens with the EWT Finisher- AQMmv-7pm-VQD3_r469MQFle62m0SG9I0ceXBA7FbygjjqzzYYdCwNFT_dWRub7Igo02bz1e-fSnigagyR6yTpQPLFF9Ah05ZHK--oE.mp4 Demonstrations for next week- Come burn off some of those turkey and pumpkin pie calories by checking out this demo- https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/oklahoma-city @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- These are not new items but they are from a fairly new company. This is another review of the CBN wheels from the Ukraine company https://www.uksg.tools/ Everything Else- Want to thank @kmealy for sending me this YouTube video from Stumpy Nubs. Keith knows I love Celtic Knot patterns. Stumpy's video shows an easier way to glue up a Celtic Knot rolling pin. It's pretty cool and his diagonal cutting jig is really easy to make/use. The only thing I would caution on is to NOT cut the square blank completely through. By separating the blank and gluing the insert will cause the overall blank to "grow' in length on each successive rotation. this will cause the "knots" to be out of alignment. Here's the video- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- Everyone must be trying to keep warm this week! Bidding on the St. Jude Children's Hospital charity Christmas ornaments will begin December 2. More details on how and where as soon as I hear. Carl Jacobson and Rebecca DeGroot as just some of the familiar names who have donated to this auction. What's Coming Up- Lots coming up in the near future! Click on the images for links to registration and more information. If to missed Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk last Friday, she shared it on her YouTube channel- Cindy has several IRD's that can be rented. A few previews These and more are at Cindy's website- https://www.cindydrozda.com/html/IRDvideo4rent.html The Woodturning Tool Store, with Tod Raines, will be redoing a 5 sided dish on November 14 Check out the Fall Vendor Showcase for some of the latest ideas! For The Newbies- Sam Angelo compares/contrasts negative rake scrapers to the traditional scraper design- When looking to purchase turning tools, there is a lot to consider. Tomislav Tomasic discusses the various grades of steel and why that is important. Expand Your Horizons- Should you buff out that turning or use an abrasive paste to get the look you're after. Mike Peace has some thoughts- How are you going to chuck that odd shaped piece? Cole Jaws, a unique jig or maybe buy a special spiked faceplate? Tim Yoder demonstrates his method as he turns a paper weight- With the holiday season fast approaching seasonal turnings are popping up all over the web! Carl Jacobson turns birdhouse ornament. Note the use of the new Easy Wood Tools chuck mandrel and Niles Decorative loops https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/decorative-loops/ https://www.easywoodtools.com/product-page/chuck-mounted-3-8-mandrel This has to be one of the coolest ideas for decorations- And, for our Shop Smith buddies- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools demonstrators will be doing their thing next week at these locations! https://www.hartvillehardware.com/?utm_source=FaceBook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=HartvilleHardwareAccount&fbclid=IwY2xjawOB-NVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJYXlVVXEyTGxrRlFPcE1lc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlVdpuOkOEjbVcrJm_13Zl5oQoGpAam8ozoXO_Y3fFBIG4DKYvPGNMJUoR8m_aem_fTNmYor992OTqsw0A3YikQ https://www.klingspor.com/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/dayton Nathan McCollim using the Easy Wood Tools chuck mounted multi-spur drive center and finisher. AQNwl8keFlIfkNLLAoocqlNwPuJsN6HCarQRyWS2kEiDp34FvdEJIRUuq6fMvsV2RMsys9RFtT8RbGzxwRstCZ9-j3ulsqZiUyOwpNU.mp4 @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Hoping to see some new stuff during the Vendor Showcase on Saturday! Everything Else- Picked this up from a Craft Supplies USA link. Big thumbs up for their support of the nations veterans. Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker showed us his rendition of a turned Dragon Fly! Steve's turning are always on the cutting edge of imagination! In his post, Steve explains where the inspiration came from and some of the construction details- We've had a couple of additions to our "What's Off" post. @Fred W. Hargis Jr added another coin holder plaque to his collection. Awesome segmented turning and species selection- Check out our members comments here- The Turners Warehouse and Easy Wood Tools are working together and hosting a Christmas ornament contest/auction to benefit the Saint Jude Children's Hospital. Ornament will be auctioned off and all of the proceeds will go the hospital. We will have more information about where and when you can bid for the donated turnings very soon. I mailed my donation today- What's Coming Up- Click on the image for link to registration- For The Newbies- Tomislav posted a video where he discusses turning speed, as in RPMs. Lots of great information- Here's a really cute seasonal idea from Carl Jacobson. Expand Your Horizons- Just past the first of the month and the collaborators have posted their "4Ways" project. Some hollowing and some spindle work. What happens when that bowl becomes a funnel? Alan Stratton has a solution- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools products in action this week! AQPO3Hj67uJvmtXV37O9OT1s1Z5heHCyW5GulW3tuyaXjq2Hxjs7RuyyDBxs9POEw4vpberawNlxYTgeRr137CLzreJLpPCsleFP0To.mp4 Check out the Easy Wood Tools demonstrators for next week! https://woodshows.com/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/oklahoma-city @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Mentioned this last week and now here it is in action. The new Easy Wood Tools chuck mounted mandrel Not new but on sale from Niles Bottle Stoppers- https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/threaded-rings-for-urns/ Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker made some more lids for the artisan who sells bee products. Steve decided to make a change on some of them These new knobs are really nice. Check out more of this design in Steve's post- @RustyFN did another gorgeous basket illusion turning. I cannot imagine the patience it takes to create one on these- not to mention the steady hand and great eyesight! Our turners really like this one judging from their comments @calabrese55 turned a marvelous segmented, hybrid vase. Unfortunately, he discovered a flaw and decided to make a design change. Mike explains what happed and why he decided to do the redesign- @frenchwwr posted this in the "What's On Your Workbench" forum. Pretty cool lamp made from spindles! What's Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration. Holiday Ornaments- Fall Vendor Showcase Cindy Tool Talk from last Friday A most worthy turning event and contest to benefit the Saint Jude Children Hospital From the page description- In this special event live turn-off, we have Rebecca DeGroot, Nathan McCollim, Jake Thompson, Mark Branch and Carl Jacobson joining us to turn an ornament for the 7th annual St Jude Children's Hospital fundraising auction sponsored by Easy Wood Tools! Chad will be joined by Christy and Chris from easy wood tools as MC's of the turn off and we will get to see what each of these awesome artists are turning in real time! If you would like to get in on the fun and also make and ornament to donate for the auction you can find all the information here: https://www.turnerswarehouse.com/page... And if you want to pick up your own Easy Wood Tool to make your ornament turning smooth you can browse them here: https://www.turnerswarehouse.com/coll... We hope to see you in the chat for all the fun! And from Mike Peace with more about the contest- For The Newbies- More on the skew. Tomislav Tomasic demonstrates using and sharpening- Tim Yoder answers a question on sharpening- Expand Your Horizons- If you needs some ideas or tips for the ornament turning auction, Mike Peace may some ideas. Not as cool as @Steve Krumanaker's !! Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools shared this video from Nathan McCollim. A project turned completely with Easy Wood Tools products. NEWPRODUCT FROM EASY WOOD TOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Chuck Mounted 3/8" Mandrel is used to mount small project turnings without removing your chuck from your lathe. This mandrel is used for small project turnings such as bottle stoppers and small handles to be paired with a variety of project kits and components. It features a 3/8” x 16 TPI thread with a fluted tip, for self-tapping, or can be used with correct sized threaded inserts. It is made of nickel-plated hardened steel for superior strength and corrosion resistance. Includes polyester washer to prevent project sticking. Mounts to most 4-jaw lathe chucks. 100% Made in USA. https://www.easywoodtools.com/product-page/chuck-mounted-3-8-mandrel Easy Wood Tools live demonstrations next week- https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/wi-brookfield-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=milwaukee https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/baltimore https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/lexington @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- See the EWT section for the new mandrel! Turning stuff on sale at Woodcraft. Click on the image for the link!! If Made in America is important to you but carbide tools are not your thing. Sam Angelo reviews Robust turning tools. Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners @Headhunter is traveling farther down the rabbit hole of Ringmaster bowls! Here's another "Leaky Bowl"! Check out more images in Tony's post- @RustyFN shared a really nice resaw jig for the bandsaw. He says it works great for preparing his segment turnings- Rusty received lots of comments. Please check his post and see what you think! Rusty also scored some fantastic maple for turning blanks! I think he's trying to take over Steven Newman (aka The Bandit) for what he paid for the slabs! We had some more friendly teasing on Rusty's topic of carbide tools- A couple of new additions to our "What's On" Post @Fred W. Hargis Jr saw a neat little box with a drawer from Tim Yoder and decided to give it a try- Fred gives us more details in this entry- And Rusty showed us a gorgeous cedar shallow bowl he is turning. Great comments on this one, too- @Gerald posted this in the "Good Monday Morning" forum. He and his Mrs are getting ready to move into their new home and they needed some curtain rods. It wasn't until I got married that I learned the difference between curtains and window treatments- about $200 per window What's Coming Up- Cindy Drozda has a tool talk this Friday, October 24 Click on the "Watch on YouTube" button above/left to get a notification of the start. EDIT: https://streamyard.com/watch/fJ7bC6unW7tZ Also from Lyle Jamieson- Here's the link for registration- https://www.cindydrozda.com/html/IRD.html For The Newbies- A couple of things from Mike Peace. Do yo really need a moisture meter? Mike Shares his thoughts- Mike also shares some tips for the beginning woodturner- Tomislav Tomasic did posted a couple of easy turning projects to help hone your spindle turning skills Expand Your Horizons- More skew practice while making a turned box, from Craft Supplies USA Tim Yoder posted this about the wheels on his steady rest- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Since I started using faceplate rings, I rarely remove my chuck from the lathe. This video, from McCullim Woodworking, demonstrates just how "easy" it is to mount a blank using Easy Wood Tools products- The Yorkshire grit can really bring out the luster of wood and epoxy/acrylics- It's going to be a super busy weekend for the Easy Wood Tools demonstrators. Check out these Woodcraft locations for one near you and stop in to see the tools in action. https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/cincinnati https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/orlando https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/sacramento https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/raleigh https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tulsa https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/harrisburg-york https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/orlando Woodcraft stores are promoting Easy Wood tools throughout the month of October. @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Everything Else- This popped up as the first video when I was checking YouTube for new turning ideas. Very little to do with turning but for all of us who still have fond memories of growing up using one of these Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- @Headhunter posted another fantastic bowl in our Ringmaster sub-forum. Tony is always coming up with spectacular ideas for his work and this one is at the top of the list! Check out his post for more information and images! An entry on our continuing post of "What's On". Seems this happens often when a turner says "just a skosh more" What's Coming Up- Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk from last Friday is available on YouTube- Also, Cindy is hosting a IRD on making a ginger jar. This is from her email. Saturday, October 25th, 1pm Eastern (17:00 UTC). Click on the image for the link to registration For The Newbies- Thinking about buying that first lathe or upgrading to a newer model? Tomislav Tomasic has some thoughts- Halloween Ornaments!!??!! Give these a try from Craft Supplies USA Expand Your Horizons- Are you considering selling your turnings? Craft shows, Etsy or other venues? Carl Jacobson and Ruth Niles have some things to think about https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/marketing-tips/ Alan Stratton creates a sphere, a box and a multi-axis pumpkin! Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools and Woodcraft are teaming up for some great prices and demos for this weekend! And, here's where you can find the EWT demonstrators next week! https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tampa https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tulsa https://www.hartvillehardware.com/middlefield-location https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/orlando https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/orlando https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/raleigh https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/oh-cincinnati-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=cincinnati https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/cincinnati https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/harrisburg-york https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/sacramento Tim Yoder turns a hybrid blank into a Sorcerer's Wand using Easy Wood Tools! @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- San Angelo reviews the Peke Safety Powered Air Filtration System Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- Member @Steve Krumanaker showed us a neat setup he concocted for easily transporting a lathe for demonstrations! In his post, Steve explains his setup and some of the design features- I was watching @Handfoolery's guitar build on YouTube. He has posted some of his journey on the Patriot woodworking forum. What caught my eye was the equipment he was using to apply finish to the guitar. Finishing is not my strong suit and the spray set up he used looked like it would work well for turned items. https://preval.com/diy-pro-products/preval-sprayer/ The video showing him finishing his guitar- New member @Tay-da-Tay asked us for information oh harvesting a tree with burls. I've never been fortunate enough to have been able to have this experience. Hoping our members/readers can offer some advice. What's Coming Up- If you missed Cindy's Tool Talk, last Friday, she has it posted on line- For The Newbies- Sam Angelo has a video comparing/contrasting the bowl gouge and the spindle gouge. Tomislav Tomasic discusses bowl gouge sharpening- A cool Halloween turning project from Craft Supplies USA- Expand Your Horizons- More skew practice! Richard Raffan turns some spatulas!! Alan Stratton is back posting! In this video he combines segments, Celtic rings and glass hardware. First of the month and the "4-Ways" collaborators are at it again. This month we are missing Tomislav Tomasic. He is recovering from some surgery. The project is a carvers mallet. Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools demonstrators are in full swing! https://www.mcfeelys.com/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tampa https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/charlotte https://www.facebook.com/CBWTurners/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tulsa https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/colorado-springs Turners everywhere are discovering the benefits of Easy Wood Tools products. Tim Yoder- Download.mp4 Carl Jacobson- @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Woodturners Wonders has a sale on Axminster products. Click on the image- Robert Sorby has a buffing addition to the sharpening machine- https://robert-sorby.co.uk/product/proedge-buffing-kit/ Everything Else- Safe turning
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Friday September 26, 2025 at 2pm Eastern https://streamyard.com/watch/J8n7ycZpt9K4
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Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker has been making these for quite some time and keeps coming up with interesting designs In his post, Steve shows us more laser designs and how they are put together. What's Coming Up- Picked this up from a Cindy Drozda's video last week- More information when it becomes available. For The Newbies- From Tomislav Tomasic a couple of nice shop projects- Tim Yoder explains his preference between oil vs. poly in this short video- Expand Your Horizons- Tomislav has been busy this week filming some projects that would make great gifts or a additions to your sales inventory. First, some cool salt "shakers" If your skew chisel is feeling lonely (like mine), here's a nice, skew turned kitchen utensil! Great skew practice. Mike Peace turns a 3 axis tool handle for an interchangeable tool collet. Link to the collet in "New Turning Items" below. Sometime back, I remember reading about a turning club that made wig stands for donations to the Cancer Society. Richard Raffan shows how to turn one. He called his a "judicial" but the general shape should work for most applications. Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Easy Wood Tools is looking for more demonstrators! Click the image for complete details. EWT pays a stipend, milage and has discounts for demonstrators. If you belong to a club, spread the word. Maybe a member would be interested. Some demos coming up next week- https://aurorafarmersfair.org/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/indianapolis https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/ga-sandy-springs-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=sandy-springs https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tulsa https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/rockville https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/san-antonio Tim Yoder is a big Easy Wood Tools fan. Watch him in action with these videos. Check out the way he mounts the wood for this turning!!! Acrylic Curls! tim.mp4 @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Sam Angelo and Mike Peace both did videos on this wooden handle adapter from Carter and Sons. Just add your own wooden handle. Inserts are available for different diameter tool shafts. I suspect it is a relatively new item. https://carterandsontoolworks.com/collections/aluminum-handles/products/wooden-handle-adapter Everything Else- Safe turning
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Tomorrow- Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker showed us some of his spectacular little bird houses and some other objects! Steve is not going to let Christmas creep up on him this year! Check his post for more images and our member's comments- @Gordon asked our opinion on comparing the Longworth chuck to a vacuum chuck. Several of our members employ the vacuum chuck and Gordon received some great advice. Check out the post and add your ideas- @Headhunter posted some of his bowls in our Ringmaster Sub-forum. Hop over to Tony's post to see where the idea for the design originated and the species used- From our "What's Off" an example of waste not - want not. A little spalted sycamore bowl salvaged from a failed project. What's Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration What have you been working on in your shop? Share it with all of us at this Friday's free Zoom Sharing Session! September 12th, 2:00 pm Eastern, 18:00 UTC September 19 through September 21 2025 For The Newbies- Tomislav Tomasic discusses scraper sharpen and how it can reduce your sanding efforts- So you've started turning bowls but you want to make them more aesthetic looking? Mike Peace has some tips- Expand Your Horizons- Alan Stratton is back! I've followed Alan for years and really enjoy his projects. Of course I'm a "jig junky" and Alan loves to make jigs!! @Headhunter uses a Ringmaster to make his bowls from a board. In this video, Alan puts his own spin (see what I did there ) on doing one. Tim Yoder showed us how he uses a "story stick" in a short video, last week. This week he gives us a look at what the overall project was and an insight into making wood live on. Woodturning has gone through many changes from the spring pole lathe to carbide tools. But are we ready to embrace "AI"?? Check out what Tomislav thinks- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Lots of Easy Wood Tools demonstrations happening in the near future! https://www.mmwtc.org/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/appleton https://okstatefair.com/ Last week we posted the short video of Carl Jacobson with the Joyner Offset Jig. This is the step by step setup tutorial. See how the Easy Wood Tools products compliment the use of the jig. @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- A couple of sales on turning equipment- https://longworthchuck.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=30 Click on the below image for the link to the sale Everything Else- A video series that will help you appreciate your lathe when making a bowl- https://www.finewoodworking.com/2017/11/02/ep-1-finding-the-bowl-within-the-log Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- @Gordon posted a gorgeous bowl he is working on. Beautiful grain patterns!! See what our turners had to say about this one- We had another entry in our "What's On..." post. This red oak bowl measured approximately 10" x 3" You can read more about the turning and finish here- What's Coming Up- Cindy Drozda posted her Tool Talk from last Friday. She covered a hook tool and a chuck she purchased at SWAT. Click on the image below for link to registration and more information For The Newbies- Duplicating an already turned item can be made a bit easier by the use of a "story stick". Tim Yoder demonstrates- Mike Peace share information about the difference between end grain and face grain bowl turning- Expand Your Horizons- Another month has rolled around and the Four Ways collaborators have come up with a really neat turning item. Typically, picture frames are a flat work project but these are made on the lathe! Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- We are still waiting to hear what the mystery product will be, from Easy Wood Tools. In the meantime, check out the upcoming demos https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/tampa https://www.facebook.com/CBWTurners/ https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/colorado-springs Pretty sure you get a little tired of me bragging about the EWT chuck. If you have never used one, some of the nicer features may not be obvious. I snagged this video segment from Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk, posted above, showing Cindy adjusting and changing the jaws out on the chuck she purchased at SWAT. NOTE: I am in no way implying the chuck she bought is inferior. It's just the ZOOM Ring and screwless jaws are worth their weight in gold (and frustration and time). Project 1.mp4 Easy Wood Tools shared these videos of their products in use. The Bowl From A Board is a little different than the Ringmaster process but shows the negative rake cutters in action with acrylics- Even Easy Wood Tools can get a catch- just not very often- @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Came across this software for segmented, basketweave illusion and multi lamination turning. The software is only available for the Windows OS https://www.segturn.com/ Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- A little bit more happening this week! Long time member @Steve Krumanaker is still making items for a local artisan. He showed us the wooden lids he turned for herb jars- Steve's lids include a metal lid inset. He tells us more about these and some of the other types he turns in this post- We also had an entries in the "What's On" and "What's Off" posts. A red oak medium sized bowl and a smaller bowl What's Coming Up- Cindy Drozda was at SWAT. Wonder if @Gerald talked with her? Cindy did a walk about and posted it on her YouTube channel- She also posted the video of of the bowl turning battle between Mike Mahoney and Stuart Batty- And, Cindy has a Tool Talk coming up this Friday. Click on the image for the link to registration. For The Newbies- An article, from Fine Woodworking, reviewing midi lathes. If a full size lathe isn't in your budget or you have a very small shop, this might be helpful. https://www.finewoodworking.com/2023/10/27/tool-test-midi-lathes-2 Tim Yoder shows us a less expensive way to sand some of those turning projects- Expand Your Horizons- Mike Peace dives into buffing. In this video, he demonstrates the use of the Beall Buffing System. I usually put Ron Brown's newsletter thoughts at the end of our Wednesday's post. Ron's thoughts, this time, really fit into expanding your horizons. Correct Proportions Help Make A Pleasing Shape The Golden Mean, also known as the golden ratio, golden section, or Fibonacci rule, is a principle of design that can be applied to wood turning to create objects with proportions that are considered aesthetically pleasing. The golden ratio is approximately 1.618. This ratio is found throughout nature, from the spirals of a seashell to the branching of trees. Artists and architects have used it for centuries to create a sense of balance and harmony. Applying the Golden Mean In wood turning, the golden mean can be used as a starting point to determine the proportions of various elements of a turned piece, such as: • Height to Diameter: For a vessel like a vase, the golden mean can guide the ratio of its height to its widest diameter. For example, if a vase is 10 inches tall, the golden ratio suggests its widest point should be approximately 6.18 inches (10 divided by 1.618) from either the top or the bottom. • Dividing the Space: The ratio can be used to divide the bowl's form into different sections. For instance, the ratio of the bowl's base diameter to its rim diameter could follow the Golden Ratio. This would create a pleasing visual progression from the bottom to the top. • Location of Features: The golden mean can also be used to position design elements on a turned piece. For a hollow form or vase, it can help determine where the widest point should be located to create a visually appealing curve. Similarly, on a wide-rimmed plate or bowl, it can guide the size of the central bowl in relation to the overall diameter of the piece. • Proportions of a Foot: The size of the foot or base of a bowl can be determined using the golden ratio in relation to the bowl's overall diameter. This helps create a stable and visually balanced foundation. • Proportions of a Finial: A finial is typically composed of several distinct segments, such as a base, a sphere or urn shape, and a tapering spire. The Golden Ratio can be used to determine the ideal proportion of these segments to each other. For example, a designer might ensure the ratio of the total length of the base section to the total length of the tapering section is approximately 1:1.618. This creates a natural-looking visual flow, preventing any one part from appearing too large or too small. Tools and Considerations Woodturners can use golden ratio calipers to apply this principle to their work easily. These calipers are designed to maintain the golden ratio as they expand and contract, allowing the turner to quickly check and adjust the proportions of their piece while it is on the lathe. Trent Bosch* offers high-quality Golden Mean Calipers HERE. Prices range from $40 to $175. While the golden mean is a powerful design tool, it is not a strict rule. Many turners find that using the golden ratio as a starting point or a general guideline helps them create pieces that feel "right" to the eye. It's important to remember that design is also about personal preference and artistic expression, and a piece can still be beautiful and well-proportioned without adhering strictly to the golden mean. Some artists prefer a more intuitive approach, relying on their "eye" and experience, which may lead to proportions that are very close to the golden ratio without any deliberate calculation. Trent Bosh also offers an excellent visualization with several examples for using the Golden Mean Calipers in this 8-minute Video.* There are several YouTube videos that show you how to make your own calipers if you prefer. Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Some great savings on those easy wood tools! https://www.thewoodturningstore.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorjI1m11YEv2ly3Mt17JasshNCyx_w_aMJ90hXPCw-n3_zvdwVW A couple of demos in early September- https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/fl-altamonte-springs-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=altamonte-springs https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/az-phoenix-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=phoenix From Nathan McCollim demonstrating how "Easy" it is to learn turning with Easy Wood Tools! AQMcZvOK77-bg2XUyRjjsDUvwMhM0RPXER-BLRMnv2rqtzSRtJYH0qiEObuzn1g9o0tbfzxDORcVk3Ishka-KiV7eMgD5_TG4X3MLWQ.mp4 @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Definitely not new but relates to Ron Brown's thoughts on pleasing proportions. https://trentboschtools.com/product/golden-mean-calipers/ Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- Things are a little slow this week. I did an Easy Wood Tools/Club Demo last Thursday evening. Showed the process for doing the John Beaver wave bowls. I don't get the club meetings as often as I should. Seems that Thursdays are always busy. One of the members- a brother of one of my former school students- snapped this so he could see how old I have gotten. What’s Coming Up- Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk will continue the Emma, Tod, Cindy collaboration piece. It's Friday, August 15. It’s coming along nicely! I’ll be sanding and finishing, and showing how I sign my work. It’s free and open to everyone. Join me for talk about tools, woodturning tips, upcoming events, and interesting Woodturning stuff. Make comments, ask questions, or say hello. Win a prize in the Raffle! Subscribe to my list, and get the links to my free events by email. Please tell all of your woodturning friends and club members! https://streamyard.com/watch/C6bayNKnBhM7 SWAT is almost here! https://www.swaturners.org/swat-registration-2025.html For The Newbies- Richard Raffan uses a lot of scrapers for both inside and outside of bowls. In this video, he shares/describes his scraper arsenal. Picked this up from Ron Brown's newsletter. Some good advice about sharp(ening) tools- Free-hand Sharpening vs. Jigs For some people, a good piece of wood is a work of art. For others, it's just a blank canvas waiting to be transformed. And for a select few, it's a constant reminder that they don’t know what they don't know. When I first started turning wood, I was a walking, talking example of that last group. I was a greenhorn with a gouge, completely unaware of my own ignorance. Fortunately, I crossed paths with a seasoned pro named Nick Cook. Now, this guy could sharpen a tool by hand with his eyes closed, so I had to ask him: Why do you bother with those fancy jigs?" His answer was a master class in common sense. He gave me three simple reasons: 1. It saves time. A lot of time. 2. It's repeatable. You get the same perfect edge every single time. 3. Your tools last longer. They just do. Those three points really stuck with me. Later, while working the woodworking show circuit, I heard a lot of complaints. People loved the idea of sharpening jigs, but hated the time it took to set them up for different grinds. So, I went to work and created setup aids for 6 of the most common HSS lathe tools; 7 if you include the 4040-grind setup block. They are: Bowl Gouges, Spindle Gouges, Skews, Scrapers, Parting Tools, and Spindle Roughing Gouges. For the last 20 years, these setup aids have helped woodturners quickly and easily get the perfect edge. Most woodturners see their tools as a one-time purchase. They're not. They're a consumable, just like a lightbulb or a roll of paper towels. Sharpening a bowl gouge by hand often takes three or four passes. A good jig can do it in a single pass, removing less material in the process. Less material removal means your tools last longer. It’s simple math. But here’s the real kicker: if sharpening is quick and easy, you’ll actually do it. Most people will tolerate a dull tool far longer than they should because the idea of sharpening it is such a hassle. A sharp tool makes a clean cut. A dull one just scrapes and tears at the wood. When it comes to turning, that difference doesn't just affect the wood; it affects the entire process. Benefits of Sharp Chisels 1. Smoother Finish: A sharp chisel produces a much cleaner cut, resulting in a smoother surface that requires less sanding. This can save a lot of time and effort in the finishing stages of a project. 2. Reduced Tear-Out: When a tool is sharp, it shears the wood fibers cleanly. A dull tool, however, can tear out the grain, creating a rough, uneven surface that is difficult to fix. 3. Increased Control and Safety: Sharp tools are easier to control. A dull tool requires more force to make a cut, increasing the risk of a "catch," which is when the tool grabs the spinning wood violently. This can be dangerous and damage the workpiece. A sharp chisel, on the other hand, allows for more precise and controlled movements. 4. Faster Material Removal: A sharp tool removes material more efficiently. This means you can get through the initial shaping of a piece of wood much faster. 5. Improved Shavings: Sharp tools produce long, continuous shavings. Dull tools produce fine dust or small chips, which are a clear sign that the tool is not cutting effectively. It's important to note that even carbide tools, which are known for their longevity, will eventually become dull and require sharpening or a new tip. Regular sharpening is an essential skill for any woodturner to maintain tool effectiveness and achieve high-quality results. You should sharpen your wood-turning chisels frequently, even several times during a single project, to maintain their edge. Expand Your Horizons- Tomislav shared a great video showing a technique called "back hollowing". For those of us who learned the traditional method of hollowing this is really different! Mike Peace makes a small, threaded keepsake box for cremains. Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Found this video comparing the Easy Chuck to the Nova G3 Chuck. The Influencer does a pretty good job of comparing/contrasting the two. Some Easy Wood Tools Demos coming up- Did you know Easy Wood Tools sells "unhandled tools"? Check this out- https://www.easywoodtools.com/unhandled @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Ron Brown's new spindle duplicator is ready to go! https://longworthchuck.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=90&product_id=589 Hope Live Star Drive is available. This is available in he USA from- https://blackforestwood.com/products/live-star-drive?_pos=1&_psq=hope+live&_ss=e&_v=1.0 Everything Else- Tim Yoder cheated death to retrieve this piece of wood. Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- @calabrese55 has been exploring the differences in acrylic epoxy blends. He recently tried a new type and shared the finish results with us and his observations- Check out what Mike has discovered and our turners' reactions- What’s Coming Up- Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk, from last Friday, is available on her YouTube channel- For The Newbies- Mike Peace shares his thoughts and experiences for coring bowls with his favorite coring system- Carl Jacobson turns some simple craft show projects and talks about various chucking techniques- Expand Your Horizons- The beginning of the month means it is time for the "4 Ways Collaboration"- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Did you know Easy Wood Tools has their own University?? Here you can find helpful videos, technical information and articles covering a wide spectrum of information! https://www.easywoodtools.com/resources The Easy Wood Tools negative rake cutters are designed to be used to shape acrylics. Watch McCollim Woodworking (https://www.youtube.com/@mccollimwoodworking/featured) start to shape a light saber. Light Saber 2.mp4 JP Woodwork uses Easy Wood Tools to turn a vase from a branch- @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Everything Else- A little while back I asked for help on identifying a species of wood cut from a tree in a nearby cemetery. We pretty much settled on mulberry. I cut some bowl blanks, roughed them out, soaked for a couple of days and now they are in my little dryer. They are all about 6" in diameter and between 2" to 4" tall. Probably reach moisture equilibrium in 8 or 9 days. Mimi wanted the bowls as a remembrance of her cousin, as he is buried in the shade of that tree. Safe turning
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Back porch thermometer recorded 99° today! Luckily, I had stuff to do in the basement. Our Patriot Turners- @Headhunter posted a couple of his segmented Ringmaster bowls in our Ringmaster sub-forum. Amazing designs on these!! He showed us some closeup views in his post and explained where their new home will be. What’s Coming Up- If you missed last weeks presentation from Tod Raines, on chuck maintenance, it is available on Steamyard https://streamyard.com/watch/rAtEceTTQCVp. Cindy Drozda will be having a Tool Talk this Friday. You can sign up here- https://streamyard.com/watch/DRbzDT7r5HAk Cindy will also be doing a live IRD on Saturday. Registration is here- https://www.cindydrozda.com/ The Mid Atlantic Woodturners Symposium has been sharing information about their demonstrators for the September event. Registration and more information here- https://mawts.com/ For The Newbies- A few short videos from Tim Yoder. This one on tail stock maintenance #woodturningwithtimyoder.mp4 This one on what to look for when buying gouges Tim Flute.mp4 And sizing bowl blanks for safe cutting- From Mike Peace, a jig to size the tenons on your turnings. Expand Your Horizons- Richard Raffan demonstrates how to turn a spiral rim bowl Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Time is running out for these awesome prices! The Mike Peace video for a tenon jig reminded me of an accessory available from Easy Wood Tools to size tenons/mortices. Comes with a handy magnet to keep it at the ready, on your lathe. https://www.easywoodtools.com/product-page/easy-chuck-template-set We highlighted the EWT Detailer a while back. Tim Yoder found another use! Tim Napkin EWT.mp4 Cutting coves, with the Easy Wood Finisher, is a snap as illustrated by Nathan McCollim Bell 5.mp4 Some Easy Wood Tools demonstrations next week! @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- New item from Niles Bottle Stoppers. Stainless steel decorative loop The decorative loops work great for key chains, Christmas ornaments, and attaching a cord to a bottle opener so that you can hang it. They are made from solid 304 Stainless Steel with the same 3/8″-16 threads stud as all of our other stoppers and openers. They work great with our stainless steel inserts. The cross hole is 1/8″ diameter with a overall length of 7/8″. https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/decorative-loops/ Everything Else- Safe turning
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Our Patriot Turners- You might remember @RustyFN taking us along on his journey when making his basket illusion vase. He entered the vase into an art center showing and came home with second prize! Here's more on what we all thought- We had activity this past week on our "What's Off" post. @calabrese55 shared his knowledge on some of the various types of acrylic resins along with images of what he discovered about the turning characteristics- Some great information for those who do resin casting/hybrid turning. Also posted was a John Beaver style wave bowl with a recessed wave. Made from spalted sycamore. I was not impressed with the wipe on finish. Multiple applications did not produce a smooth surface. Probably should have saturated with CA or used a non-film finish. New material and comments start here- While not strictly a turning topic, but most turners use "Super Glue" at some time or another. Thanks @kmealy for this link to an informative video on how CA glues work- What’s Coming Up- Last Friday, Cindy Drozda had another Tool Talk. If you missed it, she posted the video on YouTube- For The Newbies- Another tool rest tip from Tim Yoder- Woodworker's Journal no longer publishes the weekly email newsletter but they have made available the articles/projects online. For turning projects, tips and ideas head over to- https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/category/how-to/woodturning/ An essential skill, for any turner, is the ability to turn coves and beads. In this video, Tomislav demonstrates how it's done. Expand Your Horizons- Watch Richard Raffan turn a flat bottomed sewing tray. Flat bottom turnings are deceptive. Looks easy but ain't! Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- One of the attractive characteristics of carbide tools is the shallow learning curve. First time turners can create items with relative ease. This is especially enjoyable for younger turners who may not have developed all the motor skills necessary to manipulate traditional HSS tools. A short video of a Dad introducing his two children to the joys of turning, using Easy Wood Tools- Kids Learning to Woodturn.mp4 This week's demonstration. If you are in the Oklahoma City Area, check it out! The EWT email newsletter has some great deals and sale savings, but you gotta sign up- https://www.easywoodtools.com/ New Items- Everything Else- From Ron Brown's newsletter Accepting a Commission So, you've decided to take on a commission. Good for you. You've convinced someone that your particular brand of artistry, be it with a brush, a chisel, or a lathe, is precisely what they need to adorn their life. And they, in turn, have decided to trust you with their vision, and perhaps more importantly, their hard-earned cash. It sounds simple, a straightforward exchange of skill for currency. But like most things that appear simple on the surface, this transaction is a good deal more intricate once you start peeling back the layers. When an artist or craftsman agrees to a commission, they're not just agreeing to produce a physical object. They're accepting a responsibility. You're essentially promising to translate an abstract idea – often someone else's abstract idea – into tangible reality. This requires a unique blend of technical prowess, creative interpretation, and, dare I say, a touch of mind-reading. You have to understand not just what they say they want, but what they actually want, often before they fully grasp it themselves. It's about delivering on a promise, not just with your hands, but with your intellect and your integrity. On the other hand, the customer, having placed their trust and finances in your hands, arrives with a set of expectations. These can range from the crystal clear, "I want a cherry wood bowl, 12 inches in diameter, with a fluted rim," to the delightfully vague, "Surprise me, but make it artistic." It's your job to manage these expectations, to clarify ambiguities, and to ensure that what you deliver aligns with what they envision, even if that vision is still a bit hazy around the edges. And this is where the cautions come into play for both parties. For the artist, it's the danger of overpromising and under-delivering. It's the risk of misinterpreting the brief, or worse, not having a clear brief at all. It's the temptation to take on a project that stretches beyond your current capabilities, perhaps out of financial necessity or an inflated sense of self. For the customer, the caution lies in unrealistic expectations, a failure to articulate their desires, or an unwillingness to grant the artist the necessary creative latitude. It's the risk of micromanaging a creative process that thrives on a certain degree of freedom. Then, of course, there are the liabilities and consequences. If you fail to deliver the agreed-upon piece, or if it falls significantly short of the agreed-upon quality, there are repercussions. It's not just a matter of hurt feelings or a tarnished reputation, though those are certainly significant. It can involve financial penalties, the return of deposits, and the kind of negative word-of-mouth that can cripple a burgeoning career. Conversely, suppose the customer repeatedly changes their mind, refuses to provide necessary input, or defaults on payment. In that case, the artist also faces consequences – lost time, wasted materials, and a frustrating experience that sours the well. Ultimately, accepting a commission is an exercise in mutual understanding and trust. It's a professional agreement that, at its best, culminates in a piece of work that satisfies both the creator and the client. But like any worthwhile endeavor, it requires a clear understanding of the responsibilities, an open dialogue about expectations, and a healthy respect for the potential pitfalls. It's a dance, really, and both parties need to know the steps to ensure a graceful and successful performance. Over the years, I have managed to build over 1,000 custom pieces, mostly furniture and cabinets, many of which are made from solid walnut, cherry, and oak. I’ve also been blessed with my share of commercial projects, including period-correct bookcases for one of the halls at the University of Georgia in Athens. One of the food vendors for the Georgia Bulldogs football games contracted me to build rolling food service stations. That one took 40 sheets of plywood and 30 sheets of black plastic laminate. It was an incredible amount of work, and in the end, everyone was pleased. I’ve learned to paper everything in as much detail as possible and have the customer sign it. My delivery dates for completion are always set well beyond when I actually think I can finish. Just saying. . . Commissions are mostly great fun with the occasional trial and tribulation thrown in. If you ever have a request for a commission, I encourage you to consider it seriously. Safe turning
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Another thunderstorm about to roll on through! Our Patriot Turners- @FrederickH showed us his red oak burl bowl he has just about finished. Gorgeous color and spectacular character. Checkout Rick's post for more images and his description- What’s Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration Cindy Drozda will be have her live tool talk on Friday, July 18th, 2pm Eastern (18:00 UTC). The Mid Atlantic Woodturning Symposium announced the addition of Helen Bailey to the demonstrators' lineup. For The Newbies- A short video, from Tim Yoder, on Tool Rest Care A very informative video from Richard Raffan on using the skew chisel. Expand Your Horizons- Wanna turn a bowl but haven't purchased that scroll chuck yet? Ernie Conover has got you covered. This tutorial was published in the Woodworker's Journal. https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/turning-bowl-just-lathe-faceplate/ Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- We have pretty much covered the individual Easy Wood Tools. Seeing the tools in creative action is a great way to learn how to use them and their capabilities. This video shows the use of EWT tools while finishing an already roughed out bowl- If you are in the Baltimore MD area this coming weekend, stop in at the Woodcraft store and catch this great demo by David Welch! https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/baltimore?srsltid=AfmBOor9jiSeqV1Fz_JMQGbEEq8FQjjSktp4fKfeqMwWqFnNf1brKFrl @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Ron Brown is working on a new bandsaw circle jig that should be useful if you do "Bowls From A Board" This product should ship on or around August 1, 2025. Check out Ron's website https://www.ronbrownsbest.com/ Everything Else- I've committed (or maybe should be) to doing a demo at the local turning club in early August. I always try to do something a little different than just turn an item. The demos are scheduled for about 1 hour so it is challenging to come up with something unique and doable in the limited time frame. My plan is to show how to do the John Beaver "wave bowls". These bowls take me several days from start to finish. Using several bowls, in various stages of completion, I think I can do an interesting demo; especially since both types of bowls start out with the same operations. I have created 4 Sycamore bowls- 3 as part of the demo and 1 is a finished recessed wave bowl (I have a protruding wave bowl, too). The center bowl is at the point where the decision is made to create the recess or protruding wave. The "wave" isn't glued so folks can see how the pieces are held during turning This bowl will be used to explain how the protruding wave is created This bowl will be used to show how the inside of the bowl is finished. This one is glued together but not finish The finished bowl is on the lathe now and getting a Poly bath. Once it dries, I'll finish off the bottom to reshape the foot to get rid of the dovetail recess. Safe turning
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Congrats to all of the Summer Fund Raiser raffle winners! Thanks to all who participated. Our Patriot Turners- @Headhunter posted some of his gorgeous bowls in our Ringmaster Subforum. Check out his post for more images and the comments from the group- @BuckeyeHomestead added his latest project to our "What's Off" posts! What an amazing transformation took place with this turning! This is what he started with- Check out his post to see the finished piece!!! @RustyFN showed us a neat segmented bowl he turned as part of his club's challenge. Rusty always comes up with amazing items for these contests! In his post, he tells us a little more about this item- We all thought Rusty's basket weave illusion vase was incredible. Well, so did the folks at the art center where it was displayed!! Read what Rusty told us- What’s Coming Up- If you missed last weeks Tool Talk, from Cindy Drozda, she has it posted for viewing- For The Newbies- Our generous sponsor, Woodcraft, posted a great blog on getting started in woodturning. Read the entire blog here- https://www.woodcraft.com/blogs/woodturning/getting-started-in-turning?utm_source=Meta&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=July25&utm_id=SocialOrgainc&utm_content=MiM Mike Peace reminds us of the importance of protecting our lungs. In this video, Mike reviews an affordable dust mask. I used an earlier version of this mask which had "ear loops". I found that particular model a bit cumbersome because of my glasses and BTE hearing aids. The filtration properties, however, were excellent. Expand Your Horizons- The flavor of the week is hollowing- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- Next week's Easy Wood Tools demonstrations around the country. If you are near one of these demonstration, stop by and chat with the demonstrator! They are ready and willing to answer your questions and show you how to get the most from the Easy Wood Tools products. @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Thinking of a new chuck? The Axminster Discovery GK88 Chuck might be something for your stable. Everything Else- Somehow I missed posting this notice from @Gerald about the passing of renown artist/turner David Ellsworth. Kent Weakley also posted a tribute to Mr. Ellsworth- Safe turning
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