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Finally received some rain here in south central PA. A little too much in some places, but it is filling the reservoirs back up. Our Patriot Turners- Our turners posted their work this past week on both our "ON" and "Off" the lathe topics! From the ON topic- @Gerald showed us a really nice wig stand- Gerald tells us a little about the species in this post- From our OFF posts- @Gordon post a lovely bowl with natural inclusions- Gordon explains where he found the wood to make this one in his post- @calabrese55 creates the most fantastic multi-medium, segmented turnings. In this post, Mike, shows us how he does his epoxy pours and what the finished turning looks like- Member @BuckeyeHomestead is considering upgrading his lathe and asked our opinion on what he was thinking about. Check out what the opinions and suggestions from our members and see if you can add to what's been said. What’s Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration- If you missed Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk last week- For The Newbies- Richard Raffan discusses bowl and spindle sanding in this video- New to hollowing? A quick tip from Tim Yoder to help with stability- Expand Your Horizons- Last week's post had a video from Tomislav Tomasic on creating a free hand sphere. Sam Angelo tries his hand at turning one. The perfect accompaniment to those weed pot vases that are currently a popular turning- Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools- https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/cleveland-east https://www.woodcraft.com/pages/store/indianapolis During the month of June, Woodcraft will be running promotional sales. Stop by your local Woodcraft store and check out the Easy Wood Tools demos that will be taking place throughout the month! One of the lesser known Easy Wood turning tools is their 1/8" Parting Tool. This second generation tool is almost identical to the original version with the exception of how the carbide cutter is affixed to the handle. The cutter is now permanently mounted into a holder blade. The blade and cutter are replaced as a single unit. Also, the carbide cutter is only available in a negative rake configuration. The Parting Tool can part off pieces up to 5" in diameter. Carbide cutters are available for the original Parting Tool- Pi1 This video demonstrates the ORIGINAL tool in action. The information on the cutter replacement is not applicable to the SECOND generation tool. Also, pay no attention to the man wearing flip flops- he is a figment of your imagination @Jordan Martindale New Turning Items- Not a new item but if you are considering one of Ron Brown's products, https://longworthchuck.com/index.php?route=common/home Everything Else- And from Ron Brown's Newsletter: Small Beginnings Guiding New Turners with the Wisdom of Starting Small As mentors, we ignite a passion for woodturning. While beginners are eager for complex creations, we must guide them to a fundamental truth: true mastery often blossoms from humble beginnings, nurtured by patience and foundational dedication. This guide reinforces the profound virtues of starting small, equipping novices with the essential base for lasting success. The allure of intricate designs can distract beginners. However, the path to such pieces is paved with fundamental skill mastery. Starting small isn't limiting ambition; it's strategically building understanding, one manageable step at a time. Like a sapling needing strong roots, new turners need to cultivate tool control, wood understanding, and form perception through simpler projects; think pens, bottle stoppers, spinning tops, French rolling pins, turned lidded boxes, acorns, smaller bowls from green wood, etc. Focusing on basics like spindles and simple bowls allows beginners to: • Develop Core Skills: • Essential tool interactions are best learned on uncomplicated projects. • Understand Material Behavior: • Smaller projects offer a safe space to experiment with different woods. • Cultivate Patience and Observation: • Starting small encourages careful attention to the wood's transformation. • Build Confidence Through Success: • Completing achievable projects fuels motivation. • Minimize Errors and Frustration: • Simpler pieces reduce the impact of mistakes. Illustrating this approach are renowned turners who began modestly: Nick Cook: Celebrated for a wide variety of craft items up to and including functional architectural millwork, Cook's early work focused on mastering basic shapes, providing the bedrock for his later artistry. Nick is one of the best know demonstrators in the world today. David Ellsworth: A pioneer of thin-walled vessels, Ellsworth's early exploration of green wood properties through simpler forms was crucial for his signature style. Mike Mahoney: Known for functional bowls, Mahoney's initial focus on well-crafted, everyday pieces laid the foundation for his respected status. As mentors, we nurture potential by guiding students towards a deliberate learning pace. Encourage them to value each cut on simple forms, seeing each small project as a vital step. By sharing the wisdom of those who started small and achieved greatness, we inspire our students to embrace the journey, build a strong foundation, and realize their artistic vision. Recognizing the ultimate potential in each student regardless of age, gender, background, or occupation is the correct attitude recommended with every student we are privileged to mentor. I began with a $300 Jet 1236 in 1982 and a $10 set of turning tools with no grinder. Although much smaller, I moved to a Jet 1015 manual speed change for several years before purchasing my Powermatic 3520A. It is still my main lathe some decades later. I was very fortunate to have compassionate mentors along the way that allowed me to develop the high level of skill I enjoy today. A heartfelt thanks to all of them. Safe turning
