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Had my first bowl class at Woodcraft yesterday. Five new turners that have never turned a bowl before will wear you out. On the plus side everybody left with a bowl. The guy behind the counter said everybody looked happy as they were leaving.
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So maybe my load of bargain wood wasn't such a bargain after all. Here's what happened, I mounted a small block to turn a bowl. Nothing fancy, this was my attempt to rough one out and let it dry a little. Anyway, after shaping the outside I turned it around to work on the inside...then it sat on the lathe for a few days (3) while I took care of life's necessities. So I come back to do some more work on it and these cracks appeared on the outside. There is another set much like this 180 degrees on the other side. So, is this something that just happens sometimes? I was able to stick a feeler gauge blade into one and it's about 3/8" deep. Now, this is just a practice piece so I haven't lost anything but I'm curious if I'll face this with a lot of the chucks I bought.
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So a couple of weeks ago my parents decided to have an oak tree that was leaning way too far out cut down and removed. Ran over there asked the tree cutters to save me a 4 foot chunk that was 10 to 12 inches in diameter. They had it dropped and cut the same day and by 5 pm that night wound up comin back home with a 400 to 500 pound chunk of oak tree. Weighed the back end of the subaru down quite a bit fortunately there not that far away. So I got it home dragged it out cut a chunk off normal way youd cut fire wood to see how it would look turned a bit turned it down into a bowl shape the grain is quite nice. But today I said nope I'm splittin the hole thing down the middle and savin half the time so one piece went to waste as a test piece but I still got 4 foot or so. I do not have a decent splitting maul just a little electric wen chain saw sharpened up that does pretty decent work as long as the chain is sharp and oil in the saw. But this morning I got that thing split finally. Now I can start makin bowls out of it. Did someone say make like a tree and split?
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Please don't forget our summer fund raiser is in progress! Check here for more information and the raffle tickets- Our Patriot Turners- Again, THANKS to everyone who takes the time to show us all what you have been working on. We've had several additions to our "What's On Your Lathe" post. @User74, @Gerald and @kreisdorph posted this week! The new items start here- What’s Coming Up- If you missed Cindy Drozda's tool talk last Friday, she has it loaded up on her YouTube channel. This discussion was on Box Hollowing Tools- Todd Raines, from the Woodturning Tool Store will be demonstrating the Robust Tru-Arc tool- Registration and more information can be found here- https://woodturningtoolstore.com/live-stream-woodturning-with-tod-raines/?receiptful=668c77471ee11bbc67cec8e6&utm_source=CM Commerce&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter-363&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=other&receiptfultype=newsletter Cindy and Todd will be doing a Zoom Sharing event on August 2, 2024- Registration for the sharing event- https://community.woodturner.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=22337b94-ff08-4811-a511-019074232f14&Home=%2fevents%2fird-demonstrations&_zs=ceDib&_zl=5jU94 For The Newbies- Lyle Jamieson's Tuesday Tip is about removing that little nub from the inside of a bowl- Anxious to turn that first bowl. It doesn't have to be a monster! In fact small bowls are very useful as Kent Weakley demonstrated- Another nice little hollowing project from Mike Peace that doesn't require a large hollowing system. Couple of neat tips included! Expand Your Horizons- Now that you have that laser, how can you use it with your turning projects? Carl Jacobson has some ideas- New Turning Items- Not any new products but Woodturners Wonders has revamped their website. https://woodturnerswonders.com/ Everything Else- I know it seems like I don't do any turning but I have a valid excuse. A month ago, I committed to creating rolling pin blanks for the local woodturning club. They've been a little slow in getting me the remainder of the materials. My shop is a "one man" shop- literally!! Only one person can fit at a time! Now I have everything waiting for more materials as time is critically short. Also, a little over a week ago I did an Easy Wood Tools demo and will be doing another in about a week and a half. All my stuff is packed for transport and not easily accessible. In the middle of all that, I'm trying to work on a new jig (ala Alan Stratton) for the bandsaw. Safe turning
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Beautiful day in south central Pennsylvania... Our Patriot Turners- @Fred W. Hargis Jr Started a new turning and a new challenge for him- Fred had several questions about the best way to mount the piece on the lathe and some procedural turning questions. Our gang wasn't shy about offering their ideas and included some images of what they have done. Check out all of the interactions here- There were a couple of new comments on Fred's post about the lidded box he had turned. You can see the comments and images at- @kreisdorph scored some freshly cut oak. He turned this lovely bowl as a gift for the person who gave him the wood. Always a great thing to repay a gift and this lets the tree live on. What’s Coming Up- Click on the image for the link to registration and more information- For The Newbies- Sometime turners will uses different terms to describe the same thing or vice-versa. Here's Mike Peace's take on the Natural Edge Bowl and the Live Edge Bowl- And here he shows us his techniques for turning a live edge, or is a natural edge, bowl??? And from Lyle Jamieson, a tip on creating a strong glue block connection for bowl turning. Expand Your Horizons- Richard Raffan shows his method of sanding the inside of his turned boxes. Nice tip! Tired of turning bowls? Looking for another form that will be well received as a gift? Try turning a platter- New Turning Items- New style bronze threaded rings from Niles Bottle Stoppers Everything Else- Ron Brown's newsletter included a free sharing of his published list of woodturning "Pearls of Wisdom" and a free download of the Turners Reference Guide. Ron Brown’s Pearls: Turners Reference Guide© brought to you by Ron Brown’s Best, LLC 1. There are exceptions to every rule except this one. 2. Six types of chisels are needed to make up a basic turning set (Spindle Gouges, Roughing Gouges, Bowl Gouges, Skews, Scrapers & Parting Tools). 3. Sharp Lathe Tools are more fun. 4. Speed formula: diameter in inches X speed in RPM should equal 6,000 to 9,000 (10” X 800 RPM= 8,000). 5. Rub the bevel on all cutting tools; not on scraping tools. ABC= Anchor the tool, Rub the Bevel, Pick up the Cut. 6. Have safety gear on hand and use it; full face shield, dust mask. 7. Always rotate the workpiece by hand before turning the lathe on to check for interference. 8. Start at slow RPM to check for balance, and then speed up. 9. Speed can be our friend. 10. If you are afraid, slow down and take a breath. 11. “Life’s too short to turn ugly wood.” John Jordan. 12. Carpe Lignum, Torne Lignum – Seize the wood. Turn the wood. 13. Variable-speed lathes are better. 14. Learn to hone. 15. Have a plan before you start. 16. Be Flexible. 17. Turn green wood often. 18. Greenwood is like lettuce, cut what you can use or it will spoil. 19. Learn to use your tools well and keep them sharp. 20. Sharp tools are safer. 21. Sharp tools produce better results. 22. Invest in a good sharpening system and learn to use it well. 23. Then teach others. 24. Don’t skip grits. Never jump more than 50%, i.e. 100 grit to 150 grit to 220 grit to 320 grit. 25. Your family will love whatever you make. 26. Listen to your spouse; they usually have a better eye for design. 27. Never point out your mistakes to others. 28. Spindle turning often requires more skill and imagination than bowl turning. 29. “Never scrape when you can cut.” Mike Mahoney. 30. If you must scrape, raise a fresh burr. 31. Get and learn to use a ¼” wide parting tool. 32. Learn to make lots of “Fun Stuff” like tops, pens, stoppers, light pulls and small lidded boxes. It will make you a better turner and your family will think you are a genius, especially at Christmas time. 33. Make Christmas gifts for your family every year and start in June. 34. Invest in education like classes, seminars and symposiums. 35. Spend the money for personal one-on-one instruction with a professional turner. 36. If you are not failing every now and then, you are not learning. 37. You learn the most when you teach others. 38. Buy good quality M2 High-Speed Steel tools. Avoid high-carbon tools; they are a waste of time. 39. Learn to turn right and left-handed. 40. You can use a bowl gouge on spindle work, but usually not the other way around. 41. Sandpaper is cheap; throw it away often and use fresh stuff. 42. Sign and date your workpieces along with the kind of wood. 43. Buy the best chuck you can afford, and then buy lots of jaws for it. Then buy another chuck. 44. Make your own tool handles. 45. Try someone else’s tools. They might know something you don’t. 46. Join an AAW chapter then go to the meetings. 47. Read turning magazines. 48. Watch turning videos on YouTube, but don’t believe everything they tell you. 49. Buy educational DVD’s. https://longworthchuck.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=10&product_id=219 Turners_Reference_Guide.pdf Safe turning
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Whew! Is it ever hot out side. Back porch thermometer, in the shade, reads 98°! Good thing I painted 150 feet of chain link fence yesterday when it was only 95°!! On another topic, keep watching TPW for BIG news!!! Our Patriot Turners- @Gerald posted a root ball turning he completed. Lovely colors and design! Lots of great comments on this one- @User74 added to our "Off Yor Lathe" continuing post with a lovely bowl turning- You can see more images and comments at- There have been a couple more comments added to @Fred W. Hargis Jr post for a turned box. Also, Fred's post on turning a crotch log has generated more interest. Questions and answers abound! What’s Coming Up- Click on the images for more information and registration- For The Newbies- Mike Peace recently did a club IRD on box turning. This is the complete demo so it is a little long but has lots of good information. Thinking about purchasing that first scroll chuck. I copied this from Woodturners Wonders email. It offers some good advice about choosing a chuck. No I do not have any affiliation with them! Choosing the Right Woodturning Chuck: A Guide for Enthusiasts When diving into the world of woodturning, selecting the right chuck for your lathe is crucial for both the quality of your projects and your overall experience. At WoodTurners Wonders, we understand that every turner has unique needs and preferences, which is why we proudly offer Vicmarc, Axminster and Easy Wood Tools woodturning chucks. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a chuck, along with the advantages of these renowned brands. Key Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Chuck Compatibility with Your Lathe: Ensure the chuck fits your lathe’s spindle size and thread. Different lathes have varying spindle sizes, so double-check your lathe specifications before purchasing. Size and Weight: The size and weight of the chuck should match your lathe’s capacity. A heavy chuck on a small lathe can strain the motor and affect performance, while a lightweight chuck on a large lathe might not provide sufficient grip for larger projects. Grip and Holding Power: The chuck must securely hold your workpiece. Consider the types of projects you undertake—bowls, spindles, or intricate designs—and choose a chuck with jaws that suit those needs. Ease of Use: Look for chucks that are user-friendly. Quick and easy jaw changes, smooth operation, and robust construction can significantly enhance your turning experience. Jaw Compatibility: Some chucks offer interchangeable jaws, allowing you to adapt the chuck for different projects. Check if the chuck you’re considering has a range of compatible jaws. Vicmarc Woodturning Chucks Vicmarc chucks are known for their precision engineering and durability, making them a favorite among professional turners and hobbyists alike. Here are some standout features: Superior Build Quality: Vicmarc chucks are crafted from high-grade materials, ensuring longevity and reliable performance. Precision Engineering: The precision of Vicmarc chucks means less vibration and better stability, leading to smoother and more accurate turning. Wide Range of Jaws: Vicmarc offers a variety of jaws, making their chucks versatile and adaptable for different projects. User-Friendly Design: Many Vicmarc chucks feature a quick-change jaw system, simplifying the process of switching jaws for different tasks. Axminster Woodturning Chucks Axminster chucks are celebrated for their innovative designs and exceptional value, making them a great choice for both beginners and seasoned turners. Key benefits include: Innovative Features: Axminster chucks often incorporate unique features like woodworm screws and dovetail jaws, enhancing their functionality and versatility. Excellent Value: Despite their high quality, Axminster chucks are competitively priced, offering great value for money. Robust Construction: Built to last, Axminster chucks can withstand heavy use and demanding projects. Stainless Steel Construction: The Axminster chucks we offer are made of stainless steel, which resists rust and corrosion. This is particularly beneficial when turning wet wood, ensuring your chuck remains in top condition over time. Comprehensive Support: Axminster provides excellent customer support and a wealth of resources for turners, from instructional videos to detailed manuals. Easy Wood Tools Chucks Easy Wood Tools chucks are designed with ease of use and innovation in mind, making them a popular choice for turners of all skill levels. Here are some key advantages: Innovative Design: Easy Wood Tools chucks feature a unique quick-change jaw system that allows you to switch jaws in seconds without any tools, streamlining your workflow and saving time. User-Friendly Operation: These chucks are designed to be intuitive and easy to use, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced turners. Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials, Easy Wood Tools chucks are built to withstand regular use and provide consistent performance. Versatility: With a range of compatible jaws and accessories, Easy Wood Tools chucks offer flexibility for a variety of turning projects. Making the Right Choice Ultimately, the best chuck for your lathe depends on your specific needs and preferences. Vicmarc, Axminster and Easy Wood Tools offer exceptional products, each with their own unique advantages. Consider the types of projects you’ll be working on, your lathe’s specifications, and your budget to make an informed decision. At WoodTurners Wonders, we are committed to helping you find the perfect tools for your craft. Whether you choose a Vicmarc, Axminster or Easy Wood chuck, you can be confident in the quality and performance of your purchase. Visit our store or website to explore our full range of woodturning chucks and accessories. Happy turning! Expand Your Horizons- Last week's post included a tip from Lyle Jamieson about making a secure glue block connection. In this video Jim Rodgers demonstrates another method of connecting to a glue block- Another scoop from Alan Stratton. This one uses offset turning and a couple of neat jigs. Also, check out Alan's method for turning spheres- WITHOUT a jig! New Turning Items- Posted the video about these last week but here's the official Niles Bottle Stopper announcement- **NEW PRODUCT ALERT** We’re excited to introduce our new Low Profile Lightweight Threaded Rings, available as a set of all three or individually in three sizes: 1.5”, 2.5”, and 3.5”. Made in the USA from bronze, these rings feature: - 1.5″ ring: Inside measurement 1″, overall height 3/8″ - 2.5″ ring: Inside measurement 2″, overall height 3/8″ - 3.5″ ring: Inside measurement 3″, overall height 1/4″ This hardware creates a secure closure for lidded boxes, urns, canisters, and other similar projects. They consist of a male and female thread, which helps create a tight seal. These rings are lighter weight and lower in profile than our original Threaded Rings. The original rings are also still available and might be better suited for urns. Installing the new rings is a little different than the original style. The new rings require a tenon on one half. Pricing and more information is here- https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/low-profile-lightweight-threaded-rings/ Everything Else- Just for fun Safe turning
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- tim yoder
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From Popular Woodworking an online video course from Jimmy Clewes. https://popular-woodworking.mykajabi.com/offers/oy2VUxij/checkout?utm_source=email&utm_medium=organic&utm_content=pwwpromotionaloffers&utm_campaign=PWWWoodTurningBasics
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Lots happened this past week! Our Patriot Turners- @Gerald posted more images of his "Frig Magnets". His Jaho jig really creates some spectacular designs! Here's where the new entry starts- @John Hechel made a couple of posts in our sub-forum for Ringmaster Turning. He showed us some of his glue ups and some absolutely gorgeous bowl! Check out his posts here- @RustyFN posted an update on his new McNaughton Bowl Coring System. He created some measuring devices to help setup the system for different sized cores. Thanks, Rusty for the update! I love all your posts on our "On/Off Your Lathe". It is so enjoyable to see the development and finishing of the projects. From "ON"- From @kreisdorph and @Gerald Catch up from last week starting here- From OFF- @kreisdorph and @User74 The latest entries start here- What’s Coming Up- If you missed Cindy Drozda's Tool Talk last week, she posted the video on her YouTube channel- Click on the following images for links to registration and more information- For The Newbies- The bowl gouge can be confusing for the new turner, especially when it comes to the type of "grind" on the tip. Professional turners seem to have individual preferences and provide that grind style on the tools they recommend/sell. Lyle Jamieson discusses his preference in this video. Jim Rodgers creates another custom pen. Check out some of the jigs he uses to create the pieces. Expand Your Horizons- Alan Stratton turns a bowl as a keepsake for a tree that needed to be removed. Most of us do this when we are gifted wood. What I found interesting was Alan's use of UV epoxy instead of the typical epoxy/acrylic. Here's the entire video- the UV information is at about 4:30. The "4 Ways Collaboration" continues. This month they turn multi-sided plates Mike- Tomislav- Sam- Richard- New Turning Items- From Ron Brown- Glue Press for Bowl From Board or Segmented Rings https://longworthchuck.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=536 Everything Else- My experiment with the turned blank from last week was a miserable failure. That turning became this- The prototype for a passive amplifier. There was a barely noticeable increase in volume but it looks neat. Biggest mistakes- don't use a spade bit for long holes, cutting an angle and rotating is not produce as nice as cutting 2 angles. As in Alan Stratton's video, I did turn a little bowl from our Crab Apple tree that is dying by inches. Planted it in 1969. Safe turning
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October is almost in the books! Our Patriot Turners- @Gerald was busy turning out some really neat projects- He posted these in "Friday's Weekend" thread. See his post for some other colorful items- He even managed to score some beautiful cherry over the weekend- There are more pictures at- And he managed to get at least one piece underway- Our resident Christmas ornament professional, @Ron Altier, posted some beautiful maple items. I think he used his patented epoxy finish on them. Check out his post for more about where he got the wood- What’s Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration- For The Newbies- New turners typically have difficulty getting proficient with the skew. I still haven't mastered it! Watch Richard Raffan make it look easy- Mike Peace demonstrated how to do some tool "makeovers" Woodturning Monthly was published by the Woodworker's Journal. Some nice projects and articles- https://www.woodworkersjournal.com/woodturning-monthly/?utm_medium=email Expand Your Horizons- Alan Stratton is always coming up with unusual turning ideas and this one is no exception- Wish you had a Genie? Well Carl Jacobson has turned a Genie Bottle in case you ever find one New Turning Items- Niles Bottle Stoppers has added a couple of new items- https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/artisan-coffee-scoop-kit/ https://nilesbottlestoppers.com/product/artisan-rasp-grater-kit/ Woodturners Wonders is having a sale on their lathe "Track System". Check their website at- https://woodturnerswonders.com/collections/lathe-track?_kx=gV5SF2As_3IwtBi5TrpHVQM0F3UvGVbQKzhWGippDlk%3D.VJvU8R Everything Else- From Ron Brown's newsletter- Side Gig – Sage Advice I had a long visit with a friend who will be retiring in 5-6 years and is thinking about starting a woodworking business to keep busy and generate some extra income. I have been hearing from more folks than usual about generating a little cash from a side hustle in view of the current economic situation with a dollar buying less every day. I’ve made extra income from my side hustle for the last 55 years. Even when I was in the corporate world, I still made and sold wooden items on the side. Sometimes for pocket change, sometimes as a second income when the first one wasn’t enough. I’ve picked up a few things along the way that you might be interested in or passing along to a friend. 1) Demand – don’t just make and try to sell what you love, make and sell what they want to buy (even if you don’t particularly like it). I tell my family that I would sell dried cow patties if that was what the demand called for. a. In general woodworking the good sellers might be cutting boards, stove top covers, 2x4 basic bunk beds, etc. b. For woodturners it could be pens, tops, pepper mills, salad bowls, etc. I’ve learned from experience that just because I’m wild about something, doesn’t mean it will sell. 2) If an item is in high demand and everyone else is doing it, don’t be afraid to make them also. a. A prime example of this is metal tumblers like the Yeti. In the laser engraving world, there are thousands of people making laser engraved tumblers, wrapped tumblers, or personalized tumblers. I know, my kids have given me several every Christmas for the past bunch of years. My church even gave me a pair. b. Hamburgers are another great example. If people were afraid of making something someone else made, there would only be one place to get a hamburger instead of a hamburger joint on every corner. 3) Don’t be the cheapest guy on the block. Find out what the market price is and be somewhere around there. You might have to be creative to make a profit. 4) If no one is doing it, there is probably a good reason. No demand, impossible to make a decent profit due to the material cost or excessive labor. Before you bring something totally new to the market, get half a dozen regular items well established and selling consistently before you attempt to blaze a totally new trail. 5) You might be a perfectionist, but your customers won’t pay for perfection. They will pay for great or even good, but perfect is in the eye of the beholder. You can be perfect if you don’t mind making $2/hr. But that is not how you make a profit in the real world. 6) Listen to your wife. She loves you and wants you to succeed. She will tell you things your friends won’t. There are many more tidbits of advice, based on years of experience, but these are some of the important ones. Safe turning
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Lady at the honey farm just ordered 25 dipper lids, said the last two festivals have wiped her out on them. I've posted pictures of the finished dippers many times but I thought I would do a quick video or two making the lids. I did do video on you tube on making one of these but amazingly that video is 7 years old and my process has changed dramatically. The lids are twice turned so I did a video for each step. The videos aren't real long which is a good thing. dipper1 2023.mp4 dipper2 2023.mp4
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I posted a couple weeks ago about a shop contacting me to make drop spindles which are used in spinning wool. There are two basic components, the "whorl" which is pretty easy and quick to do. The shaft, which is a little problematic. The shaft needs to be about 12" long and around 5/16" diameter. Kind of difficult and tedious to turn and with a small margin I need to turn them as quickly as possible. Looking for options I bought a dowel jig that uses a drill motor to create a dowel. It works but I got more tearout than I liked, especially on woods like oak or ash. I then did some searching and watched some videos about using a table saw to make dowels. You read that right, you can make a dowel or spindle using your table saw. It works, and it works pretty darn good. Pretty nice finish which will require just a little sanding and it's pretty consistent as far as diameter Produce_5.mp4
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From the album: Turnings
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A lady who owns a local spinning shop contacted me and asked about making her some drop spindles to sell in her shop. Now, I've heard of drop spindles and I've even seen pictures of some others have turned but I never really knew what they are for or do. I visited her shop and I was stunned. I had no idea spinning wool is still a thing. VERY nice shop with knitted and woven items every where. She sells equipment, wool, and teaches the craft. It was really an interesting visit. She didn't have any drop spindles like she wanted made and she was sold out and her current mail order supplier wasn't responding or filling orders. She described what she wanted and said she's wanted someone local for a while and one of her customers gave her my name. Don't know what will come of this but here are four of the first ones I've made for her. They are about 11" long and the "whorl"(new word for me) is about 2 1/2" diameter. According to the shop owner drop spindles predate spinning wheels by a few centuries and basically evolved from sticks. The underside is hollowed to provide stability and shift the mass to the rim so they spin longer. The Easy finisher is the bomb for that. Basically no sanding here.
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Just 2 weeks left is our fundraising drive. Please consider donating and taking a chance on wining one of our sponsors' awesome prizes! Our Patriot Turners- @Steve Krumanaker continues to supply his unique turnings for a local "Bee" business- Steve's post has more images of some of the custom things he makes! @RustyFN scored some Bradford pear and showed us his blank preparation. Looks like some awesome bowls in his future Check out Rust's post- @Gerald has been busy replenishing his craft show stock- Check out his post to see what these are! @PostalTom updated us on the chess set he made. Tom included a closeup of the turned chess pieces, in his post Tom also posted some kitchen utensil items in our "What's On Your Workbench" forum- Our "What's On Your Lathe" continues to showcase our turners' projects! @nevinc, @forty_caliber and @Gerald all shared images of what's happening What’s Coming Up- Click on the images for links- For The Newbies- A variety of topics from around the web- From Tim Yoder, a couple of short video tips- From Mike Waldt, help for using my old nemesis- the Skew! This is a live demo so it is really long- Have you ever tried to cut a round blank on the bandsaw? Not a bowl blank, but rather an end off of a cylinder shape. If not secured properly, the blade can grab the piece and even break the blade. Mike Peace cautions about this and shares a video on making it safer. Expand Your Horizons- Craft Supplies USA created a video demonstrating the use of the Easy Core One Way Coring System. This is a rather long video but does demonstrate using the system. In the description, the presentation is broken down so the viewer can select sections to view. We've noticed several discussions about finishing, on other Patriot forums, and the subject of shellac pops up frequently. This link, from Kent Weakley, is to an article on making and using shellac as a bowl finish. https://turnawoodbowl.com/make-shellac-wood-bowl-finish/ I think everyone here knows my love of carbide turning tools. @smitty10101 posted about using Easy Wood Tools ( @Jordan Martindale ) to turn a bowl. The video is from Craft Supplies USA New Turning Items- Ron Brown has been creating and posting videos, on his YouTube channel, discussing his hollowing stabilizer. You can check them out at- https://www.youtube.com/@Ronbrownsbest/videos With SWAT happening this weekend, there will probably be some new products shown. Be sure to check out the Vendor showcase listed above for live feeds of some of the products. Everything Else- From Ron Brown's Newsletter, something I think we all have struggled with from time to time- What Is It Worth? I’ve had lots of questions about pricing one or two special pieces. For the vast majority of woodturners, it is a hobby, they never intend to sell anything they make. Some folks are interested in turning as a side gig but have no idea how to price their work. As someone who has experience in just about every conceivable selling venue, I would like to pass along what I have learned. Any object is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. When I’m considering how to price anything I’ve made or plan on making, there is a formula I use: Cost of material + Time @ desired labor rate = Hard Cost Hard Cost X 4 = Suggested Retail Selling Price Hard Cost X 2 = Wholesale Selling Price Average Market Price For Similar Items; Am I Close? This is only a starting point. Determine the “Market Price” for similar items depending on the selling venue, are you in the ballpark? The Market Price in an Arts & Crafts Gallery is very different from the Market Price at a street craft fair and those prices are different on Etsy, eBay, your own website, or Amazon. Don’t forget about the associated cost for each venue. The last measure is a selling price that I feel good about. In other words, it is a Win-Win; the customer is happy at that price and I was happy to make it for them. An absolute fact of life is that everybody loves a bargain. (See the scripture below). Your “Retail Price” should be some amount above the price you hope to sell it for. Every retail store on the planet understands this and so should you. If you are selling one-on-one, you can comfortably offer a deal if they take it now and still earn what you needed in the first place. If you are selling online, this is the perfect scenario for a sale with either free shipping or a percentage discount. You must also consider why you want to sell at least some of your work. Perhaps you want to fund additional tool purchases. In that case, forget the time you put in and consider the amount of profit dollars such a sale will contribute to your “new widget” fund. If the income is important as a supplement to other household income, it needs to be worth your time. If you are thinking of this as a main income stream, you need to maximize the return on your capital and your time and this will require counsel and careful consideration. Try to pick items that are fast, easy, and cheap to make that you can sell tons of i.e. pens, bottle stoppers, pepper mills, spinning tops, utility bowls, cutting boards, kitchen utensils, etc. The bottom line is complicated depending on your specific situation. Only you can make that determination. I recommend setting your initial asking price higher than you think you should. Often someone else thinks your widget is worth more than you do. You can always lower the asking price, but it is difficult to raise it. As I said before, something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. Here is a true quick story. I used to sell fancy laser-cut Christmas ornament kits and made finished samples for display at The Woodworking Shows. I got many inquiries from folks wanting to buy the finished ornaments that I really didn’t want to sell. I finally put a price of $150 on each one figuring that would stop all of the questions because nobody would pay that much for a Christmas Ornament. The first year we sold 12! Don’t sell yourself short Safe turning
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Posted these on my facebook page a couple days ago but almost didn't post them here as every one has seen them in one form or another before. Decorative mason jar lids for a local bee farm gift shop. 25 honey dipper lids and 25 herb jar lids and she ordered 25 more of a different size when I delivered these.
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Our daughter has some auto immune issues and when she's having a flare up she needs a cane. Couldn't find one with a handle she liked so she asked to make her one. This is one of those turnings that isn't real flashy and doesn't look like much but it is one of the most difficult things we do as a wood turner IMO. That long taper is tough to do, at least for me. The wood portion is about 33" over all, 1" at the top and 3/4" at the tip. Our son did the resin cast for the knob. The shaft is white oak and looks good at a glance, hands will find some low spots though.
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Thought this one looked like something out of a star trek episode so named it the alien due to its organic shape specifically related to the finial. The hollow form is Cedar with turquoise inlay in the cracked and small voids. The headpiece or Finial is made of Bradford Pear and has turquoise inlay as well in a concentric pattern on each side which was all turned and hand carved. Size including the finial is around 14.5"x9.5". Hope you enjoy as much as I did making it.
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The gift shop that sells some of my items also sells loose tea blends, it's really a neat shop. The owner asked me if I could make a smaller size decorative lid for her "tea jars". They are about 2/3 as big as a regular mason jar lid. We have an agreement and she always orders 25 or more at a time. That lets me turn in kind of a production mode and saves lots of time over doing one off pieces. The wood encases a metal lid that the shop owner provides.
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Mother Nature decided to treat us with two days of summer. Got a lot of yard work done. Our Patriot Turners- @Headhunter showed us some of his early work. Like a lot of turners, he started out with some pens. He wondered if any of our turners started that way- @forty_caliber posted some images of a platter he turned. I wasn't familiar with his term for the species. Well, Google is your friend and discovered another name for it Check out his post for more images. Oh yeah- it's Osage Orange. Forty also posted a beautiful bowl. I really love the colors and contrasts in this one- Check out how he did this! Our thread of "What's On Your Lathe" continues to be quite popular. This is about where we left off last week- What’s Coming Up- Click on the images for links to more information and registration. If you missed it live, Cindy Drozda put her presentation of "Planning A Turned Box" on her YouTube channel. The beauty of her turnings don't just happen by accident! For The Newbies- A neat little spring turning for Easter- The bandsaw is quite possibly the next most used piece of equipment, besides the lathe, for a turner. Mike Peace demonstrates some of the push sticks that can be used when cutting- Expand Your Horizons- Something I've always struggled with is pricing a turning. Kent Weakley has some guidance for turned bowls- Every turner seems to have their own procedure for turning an object. This is the second in the series of "4 Ways" where four turners do the same project, using their own techniques. Tim Yoder turns an arched, winged bowl. Not sure what kept the lathe from taking off and flying around his shop! Richard Raffan turns and burns a natural edge bowl. What I found interesting is that he does the entire bowl without the aid of a faceplate, Cole jaws or jam chuck- New Turning Items- With all of the "burning" as embellishment, this might be something interesting- Everything Else- Playing with some of the elm from behind the shed, This piece was rough turned and then soaked for 3 days in a soap/water solution. Looks pretty ugly but as it dries the color will lighten and turning to the final thickness will remove all discolorations from the soak. These go into my little drying box ala Rick Turns. I weigh the pieces once each day until they reach equilibrium. The day after I put this one in, it lost 100 grams of weight. Safe turning
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I don't really care to turn cedar and I just plain don't like turning resin. So, I did both on this little bowl. There is a back story though. There's been an empty lot across the street from our house since we've lived here. About 35 years. It was maintained but there was a scrub cedar tree on it. The lot sold earlier this year and a younger couple is having a house built. The couple seems very nice and they worked and worked, cleaning that tree up, pruned it, trimmed it, and pruned it some more. Of course, the first thing the builders did was cut the tree down. So, I cabbaged a piece of the trunk and was able to get this bowl from it. About 9" diameter and 4" deep. The piece had so many bark inclusions and voids I filled them resin. There are a couple cloudy spots on the underside, guess those must be bubbles? Anyway, it has a couple coats of oil on it and will get a few more.
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Good day folks, I'd like to open up a topic of support for our Patriot Woodworker and very talented turner @Big B. Big B is a Navy Veteran with an absolutely beautiful family and a very wonderful talent in the turning craft. Brian has been recently diagnosed with Large Cell Lymphoma, and he is currently going through Chemo treatments and by the looks of Brian he is dealing with it all pretty good, and I am sure his incredible circle of family and friends are a great support to him. Brian may not make it here as often as he would like, but I have followed his work on Facebook and there he is also keeping us all up to date on his progress and treatments. Lately, he decided to get with the times and sport a new hair-do! He decided to shave his hair off and be fashionable Here is Brian with one of his best friends on his lap, an older image a year ago Brian is a fighter, and he appears to be doing fantastically through it all, with his best furred friends at his side, and his family and friends, he's going to beat this sucker into remission and come out looking better than before, any of you Navy vets out there know that a little boat rocking aint gonna keep ya down! Just a little look at some of Brian's talent: If any of you are on Facebook you can find his page at the link below and check in on him and his progress. Log into Facebook WWW.FACEBOOK.COM Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. On behalf of myself, and my family, Brian you are in our prayers for a speedy recovery in this journey, and to see you keep turning the wonderful craft that you do, you got this Sailor! And Brian, if you happen to read this topic for you, I actually like the new look you have! On a side note to our folks here, keep your sorry's to yourselves, Brian don't roll that way! Lastly but not leastly, Brian needs help in paying his medical bills, he and his family would be completely grateful for anyone who wishes to donate, you can do so at this following link: Help Brian Longshore beat cancer, organized by Meredith Harris WWW.GOFUNDME.COM Many people in Lagrange, GA (his hometown) as well as Cropwell and Pell City, Alabam… Meredith Harris needs your support for Help Brian Longshore...
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Finished them up today. Took longer than I thought they would. Wife and I had a nasty bug last week. Worst cough I can remember having for a while. Doc said, "just something that's going around". Crazy. Anyway, I'm happy with these. Guy hasn't seen them yet so I hope he is too.
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I recently had a chance to play with some beading tools, something I'd never really used before. However, they weren't mine to keep. After returning them I found that I missed what they could do. So, I invested in a 3/16", and a 1/8" beading tool from D-way tools. I like wooden handles so I purchased them un-handled. When I received the tools it occurred to me the cutting edge could be easily damaged. Knowing they are not a tool that will get daily use I needed a way to protect them from getting knocked to the floor or dinged up if in a drawer. I also do a club demo now and then so how to protect them when transporting? I had an idea to make a self storing, reusable handle and this is the result. Not real pretty but I think it will work well. It's a take off from my collet handle video with the handle drilled out to accept more of the shaft. This is with the tool in cutting position. This is with the cutting edge stored in the handle. The fittings are less than ten bucks at my local hardware. I used a 3/8" compression by 1/4" FIP straight and a 1/4" FIP close nipple.
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The walking stick is done and has the first coat of boiled linseed oil on it. I used linseed oil because that's about as good anything for outdoor use and it's very easy to re apply as needed. I really like white oak and walnut together. After a few coats of oil this will get a rubber cane tip on the bottom.
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