Intro

I started woodturning in 2000 and prior to this I had never used a woodturning lathe before. I started my learning process with a book in one hand and a gauge in the other and the required piece of wood spinning around in front of me. The book was called "Woodturning a Foundation Course" by the late Keith Rowley and it is, in my opinion, one of the benchmarks texts for turners of all abilities.

The way I learned , with hindsight, was not the best way, a better method would have been to join a woodturning club and attend a course. Since then I have been on 2 courses, the first  with Brian Hannam in Basingstoke and the second with Tobias Kaye in Devon. Both courses were great and I learned a lot. 

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The machinery               The end product                 Clubs and Associations

The machinery

I initially bought an inexpensive lathe considering that was the best way to go as I didn't know if I was going to like it. The lathe was a NuTool and as a starter machine I couldn't have asked for a better one. It was a mechanical 10 speed model with a 12 inch swing over the bed and I spent many a happy session chasing it around the garage with a large lump of uneven timber attached to it. Well I outgrew that and got tired of chasing it around the garage so I sold it to a friend.

I then bought an Nova 3000, the lathe is great with 8 speeds and a 1hp motor and using the information on the Teknatool web site I then constructed my version of their bench. I have since purchased another Nova lathe this time its the DVR XP. This lathe is a 2hp variable speed with user defined pre-set speeds and its magic! The Nova 3000 I again sold to another friend this time along with a chuck and some other items.

I think Teknatool should give me a discount as I have been brand loyal and opted for Nova chucks as well. I purchased a  Supernova² at the same time as I purchased the new lathe and as the optional jaw sets fit all chucks I have a good selection to choose from! I have found everything purchased from Teknatool to be superb for every task I have used put them to and the XP used with the Supernova fitted with the gripper jaws is awesome in what it can hold and turn.

The gauges I use are mainly Crown with some Hamlet specialized tools. These include the Hamlet Big Brother and a box/shear scraper made from a design of Tobias Kaye. I use Crown with some Hamlet tools as to me they represent good value for money and they have shown an innovative approach to new tool design. 

In addition, I also have a Sheppach Basuto 3 bandsaw and a Makita electric chainsaw which I couldn't do without plus the usual items you gather through years of messing about.

The end product

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Initially, like all novices, I bought turning blanks and to prove it my family all have the mandatory bowls and table lamps! Some I look at and itch to get them back on the lathe to re-turn them but some I still like. 

I now turn mostly green wood which comes my way from friends or from what I spot on my travels. I turn this initially in to rough form and then leave it to dry for about 6-12 months before I finish it.

The financial director of the household has "requested" several items to be made for 2005 Christmas presents. The request was for Australian burrs, pens, babies rattles and money boxes.

I had never turned a burr before and found when roughing out if you like turning fresh air they are the way to go. The finish and colouring on a finished burr though is worth all the effort and proved to be a hit with SWWBO. I have tried different finishes but came back to my favourite oil finish as it brought out both the colour and the grain. 

Pens are always a good standby but after making a few I found I was getting board. I then starting to change the basic design, this evolved into a raised finger area with incised burnt lines. This again was a hit.

The rattles came about as I couldn't work out how it was done. To make rattles I now use fruit wood and finish them with vegetable oil burnished with shavings. The latest ones have been made from Quince which I was given a couple of years ago. It turns like butter and retains detail really well.

Money boxes have gone down really well with our grandchildren! As we have 4 grandchildren plus friends with same; I have now made a few of these items. This new direction came from a great book called "All Screwed Up" by John Berkeley. The boxes and puzzles in the book all call for thread chasing in one form or another  and the explanation in the book and other explanations on thread cutting all make sounds easy. Ho Ho Ho! 

After making some beautiful circles, spirals etc and adding some complimentary phrases I eventually seem to have got it. I can now made a matching thread on both the male and female parts and at a push even match the grain pattern. There are a lot more objects to try in this book all I lack is the time.

Clubs and Associations

The one thing I would really like to do is to be a member of a woodturning club. But on looking around all the clubs in my local area they meet on a night when I'm out calling Square Dancing. I do however belong to the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain.