Show Prep

I just signed up for a big art and craft show in 2 weeks, so all my free time between now and then will be spent getting ready. I have turned a bunch of peppermills with unique antique tops, and still have several more things to get turned before I will feel ready. On top of that, I haven't done a show in awhile, so I have to get all the display stuff and paperwork ready.

I also was asked by a friend of mine who makes carbide turning tools to do some beta testing on some new carbide cutters he is working on. He sent me 3 round cutter heads, and an evaluation spreadsheet. I started in on the first one last night. I used a very dry piece of olive salvaged from a Central Avenue storm about 2 years ago. It is very dry and hard.

I also started in on a hollow form made of Alder. Alder is sometimes considered a very mundane hardwood. It is often reserved for jigs and fixtures. That is what this piece was destined for, until I started turning it and uncovered some nice spalting and figure, as well as this open bark inclusion. Many would consider this a defect, and toss it aside. I consider it a feature, and a challenge to turn.

Jigs, Jigs and Jigs

I hate making jigs. To me, it's like fixing your car instead of driving it. It's like planning a vacation instead of actually going. You know you have to do the prep work to get to what you really want to be doing, but the prep work is not the enjoyable part, at least for me. Some people really enjoy making jigs and the challenge it brings. I would rather just turn.

Some people also enjoy making tools, putting together vacuum systems, all sorts of those things. I wish I could be one of those people. I would rather just work towards my finished product. However, I realize that is not always possible. Sometimes, to achieve the desired result, you have to go around conventional means to get the job done.

That is what today was about. I worked on a jig using a very large nut to fit on my lathe spindle. Eventually, this will house the tops of my peppermills for turning and drilling.

Pick me, Pick me!!!

Wood turners have different methods of choosing their wood stock. Some turners take a piece of wood and turn it into whatever they have in mind. Some draw out their turnings on paper first, much like and architect or engineer would to. This is especially true in segmented turning, where hundreds of small blocks of wood are glued up in a specific pattern before turning.  I knew when I put this piece on the lathe that it was going to ge a platter. What I didn't know is what rim style or detail it would have.

Yet other turners put a piece of wood on the lathe and sort of let the wood tell them what it wants to be. A rather "zen" approach, for lack of a better description.

I fall somewhere in the middle. I usually have an idea of what I want to turn, but have to wait until I get into the turning before I see what the grain is doing, if there are any flaws in the wood that will alter my design, and then I have to account for the mistakes I will make along the way.

Example, I have some pieces in the shop that are either going to be peppermills or tapered candlestick holders, depending on what happens. Others, I know for sure are going to be peppermills.

On the other hand, I have in mind a special design similar to this one. This is a bowl I turned for my best friend. He composed and played the wedding march when my wife and I got married, and this is the tune to that march. I want to do another one similar to it, but with another song, but I haven't found the right piece of wood yet. I know it is not in my wood pile. I'll just have to wait until it comes along. I don't want to compromise. I'll keep you posted on the progress of the projects.

Out of round

One of the common misconceptions about turning is that everything that is put on the lathe comes off round. Nothing could be further from the truth. Endless variations are available doing "eccentric" or "off center" turnings. Today I spent some time working on this piece of Mesquite that will hopefully end up as a decorative bowl with an open end, enhanced with turquoise and copper leaf. It was really relaxing turning with the garage door open and the rain coming down.

Up and running

well, my website is up and running, and it looks like I may even have some of my work put in a retail outlet/gallery. More on that when it is finalized. This is my latest in the flame series. it is a piece of cherry, hollowed, dyed, and burned with a pyrography pen.