He wanted a challenge

My Student today was John he was here as a present from his Wife Nellie and his Son Harry
Whenever a new Student comes here we sit down for about half an hour and have a natter this gives me an idea of the nature and capabilities of the Student and helps me plan our day.Well I got the feeling that John was up for a challenge so I did something I have never done before. I would normally start a new complete Novice off making a Bowl out of either Sycamore or Beech because they are quite easy and forgiving.
As John was obviously up for something different and he said he was quite practical I sorted a very nice Mulberry blank.Now anybody that has ever turned dry Mulberry will know it is as hard as hell and this piece was no exception.Not only was it hard it was a very difficult shape for turning due to there being lots missing.
I was quite happy for John to turn this but I knew I would have to supervise him very closely because the last thing I wanted was an accident.
Everything went really well because as John said he is very practical and he took to the turning like a duck to water.
If we started this piece and I had been in the slightest doubt that John would have been able to have coped I would have stopped immediately and done something easier.
Below are some of the pics taken through out the day.


Before John started I told him to be prepared for a hard day and when you look at this Mulberry Blank you can see why

 Turning the Blank to round with a push cut

 Starting to remove the high spots with a pull cut here John is cutting mostly air

 A lot of the high spots removed and getting a bit easier

 Bottom shaped and Spigot formed.Sanding with the Simon Hope Pro Sander and three inch disc

 Finishing the bottom down to a thousand grit.Everything that leaves my workshop is sanded down to a thousand grit .

The bottom sanded and John applying Lemon Oil and leaving it to soak in while we have lunch.

 What stunning grain

 Lunch finnished and back to work John flattening the top ready to remove the centre Bowl.

 Removing the centre with the Crown Tools 10mm M42 steel Bowl gouge.

 Centre removed ready for sanding

Again the Simon Hope sander with the two inch pad ideal for the inside

 Sanding down to 1000 Grit Ny Web Pads from Chestnut Products.

 A little bit of pattern on the rim with the Crown Tools texturing tool

 Carefully removing the Spigot

 Final sanding to remove the last of the spigot and the job is done.The bowl has been treated with Lemon oil and I gave John some to take with him to apply extra coats

 Look at the beutifull figuring on that Bowl

 Doesant he look pleased and so he should he has done exeptionly well.

Chris from South Wales

Today my Student was Chris from South Wales .
When I opened the door to her this morning I was a bit surprised because for some unknown reason I was expecting a Man.
As I like teaching Ladies it was a pleasant surprise and Chris was good company.
I don't think Chris will be taking up Woodturning in the near future as she has a lot going on in her life but hopefully at some point she will remember her day here and consider woodturning as a hobby.
Chris is a very practical person and took to turning very easily and made a very nice Beech Bowl with a coloured rim.

A new experiance

My Student today was Mark who a few years ago was involved in a Motorcycle accident and ended up with a broken back.
Mark is now paralysed from the chest down and in a wheelchair.
This obviously does not stop Mark from making the most of life and has  the most wonderful positive attitude.
Mark rang me to book in for woodturning Tuition and I must admit I had no idea what it would involve I had never seen anyone that is partly paralysed let alone taught one woodturning.
Anyway we arranged for Mark to come today and see how we both got on. My attitude was this is going to be a new experience for both of us so lets make the most of it and enjoy ourselves this we did.
I have learnt a lot from today and realise now that there are improvements I can make so that turning will be easier for Mark on hi next visit.

Next time I think I will make a raised platform so that Mark can us my Nova lathe the swivel head would solve most of the problems we encountered

Here are a few pics from today.

One of the things I need to do next time is get the lathe even lower it is on its lowest setting here or a raised platform for Marks wheelchair

 I need to remove the crossbar on the stand to allow Mark to be closer to the lathe

 Mark found the long handle on the bowl gouge a bit awkward so here is using the short handled gouge and found it more comfortable

 Mark using a scraper this would be a lot easier with the lathe lower.

 As you can see from this picture Mark needs to support himself at all times and is using the rest when sanding

 As you can see from this pic Mark is using the clamped board for support

 That is the result .

Not Bad going for an old Boy

Roughed out 49 Wide rimmed Bowls in five hours not bad going I think.
Got to clean up ready for teaching tommorow

Cutting up Bowl blanks

Yesterday My son Mark and I picked up a load of mixed wood boards Oak,Ash ,Beech and Sycamore.
I cut up a lot of it up yesterday with marks help and finnished off today.
I have 99 Bowl blanks some spindle blanks and still have lots more to cut up at a later date.
The Blanks are from 18" down to 9"

Wood & Polmer Clay

Today my Grandaughter Ali and I made a Bowl out of Beech approx 11" x 2 1/2" with an inlay of Polymer Clay I did the turning and Ali did the clay.

Tony and Sarah

Tony and Sarah my Students today were here for a days Woodturning experience as a treat for themselves.
They both worked hard and were good company.
As you can see from the pics below theymade two nice Beech Bowls to take away as a reeminder of their day here.
Sarah's Bowl had beutiful markings and as Tony's was a bit plain some Texture and colour was added