My shop
It would be nice to call my work place a "studio" but that would be less than appropriate. My shop is a mess of debris, hopefully creative debris, that can be unsettling to anyone who walks into it unprepared. Dust, chips, pieces, and tools everywhere.
It's just the way the work happens. Woodturning creates more leftover scrap than any other artistic or craft endeavor. Understand that wood turning involve removing all of the unwanted parts of the wood to reveal the hidden treasure within. (Or conversely, occasionally having the whole thing explode on you after 7 hours of work). And unlike sculpters, in addition what we create are things that are hollow!
So in a normal day, 90% of what we generate is wood chips to be disposed of. What's left when we're lucky is something we're pleased with and an ultimate customer will treasure. I think about projects and things to do faster than I can clean up. And doing is more important to me than being tidy.
So if you're still with me, here's a brief tour of my work space, i.e. Watch out where you step and don't worry about the dust.
It's just the way the work happens. Woodturning creates more leftover scrap than any other artistic or craft endeavor. Understand that wood turning involve removing all of the unwanted parts of the wood to reveal the hidden treasure within. (Or conversely, occasionally having the whole thing explode on you after 7 hours of work). And unlike sculpters, in addition what we create are things that are hollow!
So in a normal day, 90% of what we generate is wood chips to be disposed of. What's left when we're lucky is something we're pleased with and an ultimate customer will treasure. I think about projects and things to do faster than I can clean up. And doing is more important to me than being tidy.
So if you're still with me, here's a brief tour of my work space, i.e. Watch out where you step and don't worry about the dust.
My Lathes
The lathe is the cornerstone of being a turner. No lathe, no wood turning. This is a pretty hefty version... a Powermatic 4224. It has a 3 HP motor, with a variable speed control, and over the bed I can turn a bowl 24" in diameter and can mount up to 42 inches between centers. It weighs about 900 lbs. and is a healthy beast. The core difference between one lathe and another is the size and weight of wood that can be mounted and safely turned.
In addition to the Powermatic, my shop also has a Australian made professional 2HP Stubby Lathe capable of turning a 30" bowl over the bed, and a Delta Midi lathe (1HP) with a 12" swing.
The task of the lathe is to securely hold the wood and rotate it. With variable speed control I can rotate the wood at any speed between 40 rpm and 3000 rpm. With large chunks of wood weighing near 100 lbs speed control and the rigid and heavy weight of the lathe are essential to turn safely.
In addition to the Powermatic, my shop also has a Australian made professional 2HP Stubby Lathe capable of turning a 30" bowl over the bed, and a Delta Midi lathe (1HP) with a 12" swing.
The task of the lathe is to securely hold the wood and rotate it. With variable speed control I can rotate the wood at any speed between 40 rpm and 3000 rpm. With large chunks of wood weighing near 100 lbs speed control and the rigid and heavy weight of the lathe are essential to turn safely.
Lathe Tools: gouges, scrapers, skews, parting and hollowers
It takes a variety of tools to sculpt the wood in the lathe. A beginner can get by with 2-4 basic lathe tools. I am not a beginner. I haven't found a 12-step program for lathe tool junkies yet, so I am a friend of the lathe tool companies.
And yes, with only a few exceptions, I use them all.
Note for a beginner: It is an evolution. Some of these tools I purchased while Gerald Ford was president. They are still useful. Woodturning is a passion that allows a graduated beginning. You really can start with much less. And you can go forever with it.
And yes, with only a few exceptions, I use them all.
Note for a beginner: It is an evolution. Some of these tools I purchased while Gerald Ford was president. They are still useful. Woodturning is a passion that allows a graduated beginning. You really can start with much less. And you can go forever with it.
Chucks
An innovation of the last 25 years has been the evolution of a variety of four jaw chucks that allow various methods of gripping the wood to allow turning of bowls and hollow vessels. Chucks have interchangeable jaws. Different bowls and sizes of wood require different chucks and jaws. For the six chucks that I have, I have another 4-5 sets of jaws in addition to what you see and those are sometimes swapped on for a specific bowl.
When you work with larger and heavier pieces considerations for safety come into play. A chunk of wood flying off the lathe at speed can be bad for your day. Having the right tools to match your work and expertise is critical. Chuck selection is a piece of that puzzle.
When you work with larger and heavier pieces considerations for safety come into play. A chunk of wood flying off the lathe at speed can be bad for your day. Having the right tools to match your work and expertise is critical. Chuck selection is a piece of that puzzle.
Band saw
While not absolutely essential a band saw is a great help. Mine is a modest Delta 14" saw with a riser assembly allowing cutting of taller wood. It does the job. Someday I may upgrade to a bigger saw, but so far I don't have a problem.
The band saw is used to rough out blanks and take rectangular wood and make it approximately round. Safer and easier once you mount it to the lathe.
As in the photo I add an auxiliary table extension for safety sometimes when cutting larger heavy stock. This may not look pretty but it works.
The band saw is used to rough out blanks and take rectangular wood and make it approximately round. Safer and easier once you mount it to the lathe.
As in the photo I add an auxiliary table extension for safety sometimes when cutting larger heavy stock. This may not look pretty but it works.
Wood
Being a turner means gathering, processing, cutting and storing wood.
It's a part of the process.
The photo at left shows about 10% of the wood I have on hand waiting for turning.
It's a part of the process.
The photo at left shows about 10% of the wood I have on hand waiting for turning.
A large (400 lbs +) madrone burl that was salvaged from a river. A forklift is most helpful in moving and handling these big burls. This will serve as the source for many burl bowls and possibly closed vessels. The challenge is to study and decide where to cut and what will be the most appropriate use. Being frugal with waste and being artistic in the final creation often create a dynamic tension.