As Wood Turnshttp://www.AsWoodTurns.com This scoop is another style I saw Soren Berger turn recently. The difference is the oval bowl that makes the scoop more difficult to hold while hollowing the bowl. I wanted a better way to hold the wood than a jamb chuck or a scroll chuck. Jamb chucks require wood and custom tooling and are unusally used only once. Scroll chuck leave nasty marks on the wood that must be disguised with decorative elements or sanded smooth again. The brainstorm is a set of wood jaws that bolt on to my scroll chuck body. The chuck body provides clamping pressure. The wood jaws provide quick and easy customization options. They're added benefit is that if my tool gets too close to the jaws, no harm is done to the project, tools, or me. I'll show details for the chuck in the next video. Good turning. Enter your email at http://www.AsWoodTurns.com & I'll let you know when the next easy woodturning project video is ready. Blog: http://www.AsWoodTurns.com FB: http://www.Facebook.com/AsWoodTurns
Woodturning Oval Bowl Scoop With New Scoop ChuckAs Wood Turns2015-07-17 | http://www.AsWoodTurns.com This scoop is another style I saw Soren Berger turn recently. The difference is the oval bowl that makes the scoop more difficult to hold while hollowing the bowl. I wanted a better way to hold the wood than a jamb chuck or a scroll chuck. Jamb chucks require wood and custom tooling and are unusally used only once. Scroll chuck leave nasty marks on the wood that must be disguised with decorative elements or sanded smooth again. The brainstorm is a set of wood jaws that bolt on to my scroll chuck body. The chuck body provides clamping pressure. The wood jaws provide quick and easy customization options. They're added benefit is that if my tool gets too close to the jaws, no harm is done to the project, tools, or me. I'll show details for the chuck in the next video. Good turning. Enter your email at http://www.AsWoodTurns.com & I'll let you know when the next easy woodturning project video is ready. Blog: http://www.AsWoodTurns.com FB: http://www.Facebook.com/AsWoodTurnsWoodturners Band Saw Sled - Essential for Advanced ProjectsAs Wood Turns2024-05-17 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
While making last week's project, it was an appropriate time to upgrade my band saw sled incorporating inspiration from a demonstration at last year's Rocky Mountain Symposium in Colorado.
In that demonstration, he used a sled that had some features that I thought would be good to incorporate into the sled I have been using and upgrading for several years. One problem - these features depended on a salvaged lathe spindle. The spindle provided a threaded mount and length for stability. My previous sled used a 3D printed knob that held a chuck or threaed faceplate to a 3/4" plywood.
Then the idea hit. I had also designed and 3D printed a chuck hub that could serve a similar purpose. And, in fact, would be even better and much less expensive.
My new design will cut arcs', sloped cuts, straight cuts, and freehand cuts. For each cut the turning project is mounted to a chuck or threaded faceplate. Then, with the sled, it can be safely cut. This design also enables exact offset cuts by using a spacer inserted behind the plywood base holding the chuck hub. Therefore, all other settings are preserved - no dismantling required for the offset.
Projects that follow John Beaver require offset curve cuts. My Celtic knot vases require offset slant cuts at specific rotations.
Dimensions depend on the bandsaw capacity. I share my dimensions and their rationale in the video. Please adapt to your equipment. Please also share your enhancements.
#jig #sled #bandsaw #lamination #John-Beaver #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahA Childs Stacking Toy Grows Up - Now My Fancy Wood BoxAs Wood Turns2024-05-10 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
A viewer, Steve, sent me a set of pictures and asked how to turn it. I had to scratch my head and recall presentations by Janice Levy and others. Then figure out how to cut an inner box out from the center of a larger box.
First conclusion. Don't cut it out of the same block - well, almost. But first elongate the lamination so that the plies are identical. Then turn the two stacks to fit together as if they had be cut apart.
Second project. What is the order of operations? How to I mount the wood to do what is required. This led to a secondary question - How to switch mounting from one end to the other end to proceed.
While at it, I souped up by band saw sled to safely make the cuts. Well, I had previous band saw sleds for Celtic knots and straight cuts. This one did not require precision like those, but still needed to be safe while cutting a freehand curve. While I was at it, I found that the sled could also cut a smooth curve like John Beaver uses for his works.
Woods: Walnut, yellowheart, wenge, maple, cherry, bloodwood, and dyed veneer.
Finish: wipe-on poly
Size: about 6 diameter and 5 tall.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
This is not the best example of wood for bowl turning. However, it was essential to turn this bowl anyway as a return gift to the lady in whose yard this tree grew. I filled the major cracks with ultra violet activated resin which I am finding very convenient for small repairs. It is supposed to be longer lasting than CA glue.
The completed bowl will be returned to the lady to preserve her memories associated with her family and this peach tree.
The bowl is nine inches diameter and three inches high, finished with wipe-only poly.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#bowl #peach #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahRose Bowl From The RootAs Wood Turns2024-04-19 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
After digging up an old rose bush from my yard, I attempt to turn the root ball to get a bowl.
At 8" by 3", this bowl warped dramatically making it too warped to finish turning and sanding it on the lathe. Still, I carved and sanded it before finishing with walnut oil.
It is unique.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
This cottonwood was discarded at our club's monthly Saturday gathering. Why discarded? The piece had a pair of smaller burl bumps. One had an accidental gash from a chain saw; the other had large obvious voids.
I picked it up anyway and decided to see if I could get anything from it. It yielded a 6" diameter, 2" tall bowl with amazing burl figure. Walnut oil brings out the beautiful color.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
Late winter and early spring is when I prune trees in my yard. Sometimes, this is a source of both wood and inspiration.
In this case, I cut an apple limb that is perfect for a small birds beak bowl. A birds beak bowl utilized and entire cross section of the limb as can be seen by the pith running through the bowl sides.
This bowl is about 3 inches long, about 2.5 inches wide, and 2 inches tall. Although not extremely wet, I let it dry for a week in a craft paper bag before sanding and applying walnut oil.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#bowl #live-edge #bark-edge #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning - My Quest For A Wood StarAs Wood Turns2024-03-29 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
After turning an eight point star inspired a few weeks ago, I had a another thought about how to turn a star yet another way. I was not sure it could be successful. However, I decided to try.
Previously I have: - Turned a sphere and added finials; - Turned a cube into a star using a specific, custom jig; - Turned a cube into a star using a pen mandrel centered on faces, then adding finials; - Turned a cube into a star using a pen mandrel centered on faces but with much deeper coves, then adding finials; - And now, turn a cube into a star using the corners of the cube. Could I add finials???
I am now wondering where else my star quest can go.
Here are the previous videos ---------------------------- Turning Multi Axis Eight Point Star With Jig youtu.be/axEJ8b4FMjY Turning 8 Point 3 Axis Star Ornament - No Jig Required youtu.be/6zQhR9cz1pw Turning 8 Point 3 Axis Star - Best Yet youtu.be/ao3CEwgHfDw
#star #multi-axis #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning Finishing Touches To My Easter DioramaAs Wood Turns2024-03-22 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
This project is the culmination of several projects. It is a diorama with a theme of Jesus Christ's resurrection. It consists of a tray, a star, a tomb, a wire tree, and a miniature statue of Jesus Christ.
This video details the tomb, a segmented project with eight segment rings with segment counts from six to twenty segments. The variance in segments enables aligning joints at each half ring. Then by aligning this joint from ring to ring, it can be sawn in half and have a full segment on each half bowl. Recently, for an oval bowl, the half bowls were glued together to form an oval bowl. The tomb represents the empty tomb after the resurrection. The wood is maple. This is an evolution of previous video titled "Turning Oval Bowl With Basic Tools - Segmented (Or Solid)" (youtu.be/ZM6VeiDRTTY)
The miniature statue of Jesus Christ is a replica of the Christus by Danish sculpturor, Bertel Thorvaldsen. This is available at Amazon and other stores.
The wire tree consists of 27 strands of 22 gauge brass wire with five different finishes. The wire is wrapped together to form the tree and root system. As the limbs branch out, the wire count is reduced. At the end of each wire, a clear bead is attached. The tree is mounted to a piece of carved wood for stability. Wire from Amazon
The tray is bloodwood as shown in the project titled "Turning My Tray (Not A Platter??)". The choice of bloodwood was appropriate since Jesus Christ's blood was shed for us.
The star is maple as shown in the project titled "Turning 8 Point 3 Axis Star - Best Yet" (youtu.be/ao3CEwgHfDw ) The star represents the celestial star which signaled His birth.
The complete diorama will be displayed in an Easter exhibit.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#star #bowl #segmented #wire-tree #platter #easter #resurrection #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning 8 Point 3 Axis Star - Best YetAs Wood Turns2024-03-15 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
A few weeks ago, I turned an eight point star inspired by an ornament submitted in last year's Ornament Challenge. From comments, I learned that I did not turn it exactly as they had but close enough.
However, I wanted a star with more pointed rays. So, I am taking the concept a bit further by cutting a deeper cove at each mount. I wanted to see if this would work also.
Did it work?
Here are previous videos --------------------------------------------- Turning Multi Axis Eight Point Star With Jig youtu.be/axEJ8b4FMjY Turning 8 Point 3 Axis Star Ornament - No Jig Required youtu.be/6zQhR9cz1pw
What do you think about the differences in the process? Which do you prefer?
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
After returning from the Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposiummm, I turned a inlaid platter or tray, using the lathe for drilling. This was a test. At the symposium, the presenter had used a vacuum chuck to hold the project while drilling on the lathe. But, at that time, I had a thought "why use the lathe - can't the drill press do as well with less hassle?". In addition, I wanted to have the inlay show as part of a curve in the profile.
This design is inspired by a compass pattern. The background is walnut. Inlay pieces are maple, bloodwood, and sycamore. The back is maple veneer and walnut. The 9" platter is finished with wipe-on poly.
A drill press was used for all drilling operations instead of the lathe.
Here's the previous video using the lathe for drilling. Turning An Inlay Tray or Platter Without Vacuum Chuck youtu.be/k6NIp99f1oA
What do you think about the differences in the process? How would you do this inlay?
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#tray #platter #inlay #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning My Tray (Not A Platter??)As Wood Turns2024-03-01 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
I need a smaller tray for an upcoming project (Patience please).
Our club had a demonstration for a platter. To me, trays and platters are similar except for a broader base and a flat interior.
The wood is bloodwood 9 inches in diameter, finished with wipe on poly.
Back to the tray. With only one inch thick wood, there is no room for a screw chuck. Instead, I use a threaded wood faceplate with double stick tape reinforced with hot melt glue.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
Why purchase an expensive oval jig to turn an oval bowl? When, with a little planning, I can turn it.
Where is the difficulty? Actually, the final oval-ness is easy - simply(?) cut a bowl in half, then glue the rims of the two half bowls together.
To be honest, IMHO, not every bowl is suitable for this minor surgery. I had to ponder the appropriate shape.
Finally, the joint does take some sanding. However, a good flat rim that flairs slightly inward and outward reduces the sanding requirement.
As for being a segmented bowl, I did not want segments cut in half or less. I wanted a full segment at the cut line. Then, how do I overlap segment joints and still have a full segment at the cut line?
In the end, the segment rings vary in segment numbers from 6 segments per ring to 20 segments per ring for a total of 104 segments. No joints correspond from ring top ring. The 6 by 9 inch bowl is 3 inches tall and is finished with wipe-on poly. A small flat on the bottom serves to stabilize the bowl from rocking.
To avoid the appearance of huge rings as the bowl tapers to the bottom, ring height is reduced to approximate a sphere with regularly spaced lines at its circumference.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
After a club demonstation on baby rattles, I decided to turn my own. Club demonstrations are a great source for inspiration to expand or refine my turning repetoire.
More than a plain baby rattle, this rattle features a three loop Celtic knot following a process I developed several years ago. My three rules for Celtic knots are: 1. Perfectly index cuts; 2. Perfectly maintain stock orientation 3. Perfectly replace removed wood.
My process allows for any number of loops opposite the common 2 or 4 from square stock and it adapted for table saws and band saws.
However, government safety regulations also apply to baby rattles to prevent fatal accidents with babies. Both section 1501 and 1510 must be followed. 1501 is a test for small parts. 1510 is a test specifically for baby rattles.
I've wanted to explore negative space project. This is one that I thought of recently. It is rustic with voids between slices. UV resin "tack welded" slices together until more resin could be applied.
The center slice has a mortise on the bottom side for mounting to the lathe. However, the lathe was used only for measurement and holding. Measurement was the distance between the edge of the slice and a wooden platform mounted in the tool rest.
UV resin cures with ultra-violet light in contrast to two-part epoxy resin. I purchase the resin from Amazon - there are a lot to choose from.
My apple bowl is about 10 inches diameter and 3 inches high, finished with wipe-on poly.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
This is a bit strange Valentine's project. But, if you add a note, candy, small gift, wedding ring, or other jewelry, it takes on added significance.
Except for the hollowing process, this uses the octagon and cup faceplate method to turn a perfect sphere. The differences are that I also hollow this sphere which, in turn, requires using a chuck.
My sphere is about 2.75" diameter. The cork brings it to almost 4" tall. It is apple and walnut wood finished with my utility media of beeswax and mineral oil (1 Lb to 1 pint)
Key measures base on the diameter of the starting cylinder. Size of octagon side 0.414 times diameter. Distance from end of cylinder to corner of octagon 0.293 times diameter.
Please see my earlier videos for a more detailed explanation of the octagon method. How To Turn Perfect Hollow Sphere - No Jig youtu.be/Jkwwx28aZWs Woodturning Perfect Spheres - For Wise Turners youtu.be/fn51_oObNi0
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
I love to turn fresh, green, wet wood. While it is sometimes a shower, the wood is soft and cheap. The problem is that it is wet and will always shrink and warp.
The solution - turn it twice with time to dry between. While there are still precautions to avoid cracks, this works.
Except that with all that time working on other projects, I forget about the wood that is drying and what I intended for it.
Fortunately, I can get back to the project and finally turn it.
Having visited other turners' shops, I am not alone. :)
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#box #wood-box #box-with-lid #green-wood #wet-wood #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #Utah #woodturningTurning Simple Three Part Goblet - Low Risk - High RewardAs Wood Turns2024-01-19 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Of the many types of goblets that I have turned, I think a three piece goblet is the simplest and very rewarding.
Simple: Only smaller pieces are extending out from the spindle. Therefore, no steady rest is usually required. Efficient: Smaller size pieces of wood can be used. The stem does not require wasting most of a block of wood. Pretty: The bottom of the base is easily turned and finished.
My goblet is about 8 inches tall and about 2.5 inches diameter, finished with wipe-on poly.
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
This project was inspired by Mark Hunter's artical in American Woodturner June 2023.
While the result was the interesting part. I did not like the process to cut the segments. It seemed extremely time-consuming and a significant risk element.
But, having recently acquired a 40 watt LED laser, I decided to try it out on a smaller scale. Only 16 rings with segments incrementing from 5 to 20 segments. BTW that is exactly 200 segments from six different woods: maple, hickory, sycamore, oak, walnut with a background of cherry. All rings were 1/2" thick. The finish is wipe-on poly. I wanted to use bloodwood and heat treated ash for more contrast but I could not cut them. Both triggered the fire sensor on the laser. Bloodwood due to the number of passes required to get the cut and the cumulative power; Heat treated ash simply flamed up very quickly. I think due to the previous processing it was almost charcoal already.
All segments were prepared using Lightburn software then cut on an LED 40 watt laser with smoke enclosure and exhaust. Since I am still checking out the laser, I hesitate to give the manufacturer.
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4A Tale Of Turning Two Bowls Same Trunk - Opposite Look - Part 2As Wood Turns2023-12-29 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Last spring I was given a trunk section of Chinese elm. At that time, I decided to turn two bowls from the wood. However, the bowls would have dramatically different styles and turning techniques.
Part one is a natural edge or bark edge bowl turned all at once. It was finished and allowed to dry and potentially warp.
This is part two - a traditional bowl that is perfectly round with not distortion from drying and warping. One differnce was reversing the vertical axis so that the top of the bowl comes from near the pith. Another difference is that this bowl was turned twice with over seven months between the two turning sessions. In the first turning session, the bowl was turned with a wall thickness between 3/4" and 1". After being coated with a moisture resistant sealer, it was allowed to dry. When dry, the bowl was again mounted to turn the wall thickness down to final width. This turning removed all distortion from drying and warping.
Both bowls are finished with walnut oil. This one is 9 inches diameter by 3 inches tall.
In this case the moisture resistant sealer was TiteBond 2 glue that I am experimenting with.
Part 1 Link A Tale Of Turning Two Bowls - Same Trunk - Opposite Look - Part 1 youtu.be/52JB_sD-88s
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
At last - The votes have been tallied and grand prizes allocated.
Wow! This is a fantastic challenge with 417 ornaments from twelve countries.
I cannot believe the wide range of talent and creativity. I can safely say that this is the best display or ornaments in the world. All because of your ornament contributions. Thanks to each participant and our sponsoring vendors.
2023 Finalists are: =================== Michael Lober Tim Capraro Myron Robinson Sarah Slocum Richard Nealis Bill Bulkeley Aubrey Schlappi Bruce Jordan Jack Boggio Jose Esteban Cruz Eric Rohel James Norfleet Paul Stagl
Club Winners are: (Free IRD) ================= Cape Cod Woodturners Arizona Woodturners Association Asociacion Torneros de Madera de Puerto Rico Detroit Area Woodturners
Club Runner ups: (Thank you) ================ Woodworkers of Central New York Front Range Woodturners
Vendor Sponsors - Grand Prizes: ============================== Jacques Vesery Craft Supplies Hunter Tools Air Brushing Wood Turntex Robust Tools
Vendor Sponsors - Bonus Prizes: ============================== Alumilite Air Brushing Wood Woodturners Wonders As Wood Turns
REMEMBER NOVEMBER is when the next ornament challenge will be open for your ornaments.
#Christmas #ChristmasOrnament #ornament #Challenge #woodworking #woodturning #woodturningprojects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIYTurning Multi Axis Icicle Ornament - My Answer To Skew ChallengeAs Wood Turns2023-12-15 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
This project is my answer to Richard Findley's skew icicle challenge. His request as for an icicle ornament turned only with a skew.
But, why not enhance it a little? Who has seen a perfectly round icicle. Multi-axis turning is the answer to give it a little more character. Still with skew only.
They key to a successful long eccentric project is a set of faceplates with the offsets as shallow holes. These faceplates enable positioning and power with a minimum of pressure from the live center. This minimizes the odds of the wood breaking under pressure. This is especially important for long, thin spindles.
On the spindle side, add 2 short (~.5") brass pins: one goes to the eccentric axis position; one is a drive pin. On the live center, a single pin goes to the central axis or any of the offset holes. Of course, also drill a hole for the pin on the live center end of the project wood and two holes (center and 1 offset) on the spindle end.
For a project offsetting only the live center, move the pin to the appropriate hole in the faceplate. To offset the spindle end, move the project wood with the center pin to an offset hole and the other pin to provide rotation.
The icicle is 8" long, finished with shellac.
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
While we are waiting for the voting period for the ornament challenge, I made another ornament from scrap. But,Please vote for your five(5) favorites at www.OrnamentChallenge.com by 10 December (Sunday Night).
The skirt is dyed birch lamination left over from a failed project. But, it was too pretty to throw away. So, I have added a walnut disk to complete the dancer's skirt and a maple spindle for her body.
The torso axis is shifted 1/8 inch in opposite directions. The feet axis is shifted 1/8 inch in opposite directions and 90 degrees from the torso axis shift.
All is finished with shellac.
The grippers were 3D printed in PLA. But, also easily turned on a lathe.
Some newer viewers may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
At last - it is time to vote for your favorites in this year's Ornament Challenge.
We cannot award grand prizes until you vote!
To vote: 1. Go to www.OrnamentChallenge.com 2. Select your top five (5) favorites according to your criteria. 3. Click the link to the Google form and record your vote. This is the only way to vote this year. 4. As soon as possible, we'll announce the results and grand prize winners.
If you already know your five favorites, use this link https://forms.gle/5A83gaDopPoArZvx7 to go directly to the vote recording form.
This video is a preview with ornaments submitted so far to the 2023 Ornament Challenge.
I cannot adequately express my amazement at the talent displayed. Each seems to show creative talent whether made by an expert or a novice.
Please do NOT vote for your favorites in this video. After the challenge completes, we will create a video with all ornaments and then ask for your vote. The voting process will be different this year. It will use a Google form for all votes.
Be ready.
If you have your ornament, please ensure you enter it to the challenge by EOD November 30, 2023.
This 4 x 8 inch vase is for a lady whose tree provided the wood.
It is segmented sycamore with 8 segments per ring and 22 rings or 172 segments. It is finished with wipe on poly. The base is three layers of sycamore to prevent expansion cracks.
The wood was difficult to process as it came from short trunk segments that was partially dry.
Some newer viewer may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#segmented #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTwo Ways To Turn Yo YosAs Wood Turns2023-11-11 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
After viewing a club member demonstrate turning a yoyo, my wife encouraged me to also turn one. I wanted to upscale mine. So I went to the internet to research. I hoped to find a specific recommendations. I found that there are no guidelines - it seems that you have to be a professional yoyo artist to appreciate it.
Observations: 1. Gap: to tight and the yoyo will not sleep. A larger gap helps sleepy tricks. 2. Weight: Weight distribution matters but some like it more to the perimeter; others to the center.
So, I split the difference and turned two yoyo's to at least illustrate the differences.
BTW, check out the amazing ornaments already entered into the Ornament Challenge www.OrnamentChallenge.com to view and enter the challenge. Entries will be accepted through November 30, 2023. Don't wait for the last minute.
Some newer viewer may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
Despite an excellent demonstration by Yann Marot at the Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium, I had to turn my stacking rocks my way. To me they resemble a mountain trail marker that I saw frequently in Boy Scout adventures. The main difference is that I used bayonet style bushings between the rocks instead of tenons.
The bottom two rocks are hollowed to lighten the stack and to enable hiding something special inside. The top rock is drilled to lighten it and to accept the bushing. They are finished rough and with walnut oil. The stack is about 7 inches tall and 5 inches diameter at the base. It stands securely on three rocky protrusions on the bottom side.
The upgraded bayonet style bushings will be available soon in my Etsy site.https://www.etsy.com/shop/AsWoodTurnsTools
BTW, check out the amazing ornaments already entered into the Ornament Challenge www.OrnamentChallenge.com to view and enter the challenge. Entries will be accepted through November 30, 2023. Don't wait for the last minute.
Some newer viewer may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#Yann-Marot #bushing #thread #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning From Green To Dry Mesquite BowlAs Wood Turns2023-10-27 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Before the pandemic during a trip to the Phoenix area to visit a son, a viewer offered me some mesquite and olive wood. The wood was recently cut down. I hauled several chunks home and got to work. One chunk of mesquite is this bowl. I turned it while green, leaving the walls over an inch thick to accomodate warping while it dried. After sealing the wood, I weighed the bowl periodically until it stopped losing weight meaning that it was dry. However, I did not get around to a final turning until now.
This turning resulting in a 7 inch by 2.5 inch bowl finished with wipe-on poly. I opted for an extra mount in this bowl beyond what I usually do. Other than that, this was a typical bowl turning exercise. While turning this bowl, I put my Hollow_pro Caliper to good use to measure the wall thickness. I prefer it to typical figure 8 calipers.
Some newer viewer may wonder why I insist on wearing a face shield for safety. Please check out this video: Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#bowl #green-wood #wet-wood #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning Multi Axis Eight Point Star With JigAs Wood Turns2023-10-20 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
The inspiration for this project comes from Theo Haralmapou over a year ago during an online symposium. This was reinforced at SWAT by Donna Frazier. This star is turned on three axes and therefore requires the preparation of a chuck fixture for the second and third turning. A signicant part of Theo's presentation involved preparing the chuck fixture.
I own, design for, and operate a 3D printer. This printer has become an essential tool in my shop. Fixtures and other things that I would have made from wood or maybe aluminum, I can draw, print, and tweak until I get it right. If from wood, I would typically have one shot at completing these fixtures. As a bonus, on small items, my hands are no where near sharp blades. This fixture went further to include threads to mount to the spindle and live center.
In addition, I designed a template to guide turning the groove to the best shape and depth.
My star begins with a 2x2x2 cube. Theo started with a 60 mm cube. The wood should be hard and sturdy. If prone to chipping, use a different wood. My star is finished with wipe-on poly. The woods are maple, cherry, wenge, paduak, and yellowheart.
#star #ornament #multiAxis #jig #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #Utah #stellated-octahedron #stella-octangulaPreparing To Turn A Stave Segmented Beads Of Courage BoxAs Wood Turns2023-10-13 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Our club is preparing to support the Beads of Courage program. Beads of Courage works in participating hospitals with children who are seriously ill. At each significant procedure, the child received an additional bead to put in their own box. As a woodturning club, we will help provide boxes. My job was to introduce the program as a demo.
While boxes for Beads of Courage can be any type of construction, I demonstrated the basics to construct a stave segmented box. In stave segmentation, the wood grain runs vertically in the sides of the box. Stave segmenting requires different jigs. My favorite weggie sled could not be used.
I have not been pleased with my previous stave segmenting when cutting the staves. With this in mind, I created a new table saw sled and measuring fixture that made this cutting a pleasure.
Then on to using the rub joint technique to glue staves into half cylinders. After truing the half cylinders, they were also glued together.
At this scale, there are other issues to overcome that are illustrated in the video.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#segmented #stave #box #beads-of-courage #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning An Inlay Tray or Platter Without Vacuum ChuckAs Wood Turns2023-10-06 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
For this project I drew inspiration from a demonstration at the Rocky Mountain Woodturning Symposium and combined it with a monthly club challenge. The symposium demonstration by John Giem inlaid solid wood into solid wood for a coaster. I took away several ideas that I wanted to try.
However, John used a vacuum chuck. I chose to avoid a vacuum chuck and see if I could accomplish the same project.
The primary wood is two layers of cherry with internal cross banding with veneer. However, I did not laminate the base wood until the inlay work was complete. This enabled me to avoid issued with drill points going too far. I inlaid disks of walnut, mahogany, bloodwood, apple, and padauk. After the main platter was completed, I made a segmented ring to serve as a rim.
This tray is eleven inches diameter and about 1 inch tall, finished with wipe-on poly.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
Here we are again - The season for decorations and ornaments.
And, the annual Ornament Challenge of 2023. It is time to make your ornament for the 2023 Christmas Ornament Challenge. The time to submit your picture is during the month of November 2023.
Again this year, there is something for everyone. Grand prizes for the top ornaments selected by public vote and the two hosts in the form of gift cards or tools or supplies. Other vendors are providing discount codes for EVERYONE who submits an ornament. The top three craft clubs will receive a free zoom remote demonstration (IRD).
This video has all of last years ornaments for your inspiration or just to admire the creativity they show. Draw from what you see and interpret an ornament your way. Send us a picture of your favorite(s).
We love to see the pattern of inspiration and people stretching their limits.
For official rules, go to www.OrnamentChallenge.com For inspiration, go to www.OrnamentChallenge.com During November, go to www.OrnamentChallenge.com to enter your ornament.
Inspired by fellow club members, this project is to turn a cube into a bowl.
For this style bowl, first a blank must be prepared as a perfect cube of any size. My project uses a laminated block of wenge, yellowheart, padauk, maple, mahogany, and cherry.
The trick is to mount the cube to the lathe with one corner at the spindle and the opposite at the live center. On the spindle side, many examples simply put the coner is the hollow of the spindle - not using any chuck or center. IMHO, this mount is prone to spinning as there is limited friction between the steel and the wood. Instead, I mounted a wood faceplate with a hole at center. The cube edges bit into the faceplate wood for a great hold - no slipping.
On the live center side, some examples pop out the center of the live center and press the corner into this cavity. Others nip off the corner but then need to center the live center. This is prone to error while excellent alignment is required for this style of turning. Instead, I mounted another faceplate to my threaded live center which performed similarly to the opposite faceplate.
Then the turning requires careful gentle work since a lot of air is required to cut; there are corners that can hit hands. The wood is at an angle to usual turning which lends itself to chipping.
This bowl is finished with wipe-on poly. It is about 4.5" by 2".
It is time to prepare for this year's challenge. Details are at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#winged-bowl #bowl #cube #laminated #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahRevisiting Tippy Top Failure - New Process For SuccessAs Wood Turns2023-09-15 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Ten years ago, I failed to turn a tippy top. What is a tippy top? When a tippy top spins, it spins on its axis. But then, the turning axis gradually shifts until it flips over. Believe it or not, the top itself is now rotating very opposite to its initial rotation. No, it does not stop spinning to change. It gradually flips over.
Why not incorporate the octagon process to give a great starting point for the top? But before rounding off the octagon, the straight sides are perfect places to measure from while drilling a couple of holes.
This top is two pieces: the round body and the handle. The body started with 1.5" by slightly longer wood; the handle about 3/8" by 2. Coloring was with a variety of Tombow markers. Finish is carnauba wax.
The optional 1/4" ball bearing goes in the extra depth of the hole for the handle. The ball bearing serves to lower the center of mass to encourage the tippy top to behave.
I also designed a launcher to help my fingers get the spinning started. While mine is 3D printed; it is easily made from wood. The model files are at www.Printables.com at this link: printables.com/model/582064-tippy-top-launcher
It is time to prepare for this year's challenge. Details are at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
After observing a good demonstration, I like to turn my own project using the same or similar techniques that I observed. However, I also make it my own using techniques that I have perfected. In this case the source inspiration was a carving demonstration by Laurent Niclot at the annual AAW symposium.
This project turns a perfect sphere, hollows it, and then it is carved.
I do not know how Laurent initially carved and hollowed his sphere. That was a separate demonstration.
I like the octagon method for turning a sphere. No expensive jig or fixture is required and more importantly, the process can be quickly mastered by novice turners. This is in contrast to my first experience turning a sphere using jam chucks. That one was a total failure.
Sometimes, vendors cross the line when hawking their products. At SWAT, I listened to just such an event. In this video, I present my opposing view concerning a donut chuck used to hollow the sphere.
Then on to carving. This art form is finished with rattle-can lacquer.
It is time to prepare for this year's challgenge. Details are at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
After last year's Ornament Challenge, Paul sent me a kit for me to make an ornament similar to one he had submitted. It took me a while to get to it. But now it is just in time to show off before this year's Ornament Challenge.
The middle part is a slice of a large branch. Mine was dry and still fairly straight. I prepped it by sanding it on a disk sander and painted it black with rattle-can lacquer.
The upper and lower hemispheres are turned using a modified octagon method. The modification enables splitting the sphere into the two hemispheres and enables it to be hollowed. This portion is finished with shellac friction polish.
The hanger is twisted brass and copper colored wire at about 20-22 gauge. Two pieces about 8 inches long were twisted together to form a long strand. Then strand was then wrapped around a mandrel and the ends twisted together.
It is time to prepare for this year's challgenge. Details are at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration than my weekly videos, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
I was happy to be given this block of fresh, green chestnut already slabbed and rounded. It was ready to turn. I had great plans for it: maybe a calabash bowl; maybe a hollow form.
The initial turning for the outside bottom went normally. Then when I started the top and hollowing, my gouge found nail. The nail turned out to be a big 16 penny nail totally embedded in the wood with the head towards the outside. Should I blame the gouge?
I went on to try several ways to extract the nail. It just would not pull out. After all, pulling against the nail head is generally futile. As it was this time.
My grand plans evaporated. If salvaged, this would be a normal, once turned, deep bowl.
It was a pain.
if you are at SWAT 2023, please say HI!
We're preparing for this year's Ornament Challenge - details will be at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
This bowl is turned from box elder burl, a beautifully figured but gnarly wood. A burl gives and takes away. It gives the beautiful figure and color; it takes away with defects and bark inclusions.
Originally, the blank was over five inches thick. But, I think that would be too deep for this bowl. A friend with a large bandsaw let me saw it in half so that I could have two bowls instead of wasting a lot of wood.
This bowl is 13 inches diameter and two inches tall, finished with wipe on poly and buffed.
#bowl #wood-bowl #burl #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahTurning Enhanced Three Piece Goblet For Club ChallengeAs Wood Turns2023-08-04 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
I did not want to turn a run of the mill goblet for our club challenge. To elevate my game, I decided to experiment with Celtic knot inspiration in the goblet bowl. There are five loops in this goblet bowl to give a swirl look.
The goblet is English and black walnut and hard maple 3x9 inches finished with shellac.
The N-Loop Celtic knot process that I demo for clubs has three principles for a well turned knot. This project relaxes one of the three principles to yield a very different look.
I like it and dream of future variations.
We're preparing for this year's Ornament Challenge - details will be at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#goblet #wood-goblet #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahWhat Not Round? How To Turn A Square BoxAs Wood Turns2023-07-28 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Inspired by presentation at the AAW symposium, this project is a turned square box. Actually, it is a cube in 3D.
The cube is walnut 3x3x3, finished with shellac and rattle-can lacquer. The inside of the lid is textured with a Wagner texturing tool. The exterior is textured with a two toothed rotary cutter. The rough surface was then cleaned with an abrasive wheel to soften corners.
The box is indexed with a 1/8" brass pin to keep edges aligned for a consistent view especially since the box is not round.
For texturing and some finishing, I used 30mm and 50mm chuck pins from two weeks ago.
I like it and dream of future variations.
We're preparing for this year's Ornament Challenge - details will be at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
These bells are turned from a laminated block of maple, cherry, wenge, yellow heart, and padauk. Lamination involves gluing wood essentially side by side into a block. They wood was then segmented into a four segmented ring. Admittedly, a small segment count as segmented projects go. Yet, it does fit the criteria for segmented on the small end of the scale.
The wood requirements is for a block of wood at least nine times the wood's width. Safety and whoops factors indicate adding another six to nine inches. The worst case is to have too little length for the two bells and have to start over with the glue up.
The bells are about three inches diameter. With the handles, they are seven and nine inches long. They are finished with shellac friction polish.
My friend Robin Costelle demonstrated this bell at the Segmented Woodturners Symposium. In his writeup, he credits yet another woodturners. I am please to continue the chain of enhancement for this bell project.
We're preparing for this year's Ornament Challenge - details will be at www.OrnamentChallenge.com
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
First, an addendum to the bouncy loops. Latex stretches more than I anticipated. I had to cut and re-glue to make several loops smaller. They need to be a tight fit. Check them with high speed rotation.
Meanwhile, in preparation for another project that I have not turned previously, I make pins that bolt directly to the chuck. My pins are 3/4" diameter. The bolt that fits my VicMarc is 6 mm diameter and 50 mm (about 2 inches) long. I also made another set 30 mm long (about 1.25 inches) just in case.
I think these will come in handy for many projects that require a jam chuck. We'll see.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#jam_cHuck #chuck #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahInexpensive Hand Safety While TurningAs Wood Turns2023-07-07 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
Occassionally, while working at the lathe with a chuck, my fingers go where they should not and get hit by the spinning metal. Since an ounce of protection is worth much more than a pound of cure, I made these loops to help my fingers bounce away if they have wandered.
Latex tubing 0.25" ID and 0.375" OD but these dimensions are not critical Dowel 0.25" diameter and 1.00" +- .25" - must match the ID of the tubing. E6000 glue
Measure the tubing to require stretching around the chuck or other item needing some protection.
Make sure you have to stretch the band significantly so that it is very tight on the chuck body. Otherwise, centrifugal force may stretch the rubber and allow it to fly around.
BTW. Finger protection does not replace a faceshield.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
After acquiring a block of green oak, my choice were limited. Often, I would simply rip it in half and two two bowls - one from each half. However, this block was short. Any bowl would have to be much smaller than the wood diameter would usually allow.
Instead, I turned it in to several cross grain tubes. Since the wood is still very green, I hoped for some dramatic warping. Alas, not so much. Now what?
I decided to make a bowl anyway while using the tubes. There were several alternatives. I chose to slice the tube into thirds and glue them to a base for a splayed rib bowl. However, there were issues: 1. What to do for a center? For a foot, I laminated some dry oak together incorporating an expansion mortise. 2. The tube slices are cross grain and very weak. I created a segmented ring to provide some support. That was still not enough. So I glued a spline of solid wood to the underside of each tube section. 3. Epoxy would require a lot of clamping and forming. UV resin to the rescue. With this resin, I could apply small quantities of resin. Then quickly cure each application of resin before it dripped or ran.
In the end, the bowl seems a bit too "organic" for my tastes. However, I am open to ideas as I still have additional tubes.
Enjoy.
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
I pruned the wood for this project from my backyard several years ago. The limbs were suckers growing from the base. I kept many of them. Some have split others have not. Regardless, the wood is very light in color and beautiful to turn. As a bonus, warm shavings smell fantastic.
As natural edge turning, the outer profile is already complete. All that is left is to hollow, make a joint and clean up the ends.
1. Turn tenons on both ends. 2. Mount to chuck and part off the lid portion. 3. Mount the lid; drill for joint at 1.25"; drill remainder at 1.0" 4. Mount the base; drill at 1.0; 5. Cut tenon for joint. Turn tight or loose according to taste. 6. Mount base and lid together. Cut v-groove at joint. 7. Using small chuck jaws or a jam chuck, turn bottom of base and top of lid.
Enjoy.
As a reminder to wear your faceshield, see the clip at the end. Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.
#wood-box #natural-edge #bark-edge #woodturning #woodworking #wood-turning-projects #lathe #AlanStratton #video #DIY #UtahA Tale Of Turning Two Bowls - Same Trunk - Opposite Look - Part 1As Wood Turns2023-06-16 | https://www.AsWoodTurns.com
I scored a section of a log sufficient for two bowls. Noticing that the bark is quite tight, I decided that one of them should be a natural or bark edge bowl and turned all at once (or nearly so). Later, I will turn the other half rough, let it dry, and finish turn it later.
Then we can compare the two bowls from the same wood and same size. Unfortunately, it will take time to dry the other bowl.
The bark stayed on this bowl. It is nice at 10 inches by 4 inches and finished with walnut oil.
Enjoy.
As a reminder to wear your faceshield, see the clip at the end. Woodturning Disaster youtu.be/FlhWF4M9CO4
p.s. If you would like a more in depth demonstration, please contact me for an IRD (Zoom Demo) on this or other topics.