Are You A Woodturner?

[Travis]

I was curious how many woodturners we have on SSV?  I'm thinking of putting together another special interest group for woodturners, similar to the way we did for the CNC & Laser group.

Are you a woodturner?  If so, what kind of turning do you do?

[meflick]

I’m not (yet ) hubby is so I may get to learning one day. He turns a variety of things. Mostly bowls, small containers, salt and pepper grinders. Whatever he likes. Problem is he still works so he has little free time for forums or turning. Glad he lets me be retired.

Edited March 19, 2022 by meflick
Typo

[Dan]

I have a 10" lathe I bought for turning pens. I've done ornaments, small plates and cups, a few small bowls and vases. I like the idea of another place to gather. Thanks.

[don watson]

I started off as a wood turner and gradually over the years picked up some ideas of all aspects of wood working. I don't visit my lathe sites very much now as I am more into the scroll saw and the Village is my daily (when I can) look at what I can find on the scroll saw. I recently acquired a CNC Milling/Routing machine and am having a learning session with it and I acquired a large laser engraving unit some time ago that comes in handy at times.

I am at present waiting on the 'Kirkcaldy Men's Shed' getting up and running and opening its doors for membership as I will be moving most of my equipment there and I will start instruction classes on the various machines when it gets established. We have had a terrible problem with our local Fife Council trying to get and restore premises that we can work in. I intend to donate my machinery and expertise to the 'Shed' and have been working towards that for almost 3 years now, a very trying time continually fighting the 'clowncil' at every turn. I previously had started 2 other 'Sheds' and was an office bearer in a another for 15 years so I know what I want in a 'Shed' and won't be put off by any 'clowncil policy' rubbish. Rant over.

I don't think I would gain a lot from a separate interest group but will probably join anyway just to keep up with what is going on.

take care and stay safe

Don W

[DRugerH]

I am a wood turner as well.  I use a smaller 10" x 18" Harbor Freight lathe for smaller items, such as chess pieces, pens, tobacco pipes, etc., and a larger lathe, which used to be a Harbor Freight 12" X 33", but just last week, I upgraded to a Grizzly G0766 22" X 42" lathe.  The larger one is reserved for bowls, large spindles, lamps, etc.  I also use the larger one to turn down long pieces of black walnut and white ash to cut down to smaller pieces for the chess pieces for the smaller lathe.

I do enjoy working on the lathe.  It's something I can spend hours on and completely lose myself in.  I do a bunch of different woodworking, so anything with machines and wood is up my ally, but the lathe is the machine that sucks up most of my money.  It is also, now, the most expensive machine in my shop.

Dan

[TAIrving]

I am also a woodturner and would enjoy a special interest group as you suggest.  

About a year ago I bought a used Jet 12x36 lathe off Craigslist and the seller threw in a nice set of turning tools.  I have been turning bowls and have done a dozen or so thus far.  I am working with several different types of wood and am still learning.  

[flarud]

I bought an Excalibur from Rockler a few years ago.  All I have made so far are pens.  Lots and lots of pens!  LOL

[glenwood]

I'm also a woodturner, pyrographer and carver.

[Heli_av8tor]

I'm currently doing way more turning than scrolling. I've done bowls, goblets, lidded boxes, peppermills, and gavels. Just started to explore multi-axis turnings.

 

[avenuewood]

I too am a woodturner.

I do mainly pens and bowls from reclaimed pallet wood.

These two bowls not pallet wood, need to take more photos first.

Barry

[avenuewood]

Mixture of hardwoods and pallet wood.

 

[Gonzo]

Nice work all of you! 
I also have a lathe. Mainly bowls

[jollyred]

I have a lathe, and I do a little bit of everything, as long as it is less than 12" diameter.

Tom

[don in brooklin on]

I had a lathe and loved it but sold all my tools and lathe when I got vertigo.  I did bowls, pens, ornaments etc until I ran out of friends and relatives to give them to.  Not interested in craft sales.

One thing I did a lot of was Wig Stands for Cancer Patients.  I initiated the program at out club about 6 years ago and the last count was just over 500.  Pretty big number from a small number of turners in our club.  A lot of members their first project was a wig stand as we gave lessons all the time.  Sorry I can't contribute any longer as the need continues.

If anyone is interested in doing these I have all the instructions.  

Edited March 22, 2022 by don in brooklin on

[meflick]

Beautiful pieces everyone has shown. @don in brooklin on I have always liked your wig stands for cancer patients. I believe you have shared that information before and I downloaded and saved and gave to my husband but we have not yet made any. I need to take time to pull them out and see if we can get some done for our local Cancer Support Community that I work with. Thanks for reminding me.

Edited March 24, 2022 by meflick

[Phil Royer]

Here are some spinning tops I make. The Kansas City Woodturners Club makes these and donates them to the Ronald McDonald house for the families of sick children. I have made several hundred.

Phil

[don watson]

Don McFarland,

Could I have a copy of the instructions for the wig stands as our club is near to being opened and I would like some nice learner pieces for the new members.

take care and stay safe

Don W

[wombatie]

I used to be.  Hubby says that I was better than him. 

Marg

[don in brooklin on]

On 3/25/2022 at 6:04 AM, don watson said:

Don McFarland,

Could I have a copy of the instructions for the wig stands as our club is near to being opened and I would like some nice learner pieces for the new members.

take care and stay safe

Don W

Wig Stand Instruction for spigot jaws.pdf Wig-Stand-Directions rev.pdf

Please let me know if you need more info.  The new president of our club is outstanding turner and has done virtual classes on making these and I will see if he has a video as it would be good to show at a meeting.

Yes, I checked and Kade Bolger does has a video on making these.  It is rather long but it is quite detailed.  

https://youtu.be/GY505_MmQ1o

 

Edited March 28, 2022 by don in brooklin on

[meflick]

Thank you Don for sharing the info again and for tracking down and sharing. The video.

[don watson]

Thanks Don, this is the information I need. I will make a copy of this and produce the sheets containing the main points and sizes and have them available for those turners that are interested in learning. The video is an excellent demonstration of these pieces and made by a master craftsman, thanks again for that. I should be able to show it at the 'Shed' if it is embedded on my laptop I think. 

Don W

 

[Oldmansbike]

I just started turning about a year ago

[Travis]

Hi All.  I was able to get the Woodturner's group put together.  This works the same way as the Laser & CNC group.  It is open to SSV patrons of Silver & Gold levels as a special thank you for supporting SSV.  You can find the new group under the Community Tab, then click Groups.  I hope to see you over there!

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What Are Groups?

Groups are a special area set apart from the rest of SSV.  Usually, because they are either off-topic or specialized interests.  They function the same way as the rest of the SSV, however, the content is only visible to members of that group.  That way, if you don't have an interest in a particular subject, it doesn't' clutter up your feed with stuff you don't want to see.

 

How Do I Access?

Groups are available to SSV Silver Patrons and SSV Gold Patrons.  You can find more information on becoming a SSV Patron here, as well as managing your account.  

There will be a Groups link under the community tab.  From there, you can browse the available groups.  Click the Join button to request access.  Once approved, you'll have access to the group's forums and other features.

 

Video Demonstration

Here is a video demonstration of how Groups work.  I floated the idea and talked about it a bit more in this forum thread.

 

[Sparkey]

Yes I do a little wood turning.

 

[Foxfold]

I got a small lathe last year along with some of the new 'cutters', if that's the right word ?  Not been brave enough to try it yet though, but I will.  This group will be a tremendous place for me to come and watch the experts.