woodezine - Volume II - Issue VII - July 2004

Turning Tidbits
(If a link doesn't work, copy and past the URL into your browser)

A Stitch in Time...
Ben McLellan had a novel way of dealing with a large crack in one of his turning blanks. He created this 7" diameter pear vase just for a laugh, but he gets so many comments on it that he thinks he may just send it off to the art gallery one of these days.

"I got the wood from an elderly gentleman ... who was renovating his wood shed. It even had a date on it of 1984, so I felt that the wood should be dry enough. It had been saved by a wood carver who has long since moved to Florida, so he gave it to me. The wood had cracked from drying out over the years, so I thought that I would incorporate it into the turning. I also like to cane old chairs as a hobby and had some caning on hand, so I decided to give it a try."

Visit Ben online
(http://www.inklingsinwood.com/default.htm)

 

 

Bill Grumbine's Bowl Chuck Jig
When Bill Grumbine turns bowls that are chucked internally, he uses this jig to smooth the bottom and remove the drill hole in the center.

For details on how to build the jig, visit Bill online
(http://www.enter.net/~ultradad/bowljig.html)

We first came across Bill when we were looking at wooden boat builders. He has completed a Skylark 14, designed by Selway Fisher in England. It's a pram with a triple chine hull, and you can read all about it on his site. Also, he has some very interesting material on Legacy Turning Machines, which use a router to turn stock.

Make your own Turning Tools:
Basic Blacksmithing and Toolmaking with Don Weber
 Join nationally known woodturner, "bodger" and blacksmith, Don Weber for this exciting three-day, hands-on class. Students will have the unique opportunity to combine their woodworking skills with blacksmithing and will learn how to make their own woodworking tools. Participants will learn the basics of blacksmithing, including forging techniques, heat-treating and tempering, while making useful tools such as marking knives, bench chisels and woodturning chisels. The first two days will be spent on blacksmithing and the last day will concentrate on finishing the tools, making handles and sharpening. Don't miss this great opportunity to learn some truly unique and useful skills. Tuition is $250.00 (plus materials used) Section 0813: Friday, Saturday & Sunday, August 13 - 15, 9am - 4:30pm.

For more info, visit the school online.
(http://www.schoolofwoodworking.com)

For more info,
visit Century Porch Post online
(http://www.centuryporchpost.com)

  

Size Does Matter!
Century Porch Post is a custom woodturning operation in Ontario that produces high quality, hand turned wood products including porch posts, table legs, newels and balusters. What's unusual about them is the sheer capacity of their lathe (below). They can turn a piece that is in excess of 26" in diameter, and up to 20 feet in length - in one single piece! Most tall columns are made up of individually turned segments which are assembled on the job. Century's posts are laminated and turned on a huge lathe as a single unit, adding strength and visual integrity to the work. For example, the post at left is 13-1/2 feet tall. It's base is 9" in diameter, and the cap is 12".
In addition to their custom work, they have a whole catalog of stock columns for sale, too.

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