Jim Becker
04-04-2005, 7:13 PM
Each year, Bucks Woodturners (http://www.bucksturners.com/index.html), our local AAW (http://www.woodturner.org) chapter, holds their "Hands On Weekend" event to raise funds for education and programing. "Students" make a small donation in exchange for spending time with various chapter members who provide learning experiences in their shop. Some sessions detail very specific techniques, such as segmented work or carving; others, such as those I hosted yesterday go straight for the basics.
I had two students in each 3 hour (or so) session and we concentrated on balance, tool handling and basic cutting techniques with the Ellsworth (side grind) gouge as well as how to make small turnings, start to finish, without remounting or reversing. This included using a glue block to mount the workpiece as a simple, inexpensive and effective way. We also talked about lathe features, finding the right spindle height and things to think about when buying one's "ultimate" lathe. Before the participants left, we went in the house to look at a bunch of turnings in my collection, both my work and that of others, so that they could see the possibilities...bowls, hollow vessels, platters, furniture parts and miniatures.
My two morning students, Steve and Manny had a fun time...and it was interesting for me since they were both left-handed and I'm a rightie. But realistically, turning is a "both handed" pursuit as the orientation of the wood and the cut ultimately control how you hold the tool. Steve had already taken David Ellsworth's three day course, so he got some useful review and "stick time" revolving around turning and parting off a finished bowl without reversing. Manny got some new experience with the versatility of the side-grind gouge and did a great job with his bowl.
The after noon was a real treat as it was a father/son duo, Tim and Matt. Young Matt, who discovered turning not long ago and saved up his money for a mini lathe got to do a whole lot of new things and found out just how much easier it is to turn bowls with a bowl gouge...his tool set only had spindle turning steel. And you know what...his first bowl turned out really great! Since my spindle height is at about 46", I had to build a quick-and-dirty platform for Matt, but once on the lathe, he was a fast learner, even with how to use the tool in various orientations to vary the cut from a rough shaping cut all the way to a finishing shear cut. He also did well hollowing and with a little more practice, he'll be cranking out bowls with the best of them. Tim, his dad, must have been paying attention during Matt's lessons as he also did a fine job for an essentially new turner.
This was a really pleasurable way to spend an April Sunday and my second year participating as a HOW mentor. And...there are even pictures:
Manny working at the lathe and refining the shape of his bowl
Steve starting his finishing shear cuts...drop that tool a little more, Steve!
Matt starts his hollowing after we shifted the platform around just a little
Tim hollowing his bowl and using a lighter, finishing cut to smooth things out
Matt shows his first bowl with his Dad after he carefully pared off the tiny nub with a small carving gouge.
I had two students in each 3 hour (or so) session and we concentrated on balance, tool handling and basic cutting techniques with the Ellsworth (side grind) gouge as well as how to make small turnings, start to finish, without remounting or reversing. This included using a glue block to mount the workpiece as a simple, inexpensive and effective way. We also talked about lathe features, finding the right spindle height and things to think about when buying one's "ultimate" lathe. Before the participants left, we went in the house to look at a bunch of turnings in my collection, both my work and that of others, so that they could see the possibilities...bowls, hollow vessels, platters, furniture parts and miniatures.
My two morning students, Steve and Manny had a fun time...and it was interesting for me since they were both left-handed and I'm a rightie. But realistically, turning is a "both handed" pursuit as the orientation of the wood and the cut ultimately control how you hold the tool. Steve had already taken David Ellsworth's three day course, so he got some useful review and "stick time" revolving around turning and parting off a finished bowl without reversing. Manny got some new experience with the versatility of the side-grind gouge and did a great job with his bowl.
The after noon was a real treat as it was a father/son duo, Tim and Matt. Young Matt, who discovered turning not long ago and saved up his money for a mini lathe got to do a whole lot of new things and found out just how much easier it is to turn bowls with a bowl gouge...his tool set only had spindle turning steel. And you know what...his first bowl turned out really great! Since my spindle height is at about 46", I had to build a quick-and-dirty platform for Matt, but once on the lathe, he was a fast learner, even with how to use the tool in various orientations to vary the cut from a rough shaping cut all the way to a finishing shear cut. He also did well hollowing and with a little more practice, he'll be cranking out bowls with the best of them. Tim, his dad, must have been paying attention during Matt's lessons as he also did a fine job for an essentially new turner.
This was a really pleasurable way to spend an April Sunday and my second year participating as a HOW mentor. And...there are even pictures:
Manny working at the lathe and refining the shape of his bowl
Steve starting his finishing shear cuts...drop that tool a little more, Steve!
Matt starts his hollowing after we shifted the platform around just a little
Tim hollowing his bowl and using a lighter, finishing cut to smooth things out
Matt shows his first bowl with his Dad after he carefully pared off the tiny nub with a small carving gouge.