Old turning

[Don Henthorn Smithville, TX]

I was looking at some old photographs the other night and came across this picture of a hollow form I made about 45 years ago. This was before scroll chucks, bowl gouges and all the other tools and stuff turners have today. We didn’t call them hollow forms either. I may have posted this on Badger pond several years ago; I can’t remember. Sorry for the poor picture, but the object is packed away and I can't take a better picture.

Anyway I thought this might be of interest to those who don’t have the tools or haven’t yet developed the skill to make hollow forms. This was made by turning two matching bowls, facing them off and gluing them together. The neck was added by drilling or turning a hole in the hollow form and building up what pleases you. I will readily admit to not being very creative in designing the neck, but I was just having fun. Although I have piddled around on the lathe for seventy years I am still a rank amateur having never had any instruction nor contact with other turners. Of course that isn’t true any more because I have been reading the posts here for several years, but I am still an amateur. Hope this is of some interest to someone. (G)
<br>
<img src="http://users2.ev1.net/~henthorn/turn1.jpg">

[David Fried]

Don,

Just shows that good design is timeless! After all these years it still looks very sleek and modern! Interesting to hear about the evolution of turning. I thought it might have been my memory - I recall folks in high school turning bowls with nothing but scrapers - sounds like you've confirmed it.

Thanks for sharing the picture.


Dave Fried

[Cecil Arnold]

Don, that proves that pretty is ageless.

[Mark Cothren]

Don, that is SUPER! I appreciate you sharing the story and the work - - - and that looks pretty dad-gummed good to me!!!

Thanks for the picture!

[Andy Hoyt]

Back in 1960 this piece would have been thought of as avante garde. And today it looks very sixties. I can visualize it in the living room of that then-modern house in the classic Hitchcock movie - North by Northwest. And it also looks exceptionally cool today. Well done and thanks for sharing it.

And we have just learned a bunch from you. Keep it up, Teach!

[Curt Fuller]

That's a real beauty and made even more so by the classic technique used to make it. I have a feeling that if we all learned how do turn without the modern gadgets we use today we'd be better turners with them.

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

I don't know, but it looks a little like the bottle that Portugese vine comes in.

I like it and the inovation and thought that went into making it............without ALL the hitech tools.

Bravo, Don.

Bruce

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Somethings are timeless Don! That HF is! Beautiful!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Don absolutely beautiful. As my old grandmother told me one time beauty is ageless. Thanks for sharing.

[John Hart]

Sure makes me feel better about being a Scraper guy! :) I think I'll just keep at it. Very pretty piece. Thanks Don!

[Keith Burns]

Don, wonderful story about a wonderful piece. 45 years ago, wow. I think that offically qualifies as an antique:D

[Ernie Nyvall]

Don, that's a really nice piece especially knowing what you had to go through to make it.

Ernie

[Jerry Clark]

Don, that is really nice. I bet some of the turners are going to copy the design and make something with the two piece approach. Thanks for sharing.:D