Her 3rd experience at a lathe

[John K Jordan]

Kristina had two lessons at the lathe a couple of years ago, one on spindle turning and one on face turning.
Between her first college degree and vet school she finally had time for playing on the lathe again and wanted to make a present for her sister visiting for Christmas.
After seeing things I had turned she decided she wanted to make a small "squarish" dished platter. Yikes. Sure, I said, piece of cake...

She proved to be the perfect student - she listened and actually did what I said. What a concept! We reviewed the techniques on a practice blank with several different tools. Then with a blank from 2" cherry I showed her how to use a screw chuck to hold the wood and cut a recess, new concepts for her. She insisted on doing EVERYTHING herself, even at the bandsaw and drill press though they were also new to her.

I watched almost every cut and made suggestions as needed. Taught me something: she came up with her own technique to use the 14" Robust rest to slide her forearm to aid in making controlled cuts. During practice she liked the small Hunter Hercules tool best so she stuck with that for most cuts. She wasn't the least bit intimidated by cutting air. No mistakes, no catches, and no "design changes" (and no injuries!)



I was quite pleased with her tool control and the quality of the surface. I demonstrated how to use hand scrapers off the lathe to remove all the tool marks then got out a 3" random orbital pneumatic sander with some 320 paper. I couldn't believe a beginner was pickier than I am at sanding and finishing but she was! The photos hardly do the piece justice - the surface was flawless to my hand and eyes.



The piece took four sessions but it was done in time for Christmas - this sister was thrilled. ("Danish" oil finish, 4-5 coats, wet sanded to 1000 grit.) She usually came in her "scrubs" after work at the animal clinic.

If the girl ever finds more time for the lathe she might "turn" out to be quite the craftsperson/artist. But I guess I shouldn't be too surprised for a person who started college at age 13!

BTW, Kristina is a friend of and attended college with the girl I showed making a wand in an earlier message ( Her third lesson, her first wand ) and they both came for their beginner's turning lessons at the same time. These two graduated #1 and #2 in their class. They are a delight to work with but when they are together I do feel a little dumb at times.

Good clean fun!

JKJ

[Al Launier]

Sounds like you have two incredible students. You must be extremely proud. I can't imagine starting college at the age of 13, a prodigy for sure. Looks like a lifetime passion for woodworking is off to a great start.

[John K Jordan]

Sounds like you have two incredible students. You must be extremely proud. I can't imagine starting college at the age of 13, a prodigy for sure. Looks like a lifetime passion for woodworking is off to a great start.

It must be a family thing - all of her brothers and sisters started early and I think her sister started at age 12. They were all home schooled. Unlike some, it appears those kids had good teachers.

Both of these girls seem to have a passion for everything. They'll drop anything to come for something interesting like a llama castration or a skunk skinning. Once they spent hours in my shop dissecting a young peacock with a serious leg bone issue. One leg bone was twisted nearly 90 degrees causing him to walk on his wing resulting in abrasion and infection. (I have a multi-purpose shop!) I took 62 photos of the dissection in case anyone wants some closeups.
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They discovered both joints at the ends of the bone were fine and the bone was simply twisted, most likely due to softening from a dietary deficiency resulting in a potassium/calcium ratio imbalance. As a very young bird this peacock had his nose damaged by a guinea which healed with scar tissue which curved the beak upwards and prevented him from picking up fine game bird feed essential for health. Now I know.

While one was waiting for the other to finish a turning she asked if I had a woodburner. I couldn't believe the results she got the first time - far better than I could do after several days of practice. Oh well.

I think I get more enjoyment and satisfaction from helping someone learn a new skill than I do from making some incredible thing myself.

JKJ

[Bill Jobe]

John, I'm sure it's just a simple misprint and you meant to type 300th experience at the lathe.
I hope my skills are at that level when I hit 300.

[John K Jordan]

John, I'm sure it's just a simple misprint and you meant to type 300th experience at the lathe.
I hope my skills are at that level when I hit 300.

Ha!

Lesson 1, spindles. The first time to touch a lathe. I always start new students with the skew chisel. I've done things like this a number of times and it usually doesn't take long until they get the hang of the skew. Then spindle gouge and finally roughing gouge. (I never start by putting roughing gouge to square blanks - I think that is a horrible way to start out. I start with a smoothly rounded cylinder.) Once they see how easy the skew is everything else is even easier. Each turned a number of practice spindles, cylinders, tapers, beads and coves.

The next session they used what we learned about spindles and made things to take home. Naomi made a garden dibble and Kristina make a whacking stick. Watch out for that one...

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With those complete we switched to Lesson 2: to face-turning. They each took home a cherry bowl.

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The third times for each were lessons with goals: after practice pieces one turned the thin spindle wand using mostly the skew and the other turned the squarish platter. Now Kristina wants to try making a wand. I hope I haven't enabled an addiction.

I am blessed to have a place where I can share turning like this. Dozens of youngsters (and oldsters) have come to play.

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JKJ

[Jay Mullins]

Having the shop with the tools you have and the willingness to share speaks well of you. Most woodturners are willing to share their knowledge, you take it to a higher level. I was honored to have met you at the NC Symposium last fall. Keep up the good work.

Jay Mullins

[Frederick Skelly]

Way to go John - another success story! You are a natural teacher and mentor, sir!

Happy New Year.
Fred

[John K Jordan]

Having the shop with the tools you have and the willingness to share speaks well of you. Most woodturners are willing to share their knowledge, you take it to a higher level. I was honored to have met you at the NC Symposium last fall. Keep up the good work.

Jay Mullins

Thank you, gentlemen! Jay, I enjoyed talking to you too. If you get over this way at some point please come visit. We can continue our brief conversation and play in the shop. You will be required to take some turning blanks home.