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Woodturning for All

Live from Rudy's Tampa Studio to Club Members

Virtually “Live” via Zoom for Club Meetings

Hands On, Private, and One-on-One Available

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Thin Stem Natural Edge Goblet from a Limb

I will show you my technique for turning a thin stem natural edge goblet from a green limb approximately 1½” – 2 ½ ”dia. using mostly a 1/2″ or 5/8″ side ground bowl gouge. You will learn limb selection, pith orientation, and how to stabilize thin stems. This demo also includes tips on finishing and drying to help avoid cracking.

Natural Edge Wing Bowl from a Half Log or Crotch Section

I will demonstrate how I turn one of my thin natural edge wing bowl from a green log or crotch section. Design and layout considerations regarding limb orientation, crotch figure, keeping or eliminating features or flaws in the wood will be covered. The basics of bevel-supported cuts along with two of the most important fundamentals of turning–sharp tools and good tool control–will be emphasized. Turning thin allows the wood to warp and move, which influences the final piece and helps avoid cracking.

Natural Edge End-Grain Vase

I will be turning a natural edge end grain vase from a green log using a side ground bowl gouge and the Rolly Munro Hollower.  You will learn limb selection, pith orientation, drying, and finishing to help avoid cracking. I will cover the differences of cutting end-grain verses side-grain and discuss different end-grain hollowing methods.

Twice Turned Vase or Bowl with Decorated Rim Detail from a Log

This is a challenging project which requires everything from basic spindle work to good tool control on interrupted cuts. We will turn a vase from a log which is first turned long grain (spindle orientation) to put beads or cove decoration around the log.  The log will then be repositioned to side grain orientation to shape the vase or bowl form. The bead/cove decoration now becomes a rim detail around the rim of the vase or bowl.

Square to Round Bowls, Vases and Hollow Forms

Learn the process I use to create a bowl or vase, which is square on top and tapers to round at the bottom. Starting with a square or rectangular blank that has been prepared on a bandsaw to taper the sides, the remaining exterior corners will be turned leaving the four tapered sides previously cut on the band saw.  Finally, the interior of the bowl or vase will be turned into the square top.

Square Wing Plate from a 2x6

I will be turning a small square wing plate from a 2 x 6, emphasizing the two most important fundamentals of turning: sharp tools and good tool control. I will cover the basics of bevel supported verses non-bevel supported cuts. This is great practice with inexpensive materials and will help you improve your technique on interrupted cuts, which helps achieve a clean smooth finish from the tool.

Natural Edge Wing Platter with Carved Feet

I will show you how I turn one of my natural edge wing platters with carved feet from a crotch section. Emphasizing the two most important fundamentals of turning–sharp tools and good tool control.  I will cover the basics of bevel supported verses non-bevel supported cuts. This will help you improve your technique on interrupted cuts, which will help you achieve a clean smooth finish from the tool.

ABC‘s of Bowl Turning (morning) & XYZ’s of Bowl Turning (afternoon)

We will first turn a shallow flat rim bowl then progress onto turning a natural edge bowl. Discussions on the correct sharpening of the side ground bowl gouge and the two different bevel angles I use (60 & 40 degrees). Students will be encouraged to concentrate on good tool technique.

Building on the correct bowl gouge techniques learned in the morning session, students will improve on these to do more advanced bowl shapes such as closed form bowls, thin walled bowls, Calabash round bottom bowls, and elongated wing style bowls.

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