Wood Turning

Believe it or not, wood turning is a very sociable activity, so if you want to do a craft that enables you to join a local club and meet new people, here’s your chance.

Most clubs meet monthly and there are shows, exhibitions and so on to attend. Of course, the actual turning itself is a solitary occupation and you will need a shed, garage space or some other largish area in which to put your lathe and the other pieces of kit that you will require.

In essence, wood-turning is the craft of using a lathe to produce wooden objects such as bowls, stands, plates, cheese-boards, cups, rolling-pins, spinning-tops and so on. So you can easily impress your family and friends with useful and attractive wooden items for them.

You fix the wood to the machine, which spins the wood.

The turner holds a special type of chisel on a tool rest for support, and then moves the chisel towards the revolving wood. Thus shavings are quickly removed and the wood is shaped.

Wood-turning is not easy, and can be quite dangerous. Long hair, ties, and loose clothing could be caught up in the machine and wood can be thrown from the lathe if it isn’t properly mounted, injuring the turner. If you wrap anything around your fingers, or wear rings or bracelets, your fingers can be damaged. Wood-turning generates a huge amount of shavings and sawdust, so you must try not to inhale too much of it.

Welcome to my world of Unique hand-crafted goods.

Unique hand-crafted goods from woodforyew: bowls, platters, vases, pens etc, all unique and individual, plus commissions undertaken With a 10% discount for laterlife visitors.

A good introductory guide is Richard Raffan's book, Turning Wood (Taunton Press). If you’re tempted by wood turning, read the book before you spend money on a lathe. It’s also a good idea to talk to a wood turner, to find out exactly what you need, how much it will cost, which lathe to buy and how to observe the safety aspects of turning.

There has been a Guild of Turners since 1295 and in 1604 it received its Royal Charter and became the worshipful Company of Turners of London. It’s still going strong and you can read about it at www.turnersco.com. There is also The Association of Woodturners of Great Britain (www.woodturners.co.uk)  where you will find listed all the local clubs.

It’s therapeutic, satisfying but not cheap to set up. However, think of all the money you’ll save through the years by not having to buy Christmas presents!