Woodworker's Journal 2006-30-5, страница 14

Anne started turning by roughing the blank into the largest diameter available. Because the inside diameter of the receptacle for the bowl was critical, she turned that first, making sure (he bottom area was flat. As she turned, she learned. I gave her pointers here and there. Anne's advice for other beginning turners: when turning a large piece of wood, take the prep time to cut it round and to make sure the bottom is flat where the glue block is attached. And, most important, use sharp tools!

A bit of sanding, then Anne was done. She used a parting tool to reduce the diameter of the glue block, and with a mallet and chisel popped the platter from the glue block. She sanded the bottom using a sanding disc. An application of salad oil brought out the beautiful grain of the maple. Add salsa and chips and serve!

Turner: Paula Mann

Paula has been turning wood for a few years, ever since taking a class at the Indianapolis Art Center. Over the past two years, Paula has been making chalice and paten sets and increasingly receives commissions for them.

Paula has a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Quality Management degree. A major career move happened two years ago when she quit her job and went back to school to obtain her Masters of Divinity at Christian Theological Seminary. She intends to become a Presbyterian minister.

Not surprisingly, Paula's project is a baptismal font. It has a peaceful, serene look when filled with water and river rocks. Paula finished it with oil, like the finish on a cutting board. After use, she dries it with a soft cloth.

The lathe Paula owns is a Shopsmith 510 model, which she bought new in 2002. Its slowest speed is 700 rpm, making it a challenge to turn large objects inboard — the turning can be accomplished, but sanding is a problem. For that, slower speeds are necessary. Like Myra and

Anne, Paula headed for my shop. She also used the glue-block method for attaching the wood to the lathe.

Paula turned three groves in the rim, which stand for the Trinity. Each groove's boarder is lower than its neighbor, from outside to inside, so water can flow from edge to the center. She pours water into the outer most edge, letting it spill like a waterfall into the center.

Her advice to others is to let the tools do the work. If the gouge seems to be fighting, it probably means a trip to the grinder is needed or perhaps you should try making the cut using a slightly different angle of the cutting edge against the wood. Good advice for all turners!

Turner: Jennifer Shirley

Jennifer is a part-time woodturner, works full time as a director of one of Indianapolis' television news programs, and is the proud mother of Weston, a fine young teenager. Jennifer is mostly self-taught, but she did take a turning class at Arrowmont School for Arts and Crafts in Tennessee. She also plans to attend a class at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Tennessee, taught by New Zealand woodturner, Graeme Priddle.

Jennifer is skilled with the use of a chainsaw, and she easily cuts up log sections into bowl blanks. Friends often dump random logs in her driveway, but that may be a thing of the past. She recently began using wood that is already dried and finds that her results are more consistent. With a limited amount of time to devote to her passion, she would rather get right to the turning, which provides balance to the stress of a full-time job.

'Hie lathe that Jennifer uses is a General, which she bought new several years ago. It can turn 22" inboard. Her shop is a converted garage and it's easy to tell from how it's arranged that the General lathe is of primary importance. A miniature JET lathe sits on a workbench, which Jennifer uses to teach Weston, who's making pens and spinning tops.

Paula Mann began turning a few years back after taking a class. This Minister-to-be advises new turners to "let the tools do the work. If the gouge seems to be fighting, try visiting the grinder."

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October 2006 Woodivorker's Journal