I have been woodturning for about five years. My first lathe was an old Rockwell (currently known as Delta). It had a 12" swing, and a pulley motor that I mounted onto a piece of plywood and clamped it to a makeshift table that was made of two saw horses and a hollow-core door. Very flimsy, and it would walk across the shop floor when turning an out-of-round piece.
It wasn't the best lathe and setup, but it was the best to learn on. The less you have in the beginning, the more you have to struggle and the more you get to learn. I also had a cheap set of carbon steel chisels, and an old grey stone grinder. Everything I had was second hand, inferior quality and a challenge to work.
The only instruction I took was not really instruction. It was a one day a week night course at a local high school. It was a woodshop. But my sole purpose was to learn how to turn. I learned the basics--I mean the very basics like mounting a piece of wood to a faceplate--in these few weeks I had.
I then practiced a lot at home. I made many a things, both face and centerwork. I read avidly how-to woodturn books. Richard Raffan and Keith Rowley are my favorite authors.
Through the past few years I made a lot of projects. Like many beginning turners my earlier projects were quite klunky. I made many mistakes, had many nasty catches. And I had to stand in front of the lathe sanding for hours and hours, starting at 60 grit!
But I progressed and honed my skills as a hobbyist woodturner. I found how not only addicting it is, but soothing. I don't smoke or drink, nor have any other vices, and spending my time in my shop is my way of finding relaxation in a seemingly cruel world.
I gave out many of my turnings as gifts. The greatest of rewards is seeing them proudly displayed in familiar homes.
I learned how to find and split my own wood, rough out bowl blanks, dry them, and re-turn and finish them. Currently I am quite pleased with my products and progress of skill level. But I know I am still a novice with a big dream one day to draw swords, or better yet share a cup of tea, with the likes of Raffan.
Woodturning did not come without encouragement from great friends. I have much to thank for my turning buddy John B., who was the first to teach me which end of the chisel to hold. He has been my captive audience for each and every one of my turnings, and always shares with me my excitement. Without him, I'd have no beginning to speak of.
Another good friend from Texas (Leon, you know who you are), has been a great inspiration to me. He has provided daily guidance on not only woodturning, but this passing thing we call life. He is my guru of all gurus for all things great and small. It is not without reason why I call him, 'Professor.' Without Leon, I'd still be a couple of years and about a hundred projects behind. Among other jigs, he's been singularly responsible for my greatest attachment to the lathe: a vacuum chuck system. A true friend indeed, who else would take the time to find and mail you a 40lb vacuum pump needed for this jig?
My best encourging friend has been my wife Kathy. She revels at each of my pieces even before they're taken off the lathe. She has a very artistic eye, and she is commonly my chief designer. She adorns our house with my turnings in almost every nook and cranny. It's a wonder any of my turnings make it out of the house as gifts. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my finished pieces, and this consuming hobby of mine, with her. She truly makes woodturning a joy.
I have continually upgraded my shop. I've now got a Nova 3000 lathe with a DC motor and speed controller. I've built a very sturdy, 960 lb lathe table. I love this lathe and my new setup. I know there are better and pricier lathes out there, as there are more inferior and cheaper ones, too. But I'm thoroughly happy with this machine from Teknatool, which I've owned since Spring of 2001. I've got an outrigger (outboard) setup, and have collected a good set and good range of high speed steel chisels. I have a new white wheel grinder, and the Wolverine system for sharpening. All these things have progressively helped me enhance my skills.
I do both face and centerwork better and better as I go along. And those gifts I'm making these days are very, very gratifying to make and give. In other words, I am content.
Still, there is still much more to accomplish for me. I have yet to do true hollow vessels, deep vessels, intricated lidded boxes, and a hundred other things I have yet to imagine and can only realize when I see masterpieces made by the real pro's. Still, I am very content at heart with where I am now compared to where I was several years ago. And I am very excited to dream where I will be in the future years to come. I have still an endless amount to learn, and I welcome this challenge.
But I am in no hurry. Each day in the shop is a joy and I come out with new knowledge with every new project. And that knowledge and skills of knowing how to turn wood and producing quality pieces has been the greatest form of expression for me.
The very top photo on this webpage is of my latest project. It's an 11" wide nutcracker bowl made of California Walnut and will be my Christmas gift this year to my Dad. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he sees it for the first time. Perhaps he'll even look on the bottom and see his son's signature there, and smile even more.
