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ToolChatter

The Much Maligned Scraper Woodturners, especially the new and insecure woodturners, face the question of whether to scrape or not to scrape? Let me answer for one low level intermediate woodturner – I love scrapers. There, I have said it, and I am now out of the closet and feel liberated! Read the Full Story

Artist On The Cover

Jerry Prosise Every now and then, you run into someone, whose initial manner suggests an attractive level of class. Then when you look further, you find a very well grounded, artistic, and devoted individual, who just so happens to be a woodturner who regularly dazzles those around him. Jerry Prosise is that type of individual. Read the Full Story

Welcome to Woodturners America

TurningTips

Making Of The Tool Donkey A few months ago, I bought a small metal lathe and mill. This started me seeking supplies of aluminum, brass and steel. Locally, I found a scrap yard and the owner was happy to take my money……aaaaah, I mean help me choose scrap and new stock he had on hand. He took me to the back of his warehouse and showed me some stuff; I didn’t have a clue what it was or what to do with it. On every visit, I’d look at it and think there has to be a good use for it. I Googled around and found it’s used for store displays, shop benches and anything you can think of. It’s kind of an erector set stock of extrusions. But at that time I felt, I needed special brackets and fittings to put it together and use it. Then one day, I received an email for the Lathe Tool Mule and the light bulb came on! Read the Full Story

Thats Life

New Global Report Reveals That the Spirit of Childhood Is at Risk EAST HANOVER, N.J. (Feb. 1, 2012) – The results of a new global report released today by the OREO brand and Ipsos Public Affairs indicate that from China to Poland and Portugal to Venezuela, the spirit of childhood – that is, the chance for children and adults alike to enjoy simple, carefree moments – may be destined for the endangered species list. The report reveals that the vast majority of parents surveyed believe today’s kids are growing up quicker than previous generations. In fact, seven out of 10 parents worldwide say their children should have more time to ‘just be kids.’ Read the Full Story

Learnin Stuff

Segmented Bell Christmas Ornaments

These ornaments are so easy enough that even I can do them. But for those that aren't Woodturners they look like something that was really hard to do. Read the Full Story

Editorials

Conventional Vs PM Tooling - What Are These Newfangled Steels There is a lot of discussion and confusion amongst woodturners today regarding “newfangled” PM steels. Are they worth it? Do they last longer? Can they be easily sharpened? Do I need different grinding wheels? Are they a marketing gimmick? Since factual knowledge is the key to understanding and sound decision making, let’s take some time to understand exactly what the new steels are and how they are different from the materials used in “your grandfather’s” turning tools. Read the Full Story

Tool Basics

Using a Bowl as a Friction Chuck Vaughn McMillian wrote this up to answer a few questions elsewhere on the internet and wanted to share it here. It may be old hat to some, but may prove useful to others. Read the Full Story

Techniques

Sculpting Spirals On A Bowl Sculptured spirals on a bowl are a very effective way of enhancing some very ordinary pieces of timber, or on exotic species to really bring out the features to create an amazing piece. It looks difficult, but really it’s all about careful layout and hand tools. Once you see how it’s done, you will be able to give it a go yourself.
Tools required are a large compass capable of scribing a circle or around 24” or 60cm, either a vee chisel or some sort of power chisel arrangement and sandpaper. Also wood rasps, files and any other means of wood removal your comfortable with; but the first three are all that’s really needed, oh and patience. Read the Full Story

Out Of The Woods

Mesquite pictured: Vaughn McMillan Mesquite Nested Bowl Set
Mesquite (from Nahuatl mizquitl) is a leguminous plant of the Prosopis genus found in northern Mexico through the Sonoran Desert and Chihuahuan Deserts, and up into the Southwestern United States as far north as southern Kansas, west to the Colorado Desert in California,and east to the eastern fifth of Texas, where average annual rainfall is in excess of 40 inches (100 cm). Several species are found in arid to semi-arid regions of southern and western South America. Read the Full Story

Turn Safe

Impact Resistance: Protective Eyewear A look at the standards, and how they compare Background
Historically, impact resistance has been regulated by agencies like FDA since the early 1970s for products furnished through medical and retail channels, such as sunglasses and prescription eyewear. It is simply a drop ball test where a 5/8 inch steel ball is dropped free-fall through a tube from a height of 50 inches onto the lens surface. For protective eyewear meant for industrial or occupational use, the governing document is ANSI Z87.1, and it has been in existence, through several iterations, for almost 40 years. OSHA in its regulations (see CFR 1910.133) specifically cites Z87.1 as the minimum performance requirement for protective eyewear, effectively giving it the weight of law. Where a hazard assessment in the workplace indicates that eye/face protection is needed, such protection must be provided, and it must comply with this ANSI standard. Read the Full Story

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