Author Archives: Ed Pretty

About Ed Pretty

I am a professional woodturner, specializing in gallery work, commercial work, teaching and demonstrating. I have been turning since 1958, so... a long time. I use this site to present my work to the public at large and to let people know that I am available for teaching private lessons in woodturning. Wood turning is one of my passions (the other is motorcycle touring). It is my desire to pass on everything that I have learned over the years to others so that the craft of woodturning will grow.

Workshop Dust Control – A Must

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written for Craftsy by Ed, titled “Breathe Easier With These Tips for Workshop Sawdust Control” A lathe easily contends for top spot for dust production in your shop. Your only hope of having any control at all is to … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , | Comments Off on Workshop Dust Control – A Must

How To Turn a Wooden Scarf Ring and Pin Set

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “Turn a Wooden Scarf Ring and Pin Set For Christmas”> A gift made by hand is a gift from the heart. A turned scarf ring and pin set the ideal gift for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , | Comments Off on How To Turn a Wooden Scarf Ring and Pin Set

Spindle Turning Without a Copy Attachment

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “One and the Same: Spindle Turning Without a Copy Attachment” If Eli Wallach were a wood turner, his famous line would have been, “Copiers! We don’t need no stinkin’ copiers!” It seems that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Spindle Turning Without a Copy Attachment

Mounting Work in a Chuck

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “Helpful Tips for mounting Work in a Chuck on a Lathe”. Chucks are one of the handiest ways of holding work on the lathe. There are a few types of chucks but the … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , | Comments Off on Mounting Work in a Chuck

Turning Tool Handles – Turn Your Own

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as ” Turn Your Own Turning Tool Handles”> Turning tools come handled or unhandled, meaning of course, with or without a handle. A ready-made handle is fine but it may not suit the turner’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , | Comments Off on Turning Tool Handles – Turn Your Own

Pommel Cuts: How To

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Crafsty as “Pommel Cuts: The Shapes of Things to Come”. A pommel cut on a spindle is the transition between a straight-sided pommel (usually square) to the round or turned portion of the piece. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Pommel Cuts: How To

Turning a Lidded Box

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “Turning a Lidded Box: Free Step-by-Step Tutorial”. One of the most fun and varied items you can turn on a lathe is a lidded box. In the photo below you can see that … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , | Comments Off on Turning a Lidded Box

Woodturning Safety Tips

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “Safety at the Lathe: Woodturning Safety Tips”> It’s the only machine tool in the shop where the machine moves the wood and the cutting tool is held by the operator. The lathe, therefore, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lathe Safety, Tips and How To's | Tagged | Comments Off on Woodturning Safety Tips

Sharpening Woodturning Tools Using a Jig

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “How to Sharpen Woodturning Tools Using a Jig”. A sharpening jig for woodturning tools pays for itself in two ways. First, metal removal is almost nil with each trip to the grinder. Second, … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Sharpening Woodturning Tools Using a Jig

Bowl Turning Tips & Tricks

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “Bowl Turning Tips & Tricks” The title works for this one, so I kept it. Turning a bowl can be a challenge no matter what your level of expertise, but as long as you set … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and How To's | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Bowl Turning Tips & Tricks