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.

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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Turning Spindles or Replication Made Simple

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written for Craftsy by Ed titled: How to Turn Stair Spindles Step by Step. My last post talked about the basic concepts behind turning multiple pieces between centers on a lathe. I just completed a set of 42 spindles … Continue reading →

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Beyond ABC – Tips and Tricks

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written for Crafty’s website by Ed, titled “The ABCs of Woodturning: The Basics” ABC. What topic doesn’t have its “ABCs”? Following the A, B and C of woodturning basics will give you the ability to control any tool to … Continue reading →

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Designing Furniture Legs

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Craftsy as “Things to Consider When Designing Turned Furniture Legs”> There are so many considerations when designing a piece of furniture. Does it have to match other pieces? Is it to conform to a particular … Continue reading →

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Turning a Bowl with Feet

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Ed Pretty

Originally written by Ed for Crafsty as “Turn Better Bowls: How to Make a Bowl with Legs” In my last post I pointed out a few design considerations for turned forms. One primary consideration was that bowls will appear much lighter … Continue reading →

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