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.

Keeping up… or, go big or go home as they say

Posted on October 22, 2011 by Ed Pretty

My little fridge works pretty well for drying blanks and rough turned pieces but doesn’t quite have the blast for large volumes of stock, so I decided to build a kiln. I had a bunch of thick styrofoam, a box … Continue reading →

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Trying to keep up

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Ed Pretty

Recently I came upon a new wood supplier – or rather he came upon me. The burls that were the subject of a recent post are an example. I have at my disposal an endless supply of figured maple of … Continue reading →

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Thinking Outside the Circle

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Ed Pretty

I was approved several months ago for a personal showing at the Circle Craft Gallery in November 2012. I never dreamed that I would be accepted but just in case, I made sure that I applied for a time slot … Continue reading →

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The wood junkie does it again.

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Ed Pretty

“You know what, Colin? I have literally tons of turning wood at home. I just don’t see myself getting any more. I don’t know where I’d put it”. Yes. These were my exact words to my friend Colin on our … Continue reading →

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DO NOT premix Procion MX dyes

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Ed Pretty

After receiving a few questions regarding the chemical make up of Procion MX dye, I did some research. Besides finding out the actual chemistry involved, I also found out something that I had been doing that is incorrect. I copied … Continue reading →

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Burning workshop at Art Liestman’s studio! Fire department late to scene.

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Ed Pretty

Last weekend was a special day in Art’s shop. Eight of us shared his space while he led us through a progressive approach to learning pyrography. We all had burners but had had little success in the past with the … Continue reading →

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A new technique for me.

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Ed Pretty

I have seen turnings done using combinations of centers much like the process I’ll describe here but not with this result. The final product is a combination of multi-center turning and hollow turning. I always check the “dollar bin” at … Continue reading →

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Arts at Darts art show

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Ed Pretty

  Last year we participated in the Mickelson Art Festival in  south Surrey. One of the many visitors to our booth was Linda Stanley Wilson, who is a volunteer at the Darts Hill garden in South Surrey. They are a … Continue reading →

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Supersized hollowform completed

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Ed Pretty

In an earlier post I discussed the construction of the tools I needed for turning large hollowforms. I had roughed out the form prior to drying which was to be the next step in the process. I feared the piece might crack. … Continue reading →

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Managing wood movement in a built-up piece

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Ed Pretty

The other day I received an email from a person who visited this blog then contacted me about possibly repairing a turning. She described the problem as a wooden band coming unglued at the top of the bowl and wondered if … Continue reading →

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