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.

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 →

Posted in Colouring wood, Finishing | 5 Comments

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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A very satisfied customer

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Ed Pretty

Patti Houston of Fluff Rentals and Fluff for Keeps commissioned a piece a while ago and we delivered it to her office/warehouse last week. Several gals work for her there, interior designers all. Patti was very happy with  “Debutante” (by … Continue reading →

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Supersized hollow form

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Ed Pretty

Many years ago I watched a deep hollowing demonstration by the late Frank Sudol. Sudols’ forte was very large, very thin pierced hollow forms. I took a class using his boring tools and found it quite easy. I started down … Continue reading →

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Bee tea. My first tea pot.

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Ed Pretty

 Our guild president offered a challenge to turn a tea pot after Art Liestman did a demo on the pots made by woodturners. This is my effort. The body is birch burl, the spout and top/dipper are birch, the legs … Continue reading →

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It’s time to lime (but not your lawn)

Posted on January 1, 2011 by Ed Pretty

Recently I have received requests from a few other turners for tips on using lime wax. There’s not a lot of literature on the process that I am aware of except a book that I have myself; “Colouring Techniques for Woodturners” by … Continue reading →

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Art as utility

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Today a potter-friend posted some pictures of some pottery that he had fired in a campfire while he was on holidays. My first thought was how great the pieces looked and how they conveyed a message of ancient wonders. In … Continue reading →

Posted in General | 2 Comments

Turned box for surprise gift requires a profile gauge

Posted on December 21, 2010 by Ed Pretty

I won’t say what the surprise is going to be because the recipient might read this. All I’ll say is that the request came from someone wanting to have a turned box shaped like an egg to hold a very … Continue reading →

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