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.

Congratulations to Art Liestman

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Art Liestman is a friend and co-member of the Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild. Art is one of those un-assuming people who, although he has many things he could brag about, never brags at all. He willingly shares what he knows with others yet is right … Continue reading →

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Drying wood with Silica gel

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Some time back a woodturning friend had a brainwave when his wife bought some silica gel (which is, in fact, in bead form) for drying flowers. He thought if it could dry flowers, why not wood? He presented the idea to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Drying wood | 7 Comments

I’m pretty stoked about this one.

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Ed Pretty

I am a member of a website called World of Woodturners (WOW) where members post pictures of their work as well as comment on pieces, ask questions and offer suggestions. The membership reaches around the world and counts many well-known names … Continue reading →

Posted in Colouring wood, Finishing, General | 1 Comment

Colouring class in my shop

Posted on November 8, 2010 by Ed Pretty

A while ago a friend in the Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild asked if I would tutor him in some of my techniques. David was specifically interested in my use of dyes and other colour mediums but was also interested in woodturning … Continue reading →

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Gilding

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Well this was a first for me. I have always admired gilding on various pieces that others have done. Enough that I knew I would get around to doing something myself one day but never finding any pieces that were suitable. I’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Colouring wood, Finishing | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Skews: oval? flat?

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Ed Pretty

As I proof read my last post it occurred to me that one point of interest (confusion?) to new turners is the option of flat versus oval skews. Here is my opinion on the topic, and as they say, that and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodturning Tech Talk | 3 Comments

The dreaded skew is not so dreaded. Trust me.

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Like most turners, my first experiences with the skew were tense sessions sometimes ending successfully and sometimes not. Of course we all have known the agony of defeat, experiencing at least one “catch” in our career. And even if you … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodturning Tech Talk | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Stop the presses! Big assist for a vacuum chuck.

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Maybe the title is a little over the top but I’m pretty pumped about a stupid-easy fix that I tripped onto for a common problem when using vacuum chucks. Yesterday I was vacuum chucking a hollow form to finish the foot … Continue reading →

Posted in Woodturning Tech Talk | Tagged | 2 Comments

A little bit about dyes

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Ed Pretty

I was queried by a few turners at the West Coast Roundup about the materials I use when colouring wood, so promised I would put something up. My plans for the future include posting something on coloring wood so I already … Continue reading →

Posted in Colouring wood, Finishing | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

A few quick pointers on using a chuck

Posted on September 18, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Today I was working on a hollow form when the lathe started to growl – first when I was cutting the end grain then getting progressively worse. I checked the chuck to make sure it was tight on the lathe and … Continue reading →

Posted in Lathe Safety, Lathes and Tools, Woodturning Tech Talk | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments