Category Archives: Woodturning Tech Talk

This catagory is dedicated to discussions about woodturning techniques, wood, finishing, woodturning tools and woodturning lathes. I will post items that come to mind in any random order and at any random time. Comments and questions on these posts are welcomed and encouraged.

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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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 →

Posted in Colouring wood, Finishing | Tagged , | 4 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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A Day with Doug Fisher

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Ed Pretty

Recently our guild hosted Doug Fisher for a one day demo and one day workshop. For those of you who are not aware of Doug’s distinctive style, I have included a couple of pictures of his signature pieces. Typically he turns wall … Continue reading →

Posted in Colouring wood, General, Woodturning Tech Talk | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Stand-Alone Tool Carousel

Posted on December 4, 2010 by Ed Pretty

 At one time my lathe was against a wall so storing my tools was a simple matter of providing a rack on the wall. When I got serious about turning I moved things around to get the lathe out in … Continue reading →

Posted in Lathes and Tools, Woodturning Tech Talk | Tagged | 1 Comment

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