My woodcraft Bowl Turning class was today! I have been looking forward to this for a while now, as I am always eager to learn new techniques, and the last bowl attempt I tried on my own sent the blank sailing through air to the back corner of the garage (we can't go there, that's spider country). I realized I might benefit from a proper lesson from an experienced wood worker. Our instructor was Dave Peebles, a local Northwest Ohioan and full time wood turner. His many years of experience and endless turning knowledge was exactly what I needed. We discussed various safety techniques and learned the proper use of a bowl gouge. Now, for the neat freaks out there, you may want to seriously avoid turning bowls. The mountains of shavings produced would probably make such a person hyperventilate. At one point I realized it was piled around my feet and shins (which was bit reminiscent of when my older siblings tied me to a tree on a camping trip and feigned setting me aflame, or maybe the wood was to green to burn...I'm sure I had it coming...but I digress). I do realize that I need to get a tool grinder and lathe tool angle attachment. When you can have your gouges and chisels sharp in less then 30 seconds, this is a must...hmmm, have they mailed those stimulus checks yet? I completed two bowls which still need sanding and finishing, and started the profile on a third. Dave also gave us three additional seven inch cherry blanks which I plan on making use of over the next couple of weeks...

And of course, the obligatory pen post (you didn't think I'd let you all off that easy, did you?). I had one blank left from my setups earlier this week, so Friday after work I spent some time setting up some Corian and Tulipwood blanks and turned the acrylic blank which was ready to go. The profile is a "Big Ben" Chrome edition with an Emerald acrlyic. I may try to get another snapshot of this pen in the daylight as the rich green color is washed out in my light box...

I was also approached by a neighbor while turning away at the lathe on Friday. They had a slight mishap which resulted in the severe damage to one of their wood frame window sashes (I think that is the right term). The tenons were pretty much destroyed and he wanted to know if I had ever repaired windows (my first thought was: yes, but the computer kind, but the joke may been lost on him). I told him I have never done this type of work (I struggle with right angles), but I think financial aspects may prevent him from putting a new window in. I am going to take a look at it Sunday and see if I can repair it for him...