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monthly turning challenge

  1. Michael Anderson

    November 2023 Turning Challenge: Thanksgiving Theme

    We’re sorry for the delay in getting this challenge posted. Life has been…life! Anyway… This month’s challenge is to turn something related to Thanksgiving. Note: for all of our international participants, you are welcome to turn something related to your own thanksgiving or equivalent holiday...
  2. Bill Boehme

    May 2023 Turning Challenge -- for beginners only

    The deadline has been extended two more days until midnight Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) on May 29, 2023. The turning challenge for the month of May 2023 is to turn a chicken egg and this month’s challenge is for beginners only. So, whatever yardstick you might use to judge your personal...
  3. Bill Boehme

    March 2023 Turning Challenge

    I'm going way out on a limb for the March 2023 turning challenge. And, because of my recent bout with Covid-19, the challenge is about two weeks later than usual. This might be a flop, but the challenge is to create a Covid-19 virus model or a caricature of the virus. Basically, it is a...
  4. Bill Boehme

    December Turning Challenge: Turn a Christmas decoration

    The turning challenge theme for December is to turn one (or more) Christmas decoration that is not a tree ornament. This would be something that could be placed under the Christmas tree or on a fireplace mantle or a table. Some examples would be a turned tree, snow folks, gnomes, Santa...
  5. Bill Boehme

    October 2022 Turning Challenge: Beginners only -- Turn a bowl

    The turning challenge for October 2022 is different in that it is only for new woodturners. So, if you have been turning for less than two years [EDIT: Click here for the updated definition, this challenge is for you. The challenge is to turn a bowl, but not just any old bowl. Nearly every...
  6. Bill Boehme

    August 2022 Turning Challenge — Still Rolling Along

    We've had a number of monthly challenges involving things that roll starting with an egg, then a French rolling pin, an Easter egg, and a baseball. In the spirit of rolling along, this month's challenge is to turn a ball in a ball. For anybody unfamiliar with a ball-in-a-ball, here is Al...
  7. Bill Boehme

    July 2022 Turning Challenge — Turn a baseball!

    The monthly challenge back in March was to turn an MLB Reject baseball bat. With the All-Star Game just around the corner, the July 2022 challenge is to turn a baseball, but not an ordinary regulation MLB baseball. The challenge is to turn a baseball that for one reason or another would be an...
  8. Bill Boehme

    June 2022 Turning Challenge, it's about time!

    Instead of a specific project, this month we are challenging your creativity with a theme -- "It's About Time!" So, let's not procrastinate nor while away the hours ... there's not a minute to waste. It's time for us to put on "hour" thinking caps. and make shavings. And now, a word from the...
  9. Emiliano Achaval

    May 2022 Turning Challenge: Turn Something with Metal!

    This month's challenge comes courtesy of our own @hockenbery Thank you Al for the great suggestion. It can be anything! as long as it has some metal. I will quote Al now: This is quite broad including wire, metal leaf, pewter, bronze, copper key filings, a wind chime with metal tubes...
  10. Bill Boehme

    April 2022 Turning Challenge Turn an Easter Egg

    Last year the first monthly turning challenge was to turn an egg laid by any member of the Aves class from hummingbirds to ostriches. For this month’s challenge we revisit the egg, but this time it’s, all "yolking" aside, a mammal egg … not a platypus nor echidna egg, but eggs of the elusive...
  11. Bill Boehme

    March 2022 Turning Challenge

    Spring is just around the corner which means that baseball isn't far behind. So, the challenge this month is to turn a baseball bat, but not an ordinary MLB regulation bat. The challenge is to turn a bat that is "different". Some examples are a bat that will get the fans excited, a bat to get...
  12. Emiliano Achaval

    February Turning Challenge

    For this month's challenge, we are going again with a theme. It's February already! So we are going to help you get motivated and turn something for Valentine's day! Extra points will be given if what you turn really makes you say, that's Valentine's gift. Hearts, flowers, a painted or...
  13. Bill Boehme

    January 2022 Turning Challenge

    The turning challenge for January 2022 is to turn a French rolling pin. This is a project that is within the reach of all skill levels and yet making a French rolling pin is challenging in getting the curve and ergonomics fine-tuned so that it will feel "like an extension of the baker's hands"...
  14. Emiliano Achaval

    December 2021 Turning Challenge

    For this month's challenge, we have a theme: "Happy New Year." Turn something that celebrates the end of a challenging year and welcomes a new one full of hope, a blank canvas that you can paint anyway you choose to. Get in the shop, have fun, give it your best shot and then show us what you...
  15. Bill Boehme

    November Turning Challenge: turn a snow person(s)!

    Christmas is rapidly approaching and every woodturner needs snowpeople (snowmen, snow beings) to decorate their fireplace mantle and/or coffee table. You can make one snow person or a whole family and it (they) can be any size as long as you are able to turn it (them) on your lathe. Hats are...
  16. Emiliano Achaval

    October Turning Challenge: turn a mallet!

    Every woodworker, woodturner, garage, friend, and or household needs one. Please do not tell me that you bought a rubber mallet! Even worst would be the one with the fiberglass handle! LOL Even if you have one, you need more than one. A large one to hit the drawbar. A smaller one for carving...
  17. Emiliano Achaval

    September 2021 Turning Challenge — Turn a Candlestick

    This month's woodturning challenge might take some of us back to basics. Let's turn a: (drumroll) candlestick!! A few rules: Only one entry per person and only one photo of the entry. This is a turning contest, not an old photo contest, LOL. So make sure your work is something you turned for...
  18. Bill Boehme

    August 2021 Turning Challenge — Turn a Bowl or Platter with Embellished Rim (+ vote & results)

    The August challenge was to turn a bowl or platter with an embellished rim. There were no restrictions on the embellishment and no size restrictions. Only one entry (and only one photo) was allowed per person. Turnings had to be started no earlier than August 3, 2021 ... (no old photos...
  19. Bill Boehme

    July 2021 Turning Challenge — Turn an Egg (+ Vote & Results)

    The egg turning contest for July has ended and now it is time for forum members to select their favorite. You get only one vote and once you have voted you won't be able to go back and change your vote. After you have voted you will be able to track the vote totals. The voting is secret (just...
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