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A Woodturner's Life...Glenn Lucas

Aron Fast

Aron Fast

Joined
Jan 1, 2025
Messages
20
Likes
37
Location
Hesston, kansas
The 4th episode just dropped on YouTube. My son and I have watched each one and I have learned quite a bit about processing wood. I'm not a professional and I don't have a sawmill or a kiln. But I have a chainsaw, bandsaw and forklift and the nuggets of knowledge that Glenn drops along the way are so great.

For example he lays out his circles slightly overlapping so even though the rough turned bowl will have a flat spot and be a little 'oval' the differential shrinkage will be more round.

I think I enjoy the methods of work almost as much as I enjoy the woodturning itself.
 
I've really been enjoying this series! Led me to finally get off the dime and schedule a class with him (not until 2027) to give us an excuse to go to Ireland for a few weeks. The scale of is operation (and the amount of hard work involved) is really impressive. Love the spalted beech he gets.
 
Watched the four videos and amazed at the huge operation he manages. I was particularly interested in his routine for cutting logs into blanks. I have been putting off cutting logs but am confident that I can follow his directions to produce good blanks.
 
Thanks, Aron, for the heads up on the videos. I watched two and they have been fascinating! And I learned several things so far.
  • I need to make a coarse screen for my dust collector pickup at the lathe. I've already lost a wrist watch and a kitten. Just kidding, but have lost plenty of strips of sandpaper.
  • It would be great to have a building where I could keep my sawmill out of the weather. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen.
  • He makes good use of the fork lift. I can't imagine not having forks, although I use mine on the tractor and skid steer.
  • The highway weight limit Ireland. I assume there are special permits or fees or something if you really need to haul something heavy. I typically haul 4-ton loads of hay and that doesn't count the 18' gooseneck trailer. My tracked skid steer weighs a bit over 4 tons lbs with another 2000 for attachments (plus a the weight of the equipment trailer). Or loads of gravel, usually 20+ tons per load around here.
  • I love the the heavy plate he added to the trailer bed - fabulous idea. The typical wooden beds are the first things that need replacing.
  • Hey, another person to add to the list of those who like mini donkeys!
  • Glenn certainly has incredible tool control! He did mention he's turned a few bowls in the past. :)
  • If I ever say I want to become a production turner, someone please knock some sense into me with a stick. If that doesn't work, please lock me up!
A few years back we considered using Glenn Lucas' class to justify a jaunt to and around Ireland. Been to numerous points in the UK and Europe but never made it to Ireland. Bucket list.

JKJ
 
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