David Croxton

[David Croxton]

Hello everyone! My name is David Croxton - most of my friends call me "Dave" and I'm cool with that!
I'm a brand-new member to AAW and have just recently started exploring the web site and this forum - I have a lot of catching up to do with all the great content!
I have been a member of my local chapter - New Mexico Woodturners - since 2018.
Been woodworking in one form or another since I was old enough to pick up a hammer - my dad was a carpenter & I learned so much from him. My woodworking took a dramatic step up in mid 1990's when I began making Southwest style furniture with lots of hand carving and stone inlay.
Sometime around 2005, I saw an article in one of my woodworking magazines about "how to turn a Cholla Cactus Pen with Turquoise Inlay"- it looked like a really cool project! I had been looking for an excuse to buy a lathe - and so my journey down the rabbit hole began with a Delta Midi Lathe and a couple of Sorbey Turning tools! Early on, I turned mostly small projects that I could finish over a weekend. I was always looking to try different types of wood and various other materials, just to gain experience turning.
Fast forward to 2019 - I bought a larger lathe in order take another step in this hobby - learning to make hollow forms and larger vessels. I also wanted to learn more about texturing, carving and applying other embellishments on turnings. I had also heard about Basketweave Illusion and saw some photos, but it was a few years before I decided to give it a go - now I am hooked!
Currently, I just enjoy being in the shop - challenging myself to learn new techniques and hopefully create something beautiful that people will like looking at.

 

[Darryn Achall]

Welcome. Looking forward to seeing some of your work.

 

[Jim McLain]

Good to see your intro Dave. Please post some of your beautiful basket illusions and that beads of courage bowl you did.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Welcome to the forum and yes we like pictures

 

[David Croxton]

Good to see your intro Dave. Please post some of your beautiful basket illusions and that beads of courage bowl you did.

thanks Jim - I will get some photos posted soon!

 

[Bill Boehme]

Welcome aboard, Dave.

 

[Mike Harman]

Welcome Dave it is interesting that you went from a midi to a long bed lathe. I went the other way and found that the midi had a bigger swing over the bed also i can add an extra onto the bed if i want to go back to aor need a long bed lathe.

 

[David Croxton]

Welcome Dave it is interesting that you went from a midi to a long bed lathe. I went the other way and found that the midi had a bigger swing over the bed also i can add an extra onto the bed if i want to go back to aor need a long bed lathe.

Hi Mike, thanks for the welcome message!
Good to hear your switch to a midi lathe worked out well for you! I guess capacities just depend on the manufacturer - with my old Delta midi I had just under a 12" swing capacity over the bed, however my newer lathe is a Nova DVR & it has a 16" over the bed swing capacity - plus - I can pivot the headstock & use the outrigger attachment which will allow me to turn up to a massive 29" diameter piece! The Nova also has more length between centers than the Delta midi, but I would not consider it a long bed lathe - although I could get an optional bed extension at some point if I find that I need more room. So far, stepping up to the Nova has really helped me accomplish some of the things that I was wanting to learn but was limited somewhat by the capacity of the old Delta lathe. I actually still have my old Delta midi and use it on a fairly regular basis. Initially, I thought about selling it after I bought the Nova, but now I'm glad I didn't -- I have found it to be very convenient to have both lathes! - Have fun & work safe!