Turners, and all woodworkers really, have a tendency to focus on their tools and gadgets which all too often seem to become some kind of measure of what they do. As Don Geiger once said (and Ruth Niles put on a T-shirt) "We're all just one tool away from greatness." Woodworkers are not, however, alone in this view; talk to a few hobbyist photographers if you doubt me on this.
Ultimately, whatever comes off that wood lathe, to some extent, must be the product of visual decisions by the turner/lathe operator concerning purpose, general shape, rim, foot, size, and a bunch of other criteria whether expressed or merely "felt". It is however, very easy to become so wrapped up, enamored if you will, with the process and activity of turning and cutting wood that we can lose sight of any specific idea for making the object. I'll plead guilty to having had so much fun spinning a dogwood log and peeling 4 and 5 foot long shavings with a large skew that I flat out forgot what I was going to make! I had a lathe covered in pink dogwood angle hair but next to nothing to show for it.
I'm good enough with turning tools that I can pretty much turn without torn grain, and its been a while since I had a catch, but being able to turn really nicely done hockey pucks just doesn't do much for me. No offense to you NHL fans
So, lets hear how all y'all come up with what you have in your mind's eye as you select the wood and mount it on the lathe. Given that any number of shapes and objects can be made from the same piece of wood, what drives your decision to go one way or another.
What are your inspirations for shape and style?
How do you design the piece that you're about to make?
Is there a body of work by one or more woodturners that inspires you to try to expand your skills and designs?
Ultimately, whatever comes off that wood lathe, to some extent, must be the product of visual decisions by the turner/lathe operator concerning purpose, general shape, rim, foot, size, and a bunch of other criteria whether expressed or merely "felt". It is however, very easy to become so wrapped up, enamored if you will, with the process and activity of turning and cutting wood that we can lose sight of any specific idea for making the object. I'll plead guilty to having had so much fun spinning a dogwood log and peeling 4 and 5 foot long shavings with a large skew that I flat out forgot what I was going to make! I had a lathe covered in pink dogwood angle hair but next to nothing to show for it.
I'm good enough with turning tools that I can pretty much turn without torn grain, and its been a while since I had a catch, but being able to turn really nicely done hockey pucks just doesn't do much for me. No offense to you NHL fans
So, lets hear how all y'all come up with what you have in your mind's eye as you select the wood and mount it on the lathe. Given that any number of shapes and objects can be made from the same piece of wood, what drives your decision to go one way or another.
What are your inspirations for shape and style?
How do you design the piece that you're about to make?
Is there a body of work by one or more woodturners that inspires you to try to expand your skills and designs?
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