Here are My Woodturnings!
by Diane Davison
N. Olmstead, OH
Note: click any picture to see a larger version.
These are a couple of my very first tunings. I'm self taught and an avid reader of turning books of the masters. The two pieces shown above are 3 1/2" x 11 and 4 x 12" tall, and I believe the wood is elm (it was from an estate sale, so it's a guess). Note the larger has a glass tube inserted to hold the flowers up. They are finished in Danish oil and then waxed.
Here is some of my more recent work:
These are the very first and second bowls I ever turned. One is basswood, the other walnut (note how pic shows it could have been smoother).
The following pics will show that my skills are improving!!
Mahogany bowls, larger in size.
This piece is turned from spalted maple.
This one is spalted sycamore. All bowls are finished in danish oil and then waxed.
This is a book stand in poplar from scratch with no pattern.
I started woodworking 20+ years ago. I told my husband that I just wanted to build a desk! I started out with only a hand held scrolling jig saw, and began making scrolled items as gifts. That progressed to a small table top scroll saw. Then I decided I'd like to turn, so hubby bought the lathe for me for Christmas. Besides turning, I have a large band saw for band saw boxes and an industrial 6" belt sander. I do also like doing intarsia.
As far as inspiration for turning, I used to watch my uncle turning when I was a teenager. I always thought one day I might try that. My 93 year old aunt told me that I'm a natural because I had male woodworkers on both sides numerous generations back. I also use Lumberjocks now for inspiration - there are some masters on that site. When I see something I like, I try to duplicate it.
The turning tools I use the most are the Sorby's, then Shop Smith. They are the easiest for me to use because they give me the greatest leverage and stay sharper longer.
I will say I have a great respect for the tools. A girl can be a bit intimidated by the power tools. I have learned safety comes first and that you can learn anything if you just try. We have a granddaughter who is interested in woodworking. She has been in the shop to make a few things already.
You can see more of Diane's works at her
Lumberjocks site
.
Submit your own woodturnings or woodturning shop to this column! Simply
SEND US PHOTOS
of your woodturning
projects or shop along with captions and a brief history and description of your woodturning. (Email photos
at 800x600 resolution.) Receive a $50 store credit if we show your turning in a future issue!
