Woodturning Alcove

I began turning in 1987 on a Sears Craftsman lathe when I lived in Atlanta. Over the years I gradually progressed to a Record Bowl Lathe, a behemoth old Powermatic 90, and now a Stubby Lathe. I joined the American Association of Woodturners in the early 1990's with membership number 3891. The AAW and my local clubs in Pittsburgh (Turners Anonymous) and now in Richmond (Richmond Woodturners) have been great sources of ideas, solutions, inspiration and encouragement, as well venues for expert demonstrations. I've had the opportunity to learn from David Ellsworth, John Jordan, Stuart Beaty, Jimmy Clewes and a whole lot of other presenters at my local clubs.

I primarily turn bowls, boxes and some hollow forms. Most of my wood comes from my brother-in-law in northwestern PA in the form of cherry burls and crotches. He got the old Powermatic and began turning cherry burl natural and smooth edge bowls and has since upgraded to a Powermatic 3520. He has turned well over 1,000 pieces and given most of them away. Woodturners are like that, we love to share our ideas, tools, wood, information and creations.

My Shop

When we moved to Virginia and built our house, my shop was the first project completed in the basement. It serves double duty as both a woodturning alcove and a woodworking shop. I tell people who see it that I can create a lot of sawdust in a hurry, but I do have a dust collector and air cleaner! I have more than a few pieces of wood waiting to become "the next gift" including some 1,000 year old redwood root and a bunch of cherry burls. So much wood, so little time!

Prayer Vessel Cherry burl and Cocobolo – 7" x 5 ½"

Cherry with Ebony 8" x 6"

Christmas Bell Cherry – 3" x 2 ½" Hung in VA Governor's Mansion in 2014

Christmas Tree Walnut and Maple (painted) – 7" x 2 ½" Hung in VA Governor's Mansion in 2014

Cherry Box Cherry and Cocobolo 4 ½" x 4"

Redwood burl and Ebony 5" x 4 ½"

Easter Eggs, 12 different woods 2 ½" x 1 ½

Moroccan Bowl Sycamore/dyed/painted – 4"x 7" Replicated from Woodturning Magazine, #230

Maple – painted/aged 3" x 8"

Oak burl 5½" x 4 ½"

Maple, burned and polished 2 ½" x 12"

Redwood root & Ebony 8" x 6 ½" Wood is thought to be over 1,000 years old

Tri-color Beech 4" x 7"

Redwood root & Cocobolo 8 ½" x 4 ½" Wood is thought to be over 1,000 years old

Redwood root 5 ½" x 4 ½" Wood is thought to be over 1,000 years old

Cherry & Ebony 7"x 13"