Fascination woodturning
- I have often asked myself what always fascinates me so much when it comes to turning that my many sculptural cases, inherited from the father, often swallow - neatly wrapped in roll bags - are living a shadow. I think it's like a motorcyclist who knows how healthy and relaxing movement could be on its own strength, I don't miss an opportunity to get on his beloved motorcycle: yes, when carving I would be exposed to less dust and noise and would work out physically more! - But the feeling of mastering the horsepower of a motorcycle - I wanted to write a drechel bench! - is not to be surpassed by anything! Fortunately, carving and turning complement each other excellently: time and again I find possibilities to enhance a turned-up object with a carved decor. But also a carving, placed on a turned pedestal, can be "quinced" in the word of double meaning.
- From the self-construction link triphenel bench to the historic rugged bank with a foot drive to numerous professional drive drive houses, I have already been able to try out numerous brands. However, I cannot give general purchase recommendations, which I have often been asked for. My advice: Before a purchase decision, visit dealers/manufacturers/drug course providers and test themselves!
"Is this your self-portrait?" asks me a friend who has discovered my just finished standing-up. I like the comparison: A serious turner - no matter whether professional or do-it-yourselfer - must not be thrown off the web. Even if several times have not led to the expected result, he has to stand upright in front of his lathe as quickly as possible, in order to finally master what you want.
By the way: The hairy splendid things of my standing up could be a little denser, but I want to use the few fur remains that I still own sparing: In my child days, there were several fur shops in almost every small town, where I could ask for fur residues for craft purposes. Nowadays, this craft seems to have almost completely disappeared.
And how does it actually order a standing man? Is this old children's toy also threatened with extinction? - Well, if you have a turning bank, you can do something about it: Turn a standing man today! They will have a lot of fun and their goal of becoming a "sturgeon" at the Drechselbank itself to come a good step closer.
- Wet or dry? Cut or scaffold? Short or long? Round or edgy? Brushing? Do they color? - No, I don't want to cut my hair here! The above questions have also asked Drechsler and often answered with astonishing creativity. In the course of the long tradition, which the Drechsler trade can look back on, the most diverse working techniques have emerged. I would like to present some of these techniques, especially those that I have already dealt with, in the following contributions.
Clamping methods
"An experienced wood turner doesn't know any turning problems, only clamping problems!" I doubt whether this old woodturner's wisdom is still valid in view of the huge selection of precise chucks, faceplates and drivers including thread adapters that today's market offers for a wide variety of tasks. The downside: When you can buy (almost) everything, you quickly forget the tricks and methods that the masters of past times could/had to use! Which clamping devices a turner actually needs depends very much on his area of responsibility. The decision to purchase or build your own must also be carefully considered on a case-by-case basis: when purchasing, precision and “tested safety” obviously come at a price! Building your own is easier on your wallet, but this should never come at the expense of safety and health! The more clamping methods - old and new - a turner knows, the more confidently he will be able to select and use the optimal method for the respective task! In this category I would like to describe clamping methods in particular with which I have gained experience.
- The hobby trilapse is booming! In contrast to the "blond time" of the professional turning shop, where knowledge and experience was passed on within the family gang, Drechsel enthusiasts cultivate today's exchange of experience in Drechsler-baltic, turnsler forums, (international) turner meetings. Professional drechsler also benefit from this trend: They offer turning courses and produce educational videos, write specialist books, develop new tools and devices not only for personal use, but also initiate series production and sales. Thanks to this positive development, I have also learned a lot and would like to contribute the following tips on the wealth of experience that can be used together!