Our medium
This is what we start with-
not lumber.
Trees must be felled, split and cut to display the best grain figures.
That is generally done by chainsaw.
After that, they are sawn to more convenient blanks for the lathe.
The blanks are rough cut (thick) and stabilized with alcohol soaks or boiling.
After being carefully dried the object is turned again on the lathe and a finish is applied
The lathe
Almost all work is done with the work mounted on a lathe which spins the piece
at thousands of rpm's while the woodturner shapes it with a chisel
The work may have to be removed and remounted in a different way several times during the production
Many different tools and operations may be performed on the lathe including hollowing guided by lasar light
Finally the finish is applied on the lathe.
Student work station
Students will have a chance to work on a 10,12,15, and 20 inch lathe. These are the popular sizes for a home shop. This will aid the student in selection what machine has the features they might wish to purchase for their own use.
This is a working studio and they will be exposed to many exciting creative processes and professional tools.
from doorstops and pens to hollow vases there are few limits to what a lathe can do.
Carving and embellishment station
Power and hand tools are used to create works of art beginning with a turned piece.
painting and airbrushing are used along with pyrography to release creativity
Clever things can be done with eggshells, popcorn, rice and hair.
The only thing required to create artwork in wood is unleashing your imagination.