tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-165192532024-03-08T11:02:45.920-04:00The Tool RestTips, tricks and techniques for woodturners from the workshop of woodturner Derek Andrews. Ideas to improve your woodturning skills; links to other woodworking sites; news about woodturning; woodturning tools and supplies; inspiration for your next project.Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-50076652894500163612010-10-22T07:24:00.000-03:002010-10-22T07:24:32.089-03:00Are you dissatisfied with your work?Are you often dissatisfied with your work? Does the form please the eye from a distance? Does the surface finish hold up to close scrutiny? Is it nice to the touch? Do any natural features in the wood work well with this piece, in terms of scale and placement? Is there always something you didn't get quite right? If so, there is hope for you yet - Robert Genn says that "without displeasure there Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-12355629628085807412010-03-08T08:16:00.002-04:002010-10-22T08:02:42.675-03:00This blog has movedThis blog is now located at http://toolrest.blogspot.com/.
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For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptionsDerek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-37425451528757247402010-02-19T07:17:00.001-04:002010-10-22T07:30:28.202-03:00A quote for aspiring woodturnersNo man ever reached to excellence in any one art or
Profession without having passed through the slow and
painful process of study and preparation.
Horace (via terimartin.com) Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-50954934828514600502009-06-14T07:33:00.002-03:002009-06-14T08:12:33.324-03:00Why are sharp tools important?It seems fairly obvious that sharp tools are necessary to be successful at woodturning, and very often a dull tool, or at least one that is not as sharp as it should be, is the reason for bad experiences. But have you ever considered why? I would like to suggest three reasons, though there may be others that I haven't identified yet.The most obvious is that a sharp tool will cut the wood cleaner.Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-41700911024480777442009-04-14T15:52:00.003-03:002009-04-14T16:09:40.054-03:00Nova Outrigger HazardI recently came close to having what could have been a serious accident with the outrigger on my Nova 3000. As I swung the swivel arm, it came crashing to the floor. Fortunately my feet were clear, and I was wearing safety shoes, but this hefty lump of metal could have caused some serious damage if it had landed on a foot.What had happened is that over the years the threaded rod that holds it allDerek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-45105703303305777912009-01-09T07:25:00.005-04:002009-01-09T08:55:12.759-04:00Inspiration from natureSatoshi Fujinuma is a Japanese lathe artist who took part in the International Turning Exchange 2008. In this video he talks about his work and how he finds inspiration from nature for the form, texture and colour of his works.You can see more of his craft work, art work, exhibition and other works on his website.Meanwhile, Philip Streeting has published a document full of examples of how design Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-23440860208933362512008-03-10T20:28:00.002-03:002008-03-10T21:04:19.847-03:00wikiWOODYou are probably familiar with Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Now there is another wiki, one specifically for woodworkers, called wikiWOOD.It is still very much in it's infancy, and there isn't a lot there yet, so this is a good opportunity for new editors to get involved and maybe set some benchmarks. A good place to start is the Community Portal, but woodturners may alsoDerek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-35810715642242848752008-01-24T09:43:00.002-04:002009-06-14T08:23:56.867-03:00INDEXLast updated June 14, 2009Woodturning techniqueRemounting dried bowl blanksMarking dark woodGetting started in woodturningSanding adviceGrain raisingMaterialsWhat's that tree?Some low-tech approaches to drying woodBox lids and wood movementA step back in timeA splash of colorHardening spalted woodTurning ancient woodTight fitting wine corksTreat your Cherry to a sun tanCutting large pieces of Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-9518798538413069462008-01-24T08:44:00.000-04:002008-01-24T09:35:09.439-04:00Remounting dried bowl blanksSix months ago you started off with a green log and roughed out a bowl blank and left it to dry. It is now a cupped oval shape, and you need some method to secure it on the lathe for final turning. Any spigots or recesses you left are now oval too. If you used a coring system, there are probably no spigots or recesses anyway:-There are many options available, and will depend to some extent on Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-80778323690628692452008-01-03T07:34:00.000-04:002008-01-03T07:46:08.790-04:00Turning a honey dipperHere is a video showing Finnish turner Antti Sorvamaa turning a honey dipper. This is a nice project for beginners who have already learnt to use the basic spindle tools. Don't forget that Antti has probably made quite a few of these before, so don't expect to be able to work nearly as fast as he does. Choose straight grained wood, free of knots and figure, and something not to hard. I suspect Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-58466771086553073272007-08-02T08:33:00.000-03:002007-08-02T08:40:36.051-03:00Wood sculpture interpretedLesya Popil, a dancer from Group Motion Dance Company, spent time in the workshop with the turners taking part in the International Turning Exchange and choreographed three dances based on their work. Following is a video of Part One, Seasprite Capering To Her Demise, based on an artwork by Sean Ohrenich.What did you make today that made you get up and dance?Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-89301568431503931512007-07-31T16:08:00.000-03:002007-07-31T16:20:34.116-03:00Blast from the pastI have a couple of videos for you today, both a bit of a blast from the past. The first is Robin Wood turning bowls on a pole lathe, the second is Stuart King turning flowers on a treadle lathe.Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-82036200149661374662007-07-25T21:08:00.000-03:002007-07-25T21:26:36.645-03:00The Empty VesselMany woodturners are drawn to making vessels. Many make simple bowls, some make more elaborate bowls, often with decoration added by methods other than turning. Some make hollow vessels with tiny necks, others make goblets or boxes. Inspiration has been drawn from many sources including ancient art, nature and contemporary art.The Empty Vessel is a blog by Susan Lomuto Rose about "the container Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-91922543702854896892007-07-17T07:48:00.000-03:002007-07-17T08:53:57.095-03:00What's that tree?Have you ever been offered some logs or a whole tree for turning, but don't know what it is? The website Discover Life might help. Although it covers all life forms, the tree guide is for woodturners.To get started you do need a leaf, so be sure to get a sample or two, along with fruits and flowers if available. If no live samples are available check for dead ones under the canopy. Click the Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-72849693737300292452007-07-12T14:25:00.000-03:002007-07-13T13:34:31.714-03:00How important are handcrafted items in your life ?How important are handcrafted items in your life? This is the question that will be addressed on the Maritime Noon phone-in, tomorrow, Friday, July 13th.In a world that's awash in mass-produced products, certain individuals still devote themselves to making things that are unique. Artisans around the Maritimes create everyday items like coffee mugs & breadboards, accessories like earrings & Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-89216350004215213652007-07-12T08:05:00.000-03:002007-07-12T08:46:26.516-03:00ITE 2007The International Turning Exchange is underway at the Woodturning Center, and resident Lynne Yamaguchi is blogging the activities there. The ITE has been underway for a month now, but I only just found this blog which is a shame. There is a lot to catch upon.I sometime use masking tape in my shop to hold things on the lathe, but the example shown in this post seems a little extreme to me, but Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-17998210296095197682007-07-04T10:21:00.000-03:002007-07-04T10:53:29.508-03:00AAW Symposium 2007Blogger Alan Irwin has been covering the 2007 American Association of Woodturner's Symposium in Portland, OR. So far he has covered day 1 and day 2.The AAW have also published a lot from the symposium, the best in my opinion being the catalog from the invitational exhibition, Japanese Bowls: a western perspective, and Turning Green - An International Juried Exhibition of Woodturning.Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-85483907932169206672007-05-25T10:07:00.000-03:002007-05-25T11:30:05.929-03:00Pysanky and Trypillian decorationYeah, I know. It's been a long time since my last post.I recently got an e-mail from Philip Streeting of Woodturning Plus wondering why I hadn't posted anything here in a while. Apart from doing nothing but uninspiring work in the shop like bottle stoppers and coring bowl blanks, I have started a new blog A Somerset Family History and I'm giving SunriseTrail.ca a makeover. To make matters worse, Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-52814294851783700562007-03-18T12:13:00.000-03:002007-03-18T13:32:05.637-03:00Design resourcesOne of the reasons I read blogs about other crafts is that they often have ideas and links that I can apply to my woodturning. My friend Cyndi recently posted Online Jewelry Design Tools, which includes some resources that applies to the artistic design of anything.Formal Visual Analysis: The Elements & Principles of Composition by Jeremy Glatstein is a very concise explanation. It is worth Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-22490981570625117142007-02-22T10:10:00.000-04:002007-02-22T10:21:47.810-04:00Interview on Layers Upon LayersHey folks! My friend Cyndi Lavin, a professional blogger who writes for b5media has just posted an interview we did recently.Thank you Cyndi! You asked some searching questions that made me really think about things I take for granted in my day to day work.Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-1162818823116493252007-02-15T18:43:00.000-04:002007-02-16T18:30:45.745-04:00Some low-tech approaches to drying woodI acquire a lot of my wood while it is still green; kiln dried boards are expensive and often not available in thickness' greater than one inch. In the maritime climate in which I live, air drying is slow and only gets wood down to about 15% EMC (equilibrium moisture content). This is not low enough for work that is to be glued, or if it is going to find a home in more arid climates.Anyone Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-29353400290118051112007-02-11T17:41:00.000-04:002007-02-11T17:50:16.884-04:00Where's the remote?Remote controls for dust collectors are a real boon, but the controller is usually pretty small and easy to misplace in a cluttered workshop or worse still, shovelled out with a pile of shavings.My solution is to tie a piece of high visibilty marker tape to it.In six years of use I haven't lost it yet.Now, where did I leave the remote?Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-82681087696295754852007-02-09T09:22:00.000-04:002007-02-10T14:23:57.975-04:00Repetition as a design elementOne of the simplest methods of making our work more visually interesting is to repeat a motif. If we limit ourselves to pure woodturning, this might be as simple as using sets of small beads as I have done here, using a group of three inset beads and a group of two inset beads.We might also get more adventurous by using other techniques such as pyrography, painting or carving to add a repeating Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-4743680547095882192007-02-08T10:00:00.000-04:002007-02-07T11:46:08.130-04:00Woodturning PlusThere is a new blog on the block. Woodturning Plus is written by UK turner Philip Streeting.This seems to be a blog with a mission. Philip is critical of the British woodturning scene:"...the focussing of attention in British woodturning on matters relating to technique and finish, was inhibiting the growth and development of the craft."So this is what Woodturning Plus is going to be all about:"Derek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16519253.post-1162819276443836552007-02-06T20:25:00.000-04:002007-02-06T20:25:27.137-04:00Sharp tools and lathe maintenanceEvery woodturner knows the importance of keeping their gouges and chisels sharp, but what other tools need occasional maintenance? The two things that I tend to forget are drill bits and the tailstock. I do a lot of drilling on the lathe, typically several thousand operations a year. I use mainly brad-point bits when making bottle stoppers and weedpots. If the flutes of theDerek Andrewshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12058511671737531988noreply@blogger.com0