Frugal Generations

The amount of woodturning tools available today is astounding. I know that my grandfather would have been amazed to see the amount paid for some of the gouges, "rigs", scrapers, and most of all lathes. He turned with a couple of spindle gouges, a few scrapers and a parting tool. Many he made from old files or other hunks of steel. He was a little boy during the "Great Depression" and served in the pacific during WWII. While I was growing up, I saw him rebuild his lawn mower and garden tiller motors many times because, "It still has some good life in it" In my opinion he could build anything. He grew up on a farm, was an engineer in the army, a very skilled carpenter and started his own construction business. He lived a simple retired life doing what he loved, working with wood and golfing. He made many of his own putters and other clubs as well. I turn on the lathe he made from a clothing press and washing machine. (Frugal Generation #1)

I was raised to value what you have and get the most out of it. Also, I was taught that if you can make it yourself, do it. My dad showed me this while growing up as well and he still shows me this by making many of his own turning tools as well as a mini lathe. See more on his website. (Frugal generation #2) When we both first started getting into turning in late '06 he saw an article about the "Oland Tool" on Darrell Feltmate's Around the Woods website and made one. Mr. Feltmate also wrote this article on the advantages of making one.

I tried his and we made my first one together while I was visiting. To this day, the Oland tool is my go to tool on the lathe. I have tried bowl gouges, scrapers, spindle gouges and all the other stuff out there, but the Oland tool can do anything these do as well. In fact, most of the hollowing tools out there are based on the Oland tool's as far as the cutting tip goes. A 1/4" or 3/16" HSS bit is all Knud Oland used on most of his pieces. These include massive bowls. His wife, Lissi, still does the same today. To learn more about Knud and Lissi Oland and their work, please go to the Oland Craft Website.

My favorite aspect of the Oland tool is that you can make one for less than $10. (Frugal Generation #3)

George Lailey was "the Last Bowlturner"

Robin Wood is a world renowned wood worker from the UK. He works with traditional tools including a homemade foot powered lathe and hand forged turning tools. Robin has brought the use of and knowledge of foot lathes and other traditional methods back from extinction.

His tribute to George Lailey, who died 50 years ago on 12/15, is quite amazing. A picture of Robin's cored bowls is below. You can learn more about George Lailey here. Robin has also made a video showing how the cored bowls were made. See that here.

Shop Time With Dad

This past weekend my family was in Kansas for turkey day at my parents. My dad and I only managed a few hours in the shop, but I was able to turn a few pieces to finish. First I got to try out his hollowing snake or elbow tool. It works fantastic and makes hollowing a breeze! We chucked up a hunk of sycamore and after about an hour came out with this. It's about 6" at the base and 6" tall as well. The walls are right at 1/4", boy does a laser guide help with consistency!











After a break we turned to bottle stoppers. My dad has made many of these recently and I see why, they are fun to do and if you get your blanks ready before hand you can get quite a few done in a short time. These are the two I turned, not sure about the one on the right, but it's growing on me. The one on the left is walnut and the one on the right is oak. (I'll be adding the pics later...the pics didn't come out very good from last night) I came home with about 5 walnut blanks and 3 or 4 mulberry...now I just need to order some corks or stoppers....

Shop Time in KS

This holiday weekend my family will be traveling to my parents house in KS. Along with the turkey, mash taters, dressing, pies and time with family, I will be spending some time with my dad in his shop. He has recently completed a few addtions/upgrades to his steel snake or elbow hollowing tool that he made a few months ago.

We will be there through Sunday morning so we should be able to get a hollow form or two finished I would think. I will be sure to take some pictures and post them here as well.

A Toolmaker In the Family

My dad, Wayne Bower, has been making turning tools since he started turning in 2006, but recently he finished up what I think is his crowning achievement. (next to his wooden homemade mini lathe) He made a snake hollower, also know as an elbow hollowing tool. A great discussion about it can be seen on Family Woodworking here. Previously he had also made a D-handled capturing rig as well. I've had the pleasure of using it before and can't wait to use the new snake tool. Here are some pictures of the tool and you can click here for a pdf drawing of how to make it.

Hollowing in KS

This past weekend I was in KS visiting my parents. My dad is also an avid woodturner and he has made a number of hollowing tools. His latest is a capture rig based loosely off Lyle Jamieson's design.

I tried it out while I was there on some red elm. Works very well. Hollowing can be very hard on the wrists, elbows and shoulders. Not with a rig like this. The hollowing goes much quicker as well. Below are a few pics of the form before finishing.