Art In The Garden

Please stop out at Ted's Garden Center, located in Cumming, IA, this coming Saturday the 22nd from 9am-4pm for "Art In The Garden." My dad and I will be sharing a booth along with 22 other central Iowa artist. Summerset Winery will be on site in the afternoon with samples of there wine to enjoy in the garden as well. The garden center will have lots of specials available, including a seminar on how to make mosaic stepping stones.

This is the first time my dad and I have done a show together and we are both looking forward to it, so please stop by, say hi and have a look at our one of kind turned wood pieces.

My Shop Goes Green

No I'm not putting in a solar panel or geothermal heat....

My dad retired this summer and had been yearning for a new lathe to enjoy in his retirement and a few weeks ago it arrived, 1.5HP Jet 1642. Beautiful machine that purrs along while you slice thru wood. He had asked me if I was interested in his now retired lathe, a Grizzly 0632.

At first I didn't think I wanted it because I didn't think I could find room for it. Then I decided I could make room. This past week the room was made and my shop went green. My plan is to use it to make more delicate pieces as the 'ol Maytag is not as precise as it once was. In the near future, I will be redoing the headstock on it. Lots of ideas on how to do it, just need to figure out how to put them into motion.

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.