WOODTURNING DEMONSTRATION TOPICS

Demonstration Topic List:

• A (Much) Closer Look at Woodturning Tool Technique:  Connecting with the Wood

• The Physics of Woodturning

• Basic Principles of Bowl and Vessel Design

• Chemical Safety: What Woodturners Need to Know

• Complexity and Diversity of Wood

• Introduction to Wood Identification

• Hints and Tips on Setting-up a Safe and Efficient Woodturning Workstation

• Woodturning Gizmos and Gadgets

• Technique, Tool, or Method-Specific Woodturning Demonstrations

Demonstration Descriptions

A (Much) Closer Look at Woodturning Tool Technique:  Connecting with the Wood

This demonstration is intended to review the basics of woodturning tool presentation to provide woodturners of all skill levels the opportunity to improve the efficiency of their turning technique, as well as to achieve higher quality wood surfaces directly off the tool. It is important to understand how the tool edge interacts with the wood as it moves past the sharpened metal edge, as well as what angles are required to optimize the removal of wood in a controlled manner to obtain the best possible surface. The difference between shearing and scraping cuts will be emphasized, along with showing the importance of using bevel-supported cuts at appropriate angles of presentation. Viewing the ‘wood versus tool edge’ interaction during the turning process, and “reading the shavings” will enable any turner to see these differences and improve their own turning technique. The use of gouges of various kinds, scrapers (including traditional scrapers, shear scrapers, negative-rake scrapers, and “carbide-insert tools”), parting tools, and skews will be presented from the viewpoint of how the wood is removed, and specifically how the tool should be presented to the wood correctly to achieve optimal results. The emphasis of this demonstration will be on learning more about woodturning tool techniques, and not on making a finished project.

The Physics of Woodturning

Understanding how the lathe works to transfer rotational forces to allow the tool to remove material is important for every woodturner to understand not just HOW to do the various methods of tool use, but an understanding of WHY the tools are used in correct technique can improve every woodturner’s skills.  This presentation explains the forces involved with woodturning and how they are transferred from lathe, to wood, to tool – understanding how to control those forces efficiently and with full control throughout the process results in safe and efficient woodturning.  The geometry and position of woodturning tools is also considered, along with understanding the importance of tool rest position, and adequate work support.  Through a ‘no math’ approach of reviewing basic concepts of motion and energy, woodturners will benefit by understanding how to manage forces and tool use to improve their overall turning technique, and make corrections as needed with knowledge of how to control the forces efficiently and safely while they turn.  

Basic Principles of Bowl and Vessel Design

This presentation summarizes the different components of woodturned bowls, vessels, and hollow forms, emphasizing the aspects of form, scale, proportion, faired curves, lift, and other features of turned objects to enable evaluation and critique of ones work as it progresses at the lathe.  Intended for turners of all skill levels, participants are guided through a series of visual steps to enhance their ability to detect pleasing forms and identify areas in need of refinement.   Participants also will be exposed to critiquing general turnings using a set of forms showing common errors of proportion, shape, curve, etc. to learn to detect and ultimately improve their own turnings.  Some training in “corrective measures” with pieces on the lathe also can be included if time permits and is desired.

Chemical Safety: What Woodturners Need to Know

The majority of the discussion of safety issues involving woodturning justifiably emphasizes the use of proper workpiece mounting, correct tool techniques, and ensuring safe practices while working at the lathe.  Woodturners should also be aware of the health and safety hazards that exist due the use of various finishes, solvents, adhesives, abrasives, stains, dyes, paints, bleaches, and other embellishing materials which are frequently encountered in most woodturned projects.  Knowledge of the health effects of these materials and basic chemical safety practices are as important to be understood by all woodturners as how to use turning tools safely at the lathe.  This demonstration reviews the range of chemical health hazards commonly encountered in woodturning and embellishing techniques, as well as emphasizing the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for the different classes of chemicals encountered.  The presentation will suggest techniques for minimizing contact with chemical agents and will discusses appropriate handling and disposal of the main groups of chemical materials used by woodturners.  It is meant for all skill levels of woodturners to promote a better understanding of the range of chemical hazards encountered and to promote the safe use of these materials.  “There is no such thing as too much safety!”

Complexity and Diversity of Wood

This demonstration reviews wood as a structural material and as an artistic medium by explaining the cellular structures involved with wood development and maturation, how these structures affect the mechanical and aesthetic properties of wood, and how color, grain, and figure develop.   The topic of wood drying, wood movement, and methods used to minimize defects and wood degrade are discussed, along with a review of methods available to the woodturner to manage the wood they use, particularly with wet (“green”) wood.  Aspects of wood toxicity are also presented in the context of safety for woodturners.  Finally, an overview of wood diversity is presented, emphasizing an understanding of “domestic” and “exotic” woods, properties of these to be aware of regarding cutting/machining, use of abrasives, and use of adhesives, along with a general discussion of wood diversity and the many species that are available to the woodturner.

Introduction to Wood Identification

The primary goal of this demonstration is to review the basic structures of wood and the procedures needed to identify unknown wood samples using specific, deductive methods.  This is in contrast to the more frequent ‘wood recognition’ that some experienced woodturners practice.  Aspects of cell structure, names of cell types and patterns, basics of using wood identification keys, reference samples, and confirming identifications are included.  A microscope and inclusion of macro images of wood structures during the demo insures that all audience participants can see the characteristics being discussed.  Intended for woodturners, woodworkers, or anyone with an interest in identifying unknown wood samples. 

Note:  An in-person, hands-on class for participants to go through the identification procedures can be arranged if visiting on-site and pandemic conditions have subsided; please inquire.

Hints and Tips on Setting-up a Safe and Efficient Woodturning Workstation

The lathe work area is the center of activity for the woodturner, and how its various components are arranged around the central machine determine the safety and efficiency of how woodturning work is done.  This presentation reviews the ergonomics of how turners interact with their lathe, how it should be adjusted for optimal performance, how the work area “infrastructure” (lighting, electrical, dust collection, floor treatment, tool rack placement, sharpening station, etc.) should be considered in the design of the woodturner’s workstation.  Having an efficient woodturning workstation increases the enjoyment, productivity, and safety while spending time at the lathe.  A special section on producing safe and efficient tool racks is also included.   Personal protective equipment is discussed in the context of maintaining the health and safety of the woodturner while in use at the lathe, and in other embellishment activities.

Woodturning Gizmos and Gadgets

“Woodturning Gizmos and Gadgets” is a presentation that includes creative uses by woodturners of repurposed items, turng-related jigs and equipment used to improve turning abilities, inexpensive solutions to some common woodturning problems, and ways to enhance how woodturning is done.  These ideas are gathered from fellow woodturners who volunteer them, collected from internet and social media sources, and are updated continually.  A special section also includes review of tool rack design, emphasizing different ways to store the woodturner’s lathe tools, and evaluating the designs for safety and efficiency in use.  This presentation has been given at the AAW National Symposium for many years as part of the “Special Interest” presentations; some may have seen my ‘Gizmos and Gadgets’ presentations at the virtual AAW Symposiums in 2020 and 2021.

Technique, Tool, or Method-Specific Woodturning Demonstrations: 

[Intended for participants of all levels of woodturning experience]

• Sharpening Turning Tools: Use of grinder, Wolverine/Vari-grind, other systems; honing; gouges, skew & scrapers

• Comparison of Different Hollowing Systems: armbrace, captured bar, boring bar, and articulated-arm systems

• Basics of Rough-turning Bowls, Platters, and Open Vessels:  Step-by-Step use of gouges, scrapers, & other tools

• Getting Started with Vacuum Chucking: Theory, vacuum pumps, vacuum adapters, chucks & mounting methods

• Turning Spheres – Freehand turning of spheres or use of Carter Products Perfect Sphere Jig

• Bowl Coring - Use of the McNaughton Center Saver System and/or the Oneway Easy Core System

• Working with Cast Pewter – Using molten metal pewter; Inlays, cast rims & necks, filling of natural voids, etc.

Remote and In-Person Woodturning Demonstrations

A major positive aspect of the woodturning community is the sharing of information and teaching of general techniques, specialized methods, embellishing, and design principles - all accomplished using the ‘demonstration’ format. I have learned much from attending many demonstrations of skilled woodturners over the past 25+ years, and am now in a position to “pay it forward” to other turners through delivery of demonstrations to share the knowledge and experience I have accumulated through active woodturning, attending woodturning symposia, and as a student of experienced, skilled woodturners in small-class, hands-on formats. As a university-level educator with over 35 years of teaching in higher education, I can assure that you will receive a thorough and impactful educational experience!

Remote Demonstrations

With many turning organizations adapting to virtual presentation of woodturning demonstration topics, these Interactive Remote Demonstrations (IRDs) have become a valuable tool in expanding the learning potential for both large and small organizations to bring outside demonstrators to their group, regardless of location. I am able to deliver IRD presentations from my location in Ames, Iowa, USA to other locations, typically using the Zoom virtual communications platform.

Using multiple High Definition video cameras and other inputs, I am able to present both on-lathe and off-lathe demonstrations to your group, as well as Powerpoint presentations that provide clear explanations of theory and practice of woodturning topics and techniques. Please see the section below on Interactive Remote Demonstrations which provides details on scheduling, selection of topic(s), and execution of an IRD that is convenient for your members and that will meet their learning needs.

In-Person Demonstrations

If there is interest in scheduling in-person woodturning demonstrations for your group, I invite you to contact me well in advance of the proposed date(s) to confirm availability. As a university professor, my schedule is closely tied to the academic calendar, and certain times of the year are better for travel and delivery of on-site demonstrations than others. With some demonstration topics, related hands-on learning experiences in small groups are possible if additional travel dates are arranged.

On-site demonstration fees, and/or small class fees will vary by topic and desired time working with your group; please inquire. In addition to the demonstration fee, travel costs, lodging, food, and related incidental costs are to be covered by the hosting group or groups.