The 'How to' pages included in the Menu bar above detail the equipment used in my workshop, these are mainly designed to be informative. In particular people new to wood turning may obtain an insight into the various pieces of equipment. I have also included sections that may be of interest from woods to techniques used for drying through to what finish to use on your turnings etc.

With today’s latest technology, modern equipment, expert tuition and demonstrations have all contributed to interest many newcomers. There are many excellent turners who specialise in everything from pens, miniature furniture, treen (for those unfamiliar with treen the actual definition is ‘handmade household goods’ albeit nowadays the phrase is more associated with kitchen items such as salad bowls, bread boards etc) through to giant bowls and hollow forms.

I have not included anything on technique and use of tools, there are many excellent videos and DVD’s available which are highly recommended including anything by Stuart Mortimer who’s turning skills and teaching are second to none. Gary Rance and Stuart King whom I mentioned earlier as well as Jimmy Clewes all offer excellent demonstrations. Mark Baker is another top quality turner and instructor and so to is Simon Hope, hopefully we will see more of Simon now he is concentrating on turning, teaching and demonstrating. This is by no means a definitive list and I should also mention Tobias Kaye and his sounding bowls and not least David Reeks who is known for his large hollow forms, these along with many other turners each with their own particular skills are all worth seeing if demonstrating near you.

Please ignore the images often portrayed of woodturner’s who disappear smoking their pipes into sheds at the bottom of the garden only to reappear days later with an egg cup and five bags of shavings. On the contrary things have really progressed over the years and more and more people from all backgrounds and age are taking up the hobby, a lucky (but few) go on from there to achieve the required excellence to make a living from wood turning. nb. On hindsight ‘lucky’ was not really a good description, talent, skill experience as well as hard work are all prerequisites.

Woodturning is fun and very satisfying, but there are many things to learn, I will add more pages as soon as I can find the time on the following listed topics.

• How to establish if you like turning, before you commit yourself to buying any equipment or a lathe of your own.
• Where to go to buy wood or tools suitable for turning at sensible prices.
• Having difficulty with a specific project, not sure how to mount it on the lathe or require some help on what finish is most suitable etc.
• Health & Safety in the workshop – this is perhaps the most important of all – safety when using machines must never be compromised. Once you have learnt some basic rules you will find thinking and applying safe working methods is mostly common sense.

Remember woodturner’s are a friendly species and generally keep no trade secrets so just ask and help and advice will be on hand.

If you can, come along to Middlesex Woodturners Club meetings, if you live too far away why not look at my links page for the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain - AWGB and find the nearest affiliated club to you and details of their meeting dates.

Enjoy your turning, have fun but be safe.

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