tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77590065892134766402024-03-19T04:56:07.934+00:00A Bodger's BlogGreen Woodworking using hand tools and freshly felled timber.Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.comBlogger558125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-85110232399922034002021-08-02T12:26:00.000+01:002021-08-02T12:26:09.363+01:00<h3 style="text-align: left;">SHAVING and LEGGING UP SATISFACTION</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53l3NhttsyrJHQ-4KMss-AtmChzECWpo1IhFHbrOCcHp0PmnFJQHIBEoytkp8q6u6HK-qEAmkIilaJP72Lhs4ylHfQYawhNDX69yKu7JzzZpIEUAG2ueHf5DVGjIDXIBBuibiifEdVc8/s2048/Stool+handmade+by+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53l3NhttsyrJHQ-4KMss-AtmChzECWpo1IhFHbrOCcHp0PmnFJQHIBEoytkp8q6u6HK-qEAmkIilaJP72Lhs4ylHfQYawhNDX69yKu7JzzZpIEUAG2ueHf5DVGjIDXIBBuibiifEdVc8/w480-h640/Stool+handmade+by+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><p style="text-align: left;">Stool making has been a most pleasurable job these last few months - re-turning the tops of legs, deciding if the drilled holes will come all the way through so my feature oak wedges will be seen and positioning my trade mark Laburnum dot are all most satisfying. It's simple axe work to get those legs looking right, going with the grain, just going by eye until they look right, then out with the trusty drawknife to get the facets looking purposeful and a neat finish with a spokeshave to give them that wonderful silky thrill when you run your hands down them. This one has an Elm top, the Elm coming from Yorkshire, the Leeds neck of the woods. Legs are also Elm this time from Essex, Magdalen Laver, and from a tree that I felled due to Dutch Elm disease. The satisfaction of getting out all those shapely legs and pairing them up with a smashing lump of wood is excellent. I always prefer to use oak wedges it's a good contrast on the whole and so tough you can give it a good hefty wallop and it goes straight in to give that friction fit that means it's not going anywhere when the glue's dried.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lVF6AOrFIT_FtxPwgS76W6f8EJsPU8aWRFYJTv2MMpm_r7IevaXLMNpSYNC3ikEx42jvVa_iplAGxdJUzDtADlR0B6mxeHsyPavEXuBRhHbLjBAy1iGv4NRXVJ36VFPILMl137eL5aw/s2048/Legs+glued+in+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4lVF6AOrFIT_FtxPwgS76W6f8EJsPU8aWRFYJTv2MMpm_r7IevaXLMNpSYNC3ikEx42jvVa_iplAGxdJUzDtADlR0B6mxeHsyPavEXuBRhHbLjBAy1iGv4NRXVJ36VFPILMl137eL5aw/w480-h640/Legs+glued+in+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Japanese saws are my go to tool for tidying up the top - great smooth cut on the pull cut and it really doesn't need any extra finishing - I loathe using sandpaper - if you're using the right tools and they're sharp it keeps everything simple clean and tidy.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs_pHdeeWHPhDoLhaIrfnqeMvsioogjsgZk5PQAGob35qk0BSz1auBDidOs27y8bTnYGaiqM4d9u3hyphenhyphen9jGs10RzYeX8M_46Ws-aQusWbD2nCh9wSCZuB7vSvmifF17UDLx7ovm6I85Cs/s2048/Getting+the+legs+level+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs_pHdeeWHPhDoLhaIrfnqeMvsioogjsgZk5PQAGob35qk0BSz1auBDidOs27y8bTnYGaiqM4d9u3hyphenhyphen9jGs10RzYeX8M_46Ws-aQusWbD2nCh9wSCZuB7vSvmifF17UDLx7ovm6I85Cs/w300-h400/Getting+the+legs+level+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="300" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN729ZZ-rrDleeI1XjPnUR7icwETG6zHgXMeNn6xcaPhtl8x8tsQ5Kn3gvpgN2xqajYwcvukaqWzMt2uRUV3Q8mqQzvuv-1WGkj1VgkEqtslM4s59QK0q4X3PT0OEQp0bv-zSNjqXPdgE/s2048/Leg+levelling+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN729ZZ-rrDleeI1XjPnUR7icwETG6zHgXMeNn6xcaPhtl8x8tsQ5Kn3gvpgN2xqajYwcvukaqWzMt2uRUV3Q8mqQzvuv-1WGkj1VgkEqtslM4s59QK0q4X3PT0OEQp0bv-zSNjqXPdgE/w300-h400/Leg+levelling+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="300" /></a><p></p><p>My levelling up technique is the same as has probably been used since folks decided to have legs on their seats and works every time. I use the Japanese saw to cut the ends off - they make excellent kindling - I don't see the need to waste any of this wonderful commodity.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxVdF2hrz7B3FoLwDcpgjnDmKSYARB8AtSKAOzPigQErd1gNnMO5Mfqfdq1mT5yX-fA8xfgCUjWri_MTIcwjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Colour Transformation <br /></div><br />Some of my recently made and mostly sold stools....<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSW9FgdlLfoXX_I7aVwFyQmGiR-dxh3JysO937Y7MYpp2kOKycOMff5A3HciQ8LliPJg6ZMXIB11gYLBuX5xl6daJZ5GkbaYyjFfLuIR7ZNkt_ys_DGhLFMHf_20g8rbSXaDH9zglzME/s2000/Stools+handmade+by+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSW9FgdlLfoXX_I7aVwFyQmGiR-dxh3JysO937Y7MYpp2kOKycOMff5A3HciQ8LliPJg6ZMXIB11gYLBuX5xl6daJZ5GkbaYyjFfLuIR7ZNkt_ys_DGhLFMHf_20g8rbSXaDH9zglzME/w480-h640/Stools+handmade+by+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">I <br /></p>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-48753179105981510872021-07-19T13:10:00.008+01:002021-07-19T13:14:23.347+01:00REBEK UPDATE<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yguM4LpHbPgyA8TQcQd5vjJt_RY1ZT6T4Kafv49SGKB3E_R-o8Bwii5k1kc9L50vX_K1KdMoadzavSpdp3N4zKttBOfX11Xpv7oflDPN8iUuMEK53_KsfskVLMz93NXjT4VrHjR3uu8/s2048/Rebec+completed+by+trewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5yguM4LpHbPgyA8TQcQd5vjJt_RY1ZT6T4Kafv49SGKB3E_R-o8Bwii5k1kc9L50vX_K1KdMoadzavSpdp3N4zKttBOfX11Xpv7oflDPN8iUuMEK53_KsfskVLMz93NXjT4VrHjR3uu8/w480-h640/Rebec+completed+by+trewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> </h1><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Finished Rebek</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Feeling pleased with the overall appearance - was concerned my 'f' holes would impair the sound because of the positioning. According to most of the photos I've seen of new and genuine old ones they are positioned more parallel to the bridge but I'm not a slave to tradition and I did give the shapes and positioning a great deal of thought. Laburnum neck and tailpiece are great colours, totally natural with just a light wipe of linseed oil. </b><br /></span></h4><h1 style="text-align: left;"> </h1><h1 style="text-align: left;"></h1><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The bow is made from Silver Birch which I shaved and bent gently till it simply felt 'right' in my hand. It took a bit of time as I struggled to find the perfect piece of straight grained wood and it seemed to take a ridiculous length of time to get it flexible enough without going too thin. Success in the end and fitted with horsehair, I played the first notes in trepidation as all the recordings I listened to on YouTube had sounded like cats being tortured! It sounded sweet and melodic - I was playing Irish jigs though! I've since decided that the folks I've seen & heard playing it may well be great luthiers but they're not much cop as instrumentalists! The small gadget is a peg tuner, my fingers are too big to get round them comfortably so I made this handy little device using Box, Sycamore and Ash - works a treat and I use the GDA string tuning for the violin. Next musical project is the archtop guitar...<br /> </div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XzC7dKNaVH-ACYwT8J_oKcFhyphenhyphenhdCBGmWvRHoM7IoycCZjWpZzG27tI4QgtrIFPi1HC4vF0qM06T6QZ_PioRYX4YCwC8_PwVAV1Sb5_U3gUyKpTvATLVpaGPVv4O5eUdS81MkwnZAqoI/s2048/Rebec+Bow+%2526+Peg+Turner+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XzC7dKNaVH-ACYwT8J_oKcFhyphenhyphenhdCBGmWvRHoM7IoycCZjWpZzG27tI4QgtrIFPi1HC4vF0qM06T6QZ_PioRYX4YCwC8_PwVAV1Sb5_U3gUyKpTvATLVpaGPVv4O5eUdS81MkwnZAqoI/w480-h640/Rebec+Bow+%2526+Peg+Turner+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4></div></h1><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></h4>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-2174359962623038552021-07-13T17:40:00.000+01:002021-07-13T17:40:10.736+01:00TOOLS IN THE GARDEN<h4 style="text-align: left;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiOxQ4odYs0CnUF_8LNIr_-kfxNc9lvmMQhUzH_qO-KLSJEfnkT-93qw2VdEdrLygwHEeqFDi1ww4ZvJ0GhgkvuK5Es-LNRCKoYZLxuzN9dMyiKbMrsbPgIeZh8Ct_W8KwR0uA_4p4oo/s2048/080+Record+Scraper+Plane+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiOxQ4odYs0CnUF_8LNIr_-kfxNc9lvmMQhUzH_qO-KLSJEfnkT-93qw2VdEdrLygwHEeqFDi1ww4ZvJ0GhgkvuK5Es-LNRCKoYZLxuzN9dMyiKbMrsbPgIeZh8Ct_W8KwR0uA_4p4oo/w300-h400/080+Record+Scraper+Plane+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Great hand tools - <span style="font-weight: normal;">you can never have enough and these were given by a neighbour in a cracking good box. Clamps, a few more to have hanging around open at different intervals all ready to go is excellent. Not sure when I'll use the Stilson but it's a magnificent specimen - Vanessa came up with a few suggestions for politicians but we'll go no further on those! There's a good Record convex sole spokeshave A151 and a Record scraper plane 080. I gave both these a workout and they needed very little work doing just a good sharpen. If you haven't already got a curved sole spokeshave in your kit you should try one out - marvelous - perfect for shaving legs.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBE3tVQ7JGeIK2nR0S-YS3zBihwCQQn9BgdibRcSq_rUMmgrglkHBh4wWPczoqxesRN-5huGF7Alu7Rb9kRP1tGiJaUzEnk2vzCXFMGJg9IAUPksSMlO7uOeziTQydDKvLx689bWwUk/s2048/+Record+080+Scraper++treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBBE3tVQ7JGeIK2nR0S-YS3zBihwCQQn9BgdibRcSq_rUMmgrglkHBh4wWPczoqxesRN-5huGF7Alu7Rb9kRP1tGiJaUzEnk2vzCXFMGJg9IAUPksSMlO7uOeziTQydDKvLx689bWwUk/s320/+Record+080+Scraper++treewright.co.uk.jpg" /></a></div>Really smooth sole - previous owner looked after his tools more than most folks do. I'd not used one of these before and I was actually quite pleased with the result<br /> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><br /></h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyJ4WVPhnRWwTLtyiPRdYxVVI1Fbcjw5tiZTRQPaZ5CVteIzbh3wQRNGXzBq2SrfJP0MCPCY57WsElZayITExlvDJ7Pjv1hf_l-n2Rg6Sk2Adtcf5izJ_ksn2EYUtJghJyCnIWCq0DPo/s2048/TOOL+BOX+treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyJ4WVPhnRWwTLtyiPRdYxVVI1Fbcjw5tiZTRQPaZ5CVteIzbh3wQRNGXzBq2SrfJP0MCPCY57WsElZayITExlvDJ7Pjv1hf_l-n2Rg6Sk2Adtcf5izJ_ksn2EYUtJghJyCnIWCq0DPo/w640-h480/TOOL+BOX+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> <br /></h4>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-5018810594180796452021-04-22T18:09:00.000+01:002021-04-22T18:09:31.116+01:00<h2 style="text-align: left;">Green Wood Work Experiments & Turning as Thin as You Can</h2><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">I've been experimenting in the workshop using two different timbers on one product. </h3><p style="text-align: left;">So various experiments with left over pieces of wood that are too short to be useful on their own but used together have added a great dynamic to my range of utensils. I have lots chunks left over from billets when I've been pole lathe turning, log ends when I've been getting rid of splits and bits that 'might just come in useful' all of which, in the past would have been burnt on the log burner. The citrus juicers worked brilliantly, the one below is has an Apple handle and Sycamore head. </p></div><h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmpcBa3pJkhLjneQbByB4ffRp4pwMluBT1IdvMS59vdhbLeteyzy9nNFRfqKIx6UZbTKJEJido9Ya59ZMFBmbhVEzjT3p4rQjQTi5h6OrIR6EWb6sogUa5MLP2XvGSyp0eyn1v53WKu0/s2048/Juicer+for+Lemons+and+Limes+Treewright.co.uk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmpcBa3pJkhLjneQbByB4ffRp4pwMluBT1IdvMS59vdhbLeteyzy9nNFRfqKIx6UZbTKJEJido9Ya59ZMFBmbhVEzjT3p4rQjQTi5h6OrIR6EWb6sogUa5MLP2XvGSyp0eyn1v53WKu0/w480-h640/Juicer+for+Lemons+and+Limes+Treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86E2Gst7X1npt_PK1-Mc4VviTItdSkSA51x4eIfgbHJUZhVseCRolnonuQkxD-fOo8UMxG7eUa4pamZRdG95z8ZiP_Csjv76SA50KNoWo0gwZsbD2LhpQ1Q0tDruNA4lVPBTb9n0kygg/s2048/Lemon+Juicer+for+Citrus+Fruits+treewright.co.uk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86E2Gst7X1npt_PK1-Mc4VviTItdSkSA51x4eIfgbHJUZhVseCRolnonuQkxD-fOo8UMxG7eUa4pamZRdG95z8ZiP_Csjv76SA50KNoWo0gwZsbD2LhpQ1Q0tDruNA4lVPBTb9n0kygg/w480-h640/Lemon+Juicer+for+Citrus+Fruits+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>This one is a re-claimed Walnut (shelf and the remains of a cupboard from a skip - how it ended up like that I just can't guess) handle and Sycamore head. </p><p>The trickiest part is re-aligning the centres. so you get a good equal looking perfect join where one timber meets the other. I need all my products to look immaculate.</p><p> </p><p> I'm fed up with seeing photos constantly on other social media of things folks produce as Green Woodwork that look like something produced in the kindergarten hopeless class purporting to be 'hand made Traditional Craft'. These types of post bring the whole profession of a Craftsman into disrepute. They seem to think because it's handmade it's a Traditional Craft and furthermore it can be sold as such when quite frankly the aberrations I've been seeing should be thrown on the fire without more ado. These 'armchair' crafts folks are mere amateurs who should be content to whittle and turn at home and not bombard the general public and true professionals with their crass creativity. It's a bit like opinions - make them, have them, but for goodness sake keep them to yourselves! Right that's my rant for the day done...</p><p>Here's one of my new Rolling Pins.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhSl42ZoGnuL7ngWgsOA3ujnGgD1bqe1-JgROZcfbaHqdpTsbMQu_Lvr21mKfGvff4y-bzSH2ivO0DCDCKLvX_WawnvtmWbx6wrOwpBOJfkT71lq0KyGg-mw_zG2g3G8dZ2RKyPwI7A8/s2048/Rolling+Pin+Turned+Apple+and+Sycamore+treewright.co.uk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhSl42ZoGnuL7ngWgsOA3ujnGgD1bqe1-JgROZcfbaHqdpTsbMQu_Lvr21mKfGvff4y-bzSH2ivO0DCDCKLvX_WawnvtmWbx6wrOwpBOJfkT71lq0KyGg-mw_zG2g3G8dZ2RKyPwI7A8/w588-h640/Rolling+Pin+Turned+Apple+and+Sycamore+treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>This one is Ripple Sycamore from Yorkshire with some Apple found in a car park in Epping Forest dumped by some dodgy waste clearance vandals along with builders rubble, redundant bathroom fittings and other household crap. I've accentuated the join here with friction burn lines and it gives the traditional rolling pin a more contemporary look. </p><p>I've found using different coloured wood most satisfying, makes everything look fresh and is eye catching when amongst a plentiful array of kitchen utensils. During the lock-up I've had 90% of my on-line sales for culinary wares and I'm hard pushed to keep my stock levels up. For a couple of weeks I thought I'd become a specialist Spurtle turner as they were selling like hot cakes and I couldn't make them quickly enough to meet demand. I know some turners have very set patterns and knock things out in a matter of minutes but every single thing I make is a new design in itself and takes time and thought. I know I say 'I just go with the flow and make what the wood tells me' but it's much more than that - yes the wood does speak in it's own mysterious way and that meets somewhere half way with my artistic mind to produce that unique item that can be recognised at a glance as something special.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLA_rdAVJ2XLWOYPb9rq11fLGifTDR68qUm1cDqsR-68LWobHahyphenhyphenIzIU7_oCFMYWJSLAhqYqthpXaUIOJ3-BL5Bpv8jsWyL76GFFE60Kzpa4Qp3fajgj0CrgiOAm_cZ7_zYSrEpZUYVc/s2048/Unique+Bowls+Juicers+Scoops+Spoon+and+Butter+Knife+Treewright.co.uk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1958" data-original-width="2048" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZLA_rdAVJ2XLWOYPb9rq11fLGifTDR68qUm1cDqsR-68LWobHahyphenhyphenIzIU7_oCFMYWJSLAhqYqthpXaUIOJ3-BL5Bpv8jsWyL76GFFE60Kzpa4Qp3fajgj0CrgiOAm_cZ7_zYSrEpZUYVc/w640-h612/Unique+Bowls+Juicers+Scoops+Spoon+and+Butter+Knife+Treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Selection of my turning and carving from recent weeks in the workshop. The Butter Knife with the striking stripe is from some Damson branchwood from the Abbey Gardens in Waltham Abbey and absolutely outstanding, not just visually but from a carving point of view - a lovely wood to work with as long as your tools are superdooper sharp. Same goes for carving the juicers, it's great when you get those lovely curls of wood coming from your gouge and I love the star that forms at the business end when you get them perfect - great for keeping the pips in the in the bottom of the skins...</p><div style="text-align: left;"><h4 style="text-align: left;">Turning as thin as you dare - waste of time and wood - in my opinion!<br /></h4><p style="text-align: left;">This is something, as a turner and daily user, I'm not terribly fond of - it's just not practical from a usage point of view. I believe tableware should be robust, fit for use and beautiful. I want my products to last a lifetime if at all possible and not to be turned so thin that they become delicate fragile only to be looked at and certainly not really meant to be used! If I say it's suitable for everyday use I mean it - if a two year old takes it into their head to chuck it onto the tiled floor in disgust it should live to see another day - not crack at the first whack but live again with it's badges of honour, wear and tear, and be around for their child to use a generation later having gained a few dents and a wonderful patina of living a full and rewarding life as a bowl.</p><p style="text-align: left;">This doesn't mean that I can't turn a thin bowl but I am reluctant to do so for the above reasons. I often see turners showing their skills by holding a light bulb to the inside or outside so you can see the light. Well I'm not making a blooming lampshade am I - I'm making a useful bowl that won't crack, chip, leak or fall over. The same can be said of hand carved spoons. There is a movement to make them so thin you could almost bite a mouthful of wood from the bowl with you broth - not my idea of a fully functioning spoon. I'm all for great design, elegant appearance that should be strong, robust and last a lifetime brigade. </p><p style="text-align: left;">So here's a Porringer or Bowl I did turn thin and how I wish I hadn't! It's so frustrating, I really enjoyed the main turning and then I thought right I'm going to mess around again with making the wood really thin which looks good and makes it very lightweight but not as practical as it could be. I did leave the rim thicker and it has the handles which obviously means it has a greater inherent strength but I always think one rough fall to a marble floor and the bowl could crack or the wood is so thin the broth could soak through, so not ideal. However I do like it's lines and I've left the tooling marks where I've carved the rim - it looks purposeful and I'm marketing it as a snack or sweets bowl! This is Sycamore from the edge of the Abbey Gardens that came down when we had a big blow in early January and has the most amazing silvery sheen in the grain - very beautiful...</p><p style="text-align: left;">I ship all my wares world wide and you can find them here in my <a href="https://folksy.com/shops/WoodProductsbyRobinFawcett" target="_blank">shop</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrJnEGHk5LhxsiAIQQh5I5QHHlfwlXsHo24Wl4VSUZO0vczmbp9mSFJtai-YNwXUUs8CgQ-6HDdW9W-tmN4V3nIsxczoNbokaPaEX9IrVBP_8rCY_FA1hlJQ8w9XcpUSlcx2PQL7RQDk/s2048/Bowl+Porringer+Turned+Carved+Wood+Treewright.co.uk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrJnEGHk5LhxsiAIQQh5I5QHHlfwlXsHo24Wl4VSUZO0vczmbp9mSFJtai-YNwXUUs8CgQ-6HDdW9W-tmN4V3nIsxczoNbokaPaEX9IrVBP_8rCY_FA1hlJQ8w9XcpUSlcx2PQL7RQDk/w640-h448/Bowl+Porringer+Turned+Carved+Wood+Treewright.co.uk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></div>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-70118359830332432332021-04-12T14:30:00.000+01:002021-04-12T14:30:17.223+01:00<h1 style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Green Woodwork Days Out</h1><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Learning Green Woodwork is an enjoyable, healthy, environmentally friendly way to work wood</b>
with simple hand tools and traditional devices, pole lathe and
shavehorse. Making fun and functional wood toys, stools, spoons and all
sorts of interesting things I'm really glad to be starting my one and
two day Courses on my favourite subjects, wood and hand tools, after a
long year of interesting times! I'm a real fan of letting the tools do
the work for you and working with the grain - learn using these skills
and woodwork will never be the same again. You'll think about it
differently after using sharp tools and the innate strength of the wood to get the best from your labours! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTrn2jX13I1dwr1_chZAh11ftbrxf-FLMP2DVYbJAAU5EQazNmhjPmxwauNWAMwGmgGS-b2Uj4c5aQcL-AI2HHbjnXjb75kJdSoPMX3_Mi-CTdvifAID5-zOy_YxyO-zXwdhlsVqripg/s1800/Green+Woodwork+Days+Out+and+Courses+with+Treewright.co.uk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTrn2jX13I1dwr1_chZAh11ftbrxf-FLMP2DVYbJAAU5EQazNmhjPmxwauNWAMwGmgGS-b2Uj4c5aQcL-AI2HHbjnXjb75kJdSoPMX3_Mi-CTdvifAID5-zOy_YxyO-zXwdhlsVqripg/w426-h640/Green+Woodwork+Days+Out+and+Courses+with+Treewright.co.uk.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div> </div><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Using a Shavehorse is a pleasure - you sit down whilst working</b>,
listen to the sounds of nature or chat about this that or the other - a
pure pleasure. I have tools for left or right handed folks in all types
of sizes and styles of handles. Plenty of carving knives in different
sized blades and hooks. There'll be many axes, chisels, gouges, saws,
spokeshaves and drawerknives. If you decide it's for you and you want to
continue further I can put together a starter kit for you to purchase
with a good range of things that are essential and you'll be trying them
all out anyway. You could be shaving billets for stool legs or carving
spatulas and spoons - it's your course so you can make just about
whatever you feel like... <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Depending on how much energy and effort you put in reflects on the size
of the goody bag you go home with - all the things you've made whilst
learning and working with me. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsMtSdFLUjxvj1Fx_bEjsSNTQmZh2wsJ5xsxiOGWLdzrrfjaGsqIU4ZJF-E08D8eNE709NXX6BxU_mKMJNNwtt-FWA_ZvuNjB9wY1frD8lxy-1LpVaQ3dEtsHgzaRj5w1VNxYdKKyB8/s2048/Green+Woodwork+Days+Out+and+Pole+Lathe+Turning+Courses+with+Treewright.co.uk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjsMtSdFLUjxvj1Fx_bEjsSNTQmZh2wsJ5xsxiOGWLdzrrfjaGsqIU4ZJF-E08D8eNE709NXX6BxU_mKMJNNwtt-FWA_ZvuNjB9wY1frD8lxy-1LpVaQ3dEtsHgzaRj5w1VNxYdKKyB8/w480-h640/Green+Woodwork+Days+Out+and+Pole+Lathe+Turning+Courses+with+Treewright.co.uk.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /> <br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"> </h2><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The
Courses and Days Out are a most enjoyable way to spend a day or two
relaxing whilst working</b> and I've changed the way I'm running them - they
are now all on a one to one basis so you'll get even more from your
time with me. I've always got plenty of logs to work with and obviously
loads and loads of different razor sharp tools - so we'll definitely
have a great day inside the workshop or outside in the open air. <a href="http://Treewright.co.uk">Treewright.co.uk</a></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuUhrRGTiKPmkBXazwhlv4PwDs56_myEygftBobqQeLWOKyuE1Klq2_HfYPs_wZNPYX9Vx7gerNxN69maAdFtBm5s255RNRJ9aGC46Yxwd7vWwNnk6UaVeInOR-Z8p0P3gCwoqWX5BFg/s2048/Green+Woodwork+Days+Out+-+Courses+with+Treewright.co.uk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyuUhrRGTiKPmkBXazwhlv4PwDs56_myEygftBobqQeLWOKyuE1Klq2_HfYPs_wZNPYX9Vx7gerNxN69maAdFtBm5s255RNRJ9aGC46Yxwd7vWwNnk6UaVeInOR-Z8p0P3gCwoqWX5BFg/w426-h640/Green+Woodwork+Days+Out+-+Courses+with+Treewright.co.uk.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-42456708132850792252021-04-05T15:46:00.000+01:002021-04-05T15:46:01.020+01:00<h1 style="text-align: left;"> Rebec Update</h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HTAoxHxMbv423FrDcThvQZlQySoqxu6ZPWt_UoiiJ-LFCopfroHCxkf34rjglzipN5LzYZXhVqdMaJAqvB-zs9iftApdV5DEDX-WH0DxYXqFDH4TS7Dt0g3St3skES0kyToR9EVzD4g/s2048/1rebec+adze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HTAoxHxMbv423FrDcThvQZlQySoqxu6ZPWt_UoiiJ-LFCopfroHCxkf34rjglzipN5LzYZXhVqdMaJAqvB-zs9iftApdV5DEDX-WH0DxYXqFDH4TS7Dt0g3St3skES0kyToR9EVzD4g/w240-h320/1rebec+adze.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>I first started the Rebec in a flush of enthusiasm in 2008 and did loads of work with the adze that summer at shows and events where I was selling my handmade wood wares. Since then it's been on the back burner until these interesting times and the Lock-Up we've had here in Essex, UK. </p><p>In fact I'd forgotten about it till I had the biggest workshop tidy up and sort out for years and there it was at the same stage as in the pic below. <br /></p><p>It's a Gransfors Bruks Adze and it's one of those tools I go months without using then it's coming out every day. I love using it - goes through wood like butter when you've got the right action. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf0KPruzigKQnUzwZFu9eDHAKJm3VcrePbC_1-jL8eRX4lI7A4V1gfu_QRDOePCjBBT5d1a8x_wSX7-Jgj_YGvV5ew8jDkSsocA19THdD-cHDzQdJXClHR51bwFBY4aDGDJjMiacxXK8/s2048/1rebec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf0KPruzigKQnUzwZFu9eDHAKJm3VcrePbC_1-jL8eRX4lI7A4V1gfu_QRDOePCjBBT5d1a8x_wSX7-Jgj_YGvV5ew8jDkSsocA19THdD-cHDzQdJXClHR51bwFBY4aDGDJjMiacxXK8/s320/1rebec.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Almost Ready Stage</h3><p style="text-align: left;">I always get caught out at this stage when making things because the tricky work is still to come and after wasting loads of wood with the adze it was on to gouges to get it so we'd have a good sound box.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeTkdSEfywVsi1dlzeywWTnW5Ce7orb7ddmnPeczSGyLchHj5dZ_Z0HzJVZioa3sGDdqFIK6Td-pWpYdag2Kwj5yczM6sBPwF3pPMVkeomeV0HH06NF0_OFK9_gJpL3UZijiouLmAzzg/s4608/IMG_20210402_140247_951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaeTkdSEfywVsi1dlzeywWTnW5Ce7orb7ddmnPeczSGyLchHj5dZ_Z0HzJVZioa3sGDdqFIK6Td-pWpYdag2Kwj5yczM6sBPwF3pPMVkeomeV0HH06NF0_OFK9_gJpL3UZijiouLmAzzg/s320/IMG_20210402_140247_951.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">More Almost Ready Stage</h3><p style="text-align: left;">After spending a few more hours last week it was starting to look like a Medieval instrument and I felt pleased that I'd done it using similar methods to the musical instrument makers of the past - similar tools and a similar amount of energy! Feeling positive now and have been re-reading Zachary Taylor's book for hints and tips and got sidetracked with that</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqSM7ofhNWn8LDFd-GWYpMm6wKlCude_i4ZTJX9MaKkyr9MDw-0JA2ZqJlda_y5VpPHEkY5Nm96jtfGCp4SQLWRAP4Tw1OrnEFlAuSOJN0FIzmgb8N0AekL7OPXXWuyEt5xydO-kMUjk/s4608/IMG_20210403_180352_209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqSM7ofhNWn8LDFd-GWYpMm6wKlCude_i4ZTJX9MaKkyr9MDw-0JA2ZqJlda_y5VpPHEkY5Nm96jtfGCp4SQLWRAP4Tw1OrnEFlAuSOJN0FIzmgb8N0AekL7OPXXWuyEt5xydO-kMUjk/s320/IMG_20210403_180352_209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> </h3><h3 style="text-align: left;">Taking the Shape of a Rebec<br /></h3><p style="text-align: left;">Finger board and tail piece are Laburnum, the bridge and pegs are London Plane, top is Spruce and the nut is Box. I was able to use the neck support I'd made to set up the bass guitar I chatted about last week and it's great when bits of kit you make turn out to be multi functional. Thank goodness I've a big workbench - must have had everything bar the kitchen sink out to use. That's when you know for sure you can never have too many tools!</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w2lY26t54MuIHftWD0sE-dQBQZL_iNkd7glTOZgao2r_9ftY2e7pjHSIKqx6KR-pei0eaaKdyHVZR0vlHWKfGG6ZdUYuES6PiNIp3vmygLk8gYwAPaxir6RjQVhTZGZ1UEYtinlj42g/s4608/IMG_20210403_180430_130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6w2lY26t54MuIHftWD0sE-dQBQZL_iNkd7glTOZgao2r_9ftY2e7pjHSIKqx6KR-pei0eaaKdyHVZR0vlHWKfGG6ZdUYuES6PiNIp3vmygLk8gYwAPaxir6RjQVhTZGZ1UEYtinlj42g/s320/IMG_20210403_180430_130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;"> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Here you can see the pegs - had to do some carefulcarving on these to ensure they could all be turned independently without jamming into each other - made a mental note that next time I make a Rebec to drill the holes just slightly further apart from each other!</p><p>This afternoon I'm going to design the fret holes, I've been looking at loads of images of ancient instruments in museums - don't think I'll be doing a super fancy design - I've heard that can impair the sound. So think I'll be going for something minimal going for the 'less is more' approach...</p><p><a href="http://treewright.co.uk">treewright.co.uk</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0Eastbrook Rd, Waltham Abbey EN9 3AJ, UK51.6880274 0.010750523.377793563821157 -35.1454995 79.998261236178848 35.1670005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-90481101515475516082021-03-30T17:35:00.000+01:002021-03-30T17:35:35.886+01:00Axes and Axes and a Shovel<h1 style="text-align: left;">Different Type of Axe</h1><div style="text-align: left;">NEW OLD BASS</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Axes are all sharp as you'd expect and the newest is a different breed completely!</b> Ness suddenly decided she was going to take up the bass guitar after a gap of of about 25 years. I think everyone's needed something different during the Lock-Up, as I like to call it, over the winter. So we went Axe hunting on the internet, eBay, Gum Tree, Craigs List, FB and all the ones she liked, mostly cherry red, were vintage and £450 minimum! I said bit of an expensive new hobby specially as it might not really have been played a great deal - Ness is so deaf she seems to feel music through vibration and Jimi Hendrix is her hero - perhaps it's the loud full of life sounds. Eventually she put up a 'wanted' post on our local Epping Forest Freegle and after about six weeks a bloke got in touch from Loughton saying he'd bought a bass brand around 1975-80 in Romford, played it twice, decided it wasn't for him and, of all places, it was stored in the airing cupboard!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrQ3FZ2q0EIC1dgIzHhIVPpfOr5-YoQIDm5_9aJa8A9mwbXh3w-F4JAvmFrLusdmW0VwAxgRJRa-OtfQgeyGhpM1OpiHU6eOIGNTqnKHhWTJx8zONa9VXN8MO5ur2dX3MmcwBHD5JJQc/s2048/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrQ3FZ2q0EIC1dgIzHhIVPpfOr5-YoQIDm5_9aJa8A9mwbXh3w-F4JAvmFrLusdmW0VwAxgRJRa-OtfQgeyGhpM1OpiHU6eOIGNTqnKHhWTJx8zONa9VXN8MO5ur2dX3MmcwBHD5JJQc/s320/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk.jpg" /></a></div><b> I went that afternoon to collect and as Ness said it's FAB </b>- one of her favourite colours, Surf Green, full length neck very banana shaped but otherwise looking brand new in a professional gig bag. It's a JD Vintage made in China with a full length neck. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> Next I made a neck support, got the allen keys<span style="font-weight: normal;"> out and adjusted the truss rod. Can't remember the amount it move but it was a lot!</span> <br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JLydHdIrn31I9fO4WC1KUPsfsJLDMuFu-MhB_XCSt2mXUFHLVDcKmyTjN6Iqv6gS5hblz5dOKh-KUtDYuwmU4X1TvE7AKp3ujPveI-tw5cjgZf0DyZHvsF-5hWiVuO5TnJeddq6RR6U/s1600/Vintage+Bass+Axe+neck+support+www.treewright.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JLydHdIrn31I9fO4WC1KUPsfsJLDMuFu-MhB_XCSt2mXUFHLVDcKmyTjN6Iqv6gS5hblz5dOKh-KUtDYuwmU4X1TvE7AKp3ujPveI-tw5cjgZf0DyZHvsF-5hWiVuO5TnJeddq6RR6U/s320/Vintage+Bass+Axe+neck+support+www.treewright.co.uk.jpg" /></a></div>I found after fiddling with truss rod <span style="font-weight: normal;">that the nut was completely rubbish so ordered a new on from eBay. That took about two weeks to arrive and someone was getting a bit impatient!</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Then after a quick strum<span style="font-weight: normal;"> we both thought that the airing cupboard had caused the neck to shrink quite a bit so a fret file was essential and again eBay came in very handy! That arrived in a couple of days but filing the frets took over the kitchen table for quite a while rather than the workshop because I wanted to watch Ronnie playing snooker!</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ya7HFQK8JMUXf8-bbcyW0paKZwRHaUcyDFOOQfYqouKTYhF8GtVH8U4XeZJ05Sp88t3ZWZfRQEtLTp2buOy9Rn3MsxbTlV-spsqxKHfdrGjrPYA0BxizvDsQCtG3jX2UMU2bdKWBJ4g/s2048/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Ya7HFQK8JMUXf8-bbcyW0paKZwRHaUcyDFOOQfYqouKTYhF8GtVH8U4XeZJ05Sp88t3ZWZfRQEtLTp2buOy9Rn3MsxbTlV-spsqxKHfdrGjrPYA0BxizvDsQCtG3jX2UMU2bdKWBJ4g/s320/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk+2.jpg" /></a></div><b>The frets were a pain</b> in the proverbial but I got them done and it sounded great - absolutely brilliant through the amplifier or accoustic. Really got a great bass sound but Ness decided something else was needed...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7uk0TOaJB0FKNm2JnwTuQZkUyhBGnA68tU6q-AGlyBa57dW_50SsD2dE3ihHvM9LdD1O68T4hr2ck0PJiw7pOQ4U_V6w2fnwnPXsJ3TXUq14xJ5Q5dX2AY-041etQFwxHCIdwS7sm20/s2048/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7uk0TOaJB0FKNm2JnwTuQZkUyhBGnA68tU6q-AGlyBa57dW_50SsD2dE3ihHvM9LdD1O68T4hr2ck0PJiw7pOQ4U_V6w2fnwnPXsJ3TXUq14xJ5Q5dX2AY-041etQFwxHCIdwS7sm20/s320/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk+1.jpg" /></a></div><b>All the bits and bobs </b>here and neck resting in the support - good job I made that straight away - made everything much easier.<br /><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCAEbQlbe3cHJ-23SEsw0Cz6GLsJnCrlVRu2x5C9uTIveLDOS6pzF0NmHCRIelXvZS8JvhVJGDnWSPouY8P33XvrSd_rTaQmzLxiA2LGDJQUcthZL3vG_cdBC2or_ZdVgkg_Izcn9ibQ/s2048/Vintage+Bass+Axe+Ness+playing+www.treewright.co.uk+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKCAEbQlbe3cHJ-23SEsw0Cz6GLsJnCrlVRu2x5C9uTIveLDOS6pzF0NmHCRIelXvZS8JvhVJGDnWSPouY8P33XvrSd_rTaQmzLxiA2LGDJQUcthZL3vG_cdBC2or_ZdVgkg_Izcn9ibQ/s320/Vintage+Bass+Axe+Ness+playing+www.treewright.co.uk+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>She wanted flat wounds! <span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So again another bit of online shopping. We tried some that were cheapies at around £16 for a set - seemed all right until I tuned it up then the blooming things unwound and we even had a snappage. that really bothered me - I didn't want to be cut by a string and I certainly didn't want Ness playing until I was sure I'd got a safe set. We had 3 sets from the same company but eventually enough was enough - you only get what you pay for so I stumped up the £35 odd quid to different shop. they were great and I must admit flat wounds are very good to play.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07DdzixrdCo1kHxwpBVZv1Eyj6zz3DZ5g5EUrkeF1T6yAo1QW7lWPH6WwvZ3wnkfU_U-9OYNCuSytsx6IVk8hDp5cSvyVRhSn493RvPMUv6f-q_T6zbwxhKH1YGX6NwGaHS9cyzwtFDE/s2048/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07DdzixrdCo1kHxwpBVZv1Eyj6zz3DZ5g5EUrkeF1T6yAo1QW7lWPH6WwvZ3wnkfU_U-9OYNCuSytsx6IVk8hDp5cSvyVRhSn493RvPMUv6f-q_T6zbwxhKH1YGX6NwGaHS9cyzwtFDE/w320-h240/Vintage+Bass+Axe+www.treewright.co.uk+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The upshot of all this is <span style="font-weight: normal;">Ness is gonna be a Rock Chick at 60 if she gets a chance to strum because I've decided it's mine now and I love the sound and play every evening!</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Just a link to something else Ness liked the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=3+string+shovel+guitar" target="_blank">Shovel Guitar </a> <br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> I've been so busy in Lock-Up my feet haven't touched the ground - just looking forward to going out and seeing folks a bit more and plenty of chat! making loads of stuff in the workshop and you can see some of it here in <a href="https://folksy.com/shops/WoodProductsbyRobinFawcett">Treewrights Shop</a><br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">More soon - Robin.... <br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h4>Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-67405326172824917482020-07-27T15:24:00.000+01:002020-07-27T15:24:21.372+01:00Wood Turning Combined with Carving by Hand for Kitchen Wares<h4>
Wood Turning First - by Power or Pole Lathe</h4>
Choose a wide enough piece of wood for the finished width of your desired spatula. If it's not you'll end up simply turning another spurtle or thieval! I've been using some of that wonderful fresh green Sycamore I found in one of the dry ditches around by the Abbey church. So not only did I have to check size carefully I was also keeping an eye out for that green fleck staining that I don't like the look of on utensils.<br />
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Allow enough wood at either end to give enough to remove as you finish the work so you're not getting a small indentation where the centres of the lathe grip. We don't want unsightly or nasty unhygenic little indentations in our cooking implements do we. Then let the imagination flow - I find doing these little things most therapeutic, gently changing the sweep of a handle the slight nuance of a curve - only thing is once the wood's cut you can't stick it back on. I like to turn gently, not like a maniac racing away that removes all the pleasure and I think you should be able to enjoy your work and not feel that I'm on an assembly line. Yes I do need to make a certain number of products to earn my living but that doesn't prevent me from enjoying my chosen profession.</div><div>Once the handle is fashioned to your taste then it's time to get those carving implements out. Sometimes it's simply a 2.5 inch carpenters chisel for a good flat cut or perhaps a series of knives and then a few sweeps with the spokeshave. Most important is to take your time and if the grain doesn't seem to be co-operative maybe it's because you're not working with it but against it. So turn the work around or if it's the spokeshave or drawknife try a push cut instead of a pull or use the tool at an angle to the work - it's very important to be flexible and try different things out. And remember there's not definitive right way - it's what's right for you and what's comfortable and what works... <br /></div>
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<br />Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-35634671225228522172020-07-09T17:06:00.000+01:002020-07-09T17:06:02.590+01:00SPOKESHAVES and SPOON CARVING<h4>
Spokeshave - the Forgotten Tool of Green Woodwork</h4>
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Many green woodworkers seem to have never used a spokeshave, don't seem to have seen one or if they have don't appreciate it's value as an essential in the toolbox. I've always been a fan of this comfortable little tool, it's wonderful for finishing spoons and spatulas and all types of awkward edges. Once you've mastered the adjustment of the blade it's beautiful the way it removes the perfect shaving for that lovely feel of smooth wood in the hand.<br />
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I was using my spokeshave just yesterday in the workshop finishing some spoons, spatulas etc and thinking what a marvellous and useful tool it was how everyone should have one!<br />
James Krenov turned me onto this one perhaps back when he wrote articles for one of the woodworking magazines. It’s a Stanley No 53 which I use with a one handed grip as he suggested. Also it’s got a little wheel for speedy, very accurate and fine blade adjustments.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley No 53</td></tr>
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This is my favourite Spokeshave, I probably use it everyday in my work and is always part of my travelling tool kit.<br />
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In my opinion, this is the way to hold it - using first finger and thumb and the little finger at the opposite end of the blade being careful not to clog the mouth with shavings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNoaNYQc4_Yh_YaaDclrdM0MOSdumMNed-8mvf9DsFQ6s_LVDuiwI2mbaKkJfEA6ntJDe22RvzeZHF8e6H9YKgwiTLWSij45odx9O-RcOVN5jbN-D6ZcPL6GnAdxKMIs-ubYJh6UxVMc/s1600/IMG_20200706_190633810_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNoaNYQc4_Yh_YaaDclrdM0MOSdumMNed-8mvf9DsFQ6s_LVDuiwI2mbaKkJfEA6ntJDe22RvzeZHF8e6H9YKgwiTLWSij45odx9O-RcOVN5jbN-D6ZcPL6GnAdxKMIs-ubYJh6UxVMc/s400/IMG_20200706_190633810_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Complete view of the under or business side of the Spokeshave where you can see the hinged sole. It's essential to keep it sharp and as I've been using a fair bit of Sycamore in the last couple of weeks it needs sharpening more frequently than, say, Silver Birch or Hazel would need.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoonrise over Waltham Abbey</td></tr>
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NB Top tip is to hold the blade in mole grips for honing... </div>
Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-8599639434387940572020-06-19T12:20:00.001+01:002020-06-19T12:20:48.532+01:00THREAD CHASING TOOLS & CHISELS<h4>
The Right Tool for the Job</h4>
Absolutely no point struggling with inadequate blunt tools! I'm a bit obsessed with sharpening, doing it properly and frequently. So often I hear folks saying "well it was sharp when I bought it". No it wasn't, probably just had a ground edge to whip off any burrs in the manufacturing. The other phrase that drives me nuts is "I sharpened it just yesterday". Probably last week and it's likely it wasn't sharpened correctly anyway - angles all wrong, sharpened on the wrong side of the bevel, not a mirror finish all the usual mistakes and then I'm told that the tool steel is rubbish. It may well be but you can't blame your tools for poor maintenance, they don't sharpen themselves - perhaps it's thought the elves pop in at midnight and do the job for them! I'm constantly sharpening throughout the day whilst working and it's particularly important if you want a really clean cut thread. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tools for Thread Chasing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Chisel on the left is essential for undercutting the female thread so you don't bounce against the wood. Sounds weird but that's exactly what happens and then you're up the creek without a paddle!<br />
On the right it's a pointing tool that can be used as a skew - again essential for this type of box turning. The tool at the top is a moveable rest.<br />
I'm a great fan of Ashley Isles tools, always have been, but even more so after visiting their works in Lincolnshire to buy some one awful wet Monday in the winter. The office address at that time was a pub and we turned up there and it was closed. Heard noises out the back and found Ray Isles the publican in his little workshop. I say 'little' - small because it was so jam packed with stuff but in fact it had been an aircraft hanger to house Lancaster Bombers being serviced between missions in the war! We even got taken to see the remaining Lanc there and afterwards he opened the pub, his wife came out in her nightie and did us a smashing lunch with a pint of ale and Ray whisked off to the works to get his brother to sort out the chisels I wanted to buy - personal service with a smile and a history lesson with brunch and a pint. <br />
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Thread chasing chisels are in made as male and female tools and Ashley Isles also make a universal chaser that does both. I've found that the more teeth to the inch the easier it is to use them - the ones with fewer teeth, turning a bigger thread are, for me at any rate, damned tricky. This one here is the Universal Chaser and 16 teeth to the inch.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb7dGMOSegmcDHk73RQDPxm9BiX4mENhyphenhyphenWGB3KfxdUMCyIpLwFol8ih24S7dBx2B7KOtKitJMjYhVCIMKT3_LLxWiMKkfidyZClrqfoYsVPcPLS0MsuG3ONtm63XWW5-e7awNeWmrI70/s1600/IMG_20200609_133301773_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb7dGMOSegmcDHk73RQDPxm9BiX4mENhyphenhyphenWGB3KfxdUMCyIpLwFol8ih24S7dBx2B7KOtKitJMjYhVCIMKT3_LLxWiMKkfidyZClrqfoYsVPcPLS0MsuG3ONtm63XWW5-e7awNeWmrI70/s640/IMG_20200609_133301773_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Universal Thread Chaser</td></tr>
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These two are the male and female, the female having more teeth, in this pair it's 24 teeth to the inch. It's really important that you use the right one for the threads otherwise it's confusing and just doesn't work and goes completely wrong. This really is a case of practise and practise and then practise some more. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Chaser is bottom </td></tr>
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This pair of chisels are 11 teeth to the inch - big difference in terms of thread size and as I mentioned earlier more difficult to work with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Chaser is top</td></tr>
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So these are the tools you'll need to make boxes with threaded lids. Have fun giving it a go, get the right wood, make sure you're comfortable, get the tool rest in the right position, the speed right and have fun...<br />
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Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-3642818082099758172020-06-01T16:32:00.000+01:002020-06-01T16:32:23.530+01:00THREAD CHASING - BOX WOOD and BOXESDensity of grain is the main thing so selecting the timber is crucial. I've only used with Box as that's what I've saved specially. I've also been told that African Blackwood, which I'm unlikely to find in Waltham Abbey or the rest of Essex, also Lignum Vitae again not growing around here but I'm keeping my eye open for some old bowling bowls that I could re-purpose. So Box is the wood for me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thread Chasing</td></tr>
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You need your chisels to cut the wood cleanly so they need to be super sharp, at least the 1st or leading tooth. Before you get that far you need to make your box! I've found that I need to be in the perfect frame of mind for this and I still find it a challenging project. One day it'll go swimmingly the next it's an aberration - nothing goes right. Then it'll work perfectly, all very frustrating. I think it's a lot to do with your stance and mood, no good blaming the tools - I know they work perfectly, are super sharp so check the lathe speed, that's important too. It's the female thread that, for me is trickiest and then when I think it'll all go wrong it goes perfectly! And of course you must make sure your grain matches up when you thread the lid - we don't want mis-matching grain do we!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Threaded Box from Box Wood</td></tr>
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Pleased with this little one though. Did a bit of that clattering chattering to the top. It screws up easily and tightly and I found that it perfectly holds a 5pence piece! I decided to try small and this measures 1 and an 8th inches high and 7/8ths inch diameter.<br />
For things I've been turning recently have a look <a href="https://folksy.com/shops/WoodProductsbyRobinFawcett" target="_blank">here</a> <br />
<br />Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-10723931961704480402020-05-13T18:38:00.001+01:002020-05-13T18:38:39.191+01:00TURNING a SPINNING TOP - A Power Lathe or Pole Lathe <h4>
Power Lathe or Pole Lathe - That is the Question???</h4>
I've a power lathe with 10 foot bed in the workshop - it's an Apollo - hand built and a beautiful piece of engineering. I spoke to the chap who made it and he was still in love with my model and could actually remember making it when I chatted with him on the phone. So I've been making more treen using power and it's something that's taking me a long time to get used to. I've also acquired a pillar drill and bandsaw - all very horrible, noisy and dusty! So I've also had to invest in an industrial type hoover and a proper extractor and a ventilating head vizor mask thing to protect my lungs from dust. So I decided I'd still turn the wood green, one I like the ribbon shavings and two you don't get the dust. Also I can turn as slowly or as fast as I do on the Pole Lathe.<br />
So spinning top time and I did use my axe to start to rough out my billet but stopped myself and used the machinery! This is all in aid of my back which I'm really careful of ever since I had an attack of sciatica which took months to recover from, so remember folks look after your back!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pHQmL5dZ5wOQHSGJ5PUBOQqrReyCTY4wNNfqMNGDv98n9BOYUDc2eqSgtLbBYtDOpkdd-vHv1FfnyIDPmN8iHSJn4Kv4Rs74Ogp9LCAomadp2sCP6iFHfA4svme1LrIEOKVCcHxGOYc/s1600/IMG_20200506_160841094_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pHQmL5dZ5wOQHSGJ5PUBOQqrReyCTY4wNNfqMNGDv98n9BOYUDc2eqSgtLbBYtDOpkdd-vHv1FfnyIDPmN8iHSJn4Kv4Rs74Ogp9LCAomadp2sCP6iFHfA4svme1LrIEOKVCcHxGOYc/s400/IMG_20200506_160841094_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Billet prepared with Band Saw</td></tr>
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Then for a bit of turning to get a good shape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwzdjur6F_N16BvJ6Gsv3CFr4ax4WWdPqbloSCVhkDKiQB69tmnCT-dwbIVrp2R-MYu4dwmFZrv4VcyWB50kzR4z6h1DMqcZVO0CZE5aj8C4IHGj0YYm8TqLj1ZxRLJqk_w2iPOxPSE/s1600/IMG_20200506_163443290_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJwzdjur6F_N16BvJ6Gsv3CFr4ax4WWdPqbloSCVhkDKiQB69tmnCT-dwbIVrp2R-MYu4dwmFZrv4VcyWB50kzR4z6h1DMqcZVO0CZE5aj8C4IHGj0YYm8TqLj1ZxRLJqk_w2iPOxPSE/s400/IMG_20200506_163443290_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power Lathe</td></tr>
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Used the pillar drill to get the holes good and parallel - now I do really appreciate this power tool much less strenuous on the chest and shoulders!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8EkBGsp7QnCDc-p1OWWygad7f7UiKtwfGQ7b4VhqkjGkUix-lOeXtjnEK3Y8tVd6QZWSwuoZByL6hh2vAcS974SGBJ_y-SH1IwKwGTEmrhg8C90MY0T46vNHu11Dw4GqQHJ73uN-TZc/s1600/IMG_20200506_165805210_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8EkBGsp7QnCDc-p1OWWygad7f7UiKtwfGQ7b4VhqkjGkUix-lOeXtjnEK3Y8tVd6QZWSwuoZByL6hh2vAcS974SGBJ_y-SH1IwKwGTEmrhg8C90MY0T46vNHu11Dw4GqQHJ73uN-TZc/s400/IMG_20200506_165805210_HDR.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pillar Drill</td></tr>
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Shaping is fun - plenty of beads & coves, decorate with black lines, think of the centre of gravity and you should be fine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning Top Components</td></tr>
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Separate the components, carve your point and your just about set for a record breaking spinner. I used a Hazel twig for my puller - looks good and does the job.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning Top</td></tr>
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And the movie of how well it balances and the speed it goes at - it's half time speed folks that's why the parakeets sound like a horror movie in the background! And then have a look here at the movie <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dLBCUxbYZ0" target="_blank">Making a Spinning Top using a Pole Lathe</a> for the same process - I know which one I prefer...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spinning Top Movie</td></tr>
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<br />Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-30875289663931767612020-05-06T18:22:00.001+01:002020-05-06T18:22:31.691+01:00COUNTRY CRAFT BOOKS and HISTORY with HOW TO MAKE thrown in <h3>
CRAFTS from THE HISTORIC COUNTRYSIDE</h3>
For a long time I've kept a large collection of books in my workshop, Country Crafts, Traditional Building Methods at the same time I've got the same volumes inside in the bedroom, front room, kitchen, upstairs workroom, the loft and in the sitting room! So I've at long last really been looking at them all again - re-reading and making notes but I've found Not only do I have second copies in the workshop but up to four copies of some and I'm letting them go <a href="https://www.ebid.net/uk/stores/Treewrights-Emporium" target="_blank">here </a><br />
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I've a mixed bunch going on sale at the moment and all are good to enjoy during these interesting times specially those about life in the 19th century and earlier. Isolating was common - not particularly by choice but just the way life was! Some trades were very lonely others required teamwork constantly and often deprivation, hunger and appalling living conditions the norm. Life expectancy short and destitution looming. So even in these days of uncertainty life for me really is perfectly satisfactory on the whole if not good most of the time and brilliant the rest of it.<br />
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I am missing the meet ups with folks but I'm enjoying my strolls with a lovely lurcher, working with wood, chatting non stop with my wonderful wife Vanessa and playing my guitars and mandolin amongst other things!<br />
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Also sorting out my tools. I've decided that I can have too many so I'll going through loads of drawknives, axes, billhooks, planes and plenty of other stuff. Keeping them down to say six full sets will keep me going for all my courses and demonstrations as well as all my workshop requirements. So keep an eye out here for a heads up on all types of tools and simple woodworking devices. They all work well - I've used them all at some time or other but feel I should get them circulating again just like the books need to be. If you're on the lookout for a side axe of a particular pattern or a chisel by a specific old maker because you like the tool steel, an adze, or a simple axe for spoon carving with a nice comfy handle get in touch - I'll look specifically for one in my massive collection...<br />
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<br />Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-83027238775208263932020-04-30T17:36:00.001+01:002020-04-30T17:36:52.117+01:00SCOTTISH LABURNUM QUAICHE & WHISKY <h3>
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Turning A Quaiche</h3>
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A <b>Quaiche</b> is the traditional vessel used by Scots to savour their favourite single malts. It's often a beautiful cup turned from attractive timber with a small handle on either side and mine are made from some Laburnum that traveled from the Scottish Borders with a mate all the way to Essex. Often turned from Laburnum, also known as Scottish Mahogany because of it's richly grained dark wood, I decided that today's project was going to be to make at least one of these quirky little cups. Laburnum is a wood that I love though it is horribly dusty when dry, this has some moisture still in it and turned pretty nicely but it doesn't make those wonderful ribbon shavings I get with, say, Sycamore. This one was a roadside tree and removed as part of a 'tidying' up job by the local council and I failed to see the necessity of depriving the locale of such a beautiful flowering specimen but they're prolific up in Scotland and seen as little more than a weed tree by many!<br />
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When preparing the wood for the Quaiche blank you have to remember to make allowance for the handles to be turned as a part of the whole and I spent ages humming and hawing over the best bit of the log to choose. That done I reached for my handy pencil stub got my centreline marked out and started. It's seeing that grain come to life as a really sharp chisel (and I mean that sharpness you get where two mirror images of the chisel meet at nothing) otherwise you get covered in nasty chips!<br />
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It's the first time in ages that I've turned anything like a Quaiche with that narrow flange around the edge and you do have to keep an eye open for the safety of your knuckles. Mine escaped intact fortunately but perhaps that's because I'm not a speed merchant. Anyway hands intact I removed the excess flange leaving behind the handles and carved them into the shape you see here. Will be here at <a href="https://folksy.com/shops/WoodProductsbyRobinFawcett" target="_blank">my online shop</a> from this evening.<br />
I'd really like to hear your comments about <b>Whisky</b> and ideas about Quaiches, if you have one and use it. Do you like the flavour of your tipple as you drink from a wooden vessel, does it make you feel special and of course your favourite single malt!<br />
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<br />Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-67835359561074204252020-01-13T16:55:00.000+00:002020-01-13T16:55:26.292+00:00A BODGER'S NEW YEAR NEWS <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1pY8_EOaoYFKg40uKzb92DdUAGLyBxB0inp7BPMHwA8sxdWjvJV5s82g_lcdcQ3-y2H7pHXruk5k-xa-jeLX8CpcMNDeiwYbsFb18awoRZ5JNRAyiOUsXafaVboibWixbiwBmrpYkig/s1600/IMG_2155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1pY8_EOaoYFKg40uKzb92DdUAGLyBxB0inp7BPMHwA8sxdWjvJV5s82g_lcdcQ3-y2H7pHXruk5k-xa-jeLX8CpcMNDeiwYbsFb18awoRZ5JNRAyiOUsXafaVboibWixbiwBmrpYkig/s640/IMG_2155.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FISHING BOAT </td></tr>
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I've a little John Smith fishing boat which was a gift at Christmas from my mum and dad in about 1961, it's had many a happy bath and has been played with by all our nephews and nieces on weekend sleep-overs. It's taken a real bashing over the years but is still beautiful so I thought I'd make my version of my childhood toy. It's virtually identical in weight, shape and has all the same rigging, catch, mast and cabin - but horror of horrors it turns over and becomes an upside down submarine! I have no understanding of boat building or the dynamics of making something float so I'm making another one and I'm going to try it out at every stage to see if sinks or swims! I've made it from 2''x2'' pine just like the original so if any of you helpful folks have some hints or tips on toy boat making I'd much appreciate them.<br />
Vanessa also took up the sport of extreme puddle leaping (some of you will know she has difficulty walking but is game for just about anything except scuba diving!) and she slipped on the granite kerb, landed right on the corner with a giant whump and managed to gain 4 compound fractures in her hip.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LcWfCmgwp6z06EnErYC8FFWA3yw0mMy1M2cmfFQf1EPw7pcb_1iGQhyphenhyphenQTy75Vn65L8MUfxc0LYLnk5iBQtNR-40-twa4q9z3fcxgaBcyQ9g1_TjI_uKFEuAsLJnpl8apd_v3gZQbgTI/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LcWfCmgwp6z06EnErYC8FFWA3yw0mMy1M2cmfFQf1EPw7pcb_1iGQhyphenhyphenQTy75Vn65L8MUfxc0LYLnk5iBQtNR-40-twa4q9z3fcxgaBcyQ9g1_TjI_uKFEuAsLJnpl8apd_v3gZQbgTI/s640/IMG_1839.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SUNBATHING AT HIGH BEECH</td></tr>
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This didn't really prove to be much of a problem as she determinedly got herself out of hospital in a speedy 10 days champing at the bit to up and about. Hopefully the wheelchair can be abandoned in the next few weeks as she's religiously doing all her exercises and is walking as well as before except it's with the aid of a crutch at the moment rather than her favourite hazel walking stick.<br />
So we're really enjoying the start of the new decade and 2020 sounds like an excellent year - we'll make more hedgerow wines and perhaps they'll be of vintage laying down (for about a year - haha) quality. So Happy New Year to you all and may it be enjoyable as well as prosperous... Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-69883763690350349342019-07-25T16:35:00.006+01:002019-07-25T16:35:56.847+01:00BODGER IN THE SHADE OF A TULIP TREE<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W0NzmVT_rSv3tEPiaOriAJXlc58XAYaq5iAatQi2Mq7nZx5m9-hmQO0O5QRpzPpTov1mJ1lStGqe1f-wNRu09iiLLT0SgjAA4-KYHmqsYHJd9UruTvtXAFQGWTndDwPNTzx4YGDx0Yw/s1600/IMG_1247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6W0NzmVT_rSv3tEPiaOriAJXlc58XAYaq5iAatQi2Mq7nZx5m9-hmQO0O5QRpzPpTov1mJ1lStGqe1f-wNRu09iiLLT0SgjAA4-KYHmqsYHJd9UruTvtXAFQGWTndDwPNTzx4YGDx0Yw/s640/IMG_1247.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tulips in Full Flower</td></tr>
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Mid-week sessions with local schools at Valence House in East London
between Romford and Dagenham for what was loosely termed a Pre-History
week of crafts and other interesting skills. We were turning with gusto
and each class made a story stick for use in the schoolroom. Other
activities were archery, cheese making, cave painting and investigating
dinosaur poo!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oDbJKcM6MDusKDWMIcsJP63uyCmWUh3w4D7xiHlCGv1pf6LPNkPW2DYCgUhEtOiY8bUDW79Fks7j1CbbUvlyp5PuPCWIxrApGb3rkcyjput_7op1qEHZdtYaR-oiSNicLEmSB01ZKOM/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oDbJKcM6MDusKDWMIcsJP63uyCmWUh3w4D7xiHlCGv1pf6LPNkPW2DYCgUhEtOiY8bUDW79Fks7j1CbbUvlyp5PuPCWIxrApGb3rkcyjput_7op1qEHZdtYaR-oiSNicLEmSB01ZKOM/s640/IMG_1271.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs Bodger Giving Directions</td></tr>
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Valence House is beautiful. It's the
only surviving manor house in Dagenham and dates back to medieval times
and still surrounded by a moat to keep invading marauders at bay. It's
almost sandwiched between Romford and Dagenham with the large grounds
now a public park and the house run as a free museum. The only reason
it wasn't knocked down in the sixties when everyone was still trying to
clean up after the bloomin' German bombing raids (and folks wonder why
we want to leave a European so called 'Union' that's run by unelected
Germans) and the local mayor took a fancy to it for his new Dagenham
Town Hall and his own personal residence! He didn't get his wish but
the House was left untouched and abandoned until Havering Council and
lots of volunteers realised it's historical value and set about sorting
it out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caveman Will Lord Discovers relic of Ford Capri Whilst Hunting</td></tr>
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The weekend was open to the public and we had queues of young would be
turners having a go on the lathe with a bit of guidance from Vanessa who
has the patience of a saint where kids and their parents are concerned
although she does put a stop to folks who think she's a free creche! We
couldn't take many action pics as parents don't want their kids photos
taken - we always ask first. they don't hesitate to photo us though (without asking) and
get the hump if one of us says, enough is enough, we are not
exhibits at the museum in ourselves!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let The Force Be With You</td></tr>
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Ness with the local constabulary at the weekend event and getting this lovely lady to grips with a chisel. <br />
Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-24022557126359435612019-07-20T16:28:00.003+01:002019-07-20T16:28:38.843+01:00A BUSY TIME FOR A BODGERSo much to do, 24 hours in a day is just not enough! A busy week up in Yorkshire with Countryside Learning at their annual event for inner city kids up North (well from us in Essex that is) and we stayed in a B&B in Sherburn in Elmet - locally called Sherbert in Helmet but that's just a little mad play on words or malapropism that we're so fond of here.<br />
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Two days of full on excited children - it's a really great way for them to learn by doing. Torque, reciprocation, use of pulleys and your own muscles all created an electric atmosphere that's so hard to bottle and take home.<br />
Miss was particularly excited as she hadn't done anything like this before and like her pupils welcomed the chance for a day out of the classroom.<br />
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We decided to support the local community, that's why we stayed in a small B&B, it was a stay to remember! Mine hosts were very friendly but the rooms hadn't been updated since the late 60ies according to my wife who was slightly taken aback to say the least. It was very dog friendly with plenty of cats for chasing activities and I don't think our lurcher noticed the lack of amenities. Vanessa commented that she'd never seen 4 miss-matched pillowcases on one bed before and that the ceiling shades were from standard lamps And the curtains were far too short, linings ripped and at least a dozen more curtain hooks were needed. Formica furniture and the wash hand basin was in the bedroom at least 15 foot from the khazi much to her chagrin. Next time we're staying in a Travelodge and sod the local community! We'll still go to Sherbert for fantastic food but although the host and hostess were lovely, Vanessa says she needs a comfortable bed, shower that showers, nice crisp bedlinen (not odds & sods worn out over the last 50 years) and fluffy towels and that did not include a detour to somewhere akin to Royston Vesey! She said in the 21st Century even a bodger needs to take care of the inner spirit and soul...Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-71230131757807263852019-05-27T13:58:00.001+01:002019-05-27T13:58:17.502+01:00MILL GREEN WATERMILL - A 17th CENTURY GEM <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We spent an afternoon at an amazing watermill in Hertfordshire where there was a celebration for the Federation of Organic Grain Growers and Millers. Interestingly enough it's actually situated on the River Lea, something I had no knowledge of, so at the opposite end of the Lea Valley to us here in Waltham Abbey. It's the only remaining watermill of 24 mills once working on the River Lea still commercially milling. The building here is grade 11* listed and dates from the 17th century. However there was obviously a mill here well before that because it's been listed in Norman the Conquerer's Domesday Book at around 1086 as the Mill at Hetfelle. <br />
And on reading more and a bit of a wander through the building I find the back door leads out to some very handy baths of Roman origin! Well you never know what you're going to find or when you'll feel the need for a quick wash down. <br />
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We set up our stall and spent the whole afternoon chatting, listening to traditional folk music, watched Morris dancing and drank plenty of tea. There was a belltent with story teller, cushions and magic carpet, plant sellers, bread from the bakery at the mill as well as all the organic flour and local radio enthusiasts radioing to other mills with much enthusiasm. They weren't having much luck contacting the mills but did manage to have an interesting exchange with the Dumfries Weather Centre and somewhere in Italy - you never know who's listening in to one's broadcating! No great sales but we were given a good pat of butter made by the churning demonstrators and had an invitation to bring ourselves to the Apple Day at Tring in October. So all in all a very satisfying quintessential English sunny afternoon... <br /> Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-81122954731456848732019-05-17T14:28:00.000+01:002019-05-17T14:28:38.690+01:00HEARING VOICES IN TREES!?A few years ago I was at an event in Rochester, Kent where a guy had attached sensors or microphones to trees and there were headphones dangling down so you could listen to the inner sounds they make.<br /><br />On some recent dog walks in the Forest I decided to just put my ear against trees and see if I could hear anything. Wow! yes there are all sorts of noises going on in there and it’s FREE.<br /><br />Oak isn’t good with this technique as the bark is too rough and you need good contact with your ear and also with the side of your head. So the smooth barked Beech, Birch and Hornbeam are good. Old or injured trees seem quiet whereas vigorous youngish trees around eight inches to a foot make quite a racket. Also may be sluggish early in the day as it warms up and the crown is in the sunshine.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack's Hill Epping Forest</td></tr>
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<br /><br />Some of the sounds are like human peristalis, laboured breathing, washing machine on wash cycle, toilet flushing, drip drip noise, banging on pipes, steam train, low foghorn, hooting and plenty of gurglings, poppings and squeaking.<br /><br />I think the time of day is quite important also, possibly, whether it’s rained recently or if it’s warm, cool, overcast or windy. Also check the trunk for ants as I got an earful the other day.<br /><br />Try it and see if the Trees tell you anything!Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-330009774754085962019-05-13T17:22:00.000+01:002019-05-13T17:22:38.320+01:00HISTORIC WOODWORKING SHOP THAT'S FOR SALE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was sent a copy of this article by the Secretary of the Register of Professional Woodturners on behalf of the Worshipful Company of Turners. <br />
It's from Jerome Nichols and by The Gentle Author at<a href="http://spitalfieldslife.com/" target="_blank"> Spitalfields Life.</a> I found it most interesting and quite moving - I hope it's not just a finish to a bygone history and I trust that someone wil step in to keep that tradition going onwards into the future. Anyway here you all go...<br />
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‘We are the last proper woodturners in London,’ boasts Geoff Nichols of Nichols Bros (Woodturners) Ltd in Walthamstow. It sounds like quite a bold claim, but since I have learned the story of Geoff’s family endeavour stretching back over a century, examined their work and enjoyed a tour of the premises, I am more than happy to endorse Nichols Bros as ‘proper’ woodturners indeed.<br />An undistinguished single storey building in a side street gives no hint of the wonders within. For eighty years, the Nichols family have been woodturning at this location and proved themselves masters of the art and the craft. Passing through double green doors from the street, you turn directly left and discover yourself in another kingdom, filled with glowing golden timber and lined with wood chips.<br />
<br />In a long low-ceilinged brick room sit venerable lathes surrounded by stacks of new pine and off-cuts, while the walls are adorned with intricate examples of woodturning hanging like stalactites. Geoff Nichols and his trusty partner Harry Morrow have worked here for the past half century, and they step forward to greet you – looking the epitome of master craftsmen in their long blue twill coats.<br />Yet further delights await your gaze. Widening his eyes in excitement, Geoff leads you into the yard beyond where blue tarpaulins conceal a unique spectacle, accumulated in a series of old sheds. One after the other, he lifts the tarpaulins to reveal rooms filled with a seemingly infinite array of spindles, all meticulously organised by style and disappearing into the gloom like gothic grottos.<br />
<br />‘We have a collection of in the region of three thousand different spindles,’ underestimates Geoff proudly, ‘We try to display as many as we can for ease of reference but we have lots more that are stored in boxes too.’<br />
<br />Unquestionably the largest collection in London and perhaps the largest collection in the world, this is – in effect – our national archive of stair spindles. It is a secret museum that tells the story of the growth of the capital in spindles – a cultural asset of the greatest significance and it will not come again. Perhaps most fascinating was the ‘London spindle’ – the most common design in the capital yet also the one with the most variants.<br />
<br />After half century of woodturning, Geoff Nichols needs to find someone to take on his astonishing legacy. Is there a craftworker reading this who would like to take this noble craft onwards for another fifty years and earn a lifetime’s income in the process? Is there an institution that can give a home to the largest collection of spindles in existence?<br />
<br />All these thoughts were buzzing in my mind as Geoff led me to the tiny cubby hole which serves as the office, where we competed over who should sit upon the only chair in the place, before I plonked myself down upon a trestle and he told me the full story of Nichols Bros.<br />
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"My dad Stanley Nichols and his brother Arthur started on this site in Walthamstow in 1949. They were two youngest out of five brothers, the two eldest – there was about a twenty year age difference – already had a woodturning business, Nichols & Nichols, in the Kingsland Rd in Shoreditch which they started before the First World War.<br />
<br />After Stanley and Arthur left school, they went to work for their elder brothers until the Second World War began and they went off to the forces. After the war, they carried on with their elder brothers for a year or so before they decided to set up their own woodturning business here, Nichols Bros.<br />
<br />I came into it the day I left school at fifteen, that was fifty years ago now in 1969, and Harry joined about four or five years after me. My Uncle Arthur retired about five years after I started, he used to handle the paperwork, so Harry took over from him. I was more involved in the practical side of the business, especially hand woodturning.<br />
<br />We probably had about five or six employees at our peak which was about twenty years ago. Since then the trade has changed quite dramatically because the trend has moved away from wood towards glass and metal. In pubs in the East End, all the glass racks were made of turned wood spindles but that is no longer the case. Once upon a time, we made a lot of mangle rollers but obviously that is work we will never get asked to do again. We used to do a lot of table legs and when I first joined the business all we were really doing was standard lamps.<br />
<br />The furniture industry disappeared in the East End a quarter of a century ago and we are now tied in to the building trade. People spend a lot of money on their properties these days, adding rooms in the loft which needs staircases – newel posts, handrails and spindles. Spindles for staircases is the work we are asked to do now, although we still make the occasional four-poster bed and table legs for the furniture trade which does exist.<br />
<br />A lot of woodturning is imported from China but where we do not try to compete by producing volume, we do bespoke woodturning if a customer wants spindles or newel posts matched up. Skill is very important. When I first started working here, we used to get an influx of people asking if there was a job or could they learn the trade, but it seems the younger generation tend to shy away from manual trades today.<br />
<br />My dad was an exceptionally good woodturner, better at some things than me although I think I am better than him at others. You can be the most skilled woodturner in the world but you have to do it within a certain time, because time is money. It is all about earning a living, it is not a hobby. If you turn one spindle by hand, you have then got to be able to replicate it again quickly. Being able to get sharp definition in your work is very important. I can look at any piece of woodturning and tell straight away whether it was made by a highly skilled turner or not.<br />
<br />In woodturning, the trick is you must not pick up and tools and put them down again too many times. You have to do as much as you can with either the chisel or the gouge. When you change tools you are wasting time, so you must be able to do the maximum before you change tools. That is the secret to fast woodturning and to be able to turn nice bead, a fillet or a jug. The ridge around the shaft is called a ‘bead,’ like beading. The ridge between the bead and the shaft of the spindle is called the ‘fillet’ and it gives definition of the bead. The ‘jug’ is the wave profile, like on a jug. Any woodturning you see is beads, fillets, bands, hollows and jugs. That is all woodturning is.<br />We have a collection of in the region of three thousand different spindles. We try to display as many as we can for ease of reference but now we have lots that are in boxes too.<br />
<br />It gives me pleasure to take a square blank and turn it into an artistic shape. You alone know the difficulty in turning it. You can see that you have made something that looks beautiful and will be there for a long time. When you visit old buildings, you appreciate the tremendous work that was involved in the woodturning, especially since they were working on primitive lathes compared to ours.<br />
<br />My children will not be coming into the business. My son works in the City and my daughter has an Estate Agents, so no-one in the family can take it over which is a real shame. I would be open to train someone if they came and asked me It would be lovely if we could find someone who wanted to start a woodturning business, because over the last seventy years we have collected so many machines and tools which are irreplaceable."<br />
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<a href="https://www.nichols-brothers.co.uk/" target="_blank">Nichols Bros (Woodturning) Ltd</a>, 2A Milton Rd, Walthamstow, E17 4SR<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoff as a young man with his father Stanley Nichols</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stanley Nichols working at his lathe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoff at work on a barley-sugar twist spindle</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Morrow and Geoff Nichols at work at their lathes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harry Morrow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yard where the collection of more than three thousand spindles are kept</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the collection</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geoff Nichols</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkMvaX0ba1nSsrC2rXFY06mpTMDPGpacUjz2jXv6e0nEObQqJHlN2JnQOFgILBE8MAUhaH763uwuzz_eMqINCwQXBiVI5UAexvvU6WYYQNXZ4Y3dP_BpOzfM_KvdPTicE6yez6oERSrg/s1600/Nichols+Bros+14.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="594" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkMvaX0ba1nSsrC2rXFY06mpTMDPGpacUjz2jXv6e0nEObQqJHlN2JnQOFgILBE8MAUhaH763uwuzz_eMqINCwQXBiVI5UAexvvU6WYYQNXZ4Y3dP_BpOzfM_KvdPTicE6yez6oERSrg/s640/Nichols+Bros+14.tiff" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Multiple variants of the ‘London spindle’ <br />A distinctive style which evolved during the nineteenth century <br />with the expansion of the capital<br /></td></tr>
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Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-25360930476320758602019-05-03T18:30:00.000+01:002019-05-08T10:24:31.610+01:00A MORNING IN THE WOODS <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Very pleasant start to May walking in the forest at Theydon Bois just off Jack's Hill and then onto visit a mate who had some box and walnut for me.<br />
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Theydon is an interesting place - right out in the countryside yet on the the tube with a direct line into the West End in around 45 minutes. The Bois bit is not pronounced in the French way but as 'Boys' in good ole East London manner! My destination was just off the Green and after some guitar chat involving Gibson Fender and Heritage we repaired to the garage to fine the wood. Alas the walnut which Roy had intended to make into gun stocks was full of woodworm to Roy's chagrin but the box was intact to my delight and he was glad to get rid of it to a good home. I'll be using the box to make threaded lid boxes which is a new challenge I'm up for and is most satisfying. <br />
We then went for a bit of a jaunt through the countryside to another estate where we met up with Mark and his young dog Zena (after the warrior princess!) and felled an ash which I'll be using for tool handles. spinning tops, bilbouquets and loads of other things. So all in all a good load of wood in the back of the car and plenty of chat.<br />
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Time to unload and get busy... <br />
Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-20819410774483822972019-04-30T17:37:00.001+01:002019-04-30T17:37:35.991+01:00WORKSHOP CHATInterrupted whilst fiddling around, with some adjustments to the pole lathe in the Waltham Abbey Workshop, by a neighbour, who wanted some bits of wood cut to size and shape, to mend kitchen units I was drawn into one of those mad conversations about why I've so many tools and gadgets in the 'shed' as he calls it. <br />
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Obvious - I need all the stuff I have so I can fix things for all the people dropping in who think I have nothing to do except drink tea and chat. Having said that I do like to keep my ear to the ground or should that be work bench, and sometimes it can be quiet working alone day in day out, so I walk my dog first thing every morning in the forest and I meet some very interesting folks as well as some who are quite peculiar or perhaps that's me! It's a good time to watch out for tree surgeons doing garden jobs and I often pick up a nice bit of apple wood or more exotic things such as lilac and sumach, you never know, just have to be a bit nosy when you see their trucks and walk on in and ask. Sometimes it's just hedges being trimmed or leylandii being brutalised but sometimes you get lucky. Being in the right place at the right time and that's how I've just come across some rather tasty damson, usually a bit scrubby and tortured but this is chunky and reasonably straight - perfect for a new range of spatulas and salad servers which are things I can't seem to make quickly enough at the moment... Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-63628623773014904312019-04-26T18:23:00.000+01:002019-04-26T18:23:10.879+01:00Turning Times<br />
Having a gas in the workshop and have reverted to making scoops and salad/pasta servers in pairs - it's a fun way to make four items at the same time. Big BUT here - you have to be accurate when splitting them! Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't but you always end up with two items and I always save the others although they don't make up a matching pair. You've still got to carve out the bowls but that's a pleasant job, quite relaxing and i often do it in the evening whilst chilling out...<br />
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Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-1036138832396970772019-02-03T13:44:00.002+00:002019-02-03T13:49:29.151+00:00Windsor ChairmakingI've just been made aware of a new series of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvZ36VGhBlHqkETSnajNhMw/videos" target="_blank">YouTube videos by Michael Dunbar.</a><br />
Michael and his wife are retiring from teaching Windsor chairmaking and have produced this set of videos of the making of a Sackback Windsor. Enjoy it - this guy really knows what he's talking about...<br />
"I made Windsor chairs for 45 years. Beginning in 1980 I taught Windsor chairmaking around the United States and Canada. In 1994 my wife Susanna and I gave the craft a permanent home when we opened a school named The Windsor Institute. Our program of classes was recognized throughout the world. We taught as many as 35 classes a year with a maximum of 28 students. We estimate we taught Windsor chairmaking to some 6,500 people." Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7759006589213476640.post-45579119589946581072018-06-12T23:05:00.000+01:002018-06-12T23:06:54.627+01:00BODGER'S ASK & ANSWER!<div style="text-align: left;">
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In Yorkshire for a couple of days giving youngsters a taste of what can happen in the countryside with the excellent children's charity <a href="http://www.countrysidelearning.org/" target="_blank">Countryside Learning</a> who organise many different activities for inner city kids who are just not aware of all the different opportunities there are waiting for them in the open air.<br />
So onto the asks & answers...<br />
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And how often do you dye your beard when you're working? Wasn't ready for this one! Has never crossed my mind to dye anything except for a T shirt...<br />
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Why are you so old?! Well well well & my response - Why are you so young? Further response from said youngster - I'm not that young, I'm 10 and 3/4s and so I'm older than her!<br />
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Does this spoon work properly? I've never had any trouble making spoons work!<br />
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Why is your shavehorse too big? It's not too big for me, you're just too small!<br />
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Did you grow so tall to make it easier to climb trees? Oh yes and my mum stretched my legs every night so I don't have to jump so far. Further response - Think I'll get my dad to do that, he's stronger than my mum...<br />
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There's a constant patter of excitement and interest.<br />
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How many axes have you got?<br />
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Does your grandad know you do this?<br />
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How many grandads have you got? Me - I had two, sadly they both died long ago. Further response - How many of them were murdered? Me - left speechless!<br />
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Does your dog like doing this? Me - Why don't you ask him?<br />
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Mister your dog's dead - I've just pulled his tail and he's not moving! Me - No he's playing dead so you all (around 1500 kids a day for two days) leave him alone!<br />
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It's all good fun and at least they get a chance to get hands on with everything.<br />
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The two man saw was a big hit with them all and I got my logs sawn up so they'd fit easily in the back of the car! This was some beautiful laburnum from the Borders which my mate James very kindly schlepped down to Ledston for me. In Scotland they are a common hedgerow and street tree. Very popular for making into quaiches for single malt and are known Scottish mahogany.<br />
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Full details of my courses & demonstrations at <a href="http://www.treewright.co.uk/HOME.html" target="_blank">Treewright</a> or send me an email to <a href="mailto:treewright@mac.com" target="_blank">treewright@mac.com</a> <br />
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Robin Fawcetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10715020376273321158noreply@blogger.com1