Lazurus

Couple of shallow platters with edges left natural and sandblasted gets my vote.

What size logs are you doing, I find an air hammer or hammer drill with a wide chisel is ideal on most timber, depends on how much you have to do?

Avon Skin so soft works on my bald pate on the Norfolk broads which can be mozzie hell. Cheap, works, smells "quaint" and good for dry skin to!!!!

I sharpen every time I think I need to sharpen, little and often, it takes seconds. I mostly use a 5/8 Robert Sorby gouge from start to finish including shear scraping with the swept back wings very often no need to sand, maybe at just 400 grit on a dry bowl. I use a Robert sorby jig and can recommend it, they are often on E*bay for a bargain price. Look up Lyle Jamieson on You Tu8e he has some graet tips and has a simple and very effective approach to bowl turning which really works. The captive deep hollowing jig he uses is also an absolute winner and is sooo easy to produce stunning vessels. Stu

I am still looking for some nice timber in the Broads area.

Go with the very thin CA I use it on all natural edged turnings, let it dry off before turning lathe on again though as it will spray if not set. I turn a little, apply the glue then an accelarator, keep an eye on the edge and reapply to any loose areas, usually 100% result. Stu

NO! you will be there for hours and hours a simple slow speed grinder with a sharpening jig of some description, I use a robert sorby jig or there is the wolverine type, allows quick easy repeatable grinds in a few seconds and you will need to sharpen often to keep tools sharp to make the turning enjoyable, dull tools is a problem as are multiple bevels.... sounds complicated but easy to achieve. Stuart

Instead of ripping into the trousers whay not offer them up to a casual / home user who maybe cannot justify (cost wise) buying the correct PPE. Maybe well used but better than a pair of denims and a tee shirt?

Its not me.... too much facial hair, it was an architectural piece, on profile to demonstarte the capacity of the lathe I use. If you are interested it is a Vb36 when you are checking you tube there are some good size pieces being done to say the least, but it will still do small finial, pens and minature work to. Good bit of kit. Stuart:thumbup:

Peter HEMSLEY at The Tool Post is a nice and knowledgeable guy, however buying a set may not be the best choice. It will be determined by what you want to achieve, your skill level and the depth of your pocket. I have amassed various tools over the years and I now use a 5/8 bowl gouge for 80% of my cuts, this includes scraping sheer scraping finishing cuts and hogging off waste in both spindle work and bowls. What ever you decide, like most tools get the best you can afford, dont forget you will need a sharpening system to. If you can take a lesson or two or visit a local turner to see what you like and what you "need" as there will be loads of stuff you "want". Take a look on youtube, Lyle JAMIESON is a good start as with minimal tools he can produce great bowls and doesnt even use a chuck. Stuart

Some stunning work, and very well presented in the pictures, very professional.

I can only speak for my boat, it can be wired into a seperate power supply, however I use rechargeable batteries as it is a short distance and not a problem to do so. Waterproofing is a simple as clingfilm, mine is situated in the outboard and has been fine. There are very minor charges for SMS top ups but it is so simple and easy to monitor and the initial outlay is very low compared to the cost of plant, boats cars etc.

Ninja Tracking Systems | GPS Tracking | GPS Tracker

I have recently fitted a tracker to my boat from Ninja Tacking Systems and thought it may be a cost effective security investment to all of you with high value machinery. I had no affiliation to the company in any way but it is simple and appears very effective. Having seen how much you guys invest in plant and machinery and the number of reported thefts anything that helps has to be a bonus. Below is a bit of blurb from the website, worth a look see. Stuart "The Ninja GPS tracker provides cutting edge tracking technology that interacts with your very own secure control panel allowing you to monitor and interact your tracker from anywhere in the world. You can view ‘live tracking’ at anytime from a smart phone, tablets such as the iPad as well as computers. Ninja tracking are revolutionising the world of GPS tracking with both commercial organisations and consumers using this low cost GPS tracker on an everyday basis. With an array of functionality such as safety zones, unequalled battery life, amazing accuracy, world leading motion detection technology and of course the low cost at just £135.00 for the standard device, it makes the Ninja the professional tracker of choice"

The original avatar piture was of a 5`7" teak bath made up in sections, no not my turning but used to show the capabilities of the VB36 lathe. Would it handle something that big from solid... without a doubt, would I.... well its a lot of wood to turn away from a solid then there is the issues of faults and splitting but it is possible.....

Any native species I try to avoid oak as it often splits when drying and the bigger the better. Thank you.

:shakehands:I often see posts about "arbs" wanting to or trying to get into wood turning. If any one is in the vicinity of the Norfolk Broads I am happy to spend an hour or two so anyone wishing to can try some basic turning, bowls or spindles to see if they like befor splashing out on all the gear. Nothing worse than "all the gear & no idea"... Happy to help.

Thats some really artistic pieces. I am the other way round myself, as a turner I appreciate just what some "arbs" chip and chuck, so if any of you guys local to the Broads want to supply me some decent wood drop me a pm, never seem to be able to get the good stuff befor its kindling!!

How did you get on with the Nova, my thinking is second hand / used is always best, better value and most are easy to service and tidy up? Stuart

I agree with turning from start to finish as wet or green wood, take the time to look at you tube with Lyle JAMIESON his techniques with turning on glue blocks instead of a chuck and his method of starting between centres is a sure fire winner. No wood to store, finished bowls sraiight away, no splitting. I have turned huge pieces with this method and no problems. I have never had a glue block fail, although I was sceptical at first. Minimal preparation of the blanks from log to bowl in short time. Easy and fun, no more white knuckle turning. It is deceptively simple and really works. Stuart

Blimey quickest response I ever had to request for some timber. I am looking for good sized diameter logs as I generall split down the pith and turn a bowl from the respective halfs to avoid splitting as they dry. So from a 5` diameter trunk I would look to get two 2` to 2` 6" bowls for each 3` length. I can get smaller logs but all the better stuff seems to end up in wood burners. As for species, I try to avaoid oak, but most other native hardwood are good, ash chestnut, yew, holly, Drop me a pm or [email protected] Again thank you for the swift replies, as for the lady bit... not really sure what happened there, so Stuart or Lazarus would be good

My first visit this year, I was very impressed and it was not over run with "traders" as some shows are. There were some very talented people there and so friendly and willing toi share their "dark arts" a real change and good for the littlies to. Excellent.

I am looking for quality logs of hardwood for large turning projects. Unable to source quality timber. Can anyone help? Stuart. Oh ignore the "lady" bit in the user name.... Predictive text!!!!!!