Interactive Remote Demos
I currently offer the following remote demo topics, each one suitable for a 1 1/2 hour club meeting demonstration.
The Lost Wood Process - I turn spindle blanks that are made up of three laminated layers. After turning, the middle layer is removed and the two outer layers are rejoined to give a turned object that isn't round. More details can be found in my American Woodturner article "Beyond Round: The Lost Wood Process" (August 2012) SEE HERE. As an example of this process, I show how to make a standard turned box that ends up being almond shaped in cross-section (inside and out). The demo shows the glue up process (including grain matching), turning the box, disassembling and reassembling the layers. This should be understandable and within the abilities of any of your members.
Therming - I discuss the construction of jigs and show how to use them to turn multiple curved surfaces on wood blanks. This is a variation on multi axis turning in which the axis of rotation does not lie within the blank being turned. More details can be found in my American Woodturner article "Beyond Round: Therming" (April 2010) SEE HERE. As an example of this process, I show how to make a turned teapot body which is turned on 5 different axes, producing a four sided hollow teapot body. This should be understandable by all, but is technically challenging and should only be attempted by the more experienced turners in your group.
Flame texturing of highly figured wood - In turning a small bowl, I will show my technique for “flame texturing” highly figured wood. The textured wood can either be left “as is” or coloured with multiple layers of acrylic paints using a dry brush technique. As an example, I turn, flame texture, and colour a “popcorn bowl” which ends up looking like stone. Burning and dry brushing are shown in detail, and a doughnut chuck is described and used. This should be understandable and within the abilities of any of your members.
The design and construction of teapots - This is largely a presentation of lots of images of wood teapots, together with discussion of various different approaches to construct them. This is intended to encourage members to think outside the box and to be inspired by the many approaches that woodturners have taken. There is no turning shown during this demo. This should be understandable and within the abilities of any of your members.
What do these demos look like?
My in person live demos usually begin with some general discussion about the technique and some images of pieces made with this technique. While the demo piece is turned, I often pause to go to a white board or project images to explain certain details or thought processes. The demo consists of some actual turning mixed with time at the white board and some projected images.
For my interactive remote demos, I do essentially the same thing. There are photographs of pieces made with the technique plus diagrams made in advance (rather than in real time on a white board), plus occasional text to explain details. The turning is recorded in advance. This allows me to narrate the process and to take questions as the video proceeds. The recording skips over time taken to sharpen tools (unless that’s an essential part of the demo) and to mount pieces on the lathe. I am able to show more steps of the process using video than I can actually do in a live in person demo. With a two-way video and audio link, I am able to “rewind” if requested and to fast forward through repetitive bits if the audience would like to do so.
Each of these demos lasts for about 1 1/2 hours depending on the number of audience questions.
In Person Demos
I am not booking in person demos at the moment, but can discuss tentative bookings by email.
In Person Classes and Workshops
I offer occasional workshops in my own studio and hands-on classes for woodturning clubs. I am not booking in person classes or workshops at the moment, but can discuss tentative bookings by email.
