JackRobbits Ramblings

After reading the suggestions and advice in my first Pin Oak posting, I took another crack at it.  I did a lot of reading about the benefits of turning green wood as well as the drying process. I was concerned that my lack of patience would overtake the need to put the pieces  up on a shelf before finishing them, but so far I’ve been able to resist the temptation!

OK, back to the Pin Oak. I cut another small piece off of the log and got to work on a little trinket box. Turning the bottom of the box went smoothly and I was happy with the outcome.  I wanted the top of the box to be fairly small. I had a mental image of the outcome and yet the more I worked on it, that image drifted away; which, come to think of it, that’s how most of my projects end up.  I finished the top of the box and set it down next to the bottom and moved onto other things. About an hour later I looked at the lid and there was a small crack running from the edge to the center. I decided I’d make a new lid the next day.

I turned a new lid to look like the previous one, looked it over for cracks and set it with the bottom. It’s been almost a month now and both the top and bottom are crack free. I’m resisting the urge to put it back on the lathe and finish it. It’s such a small piece it won’t be much longer. I love the grain pattern in Pin Oak  so I’m glad to have jumped back on the horse after the first piece cracked and give it another try.

After making pens for almost a year and believe me, I’ve enjoyed every second of  it, I am almost able to do it blindfolded. I made other items here and there and always loved the freedom of not using a kit. I certainly don’t claim to be a “woodturning artist”; and anytime I look at Woodturning Magazine or photos online of items made by seasoned turners,  any cockiness about the bowl I just made puts my feet back on the ground. My goal is to learn and improve, but more importantly to enjoy every second in my shop and if I come out with a candle holder, a cup to throw my change in, or the most beautiful “Wall Street II” pen that has ever graced the earth (ok maybe I stretched that one); the bottom line is that it makes me happy.

Ever since I saw the first episodes of American Chopper, I’ve wanted to work in a shop with a bunch of creative, ambitious guys and drink coffee from a styrofoam cup. Instead I worked in a high rise in downtown Chicago. I spent 22 years doing that, dreaming about a shop of my own.  I have that shop now, complete with 2 stools in case I have visitors.  And even though I am a latte’, frappuchino, iced coffee connoisseur; only coffee in a styrofoam cup is allowed.  And my shop won’t be producing museum quality work, but every little piece I make puts a smile on my face. So bear with me when I post pictures of my “treasures”.

Here’s a picture of my shop. It’s in my basement; which was a trick because it’s a finished basement. There were (note that I said “were”) two storage rooms down there as well. Now there is only one.

JP

About a month ago, a friend gave me a recently cut piece of pin oak. Knowing it was still green I thought I would turn it, put it up to dry and finish it at a later time. (a practice in patience; a totally new concept for me) I turned this small vase and I was pretty happy with the outcome. I liked the shape and the grain pattern. A couple of days later I went into my shop and there sat my project; cracked from top to bottom.

Was the wood too wet to turn? Is pin oak not a good turning wood? Gremlins in my shop?

Hello Woodturning world! My Name is JP and I am a novice woodturner. I took a pen turning class about a year ago and have been hooked ever since.  In that short time I’ve spent many hours in my shop; which was built by my good buddy, Rob (The other half of JackRobbit). I’ve also watched many videos online, watched DVD’s, read articles, magazines and anything else I can get my hands on to learn more about turning. I’ve launched a website with Rob; (because really how many pens can you use?) www.jackrobbit.com, set up a Facebook Fan page; http://bit.ly/94Lyb, and follow many woodturners on Twitter.

Aside from making pens, I’ve made quite a few bowls, although I’m not sure “bowl” is the right word. Most are more “Cup like” or to be more exact, something to throw your change in at the end of the day.  Whatever they’ll be called, I’m happy with how they’ve turned out.

My goal is to continuously learn more about woodturning and to share my small projects with you all.