When Are You Finished

By K. Deaner

 The process of creating a well turned object is simple or not. 

· Chainsaw a blank.

· Band saw it round.

· Attach it to a chuck.

· Refine the outside shape. 

· Hollow the interior.  

· Sand and finish the project. 

                  What intermediate steps have you considered within the steps listed above to get the project right? Did you consider the grain configuration and where the pith was when you cut your original log?  Did you orient your blank on your chuck to maximize the possibilities of the grain and character of wood when you began to shape the outside?  How thin walled did you go?  Did you use fine scraping cuts to eliminate tear-out and remove fuzzy spots?  Did you decorate your project  by carving texturing, painting, staining, etc? Did you apply a sanding sealer? Did you begin sanding with 220 and continue to 600 before applying a finish coat?

Creating a well turned and decorated object is not terribly simple.  It requires a great many choices.  The quality of the tool work and the shape of the object are key factors in creating a fine product. Decorating the project can be an important step in addition to the finish product you will choose.  How much decoration is a matter of personal taste, skill and nerve.  How many coats of finish is also a matter of choice and taste.

Purists focus on the wood’s grain and fair curves to create their projects.  Often their work is singled out by other turners for praise.  The general public may appreciate the pure form but are more likely to be attracted to pieces that have been artistically decorated. A quick review of the AAW national symposium open gallery is proof that there are fewer purists exhibiting each year.

How far should decorating turnings go? Should a piece stop looking like wood?  Should function play a role?  A heavily pierced pot can not hold very much.  Are you willing to take the risk of destroying a piece you worked very hard to create by carving away wood?  Does paint or stain add or detract from what you are doing?  How much time are you willing to spend decorating?  Should the decorating time exceed the turning time?

                  The possibilities seem to be limitless for turned wood.  You will have to decide how far to go with each piece.  The general public may not be willing to compensate you fairly for all of your work.  If you love what you are doing that will not be the determining factor in each piece you make. If you turn for your own pleasure, time is of no consequence.  Many great artists did not receive appropriate praise while they were alive. 

                  A piece is finished when you are satisfied with what it looks like.  It is not what your friends and family say but rather how you feel about the project.  If is the best piece you have done to that moment you can rest assured that the next piece will be even better.

Summer Meetings

                  Descriptions of summer meetings and attendance are often problematic.  Vacation schedules and prior commitments often makes attendance difficult.  Those members who are able to attend get to enjoy the company of other club members at the home shops of Bob Brady and Bob Urso.  We appreciate the willingness of both Bobs to open their doors to our members since BOCES is shuttered during July and August.. 

                  A detailed account of summer fun will be included in the September issue.  Have a great summer and enjoy turning.  We look forward to seeing your work at Show and Tell in the fall.