Hobby on hold
Apr 2, 2023 13:17:20 #
About 25 years ago my wife bought me a woodworking lathe and a set of chisels. I had taken woodwork in high school in the 1950's and was a millwright / machinist until I retired in 2009. According to my wife, I had been telling her for most of our married life, (58yrs tomorrow), just how much fun lathe work was. She decided to put the matter to rest and buy me a lathe of my own.
For a number of reasons, the lathe remained in its un-opened box for many years. Eventually I did get it set up in a spare room and got to work. Results were a bit disappointing at first but I gradually improved, until about 2 years ago when I had a slight mishap. In a split second of less than total concentration, the beast snatched a chisel out of my hands, and threw it back at me. Somehow it wove its way between my fingers, point first, then slapped the back of my hand down onto the lathe bed.
Nothing broken and no stitches needed, but what a mess! It's all healed up with hardly any scars, but I am a bit nervous now and not quite as bold as I used to be. Everything is on hold right now anyway, as I await a replacement part for my obsolescent speed selector.
Looking back, the mishap with the chisel may have been partly because of an earlier mishap 11 years ago. My left forearm was disarticulated when our late stallion bit it off. It was successfully re-attached, but it has left me with a dexterity issue. That's a story for another time.
Hopefully I will have the lathe up and running again some time soon, but meanwhile I have attached a few examples of my bowls.
For a number of reasons, the lathe remained in its un-opened box for many years. Eventually I did get it set up in a spare room and got to work. Results were a bit disappointing at first but I gradually improved, until about 2 years ago when I had a slight mishap. In a split second of less than total concentration, the beast snatched a chisel out of my hands, and threw it back at me. Somehow it wove its way between my fingers, point first, then slapped the back of my hand down onto the lathe bed.
Nothing broken and no stitches needed, but what a mess! It's all healed up with hardly any scars, but I am a bit nervous now and not quite as bold as I used to be. Everything is on hold right now anyway, as I await a replacement part for my obsolescent speed selector.
Looking back, the mishap with the chisel may have been partly because of an earlier mishap 11 years ago. My left forearm was disarticulated when our late stallion bit it off. It was successfully re-attached, but it has left me with a dexterity issue. That's a story for another time.
Hopefully I will have the lathe up and running again some time soon, but meanwhile I have attached a few examples of my bowls.
Apr 2, 2023 13:20:34 #
cyclespeed
Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Very impressed with you work until now. Here's hoping you can produce more.
Apr 2, 2023 13:33:51 #
Nice lathe work! Catches of gouges and various lathe tools can happen in a fraction of a second (based on personal experience). Good to know you’re “back on the horse” and turning again. My time now is split about 50/50 between wood turning and photography. Recent inclement weather favors time in the shop.
Keep on turnin’
::Ed::
Keep on turnin’
::Ed::
Apr 2, 2023 13:37:17 #
Beautiful work and the photos are lovely as well. Good job. Be careful.
Dennis
Dennis
Apr 2, 2023 13:43:44 #
Very nice work. I hope you get back to it and things go smoothly from there.
--Bob
--Bob
Scouser wrote:
About 25 years ago my wife bought me a woodworking... (show quote)
Apr 2, 2023 13:51:18 #
These are beautiful. I understand your apprehension. I make jewelry and the scariest part is buffing and polishing things like wire and chain. Potentially very dangerous as when the wire and chain get wrapped around the wheel, it becomes a spinning knife. Even when wrapping the chain around a piece of wood, which helps, has its challenges. It has happened to me.
That instant when it happens and the brain is awaiting enough information to determine the extent of the damage is the worst. Hopefully no damage to the hands, or the piece that took a lot of time to make.
Hoping that you get back into the swing of things and feel comfortable enough to continue making your beautiful pieces.
That instant when it happens and the brain is awaiting enough information to determine the extent of the damage is the worst. Hopefully no damage to the hands, or the piece that took a lot of time to make.
Hoping that you get back into the swing of things and feel comfortable enough to continue making your beautiful pieces.
Apr 2, 2023 13:52:13 #
I too learned lathe work while in high school, in about the same time frame (1956-57). Although my work never approached the quality of yours.
Bet these would fly off ebay!
Bet these would fly off ebay!
Apr 2, 2023 13:54:06 #
Apr 2, 2023 13:58:15 #
Apr 2, 2023 14:00:50 #
Scouser wrote:
About 25 years ago my wife bought me a woodworking... (show quote)
You have some great trees for business associates! First you made the bowls and then you made the photos. Nicely done on both counts.
Apr 2, 2023 14:17:30 #
davidrb wrote:
You have some great trees for business associates! First you made the bowls and then you made the photos. Nicely done on both counts.
Absolutely beautiful work, both bowls and and shots. Power tools require full time attention
Apr 2, 2023 14:32:56 #
Apr 2, 2023 14:44:56 #
Apr 2, 2023 15:37:31 #
Scouser wrote:
About 25 years ago my wife bought me a woodworking... (show quote)
Beautiful work! It puts me to shame that I can't come close to doing anything like that with totally healthy arms and hands! I hope you fulfill your desire to get back in action soon!
Apr 2, 2023 15:38:05 #
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