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Jon Simpson - A Woodturner in the Making |
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I always claim to have been a wood turner for about 44 years, having started in 1964 when I was at school, but I have had 43 years off. Now that I am starting to look forward to some well earned retirement, I have decided to get back into wood turning as a new, long term hobby.
Most of the equipment needed requires a high initial outlay, but fortunately, it has a long life span.
For all the right economic reasons, I decided to re-start the hobby while I was still at work so that I would be able to get all the goodies I would eventually need. Like lots of hobbies, you can always have bigger and better toys, but for now, I have got more than enough to get me started.
During the initial stages of my new hobby I installed all the equipment in my workshop (that's a posh name for a shed) which measures no more than 7 foot by 5 foot. Within that area I had a Nova DVR lathe, a dust extractor, a small bench, and various shelves and cupboards in which to store all the bits and pieces.
In October 2007 I had 2 days training with Nick Arnull, a professional wood turner based in Norfolk,
and I immediately felt at ease with the hobby. Thanks Nick, you started a real hornet's nest in my life. Prior to this I had not held a turning tool since before I left school.
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Early in 2008 I had a few unexpected problems with my Nova lathe, and although the problems were eventually resolved, I felt less than comfortable with the situation and this led to several major changes taking place. Whist I was at Woodex '08 I ordered a new Vicmarc 175, and the old lathe was sold as soon as it was in good order. Also, a new, sealed workshop was built into the front half of the garage, which resulted in the most important person in my life getting her shed back (an added bonus). These changes have made a huge difference in how I feel about my turning. In particular, the Vicmarc lathe has given me so much confidence, allowing me to move on with the hobby.
This is both an interesting and demanding hobby with much to be learned, and to help with that process I joined the Tudor-Rose wood turning club. A good deal to do with technique and finishing has been learned from many club members already. In addition, I have joined the club committee as editor of the quarterly newsletter, a task which is both challenging and rewarding.
My skills are now being fine tuned and extended in all sorts of directions by Colin Hovland, a fellow turner and club member who has 30 years experience. I realise that much of what I am doing is trial and error, but in spite of that, I am proud of the work I have completed to date (July 2008), much of which can be seen on other pages on this web site.
Long term, I would like to gain the skills to allow me to derive some income from the hobby, so, all that you see on these pages can be purchased, and all contacts and ideas I get will be followed up with great interest. As a guide, prices start at less than a fiver for a bottle stopper or a small bud vase, candle holders are around £9, goblets are between £20 and £40, and salad and fruit bowls will vary between £30 and £100 depending upon size. |
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