I just made these three bottle openers to give away to guides on our trips.   I thought these would be more appreciated then wine stoppers.   Gary

 This is a bowl with a built in pedestal attached.  I modeled this after Merryll Saylan who likes to make these types of bowls.  I attended a presentation by her on March 2016. This was made out of Pecan wood.  Gary

 New Pecan wood vase.  This wood is very hard to turn.  Very dry.  I made a different shape and finish as a result.  Gary

Wood Turning Poem by Gary Bingham

 

Turning Wood on A Lathe (a poem by Gary Bingham)

 

A hobby and for a small minority, a vocation

Wood secured to a spindle which moves in a circular motion at a high rate of speed

A wood turner standing nearby hopefully with a face shield and dust mask. 

The turner in many cases has a plan to produce a bowl, vase, ornament or other object

With or without embellishment

This activity involves many processes with a set of tools called chisels, resting on a piece of metal, called a banjo

The process is very physical and demanding

Involves constant decisions

Regarding which tools to use and how to use them

New techniques are learned along with ancient practices

Chips fly, dust envelopes the area

The process requires deep concentration.  A trance can occur in the mesmerizing stream of cut wood.

The process adds meaning to life through the power of creativity. 

Patience is required and the ability to deal with mistakes, failure, cracks. 

Correcting, resolving, overcoming design flaws is constant

The creative process is continued by sanding, applying finishes, polishing.

The joy of success in the finished product overcomes most life’s disappointments. 

 

 

 

I just finished making this week the two trees to the right. One is made of pecan and the other pinion woods. The tree ornaments were made by me over they years. Gary

I must face the prospect of turning this very hard Texas dry pecan wood.  Demanding.

 This is the first significant piece that I have made in El Paso, Texas.  It is made from a very hard and dry piece of pecan wood.  I did more grinding then cuting.