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Al Chavez

Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
158
Likes
293
Location
San Antonio, TX
Website
www.instagram.com
Hello Everybody,
My name is Al Chavez and I'm in San Antonio, Tx.
I've been doing flatwork for the last couple of years (never heard it called that until now). My "flatwork" kept wanting to be round so I thought I'd get a lathe. I bought a used Rikon 70-100 with a nice set of tools. That was three months ago and I immediately knew I wanted to get into turning and do larger work.

I've been lurking here since then trying to decide on which lathe and accessories to buy and to learn as much as I can about the whole process. There are so many aspects to turning its overwhelming. I've been asking questions in the threads and have started one or two of my own. The community here is terrific and so helpful. You guys are amazing.

I felt I was carving a niche of my own in my flatwork so its different to set that aside for the time being and to just embrace being an absolute beginner. Each piece I've made in the last couple of months is a first attempt at a technique or tool or a second attempt trying to fix what I got wrong the first time.

Mark Jundanian pointed me in the direction of "Therming" and I expect that will be something I explore a lot in the future. Thanks Mark!

My direction for now is learning techniques and processes and making bowls and hollow forms. Eventually I will do some mixed media pieces incorporating "flatwork" and mixed media.

Here are some pics of my recent flatwork and also the recent bowls from the last couple of months.
Al in Texas

Oh... I settled on a PM2014 that will arrive in a couple of months.
Artemis Art Box.jpg Atomic Bombe Box.jpg Octobox.jpg Rocket Bombe Ring Box 1.jpg

20210227_151318.jpg

20210227_151705.jpg
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
158
Likes
293
Location
San Antonio, TX
Website
www.instagram.com
Thanks everyone!
This forum is a fantastic place and I really appreciate it, especially during this strange time where clubs may not be meeting in person. My local club will be the Alamo Woodturners Association but I will wait until they are meeting in person again to join. I've watched a few zoom demos and can't wait to see one in person. Hopefully I will have a lot more experience under my belt by then.
Al in Texas
 
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