Dennis Dibala

[Dennis Dibala]

I just found the AAW and joined the forum. I got back into turning a few years ago after a long time away from the hobby. I started back in the late 1960s on a Craftsman lathe that belonged to my dad. It was mostly spindle turning making candle holders, salt shakers, lamps and such. I did make a few replacement spindle parts for some furniture my dad was repairing. We didn't have the faceplate so when I turned lamp bases and such, I had to make it as a spindle and part it off.

One of the biggest differences between back then and when I got back into turning is the quality of the turning tools. When I decided to get back into it, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it so I just went and bought the small bench-top lathe and tool set from Harbor Freight. I muddled through and made a couple of small bowls and boxes. That told me I wanted to explore more possibilities so back to Harbor Freight for their larger lathe.

I have to store my lathe in the garage and roll it out to my carport for turning. I also picked up a dust collector from them and made a chip separator from a 50 gallon plastic drum.I used the HF lathe for a couple of years, even doing some larger size outboard turnings. That the outboard turning showed me the limitations of the HF lathe so while on sale, I picked up a Laguna 18/36 , adding the wheel set and lathe bed extension kit.

I look forward to learning lots from you more experienced members here.

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Here is a lighthouse I turned from spalted Ash. I bored a hole all the way through and use a light in the base to illuminate the crystal. It stands 14" tall and is 4.5" diameter at the widest.




A hollow form from Western Cedar. It is around 6" diameter.




Some bracelets I made from spalted White Oak.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Dennis,

Welcome to the forum! I joined a few years ago and have been glad that I did. Lots of great people here, as you'll soon find out.

Mark

 

[Dennis Dibala]

A vase from spalted Pecan. It is around 8" tall and 6" diameter.

I never buy wood. Part of the adventure for me is taking a log and seeing what nature put inside waiting for me to bring out.

I do have a facebook page, dib's wood chips (hope it is OK to put that here.)

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Thanks for the welcome Mark.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Thanks for the welcome Mark.

Just went to your Facebook page. I like your segmented ornaments and trees.

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Just went to your Facebook page. I like your segmented ornaments and trees.

Thanks Mark. I'm definately still learning.

The Red Cedar is from a long dead tree on my property that I recently took down and the Ash is from one that recently blew down in a windstorm. Cutting the strips of Red Cedar on my bandsaw took quite a while because I had to scrap a lot of it due to Carpenter Bee holes. They really love Red Cedar to make their bore hole nests.

The trunk of the tree is around 3' diameter and I plan to try and cut some slabs of it for a table, that is if I can get enough good wood from it. I don't know if you have ever worked with it but Red Cedar is a strange wood. After cutting pieces of it, you can stand there and hear it cracking.

 

[Mark Hepburn]

Thanks Mark. I'm definately still learning.

The Red Cedar is from a long dead tree on my property that I recently took down and the Ash is from one that recently blew down in a windstorm. Cutting the strips of Red Cedar on my bandsaw took quite a while because I had to scrap a lot of it due to Carpenter Bee holes. They really love Red Cedar to make their bore hole nests.

The trunk of the tree is around 3' diameter and I plan to try and cut some slabs of it for a table, that is if I can get enough good wood from it. I don't know if you have ever worked with it but Red Cedar is a strange wood. After cutting pieces of it, you can stand there and hear it cracking.

Nice to have access to a variety of woods. Here in bayou country, it's cypress and pine, pine, pine. Or live oak which nobody in their right mind cuts down unless they have to.

 

[robo hippy]

I wouldn't have read it if it was in Introductions....

robo hippy

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Well then, just for you Reed, here is my introduction copied from the introductions forum. But I won't duplicate the pictures I posted there of a couple of my completed projects. I do have a website if interested: www.dibswoodchips.com

i just found the AAW and joined the forum. I got back into turning a few years ago after a long time away from the hobby. I started back in the late 1960s on a Craftsman lathe that belonged to my dad. It was mostly spindle turning making candle holders, salt shakers, lamps and such. I did make a few replacement spindle parts for some furniture my dad was repairing. We didn't have the faceplate so when I turned lamp bases and such, I had to make it as a spindle and part it off.
One of the biggest differences between back then and when I got back into turning is the quality of the turning tools. When I decided to get back into it, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it so I just went and bought the small benchtop lathe and tool set from Harbor Freight. I muddled through and made a couple of small bowls and boxes. That told me I wanted to explore more possibilities so back to Harbor Freight for their larger lathe.

I have to store my lathe in the garage and roll it out to my carport for turning. I also picked up a dust collector from them and made a chip seperator from a 50 gallon plastic drum.I used the HF lathe for a couple of years, even doing some larger size outboard turnings. That the outboard turning showed me the limitatjons of the HF lathe so while on sale, I picked up a Laguna 18/36 , adding the wheel set and lathe bed extension kit.

I look forward to learning lots from you more experienced members here.

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Mark, I appreciate you taking the time to make me feel at home here. In addition to my facebook page, I also have a website because facebook is strange about what they show and to who. Website: www.dibswoodchips.com

 

[Mark Hepburn]

We're all still learning here Dennis. Hopefully we never stop and always experience the joy of finding out stuff.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

Welcome to the forum. I like the light house. I got the same style crystal and set it on a base, however can only see the light if above it or nearly. What kind of light did you use?

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Thanks Gerald, having you experts say you like any of my turnings is a real compliment.

For the light, to make it portable, I drilled a hole that accepts the little LED flashlights from harbor freight, they are about 1" diameter and maybe 2.5" long. They often have coupons to get them free with another purchase. I thought about finding one with a power supply that could be plugged in but kind of like battery powered so it can be put anywhere. I also have lots of old phone chargers and thought about just converting the battery powered light to 120v with the converter/charger. But it may also depend on how the facets on your crystal are cut.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Dennis, welcome aboard. I will merge your two threads together.

And, Reed, please consider reading the new member threads in the Introductions forum. It's a great opportunity to meet and greet some really nice folks.

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Thanks Bill

I have been reading the forums.

 

[John Torchick]

Welcome to AAW and the forum. Well worth the time and expense to observe and learn.

 

[hockenbery]

Welcome.
The lighthouse is intriguing

 

[Richard Aldrich]

Welcome. Your pieces are great. Love the shape and foot on the hollow form. Great form and finish on all your work. Post more!!!!

 

[Lamar Wright]

Very nice turnings Dennis and welcome to the forum.

 

[Dennis Dibala]

Thank you, I really appreciate the comments. I need to get a better camera and lighting set up for getting shots of my turnings.