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I thought I knew how to turn bowls.

R

robo hippy

Joined
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Eugene, OR
Day one of a 3 day workshop with Allen and Stewart Batty. I spent this day with Stewart. As a primarily self taught turner, I learned a lot from Stewart. I will be changing a few things. Most likely gone is my Ellsworth sharpening jig. The hand held method on an angled tool rest really works fine, and cuts better. I may not be using scrapers as my primary roughing tool, but have to test it out. Mind is spinning, so much info, just hope I don't lose it all.

Tomorrow will be with Allen. I use the skew just enough to get the hang of it, then put it away for a while and lose most of what I knew. Hand chased threads on day 3 and review.

Yea, I consider this a major gloat.

robo hippy
 
I'm Jealous and envious😀 Glad to see you are having a great time. Hopefully I can gloat like that in the next couple of months.
 
Turning

I'm sure I should remember who said this, but I don't. 'Everytime you go in the shop to turn, spend 10 minutes practicing the basics.' You'll get your rhythm back, your confidence, and your turning will be better!
 
You lucky dog. I've been playing with the Stewart Batty grind for about a year now. I like if for finishing but I still prefer a grind similar to Ellsworth for shaping and removing most of the wood. I've been altering between the Stewart grind and the Ellsworth finish cut technique to see which one works the best and it's a toss up. Sometimes I can control the cut better with the Ellsworth and sometimes it's the Batty grind. My Ellsworth grind is different than his in that my wings are ground at a sharper angle. This is due to the shape of the flute and my oneway Wolverine jig angle. This gives me a roughly 35 degree angle for the cut which is very close to Stu's 40 degree angle.
It could be that I don't truely understand how each tool is used having only seen it done and not have someone standing there telling me what I'm doing wrong.
I look forward to more of your posts on this class.
 
Stewart is a great teacher. great Choice!
The rewards from improved skills and mental focus will last you forever.

I've seen firsthand the tremendous growth folks achieve in 3-5 day classes.
A much better investment for most of us than a bigger lathe.

Through my association with MD Hall I've been fortunate to run classes with Bosch, Clewes, Drozda, Jamieson, and Stirt.

Thanks to Frank Amigo I was able to take classes with O'neil, Ellsworth,
Buchard, Peterson, and Michaelson. These folks had a profound impact on me.

Happy Learning,
Al
 
I know what you mean

about information spinning around in the head. Stu is loaded with it. I've taken several classes from him now and never a wasted moment!

What makes Stu an exceptional teacher to me is his ability to communicate what he knows. There are many superb woodturners, but few who know how to teach. Stu has made it his life's work to understand everything about turning, from angles to tools to technique. He is a great communicator. And a great hands-on teacher.

Enjoy your time. Take a lot of notes.

Dave
 
Robo
I've listend to Stewart talk on sharpening and why not to use a jig... this style gouge doesn't roll far enough, this style rolls too far, etc.

It's like drinking from a fire hose....
 
robo hippy said:
Day one of a 3 day workshop with Allen and Stewart Batty. I spent this day with Stewart. As a primarily self taught turner, I learned a lot from Stewart. I will be changing a few things. Most likely gone is my Ellsworth sharpening jig. The hand held method on an angled tool rest really works fine, and cuts better. I may not be using scrapers as my primary roughing tool, but have to test it out. Mind is spinning, so much info, just hope I don't lose it all.

Tomorrow will be with Allen. I use the skew just enough to get the hang of it, then put it away for a while and lose most of what I knew. Hand chased threads on day 3 and review.

Yea, I consider this a major gloat.

robo hippy
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are having fun!
I'm primarily self taught too, and smart enough to know that I have a lot to learn. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one.
I haven't had the opportunity or pleasure of doing what you are right now (and I'm jealous), but I spend LOTS of time at symposia, and I belong to a couple of local clubs, I always try to stay for the demos, even if I think "this one is really not for me," and I always take away some little nugget!
I had a "play date" with a fellow turner a few weeks ago and we took turns working on a couple of pieces, I learned LOTS of stuff that is making my turning better.
On the one hand, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," on the other, there IS always a better mouse trap.
 
Would this be a workshop gloat?

It should be, to be able to have a hands on with someone like him is something you should be proud of, i have had the pleasure of seeing alan demo hand chasing threads at our club. But the first real workshop i am going to is next month, turning boxes with Mike Stafford. I am really looking forward to it as i have only done a couple boxes and really want to do more.

Edit: Actually it is next wednesday, my the time flies.
 
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