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Info Needed on Alain Mailland Tools

Joined
Jun 10, 2004
Messages
792
Likes
10
Location
Ames, Iowa (about 25 miles north of Des Moines)
Website
www.robwallacewoodturner.com
In about 10 days I will be one of 6 students taking a hands-on class with French woodturner and sculptor Alain Mailland. I'm really looking forward to learning some 'off the beaten path' turning techniques!!

I would like to ask if anyone is aware of sources of information (published articles, web sites, newsletters, etc.) that might have information about the special tools Alain uses to make his "flower" and other pieces, or additional specialty tools he has developed. Google (and several other) web searches has not netted much information (although some interesting videos and images), and I'd like to know as much as I can about his tools and turning techniques before attending the class. I own the book New Masters of Woodturning, and have read the chapter in this book devoted to Mailland. Are there other reviews or summaries of his tools and techniques available?

I feel "woefully un-prepared for class*" right now, a very bad feeling, particularly for a professor! In contrast to some of my students, I can say, that at least I tried to look for what I'd like to study!

Any help with references to information on Alain's tools will be much appreciated!!

Many thanks,

Rob Wallace

*Quoted from a concerned and desperate Economic Botany student, Biology 355, Iowa State University, Spring 2009 semester.
 
As I recall from his demos in Portland, he makes his own tools and mentioned getting steel from the former Auriou rasp company.
He spoke of forging and grinding the steel.
I would assume that if he needs a shape , he makes it.

I thought I had shots of some tool tips, but I can't find them.

Mark.
 
Rob, I can understand your concerns, but they are unfounded. I am sure you will find Alain as one of the nicest person you would want to meet. After spending time with Alain, some years ago, if I was you, I would relax, enjoy the journey and be inspired by his talent. Take along your willingness to explore ideas and have a few laughs, and have a look at how he secures some of his work!!!!
Yes he does make his own tools and they are uniquely shaped.
 
Thank-you!

I wanted to thank everyone for their responses and suggestions about getting more information on Alain Mailland tools.

Mark, I was not aware of 'yoog' being that valuable a search engine - I am aware that it operates parasitically and takes over resident default settings, etc. Most references I see about it are directed at how to get rid of it, rather than to praise it! Do you have problems using it, hand how does it compare with Google? I found at least 3/4 of the same sites with Google, but a few I did not - interesting...

Don, thanks for the link to Alain's site. For those that are interested, the Carolina Mountain Woodturners have a section on their web site which has all (?) of their previous newsletters posted - very helpful. One of the past newsletters had an excellent review about Alain's visit and demo, and also showed the tools he uses. I am envious of this club for the long (and apparently unending) line of excellent demonstrators they are able to bring in to their meetings.

As of yesterday evening I have learned that Alain will sell sets of his special 'flower tools' (those turners who lived through the 1960s - there's no connection here to that social change movement) to the students in the class. He also wants us to bring hand and power carving tools if we have them - sounds like we'll be doing more than just spinning wood!

I am really looking forward to my class with Alain next Sunday. We've been told that Binh Pho has purchased the "fresh" burl material from a west-coast supplier for Alain's classes. He just finished doing a class in Chicago, and will be in the Quad Cities (Rock Island, IL) this coming weekend before traveling on to Albuquerque.

Thanks again for your help!

Rob Wallace
 
I have no problems with it Rob. I use it because I think I get more usefull results.Google and Yahoo and the other big guys sell placement in there results so you get more of who pays than just matching words or content.IMHO
 
Rob, if you can read French, have a look at some of the tools made by the late Robert Bosco: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/robert.bosco/modeleen.htm

In particular, How to make special pieces. The one about Chinese balls has descriptions of the tools. I've been intending to ask a neighbor for a translation for the material identification. Aside from that, it's pretty much self-explaining with the pictures.

Alain may, or may not, use the same approach.
 
I attended the demo Alain gave in Chicago last weekend (unfortunately I couldn't take the class) and was totally blown away. The man has taken thinking "outside the box" to a whole new level. As Glenn said, he's a very approachable down to earth guy. Not intimidating at all. Even if you have no desire to do the kind of sculptural work he excels at, you'll learn to look at turning in a fresh new way.

I think he provides the shaped scrapers he uses for the flowers at the class, but I'm not sure. We were able to order a set of 3 at the demo, which he'll ship when he gets back home.

He had a slide show on a flash drive and the resident tech guy at our chapter is going to make copies on CD's for some of us. I would recommend you see if your guys can do the same as it's worthwhile to revisit the photos of his shop, jigs, and works in progress.

Enjoy.
 
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