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Designs, Shapes and Form: Woodturning transforms chunky wood into their artistic and usable forms. The process often includes the use of a lathe, which is a piece of stationary equipment that holds the wood or the work piece. It spins or turns while the wood is being shaped or crafted. There are two methods in achieving artistry in wood – spindle turning and faceplate turning. Both of them require coordination between the operator, tools and the lathe. In fact, the body should be positioned in a certain way in order to obtain the desired design. For instance, the feet have to be close to the lathe so every part of the wood can be accessed without leaning.
Generally, woodturning requires bare or raw wood. These wooden chunks or pieces are commonly called woodturning blanks by woodworkers and craftsmen. There are different kinds of wood that can be used in woodworking and they usually come in various shapes and sizes. They can be made into goblets, bowls, pool cues, plates, baseball bats, pens, tops and other wooden articles. Typically, it is up to the woodworkers to use their imagination so that a piece of wood can be converted into its intended shape or form. It needs an accurate approximation, and proper usage of the tools.
The woods most commonly used in woodturning include beech, cedar, ash, oak, birch, lime, apple, acacia, hornbeam, sycamore, maple, cherry, elm, London plane, spalted beech, yew, rippled sycamore, American walnut, mulberry, English walnut, pear, laburnum, apricot, myall, ironwood, lancewood, vine tree, and wilga. However, woodworkers usually prefer rare species of trees that often have rigid and well-structured fibres.
Generally, there are standard cuts for woodturning blanks for specific designs, shapes and forms. However, there are stores that offer non-standard sizes, or sizes according to your customization. Also, make sure that the wood blanks are fully dried before buying or using them.
Note: You can view a
bigger version of the wood turned items by placing your mouse curser on the
image and click. A new window will open with the larger image. When finished
viewing, just close the window and come back here to view the others.
Colour and markings may differ in
appearance slightly in your finished turning from the one's shown in the photo's
depending on wood used at the time they are turned. Each item is handcrafted
individually, so slight variances should be expected especially if ordering more
than one item. The sizes listed are approximate. They may be a couple of
millimetres taller, longer, wider or little shorter, etc.
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