On youtube?

My son-in-law has been learning how to use a new program so click here and you can see the results.

OK, its a new year

yay!  Its been a slightly less interesting winter this year which basically means we didn’t get 24 inches of snow so far.  While I am not much for making new year’s resolutions, I am somewhat resolved to be mor active with this site.  That being said, the first thing I need to do is figure out how this thing works.  I am using the beggars-can’t-be-choosers version of woordpress and it doesn’t necessarilly work the way I think it does, but I’m learning.

As to learning, I have been doing a good bit of this lately with regard to my woodworking.  Things like behavior of materials, tool handling, aspects of design, and how to get 1600 sqare feet of stuff into 600 square of available area or to put it in short story form, make do with what you have.  In a way, this is a nice little opportunity to gain insight into the way our forefathers conducted their lives when they first settled here.  When I demonstrate the pole lathe, it allows me to talk about the satisfaction that comes from plain work and basic self-reliant production; of how the work-day was a function of sunlight rather than a time clock and the quality of work was worth more than what it cost to have it done.  This year I will be trying to put into not too many words what all this means.  Have a good one.

Almost Summer !

Well, I have certainly been slacking off as far as adding anything new to this site.  It was a rough Winter and I have been very busy trying to recover from it in order to have something (merchandise and such) to present at demonstration events.  Also, I had to build a new shave horse as the one I was using has finally fallen apart.  I’ll be posting pictures of the horse and my “new” lathe soon.

So, here’s what is new.  I have been to 5 events this Spring including 2 new events, Chautauqua in Camden Delaware on May 1 and Railroad Days on June 3, in Clayton Delaware.  Both were very well attended and I will be returning next year.  Locally, we are in the middle of our second heat wave of the year so I won’t be getting much done as far as green woodcraft this week.  My next event will be the Smyrna/Clayton 4th of July celebration at the Smyrna Municipal Park, also a new event for me.  As with Olde Dover Days, the crowd will be counted in thousands instead of hundreds.  Good thing I have a month to prepare as I have sold almost every thing I have made.

New Stuff:  A friend of mine had to cut down a sugar maple that was loosing a lot or branches so I have a good supply of wood for this Summer.  *I have managed to make two small plates on the lathe.  I am trying to develop the ability and tools to make up to 8″ plates and bowls to go with the carved plates I have been making.  *After looking at Drew Langsner’s Country Woodworking site, I have also started making cheese knife/spreaders.

Thanks for taking the time to view this site.  More later but sooner than I have been lately.

Heritage Park Farmers Market

Had a wonderful time yesterday at The Green in Dover, Delaware as the guests of the First State Heritage Park.  There were people in period costume portraying historical figure of Dover from the late 18th century as well as demonstrating livelyhood crafts such as spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, and of course, woodturning.  The weather was a bit chilly and cloudy but altogether it was a fine fall day.

efficiency of the pole lathe

This is a posting I submitted to the Association of Pole Turners ask and answer forum.  I was fairly well received and nearly put an end to a three page thread.

You cannot measure efficiency in a vacuum. Neither can efficiency be optimized in a vacuum. Every thing in motion is both efficient and inefficient to a degree. If a thing is done as a hobby, efficiency is not as important as it is when a profit is expected and necessary to continuing the operation. With regard to pole turning, a broader knowledge of related woodworking craft is necessary as well as an understanding of the principles of design of the lathe such as having the center line of the work at the height of the turner‘s elbow which might call for a frame with height adjustments. It may be all well and good to measure wood chips per calorie burnt and to provide those who have a pedestrian interest in pole turning with properly functioning gear to take for a spin, but ultimately, those who are truly interested in becoming pole turners need to be exposed to a wide enough range of related arts and practices in order to produce not only their own gear but also to custom make the gear and to modify and adjust it to optimize their efforts. For instance, which tools are most effective for the intended purpose and how do you sharpen and apply them. Again, what sort of joinery is best suited for building a pole lathe for spindle work as opposed to bowl and plated turning and where best do you position the pole support in order to have enough flexibility that it is not too difficult to treadle without knocking one off balance or wear one out and still be able to return to the first position in a timely fashion for the next cut. A shave horse of some sort and perhaps a splitting/chopping block will have to be fashioned to prepare stock before it even gets to the lathe. How does one keep the cord for binding itself and preventing the return movement. . . In the end, the efficiency of a pole lathe, or any human powered machine, is almost entirely subjective and ultimately is an ever changing and hopefully improving experience rather than a measurable or fixed value

Delmarva Folk Festival 2010

Yesterday was the 19th annual Delmarva Folk Festival in Hartly, Delaware.  Although the weather a few days before was unusually rainy along the eastern U. S. seaboard a stiff breeze on Friday pretty much dried the venue, known as a mud hole of a place from previous rainy years, was quite dried out and with the exception of the far edge of the main parking field was in fine shape for the main day of the event. 

Because of the weather, I think  there were far fewer people attending than would have after a week of clear skies and sunny days.  Even so, I got to meet up with friends and made new acquaintances.  Most notable were Bob and Bethany who, upon seeing the pole lathe in action, experienced something akin to love at first sight.  It was kind of nice, after 2 1/2 years of demonstrations with the lathe, to find someone who was not only interested and appreciative but also determined to be directly involved in becoming a pole turner.  Dave Lawson, a candidate for a Senate seat in the Delaware legislature also was there as he has been the last 3 shows I have done locally.  He and his family spent the afternoon perusing the vendors and listening to the music.  At the end of my time there he and his grandson helped me out by cleaning up the wood chips from the shave horse and dumping them in the bonfire pit just inside the stage area gate.

As always, everyone was quite fascinated with the lathe and the other “greenware” on display and for sale.  Not much selling for me but plenty of oooing and ahhing.  Tish did quite well with her bead jewelery I have now however gone national with product going as far as California and as we were packing up one of the artists/musicians-Andy Reiner with Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers www.bmuz.net - came to our booth to see about having a custom wort stirrer made.  Wort is one of the steps in the process of home brewing beer.  We came to agreement on price and design and soon I will fulfill a special order to sent to Massachusetts.

I actually got a couple of people to have a go with the lathe and they did quite well beyond just moving the treadle but actually cutting wood.  All good fun.  I am really looking forward to the festival being an annual event for us.

May post

May has been a busy month, both with spring pole demonstrations and with regular work.  Every two weeks for the last six weeks I have had opportunities to take the lathe on the road locally.  For the second year in a row I was at Olde Dover Days and at the Mennonite Spring Festival and Auction.  I sold quite a lot of stuff and spoke to new people.  All was not well.  I had gone to my truck for a moment and when I had started back I saw a young boy who had picked up my trimming axe and was trying to chop wood with it.  The handle is designed for close, vertical trimming strokes.  Long chopping strokes could just as easily land the blade against your leg or knee.  Fortunately, no harm was done and I took the time to remind him of the lessons he had from home about getting into other people’s property.  My own lesson is to be sure my tools are secure before turning my attention away from them in a public place.  Again not well was an elderly gentleman who was fairly upset with the idea that I was doing such nice work with such poor materials.  I went through the steps of splitting the wood on the radius in order to interrupt the circular shrinkage that causes splitting and I assured him that all the turnings on display were done in this manner but I don’t think he quite accepted the idea.

Interestingly, I found my self continuing several conversations from last year, especially with regard to not having much of any use for mulberry wood.

I have begun bringing a sash-frame saw which I can attach to the lathe bed.  It works with the pole in an up and down motion.  I have used it for sawing out slab seats for stools as well as for parting spoon turnings down the correct center.  I have tried to split out two spoon halves from a turning but I seem to always end up with a round handled spoon and a “turtle” shape.  Jonas Miller asked about the saw set up so I went through the whole process: splitting, turning, sawing, and finally carving the bowl in a piece of holly.  In the end, I traded the spoon for some yew he had brought to show me.

Finally, at the end of the Mennonite Festival, there was one fellow with whom I had a long running conversation on many woodworking topics including (ugh) sharpening.  Having now been set on by this fellow and my oldest son about sharpening, I have redeveloped my means and methods for sharpening which I will give further details about in my next blog entry.

As far as I know, I don’t have any events scheduled until sometime in July.  If any thing comes up, I’ll be posting it here.

Spring Entry

Ah! Spring.

Well, here we go into another season of moderate weather, getting out and about, and enjoying the reawakening of nature. The pole lathe stood its ground through all the snow and cold. Unfortunately I was unable to do the usual woodworking that the winter allows because of the weather. Even today it has gotten chilly enough to need a jacket and something on my head.

Today, I am getting ready to take my “shop” on the road again to demonstrate green woodworking with the lathe, shave horse, and related tools and techniques I have gathered. I’m reassembling my tool kit which has become somewhat scattered because of the different locations I have been working because of the weather. Don’t get me wrong. I loved the snow we had this year which reminded me of the sort of snow we used to get in Delaware regularly when I was a boy. Well, a younger boy. But, just as in the times my woodworking represents, adjustments have to be made in order to keep a it.

First up and out this year is the Spring Fling at Killen’s Pond near the camping area by the pavilion on April 24th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This is the first time they are having this event so I hope if you see this you will be able to make some time to come out and support the effort. This event is part of the “No child left inside” program at Killen’s Pond.

Next, I will be at Olde Dover Days for a second year. The craft demonstration area is behind the old Court House at the west end of the Legislative mall. A little blacksmithing, spinning, and this year a live traditional musician playing period music on period instruments, maybe with a good pole turning tune.

I will be returning to the Mennonite Spring festival on May 15 from 8:00 am to about 4:00 pm at the Central Christian School, 220 W. Denney’s Road. Lots of crafts, good food, and an auction featuring handmade quilts. Proceeds benefit the school.

Finally, so far, I will be at Blackbird Creek on Oct 23. Not sure about the times yet. Stay tuned for updates.

Hope to see you, whoever you are. Thanks.

September Again

So, its September again. Time for school to start and the mosquitoes to subside although the mosquitoes are just about as reticent to leave as the kids are to return to the classroom.

Anyway, this is the time of year that craft shows abound and the weather is nice enough that people will get out to enjoy the day and attend. This year is a little slow since some organizations that have hosted me before can’t afford to sponsor such events although others can. Attendance should be good with so many people saving money by staying close to home and yet wanting to do something.

So far this fall I will be setting up for Byler’s Country Store 12th annual customer appreciation day on September 19 from 10am to 3pm. Byler’s is 3 miles west of Dover, Delaware on Rt. 8. This years theme will focus on pumpkin and apple flavored food items and activities.

Next, I hope to set up for the Delmarva Friends of Folk Fall Fling on October 3 from 10pm to 5pm. The weekend revolves around live music performance and workshops with craft and food vendors on hand as well as children’s activities through out the day.

Finally, so far, I will be setting up on October 17 at the Autumn in Duck Creek Annual Fall Festival celebrating the town’s heritage and historic homes. Events include, market fair, scarecrow contest, pumpkin painting, chili cook-off, hands-on history activities and more. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

I hope to be doing more events and I will post these as they come along.

June Entry

So far in June, we have had 5 days of no rain. I have hardly touched my pole lathe as it is situated out in the open in the back yard. I have managed to carve a few kitchen utensils I preparation for craft shows later this Summer and Fall. As it is, even if there were shows now, I am dreadfully low on inventory which makes it a little rough go and demonstrate when there can be no income. I usually make enough money to cover expenses and a little extra. Mostly, I enjoy demonstrating greenwood craft and conversing with other woodworkers and people who have never seen such a thing as a pole lathe. Of course its nice to be appreciated for my efforts both verbally and monetarily.

I have had lots of offers of wood, a few requests for some sort of woodworking instruction, and several requests to make some rather unusual objects such as a muddler for use in making mint julep (it was the weekend of the Kentucky Derby) and from a fellow in a gambeson? ( a quilted garment worn under armor for increased comfort) and helmet, carrying a jousting lance which he took apart as one would a pool cue and asked if I could make the “handle” end.

Anyway, I’m still at it in my woodsy “shop” and hope to increase my skills as well as my inventory. Hope to see and be seen later this Summer.