The Woodworking Process

A lot of work goes into creating John’s beautiful woodwork. Learn more about the woodturning materials, woodworking process, and see the final product. Have questions? Contact John or inquire about a visit to his workshop & studio.

Woodworking Materials

It is a little known fact that one cannot simply go to the local lumberyard to purchase wood of turning quality. The desired wood must come from the log, be mostly blemish free, have impeccable color quality, and be large enough to compensate for the size of the finished product. It could be anywhere from four to twelve inches thick and even larger around. Therefore, the wood must come from a large log and be processed by hand.

Estes Park, Colorado produces mostly evergreens and aspens that are slender at best, which makes finding adequate wood species a challenge. Consequently, John makes many trips to the Midwest for hardwoods and to the West Coast for burl woods, such as big leaf maple. He also relies on the valley tree surgeons, whose quest to remove damaged, dead or unwanted trees often results in his procurement of unique and exceptional woods. With the raw materials in hand, John heads home to Estes Park to begin the process of turning a full-size log into an artful piece of fine craftsmanship.

Woodturning Steps

STEP ONE

The logs are chain-sawed into large sections.

STEP TWO

Then they are rough-sawn round.

STEP THREE

The hart, or pith, of the wood is removed to help eliminate cracking.

STEP FOUR

The pieces are hauled to the shop, ready for the lathe.

STEP FIVE

Once on the lathe, the wood is rough-turned to different shapes. Then, by using a bowl saving tool, which removes the interior portion of the bowl, John cuts a number of concentric bowls from the same section of wood. However, the walls of each ‘blank,’ or rough-sawn bowl, are left thick to allow for movement within the wood while it dries.

STEP SIX

The yield from an eight-foot log is twenty to thirty bowl blanks. Each blank is coated with wax for six months to one year in order to dry. A roughed-out bowl weighing thirteen pounds will lose approximately four pounds, or eight cups, of water as it dries. A blank is ready for final turning when the moisture content reaches 7%. Then it is taken back to the lathe to be turned to its final shape and size and appropriately finished as either art or a utilitarian bowl.

THE RESULT

After sawing, turning, and the time to dry, John adds the final touches. He decorates his work with various materials including paint and turquoise inlay. Then finishes with  USDA approved mineral oils and waxes.

Ready to shop hand turned wood work? Browse functional wooden bowls, decorative bowls, and other wooden accessories. Learn how to care and clean for your wood bowls and wood spoons. If you have questions please contact John or if you are feeling adventurous, arrange a visit to the studio and workshop in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado.