Chris Barker

Goblets and captive rings

March 21st 2007

Reviewed by Malcom Martin

Chris Barker showed us how to combine a goblet and rings from a piece of yew about 3in diameter. The piece was mounted between centres to avoid the core running down the centre where the stem would be. He cut a spigot on one end and when fitted in the chuck he removed some of the wood in the middle, leaving full bark on each end.
He formed the cup working from the outer edge, careful to leave the bark on the periphery. When shaped he finished the inside finally buffing with a wax polish.
He then formed two rings from the body of the piece using his special 3-in-1 ring forming tool, ground both sides so that it can be used from the left and right sides. Taping the rings in place he then formed the outer side of the cup leaving an interesting bark ring at the outer edge. He then used a skew chisel to pare away the timber to form the stem of the goblet. Sanding and polishing followed as he progressed until the foot was formed.
Result Ñ a lovely goblet with a great demonstration of skill and technique.