Mark Baker RPT

Masterclass.

July 18th 2007

Reviewed by Photos only

Report on Demonstrations at the Club meeting held 18th July 2007

The demonstrator for the July meeting was Mark Baker. He is well known to the club, both as a past demonstrator and for his editorship of ‘Woodturning’ magazine.
Mark started with a few words about colouring on turning. Although turners have mixed feelings on this, colour can enhance some work. He mentioned that with time all woods tend towards mid-brown.
For the first session of his practical demonstration Mark took a well-dried block of ash, about 8 inches long by 3.5 inches square. He rounded this using a long-ground gouge, cut a spigot and mounted in the chuck. The free end was then hollowed slightly as for a vase base. He then proceeded to make a series of cuts using a 2 mm parting tool. The cuts were only several mm apart and were of different depths so that when viewed sideways the solid inner core was seen as a vase shape, with many flanges out to the original diameter. The tool could only be entered into the wood once for each slot. As soon as the tool was withdrawn the flange tended to distort and could close the gap completely. As the work proceeded the earlier flanges would acclimatise and straighten up. The cuts were finished with a black spray. Returning to the subject of colour Mark stressed that many mediums were available. He mentioned metallic waxes and varnishes, nail polish, acrylic inks and other ‘art shop’ products.
For the remaining demonstration Mark produced a rough turned ash bowl which had been dried for several years and was quite oval and warped. He mounted it on the lathe using a revolving ring centre to press the bowl against the chuck while the outside was turned and a foot formed. For finishing he discussed burning the surface, wire brushing with a bronze (suede) brush, carving grooves and sealing with spray.
Once again, an interesting evening.