No Plane No Grain

Yesterdays fun little project. A square winged bowl using my new to me lathe, slowly increasing the size of the workpiece as I get used to it.

Culmination of a few weekends of work today with this art piece finally getting on the wall.

A little bank holiday turning today. This Sapele baby rattle was a great way to practice my first captive rings. Finished with a natural beeswax finish the grain really pops.

Finished another little dish today. Trying to focus on keeping the final product nice and light.

Great to be out in the shop again today working with to create a matching pair of whiskey tumblers in oak. Always enjoy sharing the turning love.

Well the house is finally finished, decided not to bore you all with the last 6 months of renovations and painting but finally back out in the garage making man glitter. Here are a few pens from yesterday’s fun. Already got a bunch of ideas in the pipeline so watch this space.

It’s been a few months since I posted some of my work. Had to take some time to do some decorating in our new home. Finally got some time in the workshop though so here is a small bowl turned from cherry wood and finished in mineral oil and beeswax. Hopefully I will get more time back in the shop soon.

Yesterday was the best day of my life marrying surrounded by family and friends. Sad the party had to end but here’s to happily every after.

The island in our new kitchen was screaming out for a huge chopping board. James Martin eat your heart out. This beast is 80cm across.

Todays small project, a small winged bowl in Acacia wood. Always fun to spend time turning.

Recently completed yarn bowl for my grandmother. Bit of an upgrade from her plastic bucket.

Not had as much time in the garage this weekend but the transformation continues. Lined the ceiling with a dust membrane in what will be the dirty side of the workshop once I put up a stud wall. General tidy up after a few small projects over the last week.

Getting exciting, this has been a very long time coming.

Workshop organising moving onto my hand planes. Couldn’t be without them.

Final part of the lathe setup. A simple tool rack. The whole lathe setup has used reclaimed wood from the old bench top, it may not be pretty but it’s functional and it’s mine 😁

Adding to the lathe station today with a shelf for attachments and two new oak handles for my carbide turning tools.

And out of the shavings came this beauty. First time making a pen and using my carbide tools. Had a fun time and think I will make several more.

Managed to get a bit more time in the workshop this afternoon after a busy couple of weeks at work. Got the lathe set back up and can’t wait to make some shavings.

Workbench cut down to a more sensible size. Once the table saw has been raised slightly it will also act as an outfeed table. Still a way to go setting up the workshop but now I at least have space to move around.

And I am back… well almost. Having got the new house up and running I was finally able to get some time in the new garage soon to become workshop. Watch this space to see how it progresses. Today I focussed on moving all my wood into the rafters for storage and generally tidying the main workshop.

Finally got the finishing touches on these two matching desks for . This will actually end up being my final project in this workshop as we prepare to move house in the coming weeks.

Short session in the workshop today testing out this new dovetail jig. Worked a treat paired with my router. Plenty more to learn with using this jig but excited to be able to make significant improvements on drawers, boxes and furniture. Now to settle in for the F1 Monaco GP

Small side project today a request from the bakery department for a rolling pin. Apparently a wine bottle is not a suitable alternative anymore.

Time for the next project, this morning delivered two beautiful oak slabs which I am turning into a pair of matching desk tops. Follow me to stay up to date with this project over the next few weeks.

Today I have received some exciting news. I have gained the status of chartered engineer after several years of focus and determination. This comes only two weeks after starting my new job at Jaguar Land Rover. I am very pleased and look forward to seeing where the future takes me. All I know is 2021 is going ok so far.

Today I finished a project I have been working on for the last couple of weekends. Work has been crazy during the weeks but this desk and shelves have been great to take my mind off it all at the weekend. Installed for a wonderful customer in their new office. Scaffold board top with legs and brackets.

Not my normal style of woodwork but spent this weekend helping get these sleepers set up in his garden. Not too bad for two amateurs.

Oak live edge chopping board with a Chelsea FC engraving and epoxy flood. Made for a Chelsea mad new home.

Another item delivered today so I can finally post it on here for you to enjoy. Set of vases for single stem flowers.

Finally able to deliver this to as an early birthday present. So nice to be able to see family and friends again after so long.

A few pre stain pics of three scaffold board table tops. These will be amazing in the clients newly refurbished offices.

What could be better than starting the day with a lovely dog walk and then an epoxy pour. This will be sliced up into blanks for knife handles. Swipe for a post dog walk pic of one tired pup.

Leaving the shop today this lovely set of beehive shelves custom built to a customers design and style. Always enjoy these simple builds so get in touch to discuss your next home improvement idea.

Just finished up turning this little ring box for a new customer who is gifting it to his friends for their upcoming nuptials. Beautiful knotty oak stabilised with clear epoxy.

Created this great little chopstick jig and my first couple of pairs from some beech offcuts I had laying around. Can’t believe how easy they are to make. Such a satisfying process as well.

Just finished this little project for a new customer. Bespoke knife block in oak and African mahogany. Get in touch if you would like to discuss a unique project big or small I will try to help.

Today I learned what happens when you try to make the wall of your pot too thin... you end up with a dish instead. It’s only small but I love the grain on this one.

Super excited to share this. Just finished this beech sofa table / wine rack with a concrete top. So happy with how it turned out I think it’s gorgeous.

A few projects at different stage in the shop today. Chopping board finished and ready to deliver. A knife block in its second glue up and a couple of beehive shelves as well. Got a busy weekend planned to get some of these projects progressed. Stay tuned for more updates.