Demonstrations
I have given approximately 35 demonstrations in the past. Most were given to four clubs in the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton area, but I have also given remote demos to clubs in Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina, Washington (state), Kansas City, Nashville, and Austin. I have also demonstrated three times at the Southwest Association of Woodturners (SWAT) regional symposium. I applied and was accepted as a regional demonstrator the first time at SWAT and I was invited the second and third times. Some of the demonstrations I offer are listed below. They can either be done in person or remotely. They typically last between 1 and 1.5 hours.
Turning Spoons
I show how to turn a spoon completely on the lathe. People often hollow spoons by making the handle spin around like a propeller, which seems a bit dangerous and forces the shape to be circular. I show how to turn a spoon without these drawbacks. The demo uses a few jigs that I describe how to make out of wood or print on a 3D printer. This project is suited for turners with some hollowing experience. This is one of the demos I gave at SWAT as an invited regional demonstrator.
Turning Tippe Tops
In this demo, I show how to turn a tippe top that flips over when given a good spin. This is a fun project for both beginners and experienced turners, requiring only turning beads and simple hollowing. I will show what to do to insure that your tippe top will successfully flip – at least most of the time! I gave this demo at SWAT.
Turning Pencil Pencil Boxes
In this demo, I show how to turn a pencil shaped box that can store real pencils, hence a pencil pencil box. This demo is based on an excellent article in the August 2018 AAW journal by Beth Ireland, but I modify the process and show how 3D printed jigs can both help to make the pencil and serve as the ferrule. This is a fun project for turners with any level of experience.
Small Turnings That Sell
Each Saturday from April through November I sell turned objects at the Denton Community Market. In this demo I discuss how to make some of the small inexpensive (under $25) items that are good sellers. Items I discuss include tippe tops, fidget sticks, spoons, spatulas, small animals, refrigerator magnets, and train whistles. I demonstrate how to make a fidget stick and a small mouse using cutoffs from spoon and spatula blanks. Depending on the demonstration time constraint I may demonstrate other items as well. This is one of the demos I gave at SWAT as an invited regional demonstrator.