Relaxing afternoon.

[Upsy Daisy]

Afternoon @Colin,

Although way above and beyond my level of comprehension ,I must say whatever it is it looks a jolly professional piece of work!!!!

Your talents seem to know no boundaries!!!!!!!

 

[Colin]

Hi,

Many thanks Upsy Daisy.

I find this kind of work to be extremely easy; I was trained as a mechanical engineer 55 years ago and have been around things mechanical ever since; it's gardening I can't get to grips with because it's either under rain or snow most of the time; I bought five potted Viburnum bushes months ago and put them in a shielded place on our patio but one has already died; I think it drowned?

In spite of this usual miserable weather I've shut myself away from it today in the workshop so I'm happy having just knocked off for the day.

Kind regards, Colin.

 

[Colin]

Hi,

I've just enjoyed a couple of interesting days in the workshop making a "fingernail grinding jig". Robert Sorby make these for those who aren't tight Yorkshiremen like me. I used lumps of metal I had to hand so the jig cost very little indeed. These jigs are used with belt sanders to add a fingernail profile to woodturning gouges; all I've done is based mine on the same design. I've not yet tried the jig because I'm awaiting Zirconium grinding belts in both 60G and 120G; 60G is for roughing to shape the 120G is for final finishing making the tool ready to use. I based measurements for my jig on the largest gouge I have; this is my first grinding jig but others will follow.

It's been wonderful being locked out of sight from the world in my workshop with my favourite 60's songs on the mini hi-fi; the fan heater buzzing away whilst warmly wrapped in my heavy site coat; now for more quality time with my Bron watching a couple of movies; why let the nasty weather get me down or stop me enjoying myself; life can be so good.

Kind regards, Colin.

My largest gouge fits easily.

Position for left hand fingernail grinding.

Position for right hand fingernail grinding.

Robert Sorby jig which is readily available.

 

[Colin]

Hi,

Because woodturning can be dangerous I've just bought an ex-police riot helmet with face shield; £25 is little to pay to save my good looks.

Here's a professional woodturner who got caught out with a catch ejecting a log from his lathe the log hitting him directly to his face shield; such catches (dig ins) happen in an instant.

It's four months since I visited Rufforth Auto Jumble in York due to our dire weather; the forecast was for heavy rain today but I've had enough of my constant cloud Blackie upsetting me so I was going to Rufforth even if Blackie was of biblical proportions. WOW in spite of such a terrible forecast it remained dry at Rufforth right up to the instant when I returned back to the Yeti and closed the door; the rain sure came down but not on me.

I've now received my 60G and 120G Zirconium abrasive belts and last night I ordered three 120G ceramic abrasive belts so I'm sorted for sharpening my woodturning tools.

Dinner time yesterday Hermes delivered a parcel and when I opened it I found it contained a Lobster Catcher Pot Trap Fish Net; not ordered or paid for by me but with my full details on the parcel; The lady at Hermes was most helpful and I ended up emailing the logistic company involved but still have the net; the way the rain came down this morning I wondered should I keep this net?

At Rufforth I bought quite a few very useful workshop items including abrasives; a big roll of 400 grit at £10 and 5" dia Velcro backed sanding discs being a box of 50 at 120 grit; these at £5; such items cost a lot to buy over the counter. Another bargain was A2 stainless steel screws 50mm two boxes for £10; every time I visit Rufforth I feel like a child in a candy store; lots of stalls remained empty due to the dire weather forecast but a good morning especially since I met up with my chum David; we both wandered around looking for bargains and for urgent items we didn't know we needed?

My home made 2" belt grinder uses 36" (915cm) belts but getting Zirconium belts in this width proved very difficult so I simply bout 4" (100mm) wide belts and cut this in half hence two belts from one; a lot of care is needed in cutting these belts because it's very easy to end up slashing fingers with a sharp knife involving surgery at the A&E. Cutting abrasive belts is very hard on a utility knife but it wasn't a problem to run the knife blade across the bench grinder; just because I couldn't source 2" wide belts didn't mean I couldn't have any?

I'm gearing up nicely to do a bit of serious woodturning.

Kind regards, Colin.

Zirconium 4" 120G belt cut into two 2" belts.

My home made belt grinder with new belt installed.

Zirconium 4" belt cut into two 2" belts; these belts at 60G really are tough.

Lobster fish net delivered in error; what next?

 

[Colin]

Hi,

Here's the finished item from post #30 where it's shown as a Holly turning blank mounted in a collet. Just for the fun of it this morning I turned it into a finial for a bit of practice in tool control. I'm not yet geared up for colouring but I wondered how it would look being treated to a black "Sharpie marker". It was finished with a coat of wax polish this being gently buffed at speed in the lathe. The finial is 90mm (3.5") long.

This is more like retirement being able to potter around without a big heavy job hanging over me. I'm still gathering turning kit and hope to spend a lot more time on the lathe.

Kind regards, Colin.