Current Woodturning Educational Library - Updated.

Hello to the group,

We have added a few new articles to my free woodturning educational library recently. In case you have not stopped by lately, here is the current list of articles, with a direct link and a short explanation of each article. Enjoy!

Basic Procedures for Turning Green Wood Bowls: A basic article that covers general instructions for new woodturners on how to turn dry and green wood bowl roughouts. Also includes instructions on remounting and finishing the completed bowl.

Cyanoacrylates, a.k.a. Super Glues: A Technical Discussion: An in-depth, highly technical examination of super glues, their properties, uses, and safety concerns in a woodturners studio. Learn how to properly use and store these highly popular adhesives. "Fluid Texturing" with the Arbortech Mini-Grinder: Interested in taking your woodturnings to the next level? Learn how to use the Arbortech mini-grinder power carver for Fluid Texturing the surface of your woodturnings. The texture is applied whilst the piece is rotating on the lathe. Includes detailed instructions for several types of surface textures. Turning European Style Writing Pens: Holding one of your own hand turned writing pens is a uniquely satisfying experience. The heft, balance and allure of these writing pens can vary from simple and functional, to rich and opulent. This article will teach you how to turn, sand, finish and assemble an elegant European style writing pen. Pen Turning with Alternative Materials: One of the most popular areas of interest in pen turning is working with alternative, i.e. non-wooden, pen materials. This article covers basic procedures for working with various plastic pen blanks, including celluloid and composites. Advanced sanding protocols for high gloss finishes are also included. Turning Wine Bottle Stoppers with Cabochon Stone Inlays: Enhance your turned bottle stoppers with cabochon stone inlays. Add an extra touch of elegance to your bottle stoppers with this step by step guide. Also includes detailed information on installing genuine and created gemstone pre-sets. Turning Small Projects: Inlaid Letter Opener and Magnifier Learn how to turn an elegant inlaid letter opener or magnifier on a standard pen mandrel. This article includes step by step instruction on turning both traditional and inlaid handles.

Wax Finish Roundup: A comprehensive discussion of waxes and different types of wax finishes. Includes application protocols specific for woodturning. Oil Finish Roundup: A in-depth look at oils and oil finishes that are important for woodturners. Includes application protocols specifically designed for woodturning. Boiling Green Wood to Reduce Drying Degrade (Part 1 and 2): This article details my internationally popular boiling protocol for green wood that reduces checking and speeds the overall drying process. If you're working with green wood and drying it yourself, you could benefit from using this protocol to reduce your drying degrade. This protocol has been well received by woodturners around the world. Tips for Better Boiling: Additional thoughts on the updated boiling protocol for green wood and ways to prevent errors in the boiling and drying process. This protocol is in use by woodturners around the world, including some commercial milling operations. Paper Bag Drying of Green Wood Lathe Projects: In my woodturning demonstrations around the United States, I am frequently asked how to easily dry green wood bowl and platter roughouts with a minimum of effort. Although a plethora of ways exist to dry green (fresh cut or wet) wood, few of these protocols are as easy as drying in paper bags. Methods of Air Drying Wood with Endgrain Sealers: As woodturners, we prize high figure and colour in wood and thus many of us prefer air drying our green wood to retain the highest amount of natural colour possible. This article will concentrate on some effective ways for air drying solid wood blanks, turning squares and bowl and platter roughouts, with a focus on the particular needs of woodturners. Bandsaw Blade Resharpening: You no longer have to throw out dull bandsaw blades. This protocol will show you how you can easily resharpen those dull blades while still on the bandsaw. Only simple tools are required and the protocol is easily learned. This protocol can save you a significant amount of money by allowing you to extend the life of your used blades. Creating High Gloss Finishes on Plastic and Stabilised Pen Blanks: Learn how to create ultra high gloss finishes on writing pens, including tips and tricks for creating durable, high gloss pen finishes with step-by-step instructions to ensure success. Creating Unique Decorative Surfaces: The hottest area of interest in woodturning today is decorative embellishments. This article takes you through three easy, yet elegant, embellishments (colouring, wood burning, and metal leafing) that all woodturners can add to the surfaces of their projects.

Selecting Turning Tools and Sharpening: One of the most common challenges for new woodturners is sharpening their woodturning tools. This articles provides general guidance on tool selection and how to set up a dry grinder sharpening station.

How To Find Free, or Very Low Cost Wood: Finding low cost or free wood, and lots of it, is high on the priority list for most woodturners. If you ask them if woodturning is addictive, you will no doubt hear a resounding yes! The more you turn, the more you want to turn. This article will give you some ideas for locating low cost or free wood in your local area. Turning Spring Loaded Key Rings: Key rings are simple projects to turn and are a good introduction to the basics of spindle turning on a mandrel, for beginning woodturners. This article will give you complete step by step instructions for these popular turning projects. (PDF 635 KB) We are adding new articles as time allows, so check back often to stay up to date. We also have a free woodturning blog and a free monthly newsletter if you are interested. Take care and all the best to you and yours!