Modern Masters segment

It is PRETTY amazing is it not. It is an ornamental (or rose) lathe, designed by a fellow with the almost unspellable name of John Jacob Holtzapffel, althought there are other folks involved the developing the craft. Probably the best place to look is here:

although a google search for "ornamental lathe" will return 9000+ hits for sites dealing with this niche of the hobby/work. I have to admit that I would REALLY like to have one myself, although I am enough of a purist that I don't really consider it to be "turning". It is really more "wood machining", in that once the machine is set up, it does all the work. While great, it does not require QUITE the skill shown by, say, Richard Raffan with nothing more than a skew chisel. I have looked at these things for years, but, the Modern Masters program was the first time I saw one in action. Really clarified a lot of things for me, I have to say. Now...if I can just get that Vertical Mill of mine up and running.... Regards Dave Mundt

Mirka does make some 36G in a 5" PSA Check out

-- Steve Worcester

Better Woodturning through Technology (And a hell of alotta practice)

In Nawlin's? That would have to be Gorst Duplessis and his ornamental lathe. I might get a chance to visit him next monday when I'm in town, time willing.