Weekend Turner.com

Some folks like to use small pieces of wood in a kind of highly organized mosaic, creating specific patterns using very small pieces of different woods cut at extremely exact angles and glued together to form rings that become bowls or vessels.

My second segmented bowl. Padauk and Ash

I took a class or two at the local Woodcraft store and really enjoyed it. I had visions of doing my own variations but the reality of being a weekend turner means I really don’t have the time or patience necessary for the level of planning, cutting, gluing and sanding that is required before you even get to the lathe. I think I’ll save that branch of turning for my retirement.

I live in the city – ok, its the south so that’s not really an excuse — so I have not been as industrious as some turners about using locally found cuttings, but I’m getting there. I found a local supplier who sells mainly on eBay, but since he’s close to me I have a slight advantage over other bidders in that I never have to factor shipping charges with him.

That connection has given me exposure to a few exotic woods. My favorites are fairly common as exotics go: Cocobolo, Paduk, Bloodwood, Purpleheart, and of course the local favorite, Ambrosia maple. I’ve also enjoyed turning Mahogany, Walnut, sugar maple, cherry, Osage Orange, lace wood, zebra wood, rosewood, sandalwood, zambeze teak, lignum vitae, pink ivory, Wenge, and others I’m sure I’ve forgotten.

Oh, and i learned the hard way that i have a skin allergy to a mexican wood called Bocote. Suffice it to say i will not go near that wood again.