There are many who do not know the definition for wood turning. This art form is an ancient process that began in the third century BC by the Egyptians. Since then, many refinements have been made to the tools used, but the concept remains similar. Woodworkers prefer using soft woods, such as Maple, for turning bowls and pens, as it is cut more easily than hardwoods like Oak.
You should become acquainted with varieties of woods used in woodworking, and knowing the right one to use for a specific item is of great value, especially for beginners. Most hardwoods can be used for anything from bowls to beds, and everything in between! Frequently, beautiful markings lie within the rough bark of these types of trees. One person may look at a pile of wood as simply firewood, while another recognizes its potential for creating beautiful works of art. For instance, figured Madrone wood comes from slow-growth trees and is often very costly. The unique patterns that are seen in this particular variety are absolutely beautiful and produces gorgeous artistic work. With highly figured wood, environmental conditions create circumstances which result in a rainbow of colors and patterns!Lacking a knowledge of trees would make it hard to recognize the unique varieties.
Figured wood, where the grain pattern is disrupted by swirls and whorls, is particularly valuable; in fact, due to its uniqueness and the quality, even a single board could cost hundreds of dollars. The most highly figured wood is used often for lids on jewelry boxes and other items that can show off color and texture. A crafter may look at a pile of stacked wood and imagine the pieces of art that they could be turned into. Those who are not knowledgeable of what a piece can produce, on the other hand, may think it to be nothing more than an eyesore that should be burned or carted away. It can be difficult to recognize the beauty of maple and other woods until it is turned into a finished piece by an experienced craftsman.
You are probably familiar with the unsightly growths jutting out like large bumps from tree trunks, known as burls. From my experience, burls are created by stress being applied to the tree. A variety of factors in this process are: mold, insects, or a continually damp climate. Burls usually grow in an erratic way, looking deformed against the shape of the tree, but are very valuable to those who have a creative ability to use them. Many finished wood pieces created from a burl’s figured wood can be found on display in art museums around the world.
A small or large sized block of wood, sometimes sanded, or sometimes turned rough, is called a “blank”, and is the start of a beautiful creation. Regardless of whether woodturning is just a pastime or is the profession of a particular woodworker, it’s beneficial to purchase wood in larger quantities. Figured Pen blanks are used specifically for creating pens, where the wood is hollowed out with a lathe and replaced with the mechanics of a ballpoint or fountain pen.
Women as well as men enjoy working with many different facets of this hobby. However, all must use proper tools to design their bowls, pens and other objects. The lathe is the most important piece of machinery for the woodturner; however, they can be dangerous to use. When turning wood blanks, extreme caution is recommended, as accidents can be quite dangerous and require immediate medical attention.
The most expensive maple woodturning blanks and wood burls are those with erratic grain and vivid color. Skilled woodworkers are able to produce astounding designs and highly fashionable pieces using these materials.
