About
I fell in love with woodturning a long time ago. At the time, I was a poor college student recently married and had no furniture. The university had a woodworking shop with a lathe. I learned how to use the lathe and made a living room set with turned spindles. We still have that furniture despite having moved back and forth across the country and recovering the cushions a couple of times.
A short time later, after graduation, we moved to Boston (Peabody actually) for a short term work assignment. One Sunday we bought a newspaper (remember those?) and I read the want ads. (This was very unusual for me.) I happened to see a note about a lathe for sale. We saw it and bought it. What a mistake! We lived in a small apartment and were expecting our second child.
Over the years, I used the lathe occasionally. It was an old Rockwell lathe. I really wanted to turn bowls but the headstock was very sloppy and limited my success. At the same time, my family and regular job precluded me from doing very much with the lathe.
Later I got rid of the lathe and bought a nice new one. Happy days, but work and family still came first.
Later yet, I decided to pursue the dream again. My children have all left the house and I have made the time to turn. Now, I make a turning video every week to post to my As Wood Turns web site and YouTube channel. There are over 400 videos now. Every year, I host a Christmas Ornament Challenge open to all crafts. This challenge is a lot of fun and helps celebrate Christmas. You too can join in the fun each November.
I am not a professional woodturner, that university degree was in accounting. I’m learning with each project. I decided to specialize in turning diversity. I like to try new projects and explore new frontiers. For example, I developed the Infinite Axis Chuck for multi-axis turning.
I want to share my dream with others I know are out there who also dream of making something beautiful.
Let’s have some fun turning wood. 🙂 — Just remember to be safe at the same time.
Since I originally wrote this “about”, I have moved my family from Oregon to Utah where we now live.
hi I enjoy your videos – quick and informative. Keep up the good work. Thx.
Thanks for your note – I’ll keep them coming.
Any requests?
Hi, Great videos, i am new to wood turning, i don’t even have a lathe yet, but soon i will, i have turned a pear branch, 100mm diam, into a wood carvers mallet, and it has split on one side from top to bottom, i have read that it is good to turn pear when it is green, any ideas what might have gone wrong? Cheers
Gary
Green or wet wood will nearly always shrink and warp. All part of the drying process. Cracks happen when shrinkage is not uniform.
The trick is to accommodate the drying process.
A general rule of thumb is to allow 1 year to dry per inch of thickness plus a year. That is why I often do a rough first turn, dry, then turn again.
Please see this week’s coming video.
Alan
Great video’s! For me, very entertaining.
I think your videos are great; there enteraining and very informative. I peticularly like the dual angle; makes it easier to see what/how your accomplishing getting the turning done.
Great videos. You asked for suggestions- how about a crush pepper mill?
Ok – I’ll put it on my hit list – I have the hardware.
Thanks for the suggestion.
Alan
For me, the real challenge is creating other forms with the wood (not just a bowl)- boxes, spheres, vessels, and combinations with carving. What about the use of jigs for specific details ? like a router, spheres creation, off center profiles…….You are helping me with my skills…. Thanks.
Stay tuned for my jigs and fixtures – More coming.
Thank you
Alan Stratton
Hi Alan,
I very much enjoy your videos. I am a rank amateur wood turner focusing on technique at the expense of all sorts of scrap and recycled wood/tree trimmings left at the curb. Thanks for sharing your expertise and projects …
—MarkS
I’m glad you find it useful.
Alan Stratton
Alan … I appreciate the attention to detail in your videos … must be a result of your background in accounting. I find your videos useful and entertaining. Thanks!
Thank you so much.
Do you have any project requests?
Alan Stratton
The AAW magazine had an article on finishes this month they did not mention your beeswax and mineral spirits concoction I found one place in the archives where it said 75% mineral spirits 25% beeswax how do you make it? Heat in double boiler or does the beeswax dissolve by itself in the mineral spirits by itself. Keep up the projects it keeps me learning. Shalom
Thank you for the question. This mix is one I use most frequently.
One correction first – It uses mineral OIL not mineral spirits – they are very different.
Mineral spirits are sold in hardware stores as a solvent. it is NOT food safe and is volatile.
Mineral oil is sold in drug stores primarily as a laxative. It is food safe and non-volatile.
You have the ratio right except that it is hard to mix dry and liquid measures.
Effectively I use 1/4 pound of beeswax – I buy mine in 1 pound blocks and 1 pint of mineral oil.
Chop up the beeswax if wanted to speed up the process.
Heat in a double boiler until the beeswax melts.
If putting it in a plastic container (as I have) let cool but not to the point of solid.
Pour into container. If you have the proportions right, it is a soft paste.
Others use more beeswax for a firmer mix.
I got this mix from Eli Avisera to use as a sanding media and finish.
Enjoy the honey smell! Good turning.
Hi Alan,
I enjoy your videos on YouTube and just found this website. Keep up the good work! I’ve been turning for about 5 years or so and have recently gotten into segmented turning so I’ve been very much enjoying these videos of your.
Thanks!
Jeff
PS, would love to submit an entry to the ornament contest but I don’t know how to do a video. Can still pics be submitted?
Since we’re using YouTube, any submission must be in some form of video. You would need to convert your pictures to video.
We’ll welcome all entries.
Alan
I found your website after seeing one of your YouTube videos. I’ve been woodworking for years but I’m new to wood turning.. I’m really interested in segmented turnings ans Christmas ornaments. I’m anxious to see what I can learn from you. Thanks for sharing.
I’ll keep them coming. 🙂
Alan Stratton
Alan
Have you got moved into your new shop in Colorado?
Sam B.
Thanks for the Rosewood Video!!!! I was the President of the San Diego Rose society and this is the best use of a rose that I have seen. You are wise to shovel prune them.
We miss you at the Wood Turners meetings and especially your company. Enjoy and keep the wood turning.
Hal & Nancy Schalles
As a past president, I would have expected a lecture on how to prune to save the bush. 🙂
I have more if you want to come get them.
Alan
As a novice woodturner, I just watched your scoop video and appreciated the 2 camera angles very much. It clearly helped me to understand the tool usage and angle which you held your tools.
Your guidance is also very clear, orderly and entertaining. I plan to watch many more of your videos! Thank you for spending the time to share your talent.
–Connie
Thank you. I’m taking a short break to recover from a ski injury, then I’ll be back.
Alan Stratton
Hi Alan
I did my first turning in public school a long time ago and have done a bit, now and then, over the years but really have gotten into it in the last 3 – 4 years.
I watch all of your videos, along with several other turners, and have learned a lot from both you and the others.
Thanks for the quality videos.
My dust mask just retired itself through mis-adventure and I want to replace it with something better. I had issues with it blocking my vision just a bit.
What make, model or style do you use? Any recommendations?
I use a full face shield so it must fit under that.
I don’t really want to go the high end positive pressure helmet type. I’m a hobbyist, not a pro, and might spend 3 or 4 hours a week turning in the winter, hardly any in the summer when golf rules.
Thanks for your input.
Randy Cosgrove
Alan,
I just discovered your web site and really enjoy it. I have been a woodworker for 30+ years and have made practically all of the furniture in our house. With the house full, I have just turned (no pun intended) to woodturning as a way to enjoy a different aspect of woodworking. I have a very old Craftsman lathe and I ma looking to replace it with something that is more up to date and has the most beneficial features without breaking the bank. Do you have any advice, suggestions, recommendations?
Thanks!
Glenn
A lathe is a very personal purchase. Since most of us only purchase one lathe, it’s tough to get unbiased recommendations. So, I’ll talk considerations.
1) What do you think you want to turn? If large bowls, then you need a heavy lathe with a heavy spindle, swing capacity several inches larger than the largest bowl you plan to turn. If spindles, then swing is less important. if stair balusters, then bed length.
2) Plan to purchase a good chuck that you can supplement with different jaws. And, as Kirk Deheer says, an additional chuck body is cheaper than a trip to the emergency room. I would plan to purchase one that I can expand its capability.
3) Get a standard spindle size and tpi. 1″-8tpi or 1 1/4″-8tpi.
4) Purchase as heavy a lathe as you can afford especially if you will turn heavy rough projects, green wood, or off-axis projects.
5) Variable speed.
6) What can you afford? but stay away from low quality lathes.
I have a Powermatic 3520A and use Vicmarc VM120 chucks for my large lathe. I also have a small portable lathe.
Good turning.
Hey matey not sure how to contact you but seen on YouTube a poster by the name of ninja. Has stolen your clip. If you email me back i will send you the screenshot so you can report him. Thanks Toni (aka mummatoni on youtube)
Peabody? How do neighbor! I’m in Beverly. Been here for 12 years now. Love your videos, I just wish i could have a lathe here..
That is where I purchased my first lathe second hand.
Stored it in the apartment storeroom. used it on the balcony.
Alan
🎄Seasons greetings and Happy New Year 🎄
Thank you Alan for all your inspiration.
Turn Turn Turn – The Byrds:
To everything turn, turn, turn
There is a season turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose
Under heaven
So… let us keep turning.
Alan
Hi Alan. I hope this note finds you well!
Our Central Virginia Woodturners (CVW – http://www.centralvawoodturners.org) would love to have you present an IRD. Our meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month and we currently have July 20th or August 17 available.
You have a number of subjects that our group is interested in such has “triple inside out”, “volcano salt urns”…
I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for you kind consideration.
Best,
Mike Sorge
CVW VP/Programs
(Woodturning In Flight – http://www.mikesorge.com)
I just watched ‘Woodturning Large Ash Bowl – What’s Not To Love’ on Youtube; nice video and technique Alan. I’m new to turning but your threaded plywood faceplate caught my attention, do you have any further info on this? Much appreciated.
They are a great item for multiple used.
Search my side for “Easy Wood Faceplates For Woodturning” from 2/1/2013.
Perhaps I need an update.
Alan
Sir,
I discovered your website and love it. I have watched several of your videos and want to start at the first one, Beads and Coves?
How do I watch them in order? It’s great that they build upon each other! I watched, faceplates and spindle tap(?) several times as there is so much there!
Thank you so much for all these videos!
I’m not a beginner but due to the brain injury in Iraq, I can’t remember things from yesterday, so I re-watch them and remember and build upon that (its the same for phone calls but my wife reminds me and then I can remember some of it).
Thank you again for excellent videos that I can understand and learn and enjoy, amazed that you do it so easily and it makes me enjoy what turning I can do too!
Rex Bradburn, MSgt, USAF ret.
Palm Bay, FL
Cell/text 321-432-1162
Rex,
First, thank you.
On the right side of the main page are two sections: the top is “Categories” which is a general grouping ; the bottom is “Archives” which group posts by date.
Whichever works best for you.
Good turning.
Alan
I have watched the majority of your videos. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
I have really having trouble finding a 1-1/4×8 tap for my lathe to make some faceplates. I have searched Amazon and ebay and other sources and cannot find one in the US. Woodcraft had the Beall tap but is currently out of stock. Can you recommend somewhere I can purchase the tap for my spindle. Thanks again.
You could add Craft Supplies USA to your searches.
https://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/
However, they are also out until January 2022.
And, Beall tool itself is showing out of stock.
Time for some patience. 🙁
Alan
Try Lee Valley, I think you have these stores in the USA. The taps are around $20.00
‘m an amateur wood turner, Can I buy drawings or books for Wood Christmas tourning or where can I buy this?
Sincerely
Svein Walsø-Mathisen
(northern Norway)
Several videos in the past posts on my website. I do not know of any books.
Alan
I recently saw one of your demonstrations making Easter eggs and making a jig from PVC fittings to hold eggs to finish the end. Now I can’t find it on your website. There is it hiding?
Thanks
Woodturn Simple Egg Chuck From PVC Fitting
http://www.aswoodturns.com/2015/03/egg-chuck/
Great demo on spheres tonight! Looking forward to viewing the other videos you have on the same subject.
Don Chase, VP
Cape Cod Woodturners
There are plenty. Start with the two in the description of this weeks video.
Alan
Hi Alan, I’ve been a subscriber for many years and a customer as well (several sets of bayonet style “threads”. I have been turning spheres for about five years and use the “octagon method” you explain so well. I am giving a demo for our club (Baltimore Area Turners) and would like to use the sheet of calculations you mentioned in a very early video and said it would be available on your website. I would like to show it as an option for those club members who are two lazy to do a couple of simple multiplications. Would you be so kind as to send me a PDF copy. I have a handout that I will include a link to your website. Regards from a faithful fan, Ed
Edward.
I think this like is what you are looking for.
Good luck on your demo.
The process works.
Alan
Hello Alan,
Is it possible to commission a piece from you? If so I would love to have you make a 3D mirascope cover like your example here:
Woodturning 3D Holographic Display
Thanks,
Harry Ralston
That would be a tough one. so Sorry
Alan
Alan,
You have been somewhat of an advocate for the “rub” method of gluing ring segments. I have been doing that for a while now but have had doubts about the integrity of these glue joints. Well, yesterday I began assembling ring segments and after just a few minutes I saw one pair of segments that wasn’t properly aligned. I tried to separate the two segments by hand but couldn’t. I then placed one of the segments in my vice and hit the other with a wooden mallet with no success. Harder strikes with the mallet began denting the wood but didn’t separate the segments. I’m now a believer.
I believe my complete rings are much tougher now than when I glued them all at once. After all, occasionally, I drop one. No fatalities.
Alan
Hi Alan
Love your tutorials they have been a great help to me. I enjoyed the video on tailstocks, soft jaws and tools just recently. I notice you have a variety of chuck jaws would you mind doing the same with them as we do not have anyone to learn off here. Other than Cole Jaws and pin jaws we just have the standard jaws that come with the chucks.(Wagga Wagga Australia), and since COVID there has not been any workshops that I am aware of.
Kind Regards
Bill
I am not sure of your question. Other than the specialty jaws, I used different sizes from VicMarc since I have standardized on Vicmark chucks.
Beyond fitting the jaw to the project, could you elaborate on your question.
Thank you
Alan
Hi Alan, I am a 22 year old wood turning, I’ve been turning for the better part of 8 years, a lot of it is thanks to you and your amazing and very informative content. I am also a machinist by trade and have made a set of bowl gouges and was interested in seeing if you’d like to try one, they are not for sale and I am not looking for advertising but I’m genuinely curious what you think of it. If not I truly appreciate your content and thank you so much for making so much great stuff over the years that has inspired so many of us. My email is the easiest way to get ahold of me, thank you again!
See my email.
🙂
Good afternoon Alan. Mark here from Arlington TX. I was wondering about your Green smock that you wear in your videos. our Woodturners N TX Club is interested in offering GREEN smocks to the members. i saw Dave Landers with the nice charcoal gray that the RM Club has with the patches on them. i got a sample sent to me from the supplier in San Ramon, CA. Green smocks from him are gonna be a custom sew order. can you share with me where yours came from and i’ll see if they are available for our club to order.
thanks
Mark
Craft Supplies no longer stocks the green smocks. It is not new. Sorry
Alan
Hi Alan Love your videos they are very informative I was going to make an eccentric chuck like the one you have adapted ,but am curious what the little markings are on the small circle that is attached to the moving circle I can not see its function This is the video about 55 seconds in.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2ZUdQXBnGA&t=4s&pp=ygUiU2hvcCBNYWRlIGVjY2VudHJpYyAgcGVuZGFudCBjaHVjaw%3D%3D)
Thanks. Hope you are all well👌👌
It controls another offset within the outer rotation.
It is difficult to exactly describe the function and impact of each rotation.
Experiment, Experiment, Experiment.
Alan
I love the wedgie sled you used but have not been able to locate one like it, was it something you made? I am looking to get one or buy plans to make one.
A sled is easily made. My current preference uses universal T-track instead of routing arcs. These are easier for most people since all you need are two parallel slots.
for the old style, google segmentology with jerry bennet.
For the new style, add 4-6 inches in length and another inch between arms.
The last T-Track I purchased from home depot.
Hope this helps.
Alan