Search query: «nick cook»

Project completed- my first bowl, of sorts

Background to this unusual project-   Granddaughter designed a bed for me to make.  It was to have crystal balls or jewels on the posts.  (disclaimer, I long sense gave up questioning either granddaughter's dreams, so long as they appear harmless and I can aid them)  A year later I blundered into a source of glass spheres with laser etched figures.  After some discussion on the message board for how to attache ball to post, a ring solution appeared appropriate.  The ring will be attached with double sided tape and the sphere set in the bowl.  Reversible when/if this decoration goes out of fashion. 

Some years ago I bought a lathe from a shop neighbor of Nick Cook in Atlanta.  Actually, it was two Powermatic lathes welded together to enable porch posts to be turned.  The attraction for me was the multitude of fixturing devices that came with it. Getting it's 1000 pounds and 11',  300 miles to my shop is another story that ended favorably.  I had therefore on hand a small face plate. What turned out most efficient for the situation I was in was to glue a scrap backer board to a good piece of 7/8" walnut and then band saw out the cylindrical sandwiches of backer and show wood.  Paper separated the glued pieces (which turned out to be a pain to remove after parting).A single wood screw through the center of the face plate secured the cylinder for turning. 

Hollowing, as predicted, was trivial once I discovered the correct tool presentation. A spindle gouge was used.  I began in the center and turned out, producing a satisfying stream of ribbons.    The other way appeared to me to require practice to make a secure entry.  Even with the lightest shear cuts from a very sharp tool I was unable to avoid sanding the end grain of the disk after turning.   The piece was sanded at 180, then coated with two coats of shellac on the lathe.  I dip a scrap of 1/2" thick urethane upholstery foam in the finish and wipe it on the slowly turning target.  If a wet edge is maintained the result is glass smooth. 

Re: grinds

Mike Stafford

When I was teaching myself to turn I didn't know any other turners and did not utilize the internet for learning turning purposes. So as I learned to turn I also had to learn to sharpen my tools. As I ground away good steel trying to achieve a uniform grind based on pictures I had seen in various wood turning books I eventually learned to use the grind that I ended up with. My problem, in addition to not knowing how to sharpen was that I didn't know how to use the tools.

Practice and trial and error eventually corrected both. I can now bludgeon a piece of wood into submission and almost never, seldom if ever have to use 40 grit paper.

I was able to spend a weekend with Nick Cook and he looked at my tools and said they were ground just fine and explained the advantages and disadvantages of longer bevels vs. shorter bevels. He showed me how to grind some variations of what I had. Now I keep several gouges ground with different profiles for use specific jobs.

Ultimately lots of practice is the secret to turning. Some people can use a 5/8" Ellsworth bowl gouge with his signature grind for everything they do. I have seen one friend of mine use such a gouge to turn 18" long stem goblets and then use the same tool to turn a sphere.

A tool is what you make of it.

Re: Baby rattle question...

Walter Ahlgrim

I like the Nick Cook baby rattle

Baby rattle. Maple blanks were used. Two 1 x 2 x 5” blanks were routed out on one side and these were then glued together (dry beans were inserted into the void before gluing.) Titebond II glue was used. It is important to mark the outside of the glued up blank to know where the routed area is located as you don’t want to turn into that area and “spill the beans.” Mineral oil is used to finish the rattle followed by beeswax. The beeswax helps seal the mineral oil into the wood, otherwise the oil keeps seeping out.

Re: Riding the bevel with flat-topped carbide

Jeff Farris

It works with Ultra-Shear, John. I spent an afternoon in Nick Cook's shop a couple weeks ago and he just did it naturally. I was kind of surprised at how well it did work. The clearance angle on the tool shank is the same as the bevel angle on the insert, so it works just fine. I've been using that technique for roughing since that day. It's faster and cleaner.

Re: PM 4224B *LINK*

john lucas

Call Nick Cook. He has one and is really nice helpful guy. I put a link to his website.


http://www.nickcookwoodturner.com/

Re: PM 3520b Sale

John C Lucas

I was told last night that you could possibly go to Nick Cook's web site ad see a video about the lathe. Ill try to.look it up in a few minutes. Just do a search for Nick Cook Woodturner ad you should be able to find his web page. Nick has been in on the developement of the 3520 ad 2442 and they have used a lot of his suggestions.

Re: Headed out to the Georgia Symposium

john lucas

Yea we were all kind of busy. You and Steve and everyone else who worked did a fantastic job. It was a really well run symposium. Maybe I can plan a trip to Georgia to just visit. I have a Demo there Oct 1st in Loganville, and then will be back down on the 10th for my Dad's 90th birthday but will be kind of on the run both of those days.

The Georgia symposium is really fun for me because I know so many people and we get to try and catch up on what's happening. Of course it didn't hurt that I got to see Demo's by 2 people I've never seen. I met Benoit many years ago at an AAW symposium but had never seen him Demo. Seen a lot of Nick Agar's work and some videos but never got to see him. Both did wonderful jobs at their demos. They have the start kind of personalities like Jimmy Clewes to just draw the crowds in.

Of course a trip to Georgia just wouldn't be complete without saying Hi to Nick Cook and Frank Bowers. 2 of my favorite people.

There are some really wonderful places to eat in Dalton Ga that I"m just starting to discover. It's a lot bigger town than I thought.

Of course just hanging out with my local turning buddies who went is always a gas.

Taw symposium

John Lucas

Got back late last night. Had to skip the banquet. Possible family tragedy but everything worked out just fine. I didnt hear how many attended but last I heard 300 were registered for the banquet.

J Paul fennelll must be the most patient man ever. He detailed how he makes his pieces and they take huge amounts of time and attention to detail Needless to say but I want every one of the car ing burrs he sells. A good tip. He uses a 1" leather punch to ouch out. Sanding discs for some mandrels he sells. Be also punches discs from scotch bright pads to replace the worn ones on the Dremel pads.

Dennis palliss(sp). Is a wonderful demonstrator. Kept the crowd intertwined and had a thousand good tips and ideas and best of all be worked with the videographer to make it easy for the crowd to see

Got to watch 1 demo by Nick Cook. He's always fun and his skill with the tools is fun to watch.

Didnt get to see Ashley Harwood demo but she had a booth next to mike hunter and I so i got to say hi. Her demos must have been good because she had a crowd I. Her booth after each demo.

Had a ball seeing so many friends and sharing meals and stories That's the best part of any symposium.

check out Nick Cooks article  *LINK*


http://www.nickcookwoodturner.com/articles.htm

Re: Tail stock alignment...(kinda long)

Lyle Jamieson

Ron, one-fiftieth of an inch is not likely to affect the reverse chucking method. That's half the thickness of one playing card. Almost all wood will move after turned. The wetter the wood the more movement of course. So by the time you get to the reversing part, the wood is not running true, it will always have some wobble. I expect it to wobble as the wood dries enough to sand. Slow the lathe way down to sand the transition between the reversed turned portion and the done part.

That's a good question, on what the manufacturers tolerances are, is Nick Cook watching??

TAW 2015 Woodturning Symposium - Registration open

Jeff Brockett

Early registration for the 2015 Tennessee Association of Woodturners 27th Annual Woodturning Symposium ends December 31, 2014. Register now and save money! The 2015 TAW Woodturning Symposium will be held January 30-31, 2015 at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Franklin, TN. Featured demonstrators will include Nick Cook, J. Paul Fennell, Ashley Harwood, Todd Hoyer and Dennis Paullus. Symposium features include a large vendor trade show, instant gallery, People's Choice category, Friday night critique session and a Saturday evening banquet and auction. For more information or to register go to the TAW website www.tnwoodturners.org/symposium, email [email protected] or call 615-973-3336.

Re: extension high or extension low? guessing low

John Lucas

Well I have a 3520A and it doesn't have the low position. When I made the Gun lamp it was 54" between centers. I barely had a long enough bed. In fact I've though of buying another bed extension for future projects.

I am going to convert my A to a B by adding the lower holes to the leg and adding a plate to the inside to make it thicker to handle that cantilever weight. I want to make some one piece hand mirrors and need a swing of at least 21" the 30" you get from lowering the bed on the B series would be perfect for me.

Vicmarc sells a shortbed lathe (16/24) and it's very popular. You can buy bed extenstions if you ever need a longer bed. Or I suppose when you downsize your shop later in life or due to lifes circumstances you could shorten the lathe by removing the bed extensions.

A lot of people also bought the Stubby because of it's smaller footprint. I think it's a good idea but I'll agree it should have been maybe 2420 or 2424 instead of the 2020. I'm guessing cost is a factor as well although I haven't seen the price.

Personally I'm going the other way. I'm going to try and get a bigger shop, not a smaller lathe. I like Nick Cooks 24" Powermatic that is about 9" long or whatever size it is. It's huge.

Re: Norway Woodturning Cruise

John Lucas

I am going to be in Atlanta sometime between the 14th an 19 th and was hoping to visit you guys and Nick Cook. Nicks going to be In Chicago and your going to be gone. Guess my timing sucks.

Re: More newbie questions!

John Lucas

First do you own another skew. If so practice will let you use it just as well as any other tools. I played with many different skews and skew like tools in the last few years and the differences are only minor. Serious skew users will find some differnces they prefer but new turners will still have the same problems.

There was a really good article written by Nick Cook and Alan Lacer on the differences between the 2. Both swore theres was the best. That's kind of what got me started experimenting. My conclusion. The one you practice with the most will be the one you like. I use an oval HSS skew and a Thompson flat skew alternataly on many projects. about the only real difference I find is the thompson holds the edge longer.

Kinda, sorta

Steve Kubien

There's a video out there somewhere of Nick Cook putting two 3520's together to turn a monster tree trunk for a table.

Re: Grind on 1/4 bowl gouge

Mike Stafford

The grind you put on any tool sort of depends what you want to do with it.

I use my 1/4" bowl gouges for both bowl and spindle work. One is ground rather bluntly and I find it works well for small finials and such and also to clean up patches of torn grain on bowls and platters.

The other gouge is ground with swept back wings and I use it for undercutting rims on platters and bowls.

I was taking a workshop with Nick Cook and I had brought a platter I was working on that according to my design would have an undercut rim. I was unable to get a cleanly cut surface with my carbide tools and the cut was worse with my small hook nosed scrapers so I asked Nick how he would do the cut. He asked if I had a 1/4" bowl gouge and I pulled out the one I had at the time which was bluntly ground. He said he would regrind it with the wings swept back and show me how to make the cut.

Well, that was the solution to my problem. Grinding the wings back allowed me to make the tiny undercut I wanted and cut it cleanly at the same time. By sweeping the wings back they were taken out of the cutting area and did not catch and the longer and smaller cutting tip acted just like the bluntly ground tip and cleanly cut the wood fibers all the way around. No sanding required and crisp details which was my goal.

The best part of the whole deal was that I got to buy another 1/4" bowl gouge which I keep ground bluntly for larger areas. Any time you have a good reason to buy another tool is a good thing, right?

Spindle Turning Demonstrations

Greg Haugen

This is mostly a question for club officers and organizers, but does also apply to everyone. Where is "spindle turning" (anything between centers, including skew work), compared to bowl or vessel turning, on your wish list for demonstrations and/or classes? Is there a demand for it and is there room for another demonstrator within that demand, other than Alan Lacer and Nick Cook? Or is it a scenario where your club or symposium has had Nick or Alan in it's history and the subject has been covered and you've moved on?

Re:  Tell us about Tihs years AAW symposium Demo's

dick gerard

friday morning: Sat in on noth of Art Liestman's demos ... lost wood process and therming. Have known Art for a couple of decades adn this is the first time I watched him turn. Excellent.

Friday afternoon sat in on the POP discussion group Turners Without Borders. Hope I can participate.

Friday evening sat in on Rob wallace's SIG Gizmos and Gadgets. A lot of really great info.

Saturday morning: Alan and lauren Zenreich, Eccentric Jewelry Turning - Pendants. A really excellent, entertaining and most importantly, educational 90 minutes. Alan and Lauren are a real team. If you missed them, try to catch them sometime. Well worth the time.

Saturday Am 2nd session: Trade Show; Stuart Batty ... but mostly to see Ashley Harwood turn. She is one of the best. A real treat to watch her take huge shavings with so little effort, proving that you don't have to be a "muscle man" to get those shavings.

Sunday morning: Keith Holt, Sphering Around. Outstanding! A real must see, even if you'll never attempt what he does.

Sunday morning 2nd session: Glenn Lucas, Plates and Platters. Another must see. Wish I had seen him do bowls.

Sunday PM: Michael and Cynthia Gibson, Asian Footed Bowls. Loved it, every bit of it. Michael is a real gentleman and Cynthia is a sweet sweet lady. Another must see if you missed them.

Other highlights: Reconnecting with Peter Lamb, David Wahl and his lovely wife, david Ellsworth, Mike Mahoney, Nick Cook, John and Vicki Jordan, Ed kelle and oh so many many others. Quality time spent with Terry Martin. Good on ya, mate!

Lowpoints: Not being able to see all the other demonstratosr and rotations that I missed! (somebody PLEASE invent a cloning machine!) And of course, not being able to buy the tools, gadgets, jigs and wood, especially the BLM burls that I drooled over ... and some buckeye burl as well.

Re: best grind for a skew

Greg Haugen

Part of the issue you've had Jack is that 99% of turning is personal preference, aka "opinions". If you read an article from Alan Lacer and then one from Nick Cook, you'll be completely lost and start to turn bowls. :-) I live an hour and a half drive from Alan Lacer, been to his house twice for 1 on 1 instruction during my pursuit of the skew. I have also spent some time with Nick Cook and one of my friends in the turning community is Brian Simmons, who apprenticed under Nick Cook. My three spindle turning mentors, all have a different skew configuration that they prefer, and if you add mine, you'd get four different methods from four turners. Any time you read an article or watch a demo the main thing you should strive to take away is "why". "Why" do they like this angle or grind better than that one, "Why" does it work for this application and not that one. If you understand why the Lacer grind works, you'll understand why the "straight" grinds work. Also "why" doesn't it work? A catch is because the cutting edge past the center like of the skew and the toe self fed into the wood. A skate is because the bevel was lifted and the edge became unsupported and it skated back. Once you understand the "why" you'll be able to translate it to other tools and applications. The key to any of them is "sharp". Everyone basically agrees that you've got to do something to a skew beyond a grinder wheel; be it honing, stroping, or Tormek-ing. I agree with John Lucas, there are several combinations that work well-there's none that are bad. My preference is a straight, hollow grind with the standard included angle of 20 degrees, with the tool measuring 70 degrees toe to heal. I like the heal a little more forward for beads. Oval skews, due to their profile, don't do well with the radius grinds. Having the two points of contact of a hollow grind for honing will aid in the process and makes it more efficient. If you don't have one, I'd recommend one of the safe drives. Either a Stebcenter, a Stebcenter knock off, or Oneway's Safe Driver. They're centers that will let the wood slip in the event of a catch. You'll be able to concentrate more on the turning and not be tensed up waiting for the next catch. The best combination/method for skews is the ONE that is SHARP and that you use. The skew is like a piano. You have to learn the notes and chords before you play a song. Just turn with a skew, and turn, and turn. Don't make anything but shavings starting out. Roll beads from the drive to the live center, then use a planing cut and plane them off. Then do it some more. Once your piece of wood is thin, try using your finger as a steady and challenge yourself to see how thin you can get it before it breaks (and it will just drop, no safety issue). IF you have some one nearby see if you can set up some turning time. A mentor can point out small, slight corrections that will make a big difference much quicker than trying to go at trial and error.

Sharpen, practice, sharpen, practice.

Mainly, Have fun. :-)

Any questions, please ask away.

Re: spectator turned demonstrator

John Lucas

Just got back. Gosh Josh I don't know. Maybe lets just put a bunch of Demo's in a hat and draw one out. I wish I had thought to put a sign on my shirt that said "Not Nick Cook". Didn't think about that until I got back.

This is a great group of guys. If any of you get down to Chattanooga stop in.

spectator turned demonstrator

josh bowman

Well we at Tri State Woodturners have to thank John Lucas for filling in for Nick Cook. Nick got stuck on the freeway by a traffic jam. So John in his amazing way gave a full demo with a gouge and parting tool (not his stuff!!). No chuck, and showed how to turn a bowl. He did a great demo. Thanks John for stepping up. What are you demoing next month for us??

Re: Demos you'd like to see (again)

John Lucas

Mark StLeger and Nick Cook. Betty Scarpino, and Marilyn Campbell. Ed Kelley.

Re: Here we go again....

Dick Coers

Do you really think that they called Oneway and asked if they could copy the design of the live center, but just make it black? Nick Cook made a statement at our club demo that there was a discussion between the companies, after that design was in production on Jet and Powermatic. He was directly involved with the development of these lathes. So you feel a couple of my comparisons may not be 100% accurate, but neither of us know the exact timeline on these tool designs, or percent of duplication. Unless of course you were involved in the design of some of my examples. I don't know you at all, so I don't know. I hate to see any company singled out, when this hobby is so ripe with copies. So we can agree to disagree.

Re: Wednesday Turning Chat 11/14 and 11/21

John Lucas

I'd like to discuss the innovative features that are included on some lathes. What features they don't have that you might want. I just visited Choice woods this weekend and they have the Wivamac lathes. I wasn't able to talk to anyone really knowledgeable about the finer features of the machines but they had one feature I really liked. It has a tool rest post that is positionable so you can move the tool rest closer to the workpiece. I've had instances where I was turning a platter on my Powermatic using aftermarket tool rests and the wood hits the banjo because the tool rests don't have enough overhang. The Wivamac adjustable tool post would stop this.

I was also looking at the Powermatic 4224 at Nick Cooks. The tailstock is massively heavy. I think it would even be cumbersome with the various swing away tailstock designs. Wonder if anyone has designed a foot powered device that you could slide the tailstock out onto and then lower it below the bed using your foot on some sort of mechanical lift. Then it could be raised using your foot and your body weight. I may have to design this.

I'd like to hear what unique features you like about your lathe. I know the Stubby and Robust have some interesting features as well as the new Powermatic.

Re: In the 25 yrs. I've been turning ......

Mike Stafford

Jamie, a great looking platter/bowl and I love the undercut rim.

When I took Frank Penta's platter class at JCCFS one of the things I wanted to learn how to do was undercut the rim. I was finally able to do it with my Hunter tools.

Later I took a workshop with Nick Cook and asked him how he might do the same cut and to my surprise he showed me how to do it with a 1/4" bowl gouge with a swept back long grind. It worked beautifully and as hard as it is to believe I think the finish was superior to the Hunter tool on the ambrosia maple I was turning.

Just goes to show that there are multiple ways to skin a cat and one should not stop learning new methods.