Why Turning Wood is So Popular Today
The hobby of turning wood and acrylic in home workshops to make both decorative and utilitarian items is enjoying unparalleled popularity today. Did you ever wonder why? I’ve been more fortunate than most of my turning friends in that I’ve had 11 years to participate in a nationwide woodworking show circuit. During that time I’ve also attended countless turning symposiums and had the opportunity to break bread with many of the officers of the American Association of Woodturners. We have taken the time to discuss exactly that subject.
Wood turning is the fastest growing segment of hobby woodworking by far followed closely by CNC routing enthusiasts. When I explain why I think this has been possible, I think you to will see that it makes a whole lot of sense. In a couple of words, Systems Infrastructure. There were already a few dedicated souls out there who were hardcore practicing pretty much alone. I don’t know which company was the first to offer their version of the mini wood lathe, but I believe Jet and Delta introduced the mini lathes at about the same time. These were fine for small items, but most importantly, they were portable, inexpensive and would work fine on a bench top in shops where space was limited. Turners began taking them to demonstrations, craft and art fairs and woodworking club meetings. More and more folks were introduced to this hobby.
Around this same time companies began to offer affordably price 4 jaw scroll chucks along with a variety of different jaws. Turners now had the option of holding their work in new and different ways other than between centers or with a faceplate. Tool manufactures began to produce and market High Speed Steel Tools for the turning community. OneWay Manufacturing of Canada introduced their Wolverine lathe tool sharpening system.
Two different publishing companies began to publish how-to articles aimed at woodturners and were not shy about disclosing methods and techniques which may have otherwise taken a lifetime to discover. Clubs began to form with regular monthly meetings. Turning symposiums began very humbly and today have grown into huge venues attracting folks from all over the world. Both Australia and Europe host their own versions of these annual events. Nick Cook might actually be the Johnny Appleseed of woodturning. (He is the very first real wood turner I ever saw and here I am.)
Woodworking retailers began to expand their woodturning lines of tools and accessories. Penn State Industries began to offer pen making kits very inexpensively along with many other types of kits and accessories for the hobby turner. As they developed distributors, their business grew as one would expect.
Craft Supply of Provo, Utah came on the scene offering turning tools, jigs, fixtures and other turning related items. But, more importantly, they began a culture of woodturning education. Their contributions cannot be overstated and if it were not for the help along the way from my friend Kurt DeHeer, I’m sure I would not be where I am today. Lastly, consider the internet and specifically the video information available on YouTube. All of a sudden you can learn about anything by just turning on your computer. If you have a question, there are knowledgeable people to ask for free.
So, in a nutshell, it takes lots of moving parts for something to become a movement like we are experiencing today. It takes hardware, software, a diverse distribution network, education, one-on-one teaching, product and equipment innovation by forward thinking manufacturers and often groups of selfless folks just willing to share the love of their craft with others. Delete even one component and the hobby we love would be gone or never would have happened at all.
This is the case with many things in our modern society and it has always been the case. You might just never have thought about it that way. Remember, that where ever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this message:
1 Corinthians 12:12 (Berean Study Bible) The body is a unit, though it is comprised of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
1 Chronicles 22:15-16 NAS "Moreover, there are many workmen with you, stonecutters and masons of stone and carpenters, and all men who are skillful in every kind of work. "Of the gold, the silver and the bronze and the iron there is no limit. Arise and work, and may the LORD be with you."
Rom 12:4-6 NIV For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, . . .
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