Nick Banks 21 December 2024
Firstly, Nick turned a tall Spalted Sycamore container with a finial lid and Boxwood threaded inserts (provided by Paul Howard). After shaping the container Nick hollowed it out using a forstner bit and carefully measured so that the threaded female Boxwood insert would fit snuggly, this was glued in during the break. The lid and finial was then turned on a small chuck and the finial dyed black before the threaded male insert was glued on it. The bottom of the container was sanded using a sanding arbor fitted in a chuck.
The second piece Nick turned was a Tall Zebrano Christmas Tree. Nick started by turning the spindle and shaping it into a cone before marking the various layers for the branches. He used a slim parting tool to shape and undercut the branches before sanding.
Thirdly, Nick turned a finial snowman ornament from a branch. He started by turning the finial so that it was supported by the bulk of the material in the chuck. He used a thinner spindle gouge for the transition between the hat and head. The remaining wood in the chuck after parting off the snowman was used to turn him a small nose. Finally the head was brought to life once his eyes and smiling face were drawn.
Today Nick Banks turned 3 pieces for us.
