timberturner

Timberturner is located in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, an area that's richly endowed with hardwood forests that provide much of my raw materials.

The days zip by when I'm turning wood in a post-and-beam timber framed woodshop heated by a small potbelly stove. Every wall has windows that flood the work area with natural light and pleasing views that inspire me.

Woodturning- it's a fascinating way to reveal what nature has locked up inside a tree. Each wood species has unique grain patterns, figure, color, smell, density, and texture.

Many of the woods I turn are from local trees that have died or been taken down of necessity, or have been storm damaged. I generally don't cut down live trees for the sake of obtaining wood. The Australian burl woods I use are legally harvested and strictly controlled by Australian authorities. The burls are removed from the trees without cutting the trees down. These days, I mostly turn highly desirable American burl woods.

My first experience turning wood was on an old treadle lathe in a one-day class at Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock, Mass, some twenty years ago. I was hooked. In 1994, I purchased my first lathe, and have been enjoying turning ever since. Most of my turnings have been "weed pots" (vases into which you put dried weeds, grasses, seed heads, etc), but also include many other objects, such as platters, bowls, lamps, lidded boxes, candle holders, nutcrackers, and segmented items.

One of my favorite aspects of turning doesn't involve a lathe, however; it's "the hunt" .. the search for new wood species I haven't yet turned. Then, that first time something beautiful emerges from a new prized find... that's exciting.

Another reward is watching people's reactions as their hands explore the polished, lustrous surface of one of the pots; when they "ooooh" and "ahhhh", I know I've done a good job.


Several years ago I moved my woodshop out of the dreary basement into a newly built timber-framed post and beam workshop, which has more window area than solid walls. The daylight flooding in makes all the difference. I love time spent ankle deep in wood chips, particularly on snowy winter days, when the wood stove is crackling.