Fruit
Turning Masterclass DVD
by Andy Lodge
Published by KTMP, UK
R.R.P.$49.50
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 141
Visit any display of woodturning, whether it's in a craft store or a club exhibition, and you are almost certain to see turned fruit - apples, pears, perhaps lemons and plums, even grapes. These are popular sales items, finding their way into the kitchens and dining rooms of private homes where they add an unusual touch to the normal decor.
Of course, they have to be well made and it takes a little time and, usually, some competent tuition to consistently achieve good results. Andy Lodge is a professional woodturner from Yorkshire, UK. He has a pleasant, matter of fact presentation style so he's easy to listen to and watch. This two DVD set - Fruit Turning Masterclass - is number two of a five part series on various aspects of woodturning.
The video begins with comments on safety and the equipment used. It's interesting that Lodge talks about the advisability of full face visors for those who are 'just starting' and safety glasses for more experienced turners. This is on the basis that it is while starting to turn that the likelihood of something coming out of the lathe is highest.
No one would disagree with that, but there are many who would argue that it is still a good idea to work with a full visor - or, preferably, a respirator style mask which incorporates a polycarbonate visor - no matter how experienced you are in turning.
The comments on equipment are no more than a brief description of the lathe and tools used for the presentation. These were donated by Record Power (Sheffield, England); they demonstrate that work of the high calibre shown on the video does not depend on having the most expensive gear.
Andy Lodge starts with the most popular of all turned fruit - the apple. He first forms a cylinder, then turns the top of the shape and part of the bottom. His description of turning the area around the apple stalk allows the introduction of his grinding jig for sharpening a detail gouge.
After drilling a small hole in the centre of the top of the apple, Andy shows how the bottom is shaped, the apple parted off and then reversed into a screw chuck made from the rest of the stock. With the apple completed, but without yet adding the stalk, he goes on to demonstrate the turning of a pear, lemon, plum, cherries, grapes and a Satsuma.
The procedure for each piece of fruit is similar, though the plum requires additional work with a Dremel while the Satsuma's leathery skin gives Lodge the chance to show one of his favourite texturing techniques.
When all the major turning is finished, Andy Lodge focusses on the making of stalks for the fruit and ends his presentation with demonstrations of simple finishing methods.
If you're interested in turning fruit, this DVD is an excellent introduction to the topic.
Projects:
-
Apple
- Pear
- Lemon
- Plum
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Satsuma
-
Stems and Stalks
- Finishing products
Duration: 195min 2 discs
DVD - English