Woven Bowl

When a challenge is set you just have to rise to the occasion. A fellow woodworker in the YouTube Universe challenged a group of us to produce a bowl without using the lathe. I could not talk my way out of this task so reverted to one of my other passions. Origami.

Fascinated by the Japanese Kumiko woodworking style I decided to produce a bowl inspired by this discipline when entering Keith Brown's  'Bowl Without a Lathe' challenge. Making this bowl from wood was not an option I was kitted up for in the workshop so I utilised an origami principle developed by Heinz Strobl many years ago.

Paper would not have the properties needed to induce the pressure and stability needed to form and maintain the bowl shape so I opted to use Draughtman's Vellum, a type of PET plastic which is coated to accept graphite or ink on the surface. This material is tough, stable, is not effected by moisture and resists mold for decades when stored in damp, dark and dusty vaults.

The hexagonal structure mimics to a great extend a single layer of carbon atoms which, due to the nature of their atomic bonding, forms an extremely strong material. Graphene for example.

While I did not win the challenge, my video (see below) was noted for its originality.

Stanley Clamp Super Hero

Stanley the Clamp to the Rescue

The sinister Glue Bots are set on ending the freedom of the wooden wedges. Can Stanley the Clamp save them from a sticky outcome?

Stanley stars in his first feature that will have you on the edge of your seat. Certified safe for spouse this woodworking scenario can be enjoyed by all the family. What will become of the wooden wedges? Will Stanley succeed?

Terry's Bowl

I do love to weave a story into my video's and was so excited when I had the opportunity and the permission to tell this one.

Eighty eight year old Joan showed me her husbands now empty workshop, unused since his death over 35 years ago. I noticed a small piece of dark dirty hardwood which had been used as a makeshift shelf and asked if I could have it. The product was Terry's bowl, made from the very last piece of timber from her husbands workshop. A Valentine gift from him to his soulmate Joan.

In a couple of weeks it would be the 14th of February so I decided it was time for her long lost love to give her a valentine present, with just a little input from me. The product was Terry's bowl. Made from the very last piece of timber from her husbands workshop for his soulmate Joan.

I had planned a small curvy segmented bowl but there would only be enough timber so I had to plan, measure, cut and turn carefully. I thoroughly enjoyed making this bowl and Joan, now in her nineties, treasures it still.

Many thanks to Joan for allowing me to tell Terry's story and providing the photographs and historical information to make it all happen. Many thanks also to Terry, a skilled carpenter and joiner who I would have loved to have met in person.

Click/Tap any image for a larger view.

Click below to watch the project video

Stanley the Clamp Adventures

A Star in the Making

Stanley takes the opportunity to post his trilogy of films. Each episode was included in project videos throughout 2017.

Stanley was only going to appear in one of the build video's but when he started getting fan mail there was no option but to produce more episodes. Since the making of this trilogy Stanley has gone on to star in three more longer features of his own.

The video also includes some behind the scenes footage of how Stanley was animated. greatful thanks to my good friend Peter Stevens who helped with some of the live action scenes.