Gifts For Woodturners: Things to Consider Before Buying That Present

Your spouse, relative, neighbor or friend is a woodturner, and you are thinking of getting him or her something related to that interest. Getting them a fancy chunk of wood (called a "blank") or a new tool or kit seems like an obvious choice. But before buying that present, here are a few things to consider before getting gifts for woodturners.

What do they turn?

Most turners tend to do one type of turning more than others. For example, some prefer doing spindle turning, making things like chair legs, baseball bats, boxes, or eggs. Others prefer bowls, bowls, bowls. Some do mostly hollow forms, such as vases, urns, and vessels.

Buying a pen kit for a turner who does pens might be ideal, but it wouldn't work for a bowl turner. You actually need special equipment to make pens, so unless you are sure the person has everything else they'd need, and that they'd actually turn it, it's best to skip the pen kit.

How big is their lathe?

Lathes come in several different sizes, from mini lathes, to heavy iron monstrosities. The "swing" is the measurement of the largest diameter piece of wood any particular lathe can accommodate.

A mini lathe has a swing of about 12 inches, and other larger lathes can handle 14, 16 inches, or more. If you get a wood blank for them to turn, you'll need to know what size they can handle.

What is their skill level?

Beginning turners have many failures. My goal, as a beginner, was always, "a finished piece, not a masterpiece." So spending money on tools that they wouldn't even know what to do with is foolish. So is buying wood blanks that are likely to end up as an expensive pile of shavings.

However, if you know they can do spindle turning and have turned a tool handle, for example, you can assume they have the skills to complete a similar project, such as the handle for a cheese knife or ice cream scoop. One of those kits might be a great gift.

Are they purists?

Many turners start out working with wood only. Eventually they may venture into playing around with embellishments, such as stone or metal inlays, carving, coloring, and burning.

If you know for a fact that your turner friend does these things, you might get them something related. Or present them with a book focused on the type of embellishments they enjoy.

Believe me, nothing is more exciting to a wood turner than a related gift. But make sure you consider these factors, so you give gifts for woodturners that are a good use of your hard earned money, and something they will actually be able to make use of.

View the original article here

Contemporary Furniture Plans - 3 Things You Had Better Get Right!

There are those people who can "see" the furniture waiting inside the rough wood, and can build a gorgeous piece that is truly a pleasure to behold. Most of us, however, do not possess such amazing skills and will require a set of quality, proven contemporary furniture plans to build that exciting, modern piece of furniture.

It does not matter how old you are or how much skill you possess, this is a fact that cannot be denied. Even if you did design your own furniture from memory, you would be limiting yourself from being able to build from all of the amazing contemporary furniture plans that are available on the market today.

As you look to erect your next work of art, you must take heed of 3 specific and important criteria. These really aren't requests, they're total requirements. If your blueprints are missing even one of these vital necessities, then they simply aren't the right blueprints for you. Keep on searching. That is how important these three requirements are.

Three criteria requirements are outlined here and must be followed:

1. Ensure that the woodworking plans you're using were drawn up by best professionals. Do not depend upon some novice would-be craftsman to manufacture trustworthy plans. It is of the utmost importance that yours are contemporary furniture plans that were created by someone who has used them him or herself. I cannot stress this enough.

2. It's incredibly common-sense, still it's important that I bring it up. These wood plans you're looking at had better be legible. Unless you want a majorly frustrating and hugely costly mistake in your furniture project(s), you must have the ability to actually read and understand your furniture plans. They'd better be large, lucid, and logical. The most commonly misinterpreted information among craftsmen are the numbers 3, 8, and 5. Just pay attention and be careful!

3. They've got to keep your interest. Not only should you choose plans for a piece of furniture that is interesting and/or elaborate, but you should also choose them from a designer that offers a good variety of contemporary furniture plans.

Woodworking is an absolutely incredible hobby (or business) to be involved in. If you are choosing the right types of plans, then your hobby will prove to be enjoyable and will have relatively little stress. Many woodworkers enjoy this hobby because it is challenging while also being truly enjoyable and even relaxing. However, your stress and fun are all dependent upon the designs that you are using for your projects. If you purchase a professional set of well-written plans, you will enjoy building your project much more.

You can start by looking at the three points listed in this article. I can't stress enough how important it is that your plans are of the highest quality. If you expect to construct quality pieces of furniture, then it is of absolute importance, and it makes absolute sense as well, to use only high quality plans. Before you even pick up your hammer or a piece of wood, make sure you have the proper plans to guide your work. Although mentioning tools brings up another valid point.

This leads me to another important item that any high-caliber set of contemporary furniture plans should provide. The plans need to very clearly list the tools and materials that will be needed to complete the project. You don't want to have to waste a lot of time and money guessing.

Nobody wants to experience this when you consider most people get into woodworking as a way of having fun in a practical way. While this is a serious business, this shouldn't remove all of the pleasure you feel from the creative process. All you have to do is keep in mind your reasons for getting involved in woodworking in the first place. With good plans and a relaxed mind you can create absolutely whatever you wish.

View the original article here