My Journey to Ornamental Turning

My 45+ year fascination with wood began in 1972. A 7 inch Craftsman circular saw mounted to the underside of a plywood panel became my first “table saw”. I used this setup to rip a unit of cedar boards to build a fence. Slowly I acquired a number of power and hand tools to use around the home. I remodeled my home in 1975 in preparation for the arrival of my first child.
I purchased my first lathe in 2005 and entered the world of “round”. As many first time lathe owners do, I began making a series of pens. Later that year I was introduced to the Chicago Woodturners. Attending the monthly meetings quickly broadened my vision of woodturning. The skill and precision of the 175 members opened my eyes to a world of wood I never knew existed. I soon found myself looking for a style to set me apart from the pens, bowls and vases that were displayed each month. It wasn’t long before I discovered the Rose Engine. I purchased a homemade version and began learning the basics. I soon reached the point where I wanted to do more and was introduced to David Lindow. David, a horologist and machinist from Lake Ariel, PA was building rose engines modeled after the European units that had been out of production for over 100 years.
In 2011 I purchased a Lindow Rose Engine and have never looked back! The versatility of this machine is endless. I like to think that if you can imagine it you can design it. The learning curve has been steep but I finally think I have entered a new phase where pieces evolve more easily and quickly. Every piece of wood has it’s own story to tell and it is my mission to let it be heard.