Wood Turning, an ancient craft, loved by hobbyist and professional alike is often put to use to create parts for furniture in the form of legs or spindles. At Highwood Furniture it is a technique that has found its way into chair backs, stool and table legs, bespoke balustrades, and furniture restorations. It is also a technique that we use for some of our handles, bowls, and other smaller items.
Christmas market season out of the way, we have spent more time than usual reflecting on what makes a quality item. And yes, markets may also include an element of checking out the competition. Quality varies; from pure genius to clunky, poorly finished, chisel marks still intact.
There are some fantastic wood workers out there, and due to the “hobby” nature of the craft it is possible to find incredibly high quality turned wooden pieces at bargain prices. You will find true craft people who have spent years honing their talent, and who do it for pleasure not profit.
Partly because of this, we have found that the equivalent items we sell are also that, turned for fun rather than profit. However, when the item pictured was produced this week in our workshop, as a first ever wood turning project it raised the question: Why do some turned items offered for sale fall into the category of clunky, poorly finished, chisel marks still intact? Following a few simple steps it is possible to create a high quality smooth finish on a simple item with no skill or experience at all.
While the turning process is important; make sure you choose a well seasoned stable timber, ensure your tools are sharp, work your lathe at an appropriate speed, our Highwood Furniture top tip is that sanding is your secret weapon. Sorry about that guys, its the same old secret weapon that is key to a perfect finish on all of your furniture or wood working projects. By making sure that you start with a course grit that matches the depth of your deepest chisel imperfection and gradually progressing to finer grits you will create that smooth clean finish. In ensuring that you work through the grits make sure that you are completing each stage before moving onto the next. And don’t be scared to go back. It is those coarse grit stages that are so important in removing the deep characteristic “clunky, chisel marks still intact” look that has a habit of sneaking through.