• Thanks for visiting The Penturners Forum today.

    There are many features and resources that currently you are unable to see or access, either because you're not yet registered, or if you're already registered, because you're not logged in.

    To gain full access to the forum, please log in or register now. Registration is completely free, it only takes a few seconds, and you can join our well established community of like-minded pen makers.

Introducing myself

dazzaman

Apprentice Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
Posts
4
Location
Lancashire UK, and Gent BE
First Name
Darryl
Hi all,
I probably should have done this before starting my own thread, but here goes.
I am new to woodturning, but not to woodwork. I have been a musical instrument maker professionally since 1986, having made my first instrument in 1981 when I was at school. I make keyboard instruments (harpsichords, clavichords, virginals, spinets), as well as make guitar-family instruments for my own enjoyment and use. For a number of years a took a bit of a side step away from full time making, and worked as a museum curator in instrument museums in the UK and then Copenhagen.
At present I teach keyboard instrument making at the Royal School of the Arts in Gent (Belgium). It is only part time, a few days every couple of weeks, but gives me access to lathes etc, as well as colleagues (professional woodwind maker and seriously good students) who really know how to use them. So I am jumping at the chance to learn the ropes.
I have only ever had one prior attempt at woodturning. I needed legs for an instrument I was making and a friend invited me to use his lathe and showed me the basics. Trying to turn a leg from 2.5" beech on a very cold winters day was not a good introduction to it. :rolling:
But I love pens (like most here, I guess, I have a reasonable collection) and the size of them is much more in keeping with what I want to do - been wanting to do it for years. So far it has been a brilliant start. i am making up my blanks for next time I am over with the lathe.
Cheers!
 

Morse

Graduate Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2016
Posts
679
Location
Cheshire. UK
First Name
Dave
Welcome Darryl.
You have a lot of experience that could help us in many ways.
Such as the finishing of wood with different oils and waxes.
If you have any questions about pen turning, then you’ve come to the right place. Ask away.

Dave
 

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
Grand Master
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
10,997
Location
County Durham
First Name
Bill
Welcome aboard Darryl. You come with a boatload of skills so you should adapt to turning quite easily. There is plenty of advice on this forum so don’t be frightened to ask.
 

fortress

Registered
Joined
Apr 11, 2016
Posts
5,178
Location
Astley
First Name
John
Wow Darryl, not just a woodworker but a skilled instrument maker, very impressive indeed. We would love to see pictures of your Baroque keyboards :thumbs::thumbs::thumbs:
 

Phil Dart

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Posts
5,455
Location
Colebrooke, Devon
First Name
Phil
Welcome to the Forum Darryl.

For myself, I trained as a violin restorer and earned my living doing that for many years. My first choice was harpsichords though, and I had a place at the LCF to train in their making, but it was back in the days of yore and I was only awarded a grant of 50p per day travelling expenses, so I was unable to take up the place.

You bring a wealth of skills to your new hobby - I hope you enjoy your pen making journey.
 

pittswood

Fellow
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Posts
1,249
Location
Rhigos, South Wales
First Name
Kelvin
Hi Darryl,
welcome to the forum, we all have to learn. You have a very interesting life story to tell and a wealth of knowledge in finishing and waxing on lovely tone woods.
regards
Kelvin
 
Warning! This thread has not had any replies for over a year. You are welcome to post a reply here, but it might be better to start a new thread (and maybe include a link to this one if you need to).
Top