George Hatfield

Phil Duffy

Home sweet home

Wrapped up my 3 city tour with the Southern States Symposium. I would say the symposium was a great success. Dixie Biggs, Michael Mocho, George Hatfield and myself were the featured demonstrators. Dixie is the best in the business when it comes to carving on turnings. Michael Mocho is a highly technical turner with a good grasp of technique and one of our better teachers in the field. George Hatfield from Sydney, Australia is a production spindle turner. His demonstration were incredible. It is nice to watch a production man doing his job. You can always spot a craftsman who has paid his dues. Interesting thing about George's tools they all have a 25 degree bevel. This is an incredibly sharp bevel derived from the timber he used in the trade plus it's ability to leave the wood crisp and clean with very little sanding.
Also had time to meet new friends and see some old one's. Here is a picture of my friend Bill Dean who at 90 years old still puts in lot's of time behind the lathe. He has made nearly a 1000 burial urns in the last few years. Great turner and friend.

Travel Day

On my way to Columbus Ohio for an all day demonstration and two days of hands on workshops. Then off to Atlanta to do 3 days of workshops there for a Woodcraft store. Then wrapping things up at the Southern States symposium in Gainsville. 10 days total and no time off in between. Let's see how I hold up.

Craft Supplies Class

Wrapped up a great week of instruction at Craft Supplies. I spent the week with a great bunch. It is very rewarding to watch my students progress their skills and compare from Monday to Friday. I had a great assistant from Phoenix named Matt Monaco who is one of the younger professional woodturners in the country. He specializes in smaller bowls and sells at Craft Shows plus is headed to the Philadelphia Buyers Market for his first time. This is the show that launched my business and made it possible to be a Craftsman. Good luck Matt! Also, in the class was an 18 year old High School student named John Ellefson from Arlington Texas. John is in the top three students I have taught skill wise since I have been teaching. It is rare that a student can comprehend and apply a skill immediately. I have only come across this a few times. It was a pleasure. Thanks guys!

From left to right top: John Liddicoat (surgeon), Lowell Lancaster (farmer), John Ellefson (student), Stan Record (plumber), Don Black, Billy Griffin (engineer), Greg Godwin (accountant). Bottom: Pat Scott, Me, and Matt Monaco

Thursday's work

Using my new Kelton center savers tool. This is the mini set that Kelton produces. This burl is 4.5" x 3" Russian Olive burl (bad breath wood and next to Locust burl one of N. Americas prettiest) and I got 5 bowls out of it. The littlest is 1"x 1". Thanks Kel, the system works great!