Thread: Bruce Leadbeatter

I had only met twice in my life and on both meetings I found him to be a true gentleman. My condolence to his family.

A very sad loss

Sad news. Like Christos said he was a true gentleman. I had the good fortune of getting a grand tour of his shed because when you bought a lathe from him you got a hands on how it works session. That in itself was worth a lot to me in my early turning days. I am still as happy with the lathe today as when I picked it up from him and will say ''Onya Bruce" whenever I chuck up a bit of wood on it.
Regards
John

Yes, I was shown through his shed in 1995 when looking to buy my first lathe. I finished up buying a Tanner lathe but kept in contact with Bruce. He used to demonstrate at the Cubbyhouse at Oyster Bay on Saturday mornings, and was always willing to impart his knowledge to all. He wrote rextbooks for Woodworking in schools, as well as designing all of his various lathes and accessories. A top bloke!
Mick C

Mafiana (or someone) could you please scan & post the death notice. I can't find it on the Daily Telegraph website, & would like to share it on the NSW WWA website.

Thanks.

I think I have Posted a copy of the death Notice.
Mick

When I joined the Sydney Woodturners Guild about 23 years ago, Bruce Leadbeatter was one of the most influential characters in the Guild and more so in the Southern Region of the Guild. Bruce joined the Guild in 1988 with badge number 75 and became a life member. When the Southern Region left the Guild about 3 years ago, Bruce became the #1 badge holder in The Cubby House Turners at Oyster Bay.

Bruce's demonstrations on the front verandah of the Cubby House were always informative and entertaining, especially his party trick of turning 'one handed' while using one of his inventions which included a ball turner, ring maker, various hollowing tools and the patented 'Leady chuck'.

Bruce's pioneering experiments with drying timber in a microwave was incredibly beneficial to our hobby, although many wives were most unimpressed with the odour left in the kitchen, especially when guys tried to hurry up the process and produced smoke that permeated food and kitchens all over the place.

Bruce was unable to attend our monthly meetings in the last year or so, but he will always be remembered fondly for his many contributions to the Guild, The Cubby House and the woodturning craft in general.

A service to celebrate his wonderful life will be held at the Southern Chapel, Woronora Cemetery on Thursday 26th at 1.00 pm.

Rest In Peace Bruce. 19/09/1927 – 20/04/2018

Alan...

I met Bruce on a number of occasions at the Wood Shows. A gentleman through and through.

Happy trails Bruce. You'll be in good company now.

May may tools be always sharp, your shavings long and and clean, your lathe a genuine (original) Leady lathe and your finish U-Beaut.

Cheers - Neil

I may be wrong but it seems Bruce was best known the the NSW turning circles and not very well known elsewhere. I only became aware of him when I bought a 2nd hand Leady lathe. A well built lathe that you don't seem to see a lot, unless you live in NSW. It's a shame he wasn't more widly known. Or was he? I maybe wrong.

I met Bruce awhile back couldnt tell you when. But had several contacts with Bruce over time always a gentleman. RIP

Like Bruce, I'm also an Alstonville boy. He taught me woodworking as a kid at the local school there before he moved on to bigger and better things. I also knew his father, Horace, and probably learnt more about wood and turning from him, as did Bruce earlier on.

Bruce is well known for his lathe, but few know about the lathes his father 'invented'. Quite an inventive family.

Bruce also pioneered and published on microwave drying of wood/turnings, as well as inventing various early chucking devices.

I now know why I was unsuccessful in getting through when trying to ring him over the last month or so.

I didn't realise he had reached that vintage. Ninety is a good innings, but he will be missed.








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