Thread: Hello from Western Queensland

Hello my name is Peter and I caught the wood turning bug a couple of years ago after joining the Longreach Mensshed . I bought an oriental lathe and have gone on to accumulate an array of turning tools including a band saw and thinking my chain saw days were well and truly behind me have a couple of the mongrels again. I 👅 tounge in cheek call myself Rough as Guts Salvage and Production Workshop. I reckon this allows me to try a few different things out and get away with some none traditional results.

I have had the benefit of getting some tutelage from a couple of very good wood turners and the turning point was when I purchased my own lathe to go when I could and try the techniques out. It made a big difference when I purchased a wet stone grinder and an expensive gouge grinding jig. I have not been able to get consistent results sharpening free hand to the dismay of my tutors.
We have an array of timber available and I am continually astounded by the inner beauty of our timber. Some of the wood I use include Boree, dead finish, false sandalwood, bloodwood, beefwood and a range of eucalyptus species.

My go to finish is a couple of home mixes and are worth a try I think. One is shine juice a third each metho,boiled linseed oil and shellac. The other is a mixture of bees wax, mineral oil and Diamacous earth. I look forward to learning what others use and some tips on becoming a better turner.