Thread: what do you turn at a demo?

Turn wood or acrylic Dave concrete is a bit hard ask Pat he turns it often.

To what audience? Wood-turners or families?

At the shows around here it is more about families. We do small bowls, bud vases, trinket boxes and pendants for the adults, spinning tops and yo-yo's and honey dippers for kids.

Good luck with it.

Yeah turn wood, it goes down better.

Turn what ever you want to, most folks are just passing by, very few will hang around to ask many questions. If they do you can stop the lathe and have a good old natter.

It's always good if you can create something fairly quickly to give away to the audience. It holds there interest and the the hope that they will recieve the next offering.

But I always find a little humour helps, I keep a toothpick in a pocket and when asked what I'm making pull it out and say 'Here's one I made earlier' - especially if you're working a reasonable size bit of wood.

The trick is - they don't know it's your first time - and even if they did, could not do what you're doing - priject lots of condfident front and enjoy yourself.

Just wish they had a stubby then at lest I'd look like I know what I'm doing lol

Hi Dave,
As Neil said, depends who is out the front, Families, Kids Or Turners.
Whoever, you need to be quick with each Item & as a Giveaway.
Don't forget to Sign it, Date & the Wood then your Polish.
I use an Artline 200, 0.04, felt tip, Black. Don't try to write over the polish as it wont.
Put your Wood in the Chuck, tell them about the Lathe, Price, Tool, the Make, why this Tool, & why this Wood. Be careful of the Dust, going into the crowd.
What to turn, Eggs, 62 x 45mm.Take an Egg with you. Egg Cups, Finger Tops, Tippee Tops, Bud Vases, Scarf / Hair Pins( Google them), Spurtles, Small Goblets, Dibbers. Use Found Wood, Cypress, Claret Ash, A bit of Gum, Ti Tree, Apple, Apricot, Ect.
Just to name a few, & most certainly, keep the Banter going all the time, while you are Turning, as most will not know a thing about Turning. Have a list of Wood Clubs, & Mens Sheds handy, as you most likely get asked where, I can go to learn.
You could offer to teach them for a Reasonable Sum.
The Main Thing is to have a bit of Fun.
Well that's my Lot.

i go out with my local club often , we normally turn , spinning tops ,small bowls , bud vases ,small goblets , and the main thing we like to use is softwoods like camphor and jacaranda

Have demo'd at the Royal Easter Show a few times. The quickest way to attract a crowd is to rough down a square piece down to round at high speed.
The loud machine gun sound travels well in the hall and because it souns dangerous it pulls the crowd.
Spinning tops are always a favourite especially when you colour them for the kids with spirals. The parents also enjoy watching.
Wear comfy shoes, you are on them a long time.
Cheers Ian

Originally Posted by nz_carver

Just wish they had a stubby

Sorry Dave drink is not allowed while turning you might create a decent bowl.

then at lest I'd look like I know what I'm doing lol

You'd think after 4 years doing woodshows and demo's you might eh Bro even without a Stubby

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Sorry Dave drink is not allowed while turning you might create a decent bowl.




You'd think after 4 years doing woodshows and demo's you might eh Bro even without a Stubby

See the last yr I didn't demo till the last moment

The other yrs I set out saying I'm going to demo but then meet this dam fourm lot and end up drinking coffee and talking about wood

I have not turnedona mini lathe in so long

Originally Posted by nz_carver

See the last yr I didn't demo till the last moment

The other yrs I set out saying I'm going to demo but then meet this dam fourm lot and end up drinking coffee and talking about wood

I have not turnedona mini lathe in so long

Who's fault that? No blaming Tiff.

You will keep going to turnfests.

I thought thats all they had at them. Or don't you get to use one.

turn fest was a Stummby and a big vicmarc

Dave you can turn almost anything on a mini from a tooth pick, top, pens, finials, bowls, tool handles. Ladies hat pin, magic wand.

Preparation is the key, tools sharp, wood ready, tenons turned, drilled out, blanks what ever for, all ready to just stick on the lathe and go for it. If its pens have all you need to put it together so they see they finished item.

Just make sure there isn't to much silica in the wood had a couple of New Guinea Rosewood bits I tried to do at a show once blunted not just my tools but two others also.

So your going to be a busy boy for the next few weeks till the show getting time on your mini and Nova getting everything ready. Thats enough time surely to re-train yourself on a the mini.

Hope you have plenty wood.

Hi NZ,

Pre-drilled blanks being turned to well finished salt and pepper grinders is my favourite. Very quick to make if you have the barells drilled in advance and you can show off your skills in making a very close pair?


Cheers Old Pete