Category Archives: Great Ideas

Carl's Articles, Carl's Tools, Great Ideas

Mallet and Awl Marking Kit

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Meta Description: Carl uses a shop made mallet and awl to mark the center of things. As he gets older, he tries to be more careful with his hands. He does not want to develop arthritis,

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https://carlford.us/blog/2023/05/mallet-and-awl-marking-kit/
Photo: Mallet and Awl Marking Hit

Here is my “Mallet and Awl Marking Kit” tip that appeared in the “Tips” section on page 17 of the AAW February 2023 “American Woodturner” Journal. Continue reading Mallet and Awl Marking Kit →

Carl's Articles, Carl's For Students, Great Ideas, Tools Machines

Bowl Gouge Cleaning Wheel

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Meta Description: Carl cleans his bowl gouges with a 3" nylon wheel attached to the side if his grinder when turning green wood. It is quick and easy!

https://carlford.us/blog/2022/10/bowl-gouge-cleaning-wheel/
Bowl Gouge Cleaning Wheel

Updated: 4/17/2023. This idea was published by me in the February 2023 issue of AAW American Woodturner magazine.

February 2023 issue of the AAW American WoodturnerI like to clean my bowl gouges with a 3″ nylon wheel attached to the side of my grinder when turning green wood.

I clean my gouges BEFORE I sharpen them. When I go to the grinder to sharpen a gouge. It is quick and easy. Continue reading Bowl Gouge Cleaning Wheel →

Carl's Tools, Great Ideas, Tools Machines, Turning Tools

More Bosch Stabilizer Holes

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Meta Description: Carl added 10 more fulcrum pin holes to his Trent Bosch Hollowing Tool Stabilizer. Now there is always a hole in the right location! This really saves time and makes hollowing a lot more fun!

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https://carlford.us/blog/2021/05/more-stabilizer-holes/

Photo: More Bosch Stabilizer Holes (stabilizer_holes_00)

I added 10 more fulcrum pin holes to my Trent Bosch Hollowing Tool Stabilizer. Now there is always a hole in the right location! This really saves time and makes hollowing a lot more fun! Continue reading More Bosch Stabilizer Holes →

Carl's Articles, Carl's For Students, Great Ideas, Tools Chucks

Mounting Plates and Shallow Bowls

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Meta Description: Link to Carl's "Drilled Chucking Recess" AAW magazine "tips section" PDF. A 2-1/2″ diameter hole is an easy and secure way to mount blanks for plates and shallow bowls on the lathe.

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https://carlford.us/blog/2019/11/mounting-plates-and-shallow-bowls/

I have found that using a 2-1/2″ diameter hole that is 1/4″ deep is a good way to mount blanks for plates and shallow bowls on the lathe. It is easy and very secure.
Continue reading Mounting Plates and Shallow Bowls →

Carl's For Students, Carl's Tools, Great Ideas, Popular, Turning Tools

Carl’s Travel Woodturning Tool Set

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Meta Description: Carl's Travel Woodturning Tool Set. A set that can be EASILY take to demos, club meetings and symposiums. Carl also recommends this set for new turners.

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https://carlford.us/blog/2018/12/travel-tool-set/


Carl's Travel Tool Set 1

Updated: 12/31/2019: I now use a red tool tray rather than a Tool Roll. See new section at the end of this blog entry.

I recently created a new Travel Tool Set that I can EASILY take to demos, club meetings and symposiums. I have been using it full time in my studio recently to test it out. I am real happy with it. See photo below.

The heart of the system is a new 5/8″ Quick Release Tool Handle from Jimmy Clewes. It works really good. I saw Jimmy use it on the 2018 Norway Woodturning Cruise. I was real impressed with the Quick Release mechanism that Jimmy has come up with. Just a simple 1/4 turn of the handle with your hand (no tools) locks a tool in place or releases it. You can change tools real fast. So, swapping tools does not interfere with the flow of a demo.
Continue reading Carl’s Travel Woodturning Tool Set →

Carl's For Students, Dust Collection, Great Ideas, Popular, Tools Machines

Workshop Blower for Cleanup

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Meta Description: Quick Tip: A little blower is great for quick clean up. I just blow all the saw dust and shavings off of my lathes onto the floor and then sweep or vacuum them up.

https://carlford.us/blog/2018/10/workshop-blower-for-cleanup/

Photo: Workshop Blower for Cleanup 1

One of my students showed up one day with a little battery powered workshop blower. I tried it and I was sold. I had to have one.

I put it on my Christmas list last year and it is the best Christmas present ever!
Continue reading Workshop Blower for Cleanup →