Tag Archives: Great Ideas

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

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

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 Travel Woodturning 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

Get A Grip


Here is my “Get A Grip” tip that appeared in the “Tips” section on page 18 of the AAW August 2018 “American Woodturner” Journal.
Continue reading Get A Grip

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