Richard Raffan creates a signature Citadel Box.

I create my Citadel Boxes from wood too full of defects for bowls or endgrain boxes. The carving is deliberately rough, the burning aggressive, as is the brushing to remove the charcoal. I find it a messy but enjoyable project that makes good use of what would normally be firewood. You can see the inside of the completed box in • Richard Raffan on his ...

[@victoryak86]

I love Richard’s way of approaching projects and first analyzing the chunk and drawing on his depth of experience to on one hand, avoid certain things or pitfalls and on the other, see the possibilities. He’s an original thinker and not afraid to try things and a wonderful teacher to boot. Glad to see the channel growing as people discover what an exceptional teacher and resource he is. Learning from the best.

[@glenncurtis6037]

Thanks for passing along all this knowledge Richard. You taught a lot of people how to turn and I am one of them. forever grateful. GC

[@totterdell91]

My nephew Buchuck really enjoyed this video, & the bowl hollowing vid that followed. I think you have a new fan... Brendan

[@paulotarsocampinho7637]

among the many people who influenced me in the world of wood turning through your work, you are by far the most knowledgeable, the most capable,... your work is more than amazing, your path of life and work a reference for me, I've seen all your videos and more than once and I have to tell you this, this piece is so special that I can't comment,... I'll just say that it's one of the most beautiful things I've seen someone to do until today,... thanks for sharing,... simply and absurdly fabulous,... thank you very much

[@victoryak86]

What a great comment. We’re quite fortunate to have teachers like Richard. Tomislav is another favorite of mine and he speaks highly of Richard as a teacher and mentor as well. Love that they both are such down to earth guys and very clear teachers. You feel as though you’re there in the shop learning from master craftsmen.

[@christopherharrison6724]

Great vision of what is possible with a piece

[@tonyturnswood]

I loved this video! Mr. Raffan, you have inspired me for decades and I will never be able to repay the debt... Thank you so much for all the great instruction!

[@malbun3275]

Hi Richard Very nice piece of art,I’ve done scorching,finishing with hand held wire brush,your use of grinder and brass brush makes things quicker and easier,thanks for another “advanced tip”here I am 80 plus still learning from you and your techniques. Thanks so much for sharing,pity it’s late I’ll have to wait for morning before I can go “turn and burn”some wood . Regards from wet and windy NZ

[@glencrandall7051]

This was a bit of an unusual journey but the destination was worth it. Not a technique I am interested in but I very much like your outcome. In the beginning I was especially surprised at your wood selection as you are usually very particular about not using wood with cracks. In the end it all made sense. Bottom line is I like it. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

A lot of people think I turn only 'boring' utilitarian bowls, but I've been making these since 1998 and have sold many hundred, several as funery urns.

[@jimneely4527]

This is a very interesting technique. I'm not sure when I might use this, but I pick up so many tips by watching your videos. Thank you for sharing your immense knowledge with us.

[@nigeleastment3184]

Excellent video instruction as always. Many thanks for sharing your skills - much appreciated. I would have liked to have prolonged my enjoyment and to have seen a bit more of the finished item, especially the contrast between the interior and the rugged outside. There’s an incentive to get into the workshop and dig out the gas torch!

[@AlienLeader4]

Wow!! The knowledge that you pass on to your viewers is priceless. Keep up the amazing work. 👽

[@jamescarter8813]

Interesting piece. Fun way to work with wood that you would normally just use as firewood, no pun intended. Always great to see the process, thanks for sharing Richard.

[@kenvasko2285]

Good work. Now I have another project to try even though I am a little nervous about the fire. You keep giving me more and more projects. I better get busy! The castle is outstanding but I appreciate all your videos. I especially like when you say "left wing" or "right wing" as you are working. That is helpful. Thanks for giving us time to view the finished project at the end. You do read our comments.

[@MarklTucson]

This was very interesting. The whole process was quite intriguing. Really appreciate the insight into your design thought processes on this.

[@jonh1808]

Thank you for doing the video Richard, I very much appreciate it. I’ve always wondered how you made them since I first saw the pictures in whichever of your books it was, I’ve got them all. Jon

[@johnnyb95678]

A really cool idea and it ended up very cool! Thank you for sharing your technique and expertise.

[@bobking6323]

Well, for someone who said life is too short to turn crap wood....I love it, its like some old artifact dug up from the ancient orient.

[@unclemonty9506]

this is the difference between being an artist and just a woodturner

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I never think of myself as an artist or what I do as art although a few pieces might qualify. I regard this as a decorative object. I've always described and marketed myself as a woodturner.

[@warrenwatson3105]

Thanks

[@jackthompson5092]

Great tutorial Richard.

[@MASI_forging]

Great work dude. Im excited to see more.👏👏

[@cudamank]

Thank you for sharing! Nice technique to get an interesting piece!

[@NianticRiverWoodcraftingChrisN]

Wonderful piece!

[@terrysharp908]

Excellent as always, thanks

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I like it! Who does not like to play with fire?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm sure fire brings out something primeval in many of us, Mike...

[@dagwood1327]

When the dremal grabbed I jerked my hands back. I really like this technique.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard

[@dianadougherty7187]

wonderful

[@jorisdemoel3821]

Now that is a signature indeed. Very atmospheric. I can imagine that as Amon Sûl, Weathertop, from The Lord of the Rings. Did the inner rim break in the burning? Thanks for another wonderful video.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There's a short video on the completd box to show the inside. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXawgatmoJJprbc

[@jakegevorgian]

This is a masterpiece, Richard. My wife was asking me who am I watching? And I said, I'm watching my teacher. I hope that's alright with you.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

How can I possibly say that's not alright. I'm glad to be of some help.

[@robertakick7392]

Enjoy watching and learning. First thing in the morning after the dog is fed is to check for new Raffan videos. Thank you so much for your instruction. Love the citadel box. Can this be turned with regular wood, or is burl necessary? I was thinking aged fence posts, or old barn timbers.

[@Amybaumgart]

Did you make that chuck key out of a hex/Allen wrench? It seems a much better design than the traditional keys.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The plastic handle broke on the original key so I turned the current handle. It's faster to use than the T-handle but it's easy to over tighten and risk damaging the scroll (so I'm told).

[@harveyalison34]

Really enjoyed this video, thank you! Does the harsh treatment of the exterior affect the suction fit you aim for?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

My Citadel Boxes are usually cross-grain so the lid is loose to accomodate seasonal changes in humidity. This has a twist and lock lid, so the burning must have distorted the lid.

[@randyscorner9434]

I love your videos and have tried initial roughing with a spindle gouge like you do. I think many of us would like to get better at this, but I for one am unsure what angle you make with the spindle gouge against the rest. Are you holding it mostly horizontal, or at an upward angle to cut along the bevel? The videos make it hard to tell.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Shot today and just posted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHuQmJ1ph6mUfLc. I hope this is what you're after.

[@user-sh5eb5ug6d]

Question; is there any danger of damaging the chuck, and if so, how to avoid it?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Apart from a tool or tool rest interacting with the chuck jaws, or letting it rust, it's difficult to damage a chuck. If a tool or rest hits chuck jaws, this can raise a very dangerous spur that can tear a finger apart, but the chuck still works fine. If you damage a chuck jaw, file away the spur so the jaw is smooth. I believe over-tightening a chuck can damage the scroll but I've never seen that.

[@user-sh5eb5ug6d]

Actually I was referring to the charring , the impact of the fire so close to the chuck.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@user-sh5eb5ug6d Soot getting into the mechanism would be the biggest problem. There isn't enough heat to worry the metal.

[@user-sh5eb5ug6d]

Thanks for replying so fast. Btw I do enjoy every video you make. You are a great teacher.

[@user-sh5eb5ug6d]

Thank you very much for answering so fast.I do enjoy every video you make. You are a great teacher.

[@redkite200]

Quite amazing to watch. Have you sealed the finished work?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I generally leave these off the brass brush, although I do oil then brush them occasionally. Definitely no sealer or paste that can build up in the splits.

[@redkite200]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning excellent - thank you.

[@alun7006]

Oooh, this is cool! I will have to try this. What kind of torch do you use for the burning?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This one's propane.

[@alun7006]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thank you!