Richard Raffan finds a figured plate in a blank with major splits

I kept this fissured blank for 15 years thinking it might only be useful as a jam chuck. Then I used it for the marking centre and diameter video • Richard Raffan marking... after which I thought to see what I could do with it. So now you see how I work around the defects as I turn a very useful 150mm diameter defect-free plate.

[@SheWhoWoodworks]

"People will be disappointed if I don't use the sock." 😆

[@pbpleased7936]

Old age beats the alternative, especially for those of us benefiting from your wealth of experience so graciously shared. THANK YOU!

[@daverossflutist]

Thanks for using the sock!

[@garyjohnson9297]

You make it look so easy a lovely little dish

[@leswoodward9658]

Hi Mr Raffan just taken up turning again after 50yrs and being an old boy it’s such a pleasure to watch your videos and refresh my memories my confidence is now flooding back and it’s thanks to you. Many thanks Les Uk

[@johnnyb95678]

Amazing! You take a piece of wood that most people would toss and instead you turn it into something beautiful. And you teach us along the way. Thank you very much!

[@heatherandroberttudor172]

I have just started turning again after about 40 years I have same off your books but like watching your videos every helpful thanks

[@susanburrows5288]

love the flame that showed up.

[@mikedoyle5362]

Another great save on a lovely piece of wood most would have tossed in the fire. Thanks Richard.

[@davefallow3469]

You are amazing. The best teacher around and so easy to listen to. Thank you so much, you have improved my turning and confidence on the lathe.

[@frederickday7600]

You just amaze me. I would have never thought of marking the centre of a piece that way. So obvious and yet not so obvious. A life time of experience in 30 minutes. Thank you for what you do.

[@glencrandall7051]

Quite nice Richard. I love the way you find ways to work around defects to produce very fine turnings. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe. 🙂🙂

[@geraldguyette470]

Another nice Raffan dish , it was worth the wait .

[@ned711]

Always glad to see the sock.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Gotta keep the punters happy...

[@dianadougherty7187]

It's a beauty with that feather in there. well done

[@SpunbyGreenJeans]

Thank you for sharing Richard!

[@randycosgrove3608]

As always clean work with a good result. Always enjoy your commentary.

[@annlaurie1484]

Great video and beautiful plate. 😊

[@les.6343]

Fading memory or not you have still got it thanks Richard.😊

[@jackthompson5092]

Beautiful plate Richard.

[@STMwoodturning]

Beautiful figure in that piece!

[@jakegevorgian]

Beautiful plate!

[@coachingangels]

Spectacular 😊

[@gary313]

Happy to see you are still at it! Gary Zeff

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

More than for a very long time, Gary.

[@brettgl21]

I heard Bob Mortimer talk about getting older. He said his memories are like fingerprints on an abandoned handrail. I feel that way sometimes. Ha!

[@jonhallthatsall]

fantastic!

[@coachingangels]

Just purchased one of your books

[@mtabai8623]

very good

[@MarklTucson]

I very much enjoy watching your technique and design approaches; your explanations and demonstration of tool handling are very helpful. Very interesting to see how you dealt with defects and were able to make a very usable piece from the flawed blank. You mentioned washing the piece before use. Do you do anything to the piece as you use it to keep it from being damaged by subsequent washings?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The plate won't be damaged by washing, it'll just develop a different patina with use. Generally the more it's used the better it'll look.

[@MarklTucson]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thanks!

[@jorisdemoel3821]

That is indeed a lovely figured plate and considering it has been waiting to be worked for, if I understood it correctly, 15 years, well worth keeping the blank that long. It was most certainly stable and well-dried. Did I see correctly one of the jaws of the chuck was missing? Is there a purpose to that? And even with your excellent and insightful videos, anything is better with The Sock. Mnay thanks for sharing your insights and experience with us.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

All jaws in place at all times.

[@ericmoorehead1100]

I thoroughly enjoy your videos and commentary. Watching you turn is like watching Tiger Woods swing a golf club. For fear of being rebellious, is there a functional difference between a square edge scraper and a similar shaped carbide tool?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There's probably not much difference when it comes to hogging out the insides of bowls. When it comes to finishing cuts and particularly curves, I find it much easier using wider scrapers rather than narrow. Mostly I avoid replaceable tips on the grounds of inconvenience, and above all their expense in relation to traditional M2 tools.

[@ericmoorehead1100]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thank you for taking the time to answer.

[@pasqualecostantino5766]

ho visto male? quando hai ripreso il piatto , il mandrino ha solo tre griffe??

[@charlesisrael8717]

The family resemblance is irrefutable. Pray tell could this be grandson of sock?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

A British cousin.... There are a couple of dozen relatives ready to go.