Richard Raffan turning a signature Tower Box in Huon Pine

Here you see me turning one of my signature pieces, a 50x190mm (2”x7½”) Tower Box with a suction-fit lid.

[@johnnyb95678]

You are the best teacher I have ever had in woodturning. Thank you for sharing all your years of experience. I have learned so much! Thank you!

[@victorprimack2070]

Compressed Air! Too funny!! Love watching you work!!! I’ve learned so much and you’ve changed the way I turn. Now I know what each tool does. No more guessing. Amazing difference!!! Thank You.

[@Mckmake]

A wonderful project and a master class in turning from Richard. Always a pleasure and thank you for sharing.

[@miheadhurts]

Hi Richard, I read your books in 2005 when I started out. I still have the Vicmarc VL100 that you recommended back then. It's nice to see you work and put your written word into context. Your books are very good. I learned to turn just by reading them.

[@jorisdemoel3821]

Finally had time to watch this! I stand continuously in awe of your mastery at tool handling and the artistry of your vision. And your compressed air mechanism. ;-) That is a very fine looking group of boxes. And I love the artistically displayed sock at the end. Thanks for another amusing and very instructive video.

[@sec9676]

I agree with you, gothic towers and mosques are two of the best bits of inspiration for turning. Mosques in particular have some of the best variety of shapes.

[@gordongroves6674]

Great to watch a Master at work - making it look soooo easy. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnwolf5288]

Thank you for another excellent teaching video. You point out the obvious as well as the subtle techniques in addition to why you do what you do. You certainly haven't lost your touch. I'd give you my vote If they were giving out awards for teaching woodturning. John

[@alun7006]

Thanks for sharing, Richard. A joy to watch you work.

[@jackthompson5092]

In spite of the minor mishaps, it turned out beautiful Richard.

[@haroldsworld]

Love the tower look. I will have to give it a go. I am always surprised at what I can learn from your techniques. You box fitting is superb. I could have used it when I make the candle stick box for my daughter for Christmas. Cheers Mate

[@SweetSillyFun]

Always educational. And the magnet as a depth gauge. Another brilliant tip. Thanks for teaching us so much. Maybe one day I’ll get up the courage to try the back hollowing technique too.

[@garylawrence7547]

The wood is like butter! If only I could get stuff like that in New England.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm sure you've got cherry and poplar, both of which I prefer to Huon pine.

[@naturaIIydifferent]

I just love your approach. So relaxed and easy to follow, but packed full of tips. I gotta get one of those Vicmark chucks, those jaws would work for me about 99% of the time!

[@MarklTucson]

I always look forward to your videos because whatever project you present, I always get greater insight into turning techniques. Appreciated seeing how you worked through the issues completing the base. The comment about, "Let the wood come to the tool" is something that I really need to work on; it's way too easy to try pushing the tool.

[@paulhedman7387]

I always look forward to and enjoy your videos. Also recommend them to all of the turners in our club. Your laid back approach and attitude shows that there is no need for white knuckle turning. Realizing that new turners have to go through this stage before they gain confidence. That is when it really becomes satisfying. Thanks.

[@stevenhansen8641]

Very nice Richard. Thanks for the time and effort.

[@glencrandall7051]

It's a beautiful piece Richard. I love the shape. I will have to try this one, it's on the to do list. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@glennnord2605]

Thank You for showing us your Expertise, and the way you work though problems .

[@jakegevorgian]

Such a tasteful piece, Richard.

[@pbpleased7936]

Protection of the Huon pine reminds of approximately such for the Saguaro cactus here in Arizona. Thank you again!

[@mikepullen8028]

Thanks Richard another enjoyable project.

[@stevenholton438]

Beautiful mate! Most educational! Thanks!

[@SpunbyGreenJeans]

Great turning! Thank you for sharing.

[@MASI_forging]

Your work is always impress 👏👏

[@terrysharp908]

Excellent, thanks

[@valeriehenschel1590]

Still enjoyable to watch you turn. I alsways seem to learn something new or be reminded of something I forgot. Thank you. Will you be joining us in Portland, Oregon again next spring? (AAW)

[@bonitagoodwin5086]

Way too cool 😎 😎

[@marcusfairly2688]

I love the design of this box, and I look forward to trying to make one. I noticed you using a straw to blow out dust: I use a party balloon pump. Also I empathise with the aging eyesight, I asked the optician to prescribe glasses with focal range a bit further than reading glasses and it has helped a lot when at the lathe (a tiny bit blurry when away from lathe).

[@ashleyhoward8926]

I get specs which focus at arm's length, they're great & a small frame means they fit inside my JSP respirator. Mind you, I use a forstner to get the female part on the lid parallel.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I've got lenses for the lathe and magnifiers, but cataracts aren't helping. They get attention in a few weeks.

[@marcusfairly2688]

@@ashleyhoward8926 I generally wear varifocals, but the chin of my respirator helmet gets in the way. My glasses are also about arms length.

[@marcusfairly2688]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I hope the cataract procedure goes well. Thank you so much for doing these videos.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard

[@bobking6323]

My son gave me some Huon pine for turning, its like turning butter.

[@forbol]

WOW! When you hollowed out the top with a spindle gouge, essentially drilling with it. Is that a technique you use on hardwoods as well or did you employ it here because this is a soft wood?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You can do exactly the same with hardwoods like African blackwood or gidgee. The key is in how the gouge is ground. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXzHgXp3pr2CmtU

[@FDG4ever]

Something I wonder about is how has your body held up throughout your woodturning career? Any repetition related injuries or other wear and tear?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It's held up well. Abrasives and the grinder were always a step away so I had to reach (and therefore stretch) or take a step. You'll notice that when sanding facework I pull my right hand into the job with my left, and use either the headstock or rest for support whenever possible in order to put less strain on my lower back. Most of my bowls and platters were less than 400mm (16-in) diameter so I avoided the common shoulder problems many large-bowl turners seem to endure. And I used an AirStream helmet and dust extraction to protect my lungs.

[@darrentimlin9155]

What are those jaws called ?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I use Vicmarc chucks fitted with Shark Jaws, Step Jaws and Dovetail Jaws.

[@kenvasko2285]

I did some research on Huon pines and they are some of the oldest living organisms on the Earth. Some have been found that are over 10,500 years old, is that right? Apparently, they are not a true pine but they are a conifer, softwood. Have you ever turned Birdseye Huon? Thanks for stirring my curiosity. Fun stuff!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Huon pine grows very slowly and for many many centuries. The box in kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4GUY3aggspjl9U came from a 4-in square. I counted around 500 annular rings on the endgrain. I've turned a few boxes from birdseye huon.

[@kenvasko2285]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I've turned a Birdseye maple bowl and the Birdseyes were tricky, very hard. Was the Huon Birdseye challenging? I know, sharp tools!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@kenvasko2285 I've rarely found birdseye anything difficult to turn. I was always grateful for the widely held belief that it is because that equated to higher prices.