Richard Raffan turning twig pots - a simple woodturning project

In this video you see one simple way to turn a twig pot. Several times after moving the camera, I forgot to switch it on, so ended up turning three pots. You see bits of each and all three completed at the end of the video. The wood a Tasmanian eucalypt burl. The pots are about 75mm / 3” diameter.

[@chasmikrut5809]

Richard, As a turner of only a few years experience I always return to your videos for reminders of the fundamentals of good technique. What I appreciate most is your patience and willingness to narrate each step of the process you are demonstrating. For someone of your expertise it must take constant focus to remember to explain things to your viewers that help us learn, but are excruciatingly obvious to you. A great example in this video was your thought to mention that you did the skew point catch “on purpose”. Chas

[@bradbyers7505]

Twig pots are great items for wood collectors. If one wants to see an example of an unusual species of wood, these pots are nice to have around. My mentor turned one for me over 30 years ago from a piece of Mimosa wood. I still have it of course, and it’s a great conversion piece. Friends and fellow turners often ask what species of wood it’s made of. I usually ask if they care to guess, and almost everyone guesses wrongly. When I tell them, the response is most often “I would never have figured it out.” Thank you for this demonstration.

[@davidfriedman3962]

Appreciate you taking the time to teach us. As a new turner this is so beneficial. Thank you. David

[@_zhawkeye_9808]

...that grain is amazing...and the shapes of the twig pots shows it off perfectly!...👍 Matt

[@WhoGnu08]

After watching this, I went to my shop and made 5 of them. There's something very satisfying about it. Now I'm on a mission to make one from each type of wood that I have on hand. Thank you, Richard, for the motivation and the lesson!

[@jimgardner5410]

Richard, your decades of experience is apparent not only in your turning, but in the way you use chuck jaws. KZbin posts generally teach us spigots must be dovetailed and exactly the correct size for the jaws. Since watching your posts I started using shark and gripper jaws too. In my very limited experience of about 100 pieces, I have never had anything come loose or out of any jaws. Many thanks.

[@scottcates]

All three are very pretty.

[@NBCRGraphicDesign]

Our club's June Challenge was a Weed Pot. Out of 18 participants we had over 2 dozen different variations-- even yours would have been unique. All were great displays of a piece of special wood or a specific technique or a surface finishing process. Thanks for letting us watch over your shoulder!

[@MarklTucson]

I always gain some piece of technique or knowledge from every one of your videos. There were several in this one, but the use of the taper on the drill bit in the same manner as one would use a turning tool bevel really stands out. That burl is really beautiful.

[@glencrandall7051]

Interesting timing for this video. I just finished making several myself. They are quite like the ones you did. Mine were Hackberry. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@hlcorick]

Beautiful as always! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Good day Sir

[@bobh5616]

Thanks again Richard, I always learn so much from your videos - and I share the problem of wrists that are not as strong as they used to be!

[@johnnyb95678]

Perfectly executed and always appreciate learning from your experiences. Thank you for sharing.

[@kaybee2300]

Beautiful bits of wood and the simple shapes show it off to its best.

[@susanburrows5288]

Nonturner here new to your channel. Love these little pots, they show off the grain in this wood so well, the simple shape really makes the wood the focus. Looking forward to watching more from you, thanks.

[@Timber2Toothpicks]

Excellent job calling the tools, speed and grits. THANK YOU! I appreciate the effort! Did I say Thank You? TS, Portland, OR

[@MrGatorz61]

You sir make it look easy, really appreciate you taking time and sharing your work

[@Timber2Toothpicks]

This is now on my machine. Very nice work!

[@SKILLSSAWMILL]

Beautiful ❤❤❤

[@peg4692]

This vidio reminds me of the lesson when you taught me how to make a Twig Vase. A great project for everyone to make.

[@jorisdemoel3821]

As always many tips and how-to's (and how not to's) and lovely end results to enjoy. And, The Sock. Many thanks for another entertaining and educational video.

[@ashleyhoward8926]

I think a set of three looks best anyway & that's what I'd expect to see in your books. I'll have a go at this, thank you.

[@Mckmake]

Brilliant tutorial Richard thankyou for sharing

[@markduggan3451]

They are stunning.

[@cobberpete1]

I love 'Bud' vases. I make them quite frequently to give away as gifts.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

I went many years without a lamp pull driver. I finally got one and though it does not get a lot of use, it is a timesaver when I do use it compared to having to turn one. You might demonstrate it in a future video as you only briefly showed it and many new woodturners would not be familiar with them.

[@GeraldJensen]

Another very informative, well-presented video ... Thanks!

[@trurex007lee7]

Excellent work, very inspirational.

[@LewisKauffman]

Thanks! You make it look so easy!

[@DaveTRG]

haha your video is just fine even in spite of forgetting to push a button. Thanks for posting this! Especially since I am going to be borrowing a lathe in the coming few weeks watching videos of simple (and beautiful) projects like this are very helpful. :) Liked and subscribed!

[@RayFromTheHayclan]

Would you consider doing a short video on that steel mandrel that you showed. I really find that tools like that e.g. the depth drill very helpful while turning.

[@boooshes]

Thanks again sir

[@davidshaper5146]

Jacob's chuck in the headstock works well to turn off the bottom.

[@mm5aho]

I've learned a lot from your videos, thanks. I wonder if you could sometime say about sanding media - grit sizes and substrate materials (paper, cloth, mesh etc)

[@markknoepfle3913]

A tale of three pots :)

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard

[@Timber2Toothpicks]

What type of Oil did you use? Rice oil? Then you wax right away. I have seen you do this many times. It’s a great look.

[@kenvasko2285]

The eucalypt burl seemed hard. Does it have a lot of dirt or sand in it? I hope it didn't damage the sock. (You knew we would get to the sock somehow)

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This eucalypt burl (either regnans or obliqua) is a treat to work, green or well seasoned as this was.

[@kenvasko2285]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Are burls common to eucalypt?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@kenvasko2285 There are hundreds of eucalyptus species and many produce the popular burl, not always as lumps on trees. The best quality burl I found was in-fill between buttresses on 10-ft diameter stumps.

[@qapla]

Nice pots. Thaks for showing the various techniques and even demonstrating how a catch happens and how to fix it. BTW - what brand rice bran oil do you use and where do you get it

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The rice oil is from Aldi in the ACT.

[@georgepostins812]

I’m new to turning, just wondering why you put beeswax over the oil before the oil is dry

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Throughout the 1970s and 80s I finished everything with a cooking oil and beeswax mix. To me, the advantage of an oil/beeswax finish is that when utilitarian bowls are washed the finish comes off, after which a patina develops with use as it does on a wooden chopping or serving board, wooden plate, wooden salad bowl, or cup. On pieces that won’t get wet, the oil/beeswax is a good base for ongoing care and regular polishing that can build to a glossy patina in a few months. My observation is that hard finishes and sealers eventually crack, look terrible, and need refurbishing, whereas my bowls tend to look better with age, use, and ongoing care.

[@nealramsey4439]

You forgot to hit record, so you made 3? How many times did you forget? I could see making 2 but 3. LOL Someone's gain I suppose. Now there are 3 pieces rather than 1 huh

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I forgot a number of times, at least once with each. Occasionally I double press record so the iPhone switches on, then instantly off. Put it down to my old age in approaching senility.

[@warpo007]

im still not brave enough to do overhand peel cut Mr Raffin! ((especially on old jarrah) and my skew chisel is more a of spew chisel to be honest. rough sharpening angle for a skew? thank you.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Skewness is about 15 degrees off square. The included angle for the bevels is about 30 degrees.

[@Dericheau]

Richard, can you tell me where you get your color coded sand paper? Mahalo.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It's available in Australia from www.veneerinlay.com.au/product-category/sandpaper/emery/ and I believe through Craft Supplies USA in North America.

[@jimgardner5410]

I've looked for it in the UK but with no luck. It would make things much easier.

[@DustySplinters]

Richard, what are the benefits or Rice Bran Oil? Is it a hardening oil? Thank you for all you do for us.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Recently I was unable to buy the boiled linseed oil I've used for many years, so I thought I'd revert to a cooking oil and try rice bran oil. Throughout the 1970s and 80s I finished everything with a cooking oil and beeswax mix. I never encountered any rancidity so wonder if that's something to do with the beeswax. To me, the advantage of an oil/beeswax finish is that when utilitarian bowls are washed the finish comes off, after which a patina develops with use as it does on a wooden chopping or serving board, wooden plate, wooden salad bowl, or cup. On pieces that won’t get wet, the oil/beeswax is a good base for ongoing care and regular polishing that can build to a glossy patina in a few months. My observation is that hard finishes and sealers eventually crack, look terrible, and need refurbishing, whereas my bowls tend to look better with age, use, and ongoing care. Rice oil doesn't seem to harden.

[@DustySplinters]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you. I have been using Tried and True Polymerized Linseed oil and wax finidh. Only 2 ingredients, the oil and the wax. It is expensive but a little goes a long way. Many Blessings

[@boooshes]

​@@DustySplintersWalnut oil is another easy to find food safe hardening oil.

[@DustySplinters]

@@boooshes I have used Walnut Oil but still prefer the Tried & True Polymerized Linseed. THX

[@markb8954]

But he forgot to add in a twig or two!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Just another Senior Moment! Finding a suitable twig in Canberra in mid- July isn't that easy, but the fact is I forgot.