Richard Raffan turns a cedar pot

You see a Himalayan cedar pot turned in real time. And our apologies for the occasonal blocked vision that comes with real time. There's more about the techniques involved in my book and DVD 'Turning Bowls with Richard Raffan' - available through any decent bookshop.

[@stevekubien6680]

“If I can’t see what’s happening, I don’t see why you should”. Brilliant. Thank you, Richard.

[@MD-en3zm]

😂

[@NBCRGraphicDesign]

Thank you for sharing such great opportunities to see a bit of your skills and talents. I appreciate your honest approach, too. "If I cannot see what's happening inside there, then I don't know why you need to see it either."

[@burnleyize]

I can only thank you again. I thought to do ANY kind of hollowing, that you needed separate tools, but you have shown me that it CAN BE DONE on such a design and size. So neat! A TRUE ARTIST makes it look so very easy. You are one!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There are a lot of people wanting to sell you tools suggesting, even insisting, you need all kinds of stuff you can often managed without.

[@burnleyize]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning :Words of experience. Thanks.

[@simonhayter5984]

Outstanding, a turning master class squeezed into a single video.

[@billy19461]

This was my first Richard Rafsanjani video but I guarantee that it will not be my last! With the camera man we could see the tool presentation perfectly. I have been turning and watching KZbin videos over 5 years now and I do believe that this is the best. Thanks for sharing.

[@christopherharrison6724]

I love to see the thought process you follow to achieve your objective.Much appreciated.

[@grumpywoodwork]

Another great video. I really like the fact that all your videos are no nonsense - just a man with great skill showing what can be done with quality tools. Having someone do these videos without all the sponsorship plugs trying to sell the latest tool or finish or lathe covered in advertising stickers is a breath of fresh air. Richard also reminds me of Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull - just had to say 🙂. I salute you Sir!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Many thanks. I'm glad to appreciate my non-commercial approach.

[@mootnmike]

Thanks Richard. Wonderful work as always.

[@vernsteinbrecker3759]

Really enjoyed this video

[@Ian-xy7xi]

Brilliant stuff as always, love the sense of humour, well done camera man.

[@davesegalcairns]

Thanks Ian, hopefully another few videos this year when I can get to Canberra.

[@krperry2007]

I really like this design.

[@DiemenDesign]

Thanks for sharing Richard, quite an enjoyable turn, and as always tips along the way. Please pass on thanks to your Camera Man for taking the time to record these for you.

[@davesegalcairns]

Thanks Diemen.

[@erics7712]

Great stuff as always. Along time fan here. I have your book and vhs tape that I bought way back in the 90’s. Before the KZbin’s one had to make a financial commitment to gather knowledge. Today it’s all out there. But you’re the best out there and have been for decades. Practicing beads and coves. That’s how I started. Thanks much.

[@bradbyers7505]

Thanks for showing us that using a scraper properly is not a sin. Wonderful demonstration, Sir.

[@jayscott306]

Thank you for demonstrating the detailed turning so well and for taking the time to get the best camera angle. I'm so glad to come here to learn, not to just watch another quick satisfaction turning video. The authenticity and long form video is something I really like.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

For more in-depth information there are my books and videos. www.richardraffan.com.au/books-and-dvds/

[@jayscott306]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you. I have a few and will take another look.

[@Buttermilk3696]

Another excellent, get it done, no nonsense, video full of much needed tips and tricks!! Thanks to you and your cameraman for videos so well done!!

[@davesegalcairns]

Thanks Buttermilk.

[@kennethcaine3402]

I love ALL YOUR CUTTING CONTROL

[@dagwood1327]

Your skill and experience shines. I had a lathe as a kid but married young and soon was only time for full time production cabinet work. I bought a second hand lathe recently and am relearning.

[@tallerpinocho]

another lesson. thanks Richard and thanks Dave and happy to see you're back at the camera and post production.

[@dianadougherty7187]

That's a lovely little pot. Thankyou for showing us how it should be done.

[@DavidR8]

I'm a new turner Richard and really appreciate your clear, no-nonsense approach. I'm grateful for everyone of your excellent videos. So many learning opportunities!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm glad to be of some help. You'll find a bit more detail in my books: www.richardraffan.com.au/books-and-dvds/

[@DavidR8]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thanks I will have a look.

[@keithkimsten5111]

A very pleasing to the eye piece. Even with all that end grain exposed it looks great! Thanks for the video.

[@samuronkanen1307]

Thanks for letting me in to your workshop. A very beautiful piece. I'll try to imitate that during the dark winter days.

[@jackthompson5092]

Beautiful little pot Richard and a great teaching moment.

[@timofeyzhukov-khovanskiy9173]

I turn in my driveway and use a little leaf blower to clean off the shavings. Got inspired by this vid and made a small hollow pot with abouts 4cm opening on top and 12 wide

[@kevinbooth2063]

Richard going through back issues that I missed. Really nice cedar hollow form.

[@geraldguyette470]

A real video with every day problems solved with ease . I love every vessel you make . With you as my guide I know I can improve , thank you .

[@kimseyjustkimsey5256]

Enjoyed the video Richard, Nice work Beautiful pot👍 Glad those jaws didn’t scratch the inside as you were finishing it up!

[@johnkriplean1148]

a very pleasing shape . another great demo. thanks

[@SilverBack.]

Very nice Mr Raffan, thank you for the tutorial video

[@alun7006]

Thank you for another excellent video. I have been umm-ing and ahh-ing recently about hollowing tools, and balking at the high cost. You've shown a compelling alternative which I will try first!

[@PBUCKY1969]

I really enjoyed your video, many thanks. I learned a lot from the variety of tips and tricks you highlighted, and loved the end result!

[@scottfarnham2717]

My first time seeing your work. Outstanding! You make it look so easy. Beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing!!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There's some more on my website www.richardraffan.com.au.

[@jerrystark3587]

A beautiful bowl. Thanks for the video!

[@KerryCorney]

Thank you so much for making this video. Inspiration to all us turners. Easy to follow instructions; I often set my phone up so I can turn and follow along with your videos. Thank you for providing this tuition. Regards, Kerry Corney.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

See you in Canberra one of these days?

[@KerryCorney]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Most definitely.

[@dtork47]

Thanks once again Richard for your inspiration and instructions on tool and technique! Stay well.

[@mikeduvar]

Thank you Richard - a very elegant little pot - I liked very much the 'button' feature on the base an idea I'll certainly be trying out and as always learned a lot watching your technique and hearing your commentary.

[@stevenhansen8641]

Very nice. Thanks for the time and effort.

[@jamescarter8813]

Fantastic bit of information Richard. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skill. It will benefit turners for years to come.

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Thanks for a great demo and discussions of how and why you choose tools and your approaches to turning. The wood has lovely grains and form. Form is always a challenge to know if it is right or wrong. I have been looking at pictures of pottery jars and forms as they are very arrived at similar to turned projects Take care Richard Cheers Harold

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Potters, glass blowers and metalworkers sorted out all the good forms centuries, if not millennia, ago, so looking at what they've come up with is a good place to start. All I try to do is emulate the best I've seen.

[@oreo12394]

Great video. Thank you so much for sharing your talents. I have learned a great deal from your books and videos.

[@s10m0t10n]

A really good demonstration or hollow turning and the end result is lovely. I'm going to remember to try a straightforward boiled linseed oil finish - I may have been over thinking that part. Thank you, Richard.

[@Tinker_man]

Very nice, thx for all these videos.

[@bobcharlton9970]

Great video. I admire the way you approach turning. You turn like you have to make a living from and you don’t mess about with gimmicky new tools and such like. Kind regards Bob.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

That might be because I've never been a hobby turner. Here's my story: www.richardraffan.com.au/bio/

[@bobcharlton9970]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I know the feeling , I have had to earn a living with my hands all my life. At least we have something to show at the end of our working day.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@bobcharlton9970 We do indeed, and something that should last generations.

[@ronbeckhaus7326]

Great demonstration Richard, thank you. I always have my vacuum cleaner ready to go near me so it is only a second or so to empty shavings from inside my pots etc. Cheers, mate.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I occasionally use a vacuum in blower mode, but mostly I find it as fast to use my fingers.

[@glencrandall7051]

Quite a nice little pot. 👍👍Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

That's what we thought too.

[@craigpennifold3498]

Great skills Richard.

[@woodturninghomemade]

Nice Work!

[@craigkeller]

Lessons from a Master. It looks very much like Sugiensis Jsponica. Thank you 🙏

[@sersimons]

Thank you so much!

[@WhoGnu08]

Simply a terrific lesson, thank you very much. As others have mentioned, your no-nonsense, get-the-job-done approach is refreshing and much appreciated. Among many noteworthy moments, when you mentioned that the scraper is pointed slightly down; difficult to see on a video. Likewise, when you mentioned that the scraper can be pointed slightly up when scraping the side of the interior; also difficult to see on a video. BTW, do you ever burnish the wood with shavings as part of the finishing process? Again, thank you for these great videos.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I only burnish the wood with shavings when I leave the surface straight off the tool, unsanded.

[@davidcochran9322]

Beautiful!

[@victoryak86]

I’d love to own any piece done by thisMaster. Bet that lovely pot would sell for a good amount by virtue of its beauty but more so, it’s maker!👍👍👍

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

This cedar pot is with Dave-the-cameraman, but I have another blank if you're interested. Several of my demo pieces sold and are now in Croatia, the US, and Britain.

[@victoryak86]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning that would be amazing Richard! I’d treasure it always. I’m in the us but let’s touch base and arrange payment etc. I will email you if you want. Thanks so much!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@victoryak86 We'll email: [e-mail]

[@tricolorturners]

Fun project. Chance to practice feeling the tool cut.

[@karstenoma9629]

Always nice to look at good skills! I am impressed at how you manage the skew..... One questiom; what kind of oil do you use?

[@denisvienat849]

Vraiment du très beau travail Richard un grand bravo 👍👏🇨🇭

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Merci beaucoup.

[@nljack123]

Richard, I have never been satisfied with the sanding that I have done on the inside of hollow forms. If you are ever looking for more video ideas, something on the various tools and methods for sanding the inside of a hollow form would be appreciated.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I've done very few hollow forms and know little about sanding the insides other than there are specialist tools like this ball sander www.woodturnerscatalog.com/p/34/3004/reach-Sanding-Ball. I can reach inside most of my enclosed forms, which I call pots, so there's no problem. My verdigris pots are rarely sanded because acrylic covers the inside and a rust or verdigris on the outside. www.richardraffan.com.au/pots/

[@nljack123]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you!!!

[@buckdunn9980]

great video, You should what we in the states call a pancake compressor . they take up very little room and are very short , will give you plenty of air for blowing stuff out and maybe running some tools, run a line up behind you lathe to ceiling and then a coil lite weight hose and it can hang and be very asseciable as needed, Just a sugestion .Thanks for your great wood turning lessons

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Unfortunately I'm at that time of life when I'm intent on downsizing and trying not to aquire stuff, but many thanks for the suggestion.

[@ArchEdge]

Great video Richard. Wish my gouge looked as nice as yours 😬

[@JerrySmith-ih9rd]

How about a shop vac with the end of the hose within close reach as well as auxiliary switch? I find it very handy to remove the inside excess when turning vessels. Great video.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I do have a shopvac blower to which I attached a garden hose to increase the pressure but rarely have occasion to use it so tend to fogrt about it on the rare occasions I turn these enclosed forms.

[@AndrewArndts]

When I was without an air compressor when I started, I got a Fireplace Bellow, worked far better than digging shaving out by hand,

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I love that idea. I'll get one of those mattress pumps.

[@kevinvieyra7468]

Nice, really enjoying your videos. I remember watching the video way back when you were making all those scoops. I think it was a vhs tape, lol. Did you take a finished bowl and cut it in half on the bandsaw. I really hated to watch you do that. Very detailed comentary in your youtube! Greatly appreciated

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I still cut he occasonal bowl in half to see if the cross-section is what I percieve it to be. These days I tend to glue a back to each half so I have two hanging bowls to go on a wall. You'll see two behind the lathe in the workshop tour video.

[@johnwoods9995]

Richard i'm loving your recent videos thank you. Please tell me about your round nose scrapers. What brand/model are they? Are they square nose ones that you shape on the grinder?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There's been a Raffan Signature range of scrapers since 1984 manufactured by Henry Taylor in Sheffield. I believe Packard and Lee Valley stock them in North America. Henry Taylor will tell you. My scrapers a ⅜-in / 9mm thick and few are the exact shape that left Henry Taylor. They are reshaped as required. It's easy enough to reshape any tool. There are several sharpening videos in the Tools and Sharpenng playlist.

[@johnwoods9995]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning thank you. ive found that cCrbatec NZ stock them so i'm sorted, even more so with a deceased member of my local club leaving his whole tool kit for sale so i've picked one up secondhand.

[@kenvasko2285]

Beautiful little "pot." I love the shape and the grain pattern. I have a question about what you are calling a bowl gouge and a spindle gouge. All your gouges looked like bowl gouges to me. Can you explain the difference for me?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Bowl gouges have a much deeper flute, usually U-shaped, and a steep side bevel that can support the gouge when used flute up. Whereas the flute in a spindle gouge is shallower and consequently without the steep side bevel. If you try to cut using either wing of a spindle gouge with the flute up, there is space beneath the point of contact and the edge will catch every time. To confuse the issue there are deep-fluted roughing gouges, now usually referred to as deep-fluted spindle-roughing gouges (though not always) that should never be used on bowls or other facework. They are strictly for roughing spindles.

[@kenvasko2285]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning First, thank you for the explanation. But I am still a little confused. I thought most bowl gouges we're made out of a solid rod at the handle end; not true with spindle gouges. I now believe this is incorrect. It is more about the depth of the flute and the side bevel. Does the flute shape allow the walls to be thicker to absorb the stress, too? Do you have any video references I could review?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@kenvasko2285 Woodturning gouges milled out of solid rod came on to the market about 1978. Before that all gouges were forged and had tangs. Now it seems only only gouges over ¾-in. are forged. In the 'Gouges for Turning Bowls' video you see a range of gouges that can be used. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3OrZWSgrZVogas

[@kenvasko2285]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you, sir. Please continue producing informative videos. I enjoy the lighthearted bantering with your cameraman. He deserves a shout-out!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@kenvasko2285 Unfortunately Dave's moved 2500km north and will be here only very occasionally - so in future the majority of videos will be entirely my own effort sans banter.

[@johnmitchell1614]

Lovely job. Did it smell nice? Best regards.

[@burnleyize]

I appreciate your “ shear scraper” that you use in many videos. Just where does one find that? How wide is it? Thank you, sir.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Any square section of good quality steel can be used to shear scrape as can the wing of a gouge. You can shear scrape with heavy scrapers, but my preferred size is 1-in x1/4-in (25mm x 6mm) skewed about 15 degrees with a 45-degree bevel. It pays to round the lower side edge of the blade so it slides more easily along a rest. A short skew chisel converts well to a shear scraper. Mine are Henry Taylor but I'm sure Hamlet, Sorby, and no doubt other manufacturers make them.

[@harveypflugerh5901]

I have been turning for a couple of years now and after having some catches early on with scrapers I converted them to negative rake. After see how you use scrapers I have gone back to give them a try and am very pleased with the results. I would now like to add a few more scrapers with various shape and have a couple of questions. Is it important to have a higher grade of steel? Is it important to have a bur and do you touch these up with a diamond card between grinder sharpening? Thanks for doing these videos as I have learned a lot.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Great to hear you're enjoying scrapers. HIgh Speed Steel (HSS) tools hold their edge longer than carbon steels., so are the preferred option but not essential. I often hone scrapers, using a diamond hone, rather than going to the grinder. It depends on the wood I'm turning and the shaving I'm getting.

[@johnmitchell1614]

Hello Richard. I just watched this video again and wondered about the calipers you were usiing to gauge the bottom sides of your pot. It looked like you opened them to take them out, but they sprang back to the original measurment you were after? How can this be? Best regards.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You saw correctly. There's a wheel on a thread that's adjusted when the jaws are enclosed on the thickness you're measuring. www.veritastools.com/products/Page.aspx?p=69

[@jaywoodson2231]

Nice shape

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

We thought so.

[@briandoyle4737]

Beautiful work. What bevel angle do you have on the bowl gouges please?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I have an asymmetric grind (there's a video on grinding that) with a steep right wing of maybe 60 or 70 degrees. On the nose it's nearer 45°. On my smaller bowl gouges the bevel is around 30 to 35 degrees so I can undercut a rim with a gouge rather than some specialised scraper or undercutter.

[@briandoyle4737]

Thank you

[@shag126]

Beautiful work. Why does your skew scraper have a notch?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Henry Taylor Tools round the corners on the long sides of their scrapers making them more comfortable to hold - not sharp like those from some other manufacturers. The notch creates a really sharp left corner so that when I shear scrape in to the base of a bead or rim I create a crisp angle with not a hint of a curve between the surfaces that create the corner. It's very handy for turning a recess on the base of a bowl. You'll see that happen in most of my bowl videos

[@johnpatrick6154]

Richard, can you tell us what angle that big scraper is set at? Thanks!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

My bevels all start out at around 45° on the nose of both gouges and scrapers. On scrapers this becomes steeper on the side to make it less grabby. This shows me sharpening scrapers: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmamnKWYhdeSbdU

[@silvanobroccardo933]

Complimenti Richard beautiful complimenti grande bravissimo Silvano di Schio Vicenza ITALI

[@timemachinewoodturning876]

nice

[@robertakick7392]

Brand new turner here. Wondering the purpose of the magnet.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I have magnets wherever I might want to temporarily locate a tommy bar, chuck key, or spotlight. You'll see magnets on the top and front of the headstock, on the tailstock, and the tool rest banjo.

[@dondeere]

its hard to believe you cant have a spray can of compressed air

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Until now I didn't know of their existence: I've rarely needed compressed air and managed without - as you see. The only spray can of compressed air I have is for camera lenses and that isn't up to evicting heavy shavings, but I'll go to Bunnings and see what there is available.

[@Whitefirekith]

Richard, what brand of calipers are you using to measure the thickness of your walls?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Veritas thickness calipers

[@Whitefirekith]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you!

[@marcelsimun6282]

Nádherná dóza 👍👍👍 páči sa mi vaša práca, som rád že môžem sledovať váš kanál... Odkiaľ ste? Ja som zo Slovenska... 🤗🤗🤗

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Australia

[@marcelsimun6282]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you... 👍

[@joescarborough1]

Cedrus deodara?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

That seems to be it. It was given to me as Himalayan cedar and matches the working qualities described in my 1934 Edition of Howard and other publications.

[@henniebasson515]

To get rid of the shavings - I simply blow it out with a little copper pipe. When the lathe is STATIONARY!! mind you - otherwise you may be short of some teeth. Kind regards.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I"ve long used a bent drinking straw when turning boxes but human exhalation doesn't work on shavings this size and weight. Or at least not mine. I only mentioned not having compressed air as I could hear hundreds of Americans wondering why I didn't use it.

[@henniebasson515]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I hear you well! I am from Africa and cannot afford a compressor. I still work on an old Myford ML8 larthe (modified to use a speed controll). Kind regards.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@henniebasson515 ML8s were very good lathes except for the shavings jamming in the bed. I started started on an ML8 adn clearing the shavings using a ruler was never easy. .

[@henniebasson515]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I use a thin flat piece of wood - like a putty knife. Much faster. My problem is the limited swing over the bed. I survive, however. I also have a Jet, but when turning heavier pieces - back to the Myford. It has a heavy homemade base. Regards. And thanks for your responses.

[@Cancun771]

17:52 Shop vac. 18:35 ... ...

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Could be - I must have lost about four seconds removing shavings by hand.

[@DonnJaegger]

i hope no one took my criticism down you a very intelligent turner all i ask is why do you make minitures of things

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Frustratingly I no longer have the eyesight for miniatures - things like ½-in diameter boxes with suction-fit lids. I can't believe anyone would regard this pot as a miniature. Working small scale isn't the same and this isn't even small scale, so I'm wondering how you define a miniature. I downsized a few years ago and now I can't turn anything larger that 12-in diameter. Commercially I was never that interested in turning bowls much over 15-in diameter. Of the 36,000 or so bowls I've sold, only about 3500 were over 12-in diameter mostly because bowls over 12-in diameter were slow to sell through the retailers I used, and most dining tables can't accommodate bowls much larger than that.