Richard Raffan turns a spatula from scrap wood

Turn scrap into a useful tool! Turning spatulas using a skew chisel is a great way to gain both confidence and competence as a woodturner.

[@lawsontreewoodart]

It took me a long time to realise less pressure from the tail stock was key to less vibration. I wish I’d found your videos years ago! Thank you for sharing your knowledge so freely, it has been a huge help in my learning of the craft.

[@Buttermilk3696]

Hmmm,,,,,I must hone my skew skills! Thanks for more great inspiration!!

[@armus550b]

He uses a skew like it's cutting butter. It's pretty amazing

[@Byoomholay]

Brilliant. Keep em coming Richard because just hearing your dulcit tones makes me want to go and turn whatever you're making immediately. You're the most influential turner in the world and i salute you Sir :-) I notice you're using the little Vicmarc now too...I've just recommended one to my brother.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The VM150 is a great little lathe. I downsized from a VL300 but rarely miss the larger capacity.

[@ronreynolds2888]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning i noticed you also replaced your VM120s with VM100s; i think of that every time i buy another VM120 (because i'd rather not have to buy a whole new set of jaws again). :)

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@ronreynolds2888 I sold off all but one of my ten or so VM120s and the VM150 when downsizing. A mistake!! I particularly miss the 48mm Shark Jaws and Step Jaws which fill the gaps of the VM100 jaws. It's difficult to have too many chucks if you have somewhere to put them - and it's often more time-consuming without them.

[@johnhill6473]

Thanks Richard! Love the spatula, and I was also fascinated by your homemade disk sander table.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I find it easier to use than one which fits a tool rest banjo. You'll get a better view of this one when I show how my lathe is set up.

[@victoryak86]

These little projects seem likely to sell well too. A bit of pretty grain, a few small flourishes and you have a useful and attractive kitchen spatula!

[@colinchalmers1099]

Nice,love the block sander tip,cheers Colin.

[@daveandcindyamos5537]

Thanks Richard for make these videos. Really enjoy them.

[@pijnto]

Been following you long before there was KZbin. don't think I have never seen a woodturner more at one with the lathe.

[@benniegreen498]

So much to take in from this video. I really appreciate watch your flowing technique with the skew. I am going to work on this project, something new for my skew! Thank you!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@russelledwards8703]

Great project. Learnt a lot. Made four and have three usable spatulas. Thanks Richard.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks

[@ClintHitchcock]

Awesome project Richard. Been following you through books and magazines for many years. Thanks for sharing.

[@PBUCKY1969]

Glad I have subscribed - I'm learning so much - thanks - great to see such good use of the Skew!

[@alexinmidwales7506]

Thanks Richard,love watching you craft these beautiful items and always pick up lots of useful information . I would love to see a video on design details that you incorporate in to your work to enhance them and maybe a separate video on your custom round scraper with the square cut out if you have the time to do it.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKWxaWSjfseqgbM shows how to turn beads on a bowl profile and I've a video on using scrapers on my list of things-to-do along with one on bowl design.

[@jamescarter8813]

Great Project Richard. One that I will look to use to help get rid of those odd bits of wood.

[@roystheboy]

Thats very good have ever done a spurtle

[@tomislavtomasicwoodturning]

Great video,great project.....just made one couple of weeks ago on the lathe and really fun to make.... So many design opportunities..... Thanks for sharing knowledge.....

[@jackthompson5092]

Nice job Richard.

[@douglasperry1226]

Thank you Sir very well orchestrated! I need to take a break from turning bowls and do some spindle work has been quite some time! 👍🏼💫🪵

[@jasonbailey9139]

Looks like something you can hone your skills with using nothing more than pieces from the firewood pile. Might have to do that to brush up my skills as I haven't turned anything in a few years.

[@OldrichPekny]

Zdravím na Vás je radost koukat jak vám to hraje pod rukama ........děkuji moc za krásné video :)

[@Cancun771]

Outstanding! I'm doing that _immediately!_

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

That is a great project and well received as a gift by foodies. I have found I am not enough of a production turner to make them fast enough to make it a craft sale item since the sales price needs to be fairly low.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I've only ever made these occasionally taking 2-3 hours to make 10 or 12 to sell of less than $20 at craft markets.

[@CrimeVid]

Kitchen stuff I make. I tend to boil for a while, seems to stabilise it. Lets you get away with wood that’s still a bit green too.

[@pgmallasch]

Thanks!

[@tricolorturners]

I find a drum on the lathe is a bit easier to work with for these types of projects. Great video!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The disk sander is best for flat blades, the drum for curved blades. Or either foam-backed. I need to make one or two.

[@tobykathan8277]

What dimensions about do you make the blank? I saw some taper in two dimensions.

[@Leefywood]

Been turning for 8 years now but honestly the skew still scares the hell out of me. You make it look so easy. Not. Thanks for sharing.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Did you take a look at the skew catches video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvSiHl7gdB5iqs. It should help if you're nervous of catches.

[@johnkriplean1148]

Another great demo. where do you live ?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Canberra

[@tja490]

What is the difference between a Spurtle and a Spatula? I'd like to see some Spurtle turning.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Very broadly, a spurtle is a round stick often with a stylised thistle head traditionally used for stirring porridge. A spatula has a broad flat blade for mixing, spreading, and lifting.

[@chrish8294]

Awesome project! Going to have to try this one. I really like your dust collection box. Seems to help direct the air flow a good deal.

[@MarklTucson]

Cool project, appreciate seeing the details of how you transition from the flat to the handle

[@gregmcateer8752]

Thank you once again for your lovely clear demo. Really useful. Could I ask - is cedar OK for food? I've heard talk of it being poisonous. I've been given some good amount and would like to have a go at a spatula after watching your video. Thanks in advance, Greg

[@haroldsworld]

Very cool project. I did one today out of a piece of Pear wood I rescued from the wood pile. It was fun. I would have normally turned it in to a pen or something. This is much better. Helped my skew technique too. Will make a nice gift for one of my daughters. May have to make more. At least one for the other daughter. Thank you Richard, Harold Mills

[@RobBrandtWoodturning]

Great video Richard. Can you think of a better use for the bits either side of the pith when cutting bowl blanks? The bits I have are too small for platters.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

3-in / 75mm diameter bowl and dishes are great for rings, cherry stones, nut bowls, paperclips, rubber bands....

[@daisensei69]

Great little project 😎👍 One question though, I thought you said your finish was boiled linseed oil? Just BLO is not food safe (due to dryers used), but Raw is, or was it my hearing?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You heard correctly. I found raw linseed oil doesn't dry. Apart from that, my understanding is that all finishes are food safe once cured. I was told recently by a scientist who seems to know about these things, that the minuscule amount of toxins in boiled linseed oil applied to a bowl or spatula are not something to worry about. The finish soon comes off when washed with hot water and detergent.

[@daisensei69]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning you are right in as much as the amount would be minuscule and probably nothing to worry about, but I use medical grade mineral oil and bees wax mix these days, to appease those that complain. As far as once set, most are inert, but not necessarily food safe. Does it matter, probably not except to the newer generations, but many are more sensitive these days.

[@kevinboyle1285]

I found a source for heat treated linseed oil that is otherwise raw and 100% pure. It dries quickly and is reasonable priced for a gallon.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@kevinboyle1285 If I was in North American I'd be using Mahoney's Walnut oil. So what have you found and where is it?

[@kevinboyle1285]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning My reply keeps disappearing when I link directly. Heritage Natural Finishes has raw linseed and other interesting products.

[@garyjanes2358]

Inspiring me to push mee self!

[@elif.9695]

how much would you sell something like this for????

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Currently, 2022, these retail anywhere between $15 to $30 depending on the situation - street market, up-market retail or somewhere in between. I'd wholesale ten for $120 to $150.

[@jay70328]

Those are some crazy skew chisel skills!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It's what I teach beginners....

[@mickeydyke392]

Thanks Richard. A joy to be back in your shop.