Richard Raffan turns a large pawn on a small lathe for the 11th. 4-Ways project.

The 28 kg (62lbs) blank has my small lathe vibrating somewhat, so you see how I cope with that and the problems arising. Getting such a large blank on the lathe is a challenge and you see a monumental catch.
This is the 11th. 4-Ways project. 4-WAYS comprises Sam Angelo, Mike Peace, myself, and Tomislav Tomašić who suggested that having four turners publish their approach to one project at the same time should be interesting. 4-Ways publish after noon on the first of each month, US time, which is evening in Europe. For Australasians it’ll be the 2nd. morning of each month. Each video has links to the others.
Tomislav - • How to make modern and...
Sam - • Turned Chess Piece ~ ...
Mike - • How to Turn a Chess Pi...

[@jrk1666]

You know its a big project when he doesn't use a 1/2 inch spindle gouge

[@leftmono1016]

A substantial increase to the pawn content online.

[@RobbieBolog]

A good reminder for all of us to never stop thinking out of the box. What an unexpected piece. You’re a legend Mr Raffan

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Now that is a pawn! It shows how much more challenging a very large project is. That piece would have justified the purchase of the 1 3/8" Lacer skew I picked up at the Chattanooga WC for half price when I drove up to watch your all day demo back in 2011. MOunting a project that heavy makes me think about when a face plate ring really is handy for hanging the piece onto chuck jaws while tightening compared to other approaches. Thanks for coming up with something unexpected and different!

[@gav2759]

It's a public holiday here today and I was going to get so much done around the house. Then the four ways vids turn up and the morning is gone. Thanks to you all for posting, but there now follows a slightly awkward conversation with my "supervisor".

[@davidcochran9322]

Great project. Rather than crowbar/levers I have found using an inflatable wedge (the type often used by window fitters) to be very useful to adjust height and steady whilst getting tailstock in place. Very best wishes for 2024

[@kevingerald8286]

Richard, I love your "warts and all videos" of woodturning - it is very reassuring to see a master turner have catches, just like us novices. As ever in woodwork, or even life in general, it's not the mistakes that matter but how you deal with them. Thanks for your instructive videos. Cheers Kevin

[@pigeonmanof180]

I feel privileged to watch you work through a project. I always learn from you, even the catches and recoveries. You are a master.

[@oldgeezer1746]

Love the size. When I made my first chess set the pawns were the biggest challenge. You only need 15 more!

[@johnwhitteron5296]

"Get rid of the evidence first." 😂This should be the Woodturners motto. Love it! Your the best Richard.

[@mikepullen8028]

You never cease to amaze with your skill

[@justinfletcher7630]

You've answered some questions of mine on a different video earlier which I greatly appreciate. It made me feel great knowing even massive lathes like that can be bogged down and forced to stop or come close to it because I thought I watched enough videos and had a good enough idea of what I was doing. That I put a 14" long 9 inch diameter log on and thought I was going to make a masterpiece my first turn . I was gravely mistaken and went down to a piece about 1.5 inches thinner and 6 inches shorter and just started working on taking material off in a smooth type manner. That's when I learned that speed matters an awful lot

[@alanspears6926]

Appreciate the additional effort you put into this challenge. Always enjoy the way you work through a project.

[@keithedwards1038]

Fantastic work

[@JimtheEvo]

I’ve been bowl turning for about a decade and finally decided to try and master spindle turning and the skew. Thank you for keeping in your catches, we both make the same noise when they happen!

[@billywilliams6723]

Love your work Richard!

[@Gingerbiker]

Great piece of work

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Excellent piece. Love the scale.

[@user-js2us1kc1w]

That thing is AWESOME. I enjoyed your talking through problems and solutions. Fascinating. It should be in a museum along with the video. Seriously. Interesting seeing how scale introduces and amplifies challenges.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks Richard really nice project

[@woodbutcherjc]

Enjoyed watching this very much. Thank you sir.

[@glencrandall7051]

Very impressive Richard. Will be very interested in seeing the other three entries. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year, have a great 2024.🙂🙂

[@dt.woodcreations2064]

Now that’s what I call a pawn. To turn a complete set you would have to cut down a small forest. Learned a lot from this video, thanks Richard!

[@gordongroves6674]

A brave undertaking indeed! Lovely job and quite different from the other three. Thank you for sharing.

[@pi9090ki]

That was a hell of a job. Well done Mr. Raffan. A master peace!!!! All the best and happy turning in 2024..

[@executive]

that turned out really well. I'm impressed by your freehand sphere shaping.

[@patbeatty7116]

As someone who has turned for over 20 years and stills considers himself a new turner it is somewhat gratifying to see an Expert turner get a spectacular "catch", jump when it happens, and then is able to clean up the "mess". I think when I get catches like that on smaller projects, I usually have to back off for a while to reconsider what I'm doing. It is a pleasure to watch you turn.

[@christopherharrison6724]

As a complete newbie it is so interesting to see the whole process.Fabulous result.

[@terrysharp908]

Excellent, thanks

[@jackthompson5092]

Great turning Richard. Happy new year.

[@ianbedwell4871]

Having tried something that big I appreciate how much work and jarring you get on the rough out stage. I now use a hand electric planner to help with edges. Happy New Year and to paraphrase the dolphins “ thanks for all the videos “ 😊

[@Laikeen]

Thanks so much M. RAFFAN for thèse beautiful piece and have an happy new year full of woodturning

[@billstanley5317]

That was an epic journey. I was on the edge of my seat when you started with the skew - very brave! Turned out great though.

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Wow Richard that is quite the piece. Thanks for the demonstration on how to make the pawn. Happy New Years to you and your family Take care Cheers Harold

[@connievanderwalt7793]

Hi Richard, I am a big fan of yours and really enjoy your KZbin videos. I have made quite a few large table legs and a few oversized chess pieces myself. I had the same problem that a spur centre is just too small, especially in softer wood. I started to use a 25mm pin jaw(on a Nova chuck) for this. I drill a 1inch hole on the headstock side in centre, slip it over the pinjaw and then I can easily position the tailstock as the headstock will stay centre. After positioning the tailstock I tightened the pinjaw. Works for me. Thanks for all the great contributions in the woodturning community!

[@jakegevorgian]

Magnificent

[@jacobbrowning8144]

You are a badass Mr. Raffin. I really enjoy your videos, thanks.

[@johnnyb95678]

What a job that must have been lifting around a 60+ pound chunk of wood and getting it centered up on a lathe. And that catch was epic! That is the kind of catch on a large piece that you feel down to the bone. Happy new year sir! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@nevillerooney3632]

Now that's a pawn!. Loved it. Really enjoyed the insight into your thinking as you worked through manoeuvring and holding the log. A few lessons there in of themselves. Also enjoyed seeing the big tools come out and the delicate work you were able to pull off. All on a VL150! I don’t know if you enjoyed it mate but I really enjoyed seeing the 'old' master push himself out of the box. More please.

[@edwardkuhne2045]

you do very well to keep a straight face on the reveal. 'I made this pawn'. I had just come from watching Tomislav's video and laughed out loud.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Just the reaction I hoped for.

[@brianhawes3115]

I want one!! That was unexpected, I be subscribed to your channel since you’ve been making this content and am experiencing good sales on some of the projects you demo, like scoops, spatulas, bowls, and surprisingly balls, and I think a few of these will be added

[@MarklTucson]

Wow, that was an awesomely large project. Very interesting take on this month's challenge. It was quite instructive seeing how you dealt with the challenges on a project this massive in size and mass. One really interesting aside -- the size of the tools used made it very easy to see where the wood was coming off of the cutting edge; really helpful to see where the cutting was occurring. Yours is the second of these I've watched, now to watch what Mike Peace and Sam Angelo have done for this challenge.

[@geraldmoore3686]

Beautiful piece Richard, a job well done. I am loving you all doing the 4-Ways projects each month. I hope you continue them.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

We enjoy making the 4-Way projects and have no plans to stop.

[@alanneel2749]

Well that was quite unexpected , I would have expected a tiny set!!Only 31 more pieces to go!

[@DennisSuitters]

Interesting project, glad those catch's weren't nastier than they were.

[@MASI_forging]

Nice work dude, It looks good ☺☺

[@archiehebron8944]

Youve really done something big this time, sir.🎉😂

[@user-qk2hw9zj1s]

Браво, Ричард!!! Очень необычная работа! Просто грандиозно!!!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Спасибо

[@davidbarnes5953]

Good job of hogging it out. Makes me feel better, with all your "Oh My". Thanks by Starting my New Year with a 😃

[@jorisdemoel3821]

I wish you a very happy 2024. Now that is a pawn and a half! Very good tips on how to handle large pieces on small lathes. And large pieces in general. I am curious though, what was the last piece of this type you turned as you say you rarely did it? And will we get to see what it looks like after some drying? Thanks for another entertaining and educational video!

[@naturaIIydifferent]

Very cool. Now for the other 31 pieces, and a 5 foot checkerboard! Lol, just kidding. Cool take on the 4ways project!

[@malbun3275]

Hi Richard,happy new year,hope it will be another enjoyable year of turning and good health. That was an epic turn,it would make a good door stop or paper weight!, Regards from NZ

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

If it doesn't end up as a hat stand or doorstop it'll be a decorative object in the garden. .

[@randycosgrove3608]

I'm looking forward the when you get the whole set finished. And the board. LOL. Nice work. Never tried anything that large and now I want to.

[@cobberpete1]

Ha, Ha, I had the same thought. I can just imagine a giant set in the Plaza, with a couple of old guys hefting them around the board.

[@alanmckeown6462]

Impressive turning. Never tried anything that size.

[@keith726able]

I learned to turn over 30 years ago using all your videos (yes, I still have a VHS tape player), and your books, which I still refer to. It was satisfying watching a master such as you have the same catches we all get - that skew spiral can be really annoying. But you persevered, fixed the mistakes, and made a beautiful piece. Thank you for all the teaching you have done. You and Jimmy Clewes made me the turner I am today, and I can't express the joy and satisfaction that I get from this craft!

[@gregdownunderinOz]

Good job on a small lathe. I was surprised you used so much long point skew work but not surprised with catches. Being green helped your turning , can you show us what it looks like in a few months in another 4 ways project as a review of earlier ones.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There are a few splits developing and I'm thinking of detailing those with either sanding or charring. I'll leave the pawn in the sun to hasten the drying and do something in six months or so.

[@uglydave451]

I bet you were tickled when you reveled that to the group!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There was definite an element of that.

[@stevemeiklejohn7278]

Thanks for the video Richard. I only stumbled upon your KZbin channel a week ago & have watched a few video's over the break. I got into wood turning with the Gold Coast Wood Turners Club at Mudgeeraba approximately 2001. I was wondering, did you do a demonstration day at the Gold Coast back then? Unfortunately over the years I have had an idle lathe in the garage while raising family etc. Hopefully I can get back into turning again soon.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There's a list of my workshops and demos on my website www.richardraffan.com.au/workshops/. I've rarely had workship enquiries from Australian woodturners.

[@kenvasko2285]

You are the King of chess pieces, the Bishop of boardgames, the Grand Master of gamesmanship. Well done, my friend. It was not an easy piece to turn. Please update us as it dries. Do you plan on drying it slowly so it doesn't split?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

We had a few days of 30°c and splits appeared. I'll attend to them in a few months when the wood's settling down.

[@davidmorgan7522]

Now that's a chess piece!

[@cobberpete1]

I've seen power poles with less girth than your start blank. I hope it does not move too much, although it would just add to the character. Beautiful outcome.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It's splitting somewht and I'll detail the splits towards the end of the year.

[@kennethmiller1245]

Thank you so much for showing the challenges of turning a piece like this! Watching the challenges and recovery process was great. Two questions: 1) does it harm the lathe motor when it bogs down, and 2) does the alternating sapwood and heartwood pose an additional challenge? Thank you again!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I imagine straining the motor on a very regular basis isn't advisable, bit I don't know. I should have adjusted the drive belt for more torque but it's omethign I do so rarely it didn't cross my mind at first. When it did I decided to carry on - rather lazy of me. Having unequal massses of heartwood and sapwood always has the lathe vibrating but there's not much difference regards turning them.

[@iancompton6961]

and you think only amateurs get catches :) :) :) thanks Richard this was fun

[@edeyden1326]

Wow. That is one huge piece of wood! Nicely shaped though. I wonder how many bowls and boxes you could've gotten out of it

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Depends on the size of the bowls or boxes - could have been several hundred.

[@michaelnicholson572]

I feel better about catches now that I know even RR gets them. The difference is, I would have run for the sandpaper after the first one. He just fixes the dig and moves on.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Not all these catches are the genuine article although I usually comment when they're unexpected and are. Some took a bit of practice.

[@gaisimpson5716]

Nice work Richard but I think I'll stick to my small projects thank you.😅

[@billy19461]

Really enjoyed the turning. There is one question I would like to ask, why didn’t you go to more torque?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Laziness! I should have changed the pulley, but that's something I've never done on this lathe so initially it didn't cross my mind.

[@dll1001]

Looks like quite an athletic event, turning this piece. Would it have been "easier" turning if the wood was either all heart, or all sap? It looks to be jumping around a lot. It is a beautiful piece.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

A blank of even density wouldn't rattle the lathe as much if at all. A whole log would have been better balanced but also more likely to split.

[@murraypotts924]

I think 2 wedges on each end would be a better way of getting it lined up.

[@Cancun771]

The first time I've seen a workpiece get _more_ unbalanced while also getting _more_ concentric. Never even thought that could happen. But will it not warp heavily as it dries, considering the wood is not merely green but also half sap? And on another subject, WHY don't you ever mention you have *your own line of Henry Taylor tools?* It would have made my shopping so much easier ;-)

[@Kenneth-ny6bq]

Go big or go home...lol...whew!

[@RCDinsmore]

Why did you choose the half round gouges to start, as opposed to a skew? I'm a complete beginner and trying to understand when to use what tool. Thanks.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Using a skew chisel, even as a scraper, on this scale would be dangerous and risk a catch heavy enough to break the tool. The gouges are designed for the task. As a complete beginner you might watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmisYpxsib52Zpo and other videos in the playlist for novice turners to get you going.

[@chrissimmoms1550]

Did you enjoy making it?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I did and will be doing some more biggish projects.

[@gfsimmons1]

Was this wet, freshly cut, wood?

[@LAZZY0001]

At 8 minutes Mr Raffan says 'this was growing 3 days ago'

[@garylawrence7547]

Turning wet wood is an entirely different proposition then turning dry/seasoned wood. Just wondering why you didn’t use a bowl gouge on that top ball.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I used the equally strong spindle detail gouge because that gets into corners.

[@valeriehenschel1590]

Took awhile, but you got there, and it turned out very nice. Hope it did not distort or crack too much with the drying. And too big to microwave!🤣

[@robertwilson54]

Of all the tools I have the one I use the least is the skew I think it’s a horrid tool, I have more catches than Freddie Flintoff, I avoid it as much as possible 😂

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You're missing out on a wonderful tool. You need to understand why tools catch. This should help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJvSiHl7gdB5iqs

[@peterbucy1846]

I think that Richard's lathe may have bitten off more timber than it could handle. That was a very heavy piece of wood for a small lathe. The blank had very difficult grain to turn, obviously. It wasn't a particularly attractive wood, either. I don't think that the timber being wet helped Richard, either. I think that a nice piece of reasonably seasoned ash, on a larger, heavier lathe, would have made this project a lot easier for Richard.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The whole point of choosing to work on this scale is to show ambitious novices what they're in for putting a large unbalanced blank on a small lathe. Unseasoned or not, this blank would rattle most lathes. This Chinese elm works very well as you'll see in upcoming videos.

[@peterbucy1846]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I thoroughly enjoy your turning videos. One of the things that I like best is that I never know what you will be turning next. Your videos have challenged me to turn projects that I probably would have never done, if I had not seen you do it first. Congratulations on taming this massive timber on a small lathe.

[@christopherharrison6724]

You do like to test yourself don’t you.

[@ravenhhca]

I was afraid to watch.

[@Niemals_Anal-lena]

Ob man ihm mal sagen sollte, wenn man weniger stark drangeht, bleibt die Maschine nicht dauernd stehen, er selbst merkt das nie.