Richard Raffan turns a claret ash tea bowl in real time

[@kreech68]

these videos should have TENS OF THOUSANDS of likes, and he should have HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of subscribers - the GURU-level knowledge is amazing

[@squareandlevel]

Mr. Raffan, I just wanted to say thank you for making all these videos. I recently started wood turning and feel you have saved me years of learning by trial and error. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us all. Hope you have a great day!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I hope to save people some of the frustrations I went through starting in 1970, way before turning became as popular as it is today.

[@EldenMcKinney]

I've been learning from your books and videos for years 76 year old hobbist here. You make it look so simple.Thanks.

[@JWWoodturning]

Another instructive video Richard. I was joking with friends that you have been my tutor as I have transitioned from hobbyist to professional turner and yet we will probably never meet. More power to your elbow and i look forward to learning as much as I can from you in the future. Definitely the best turner on KZbin.

[@johnnyb95678]

JW is correct! You are definitely the best turner on KZbin. I am a rank beginner (~3 years) and have learned so much thanks to your videos and your helpful instruction. Thank you very much for sharing your expertise.

[@randyscorner9434]

So interesting that I just found a source for some ash and having seen Richard turn it so much was looking forward to it. I was not disappointed and the first bowl I did was very similar to Richard's. It just took me 4 times as long to get it done! But I did get the beeswax finish to be "silky smooth" as Richard has instructed. Thanks much, yet again.

[@tricolorturners]

Small bowls are so useful around the house. Very nice!

[@scubadraig4725]

Thanks for a great video , im about 6 months in with turning, its a pleasure to see no bowl gouge snobbery, ie using a scraper to shape the deeper part of the bowl.. I've seen many comments like you must do it all with the gouge. Makes me rethink my technique

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

People forget or maybe never knew that, traditionally, scrapers were never used for spindle work, whereas patternmakers chose scrapers for finishing facework patterns that required accuracy. Bowl turners who never use scrapers, be it through superstition or ignorance, are missing out.

[@allennorris1493]

Thank you for posting this Richard. May I wish you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Old Country.

[@johnlavarine8155]

Thank you, Mr Raffan, for putting out your wonderful videos and sharing your knowledge, experience and expertise!

[@MichaelKimber]

Richard, thanks for all of your effort posting so many wonderful, instructional videos. Wishing you a peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable Christmas.

[@LewisKauffman]

Thanks! Hope you and yours have an enjoyable holiday!

[@powellmrp6335]

A wonderful display of practised economy of motion & skill. Production speed, indeed. Such a joy to behold, Sir. Also, It's fun to see that you, By Golly, are going to use your tools till there's no more to use. Again: Economy. Thank you!

[@MarklTucson]

Appreciated seeing that in real time. The grain in that Claret Ash is really quite nice.

[@peterscherle2853]

Merry Christmas Richard, love your videos 🎄🎅

[@jackthompson5092]

Very nice little bowl Richard.

[@ArchEdge]

Thanks Richard - Great Video. I ended up finding a place in Victoria which sold bowl blanks at a very reasonable price - and turned my first Beech bowl last night - thanks to what i've learnt from your videos. Much Appreciated, and Merry Xmas.

[@randyrockwell6136]

Excellent video ….. thank you for all the time you spend sharing your skill and knowledge with us 🤠🇨🇱

[@scubadraig4725]

Thanks Richard that's very informative. Im happy to learn from some of the best

[@frankhuscroft5965]

You always make it look so easy!! Thank you for posting your videos.

[@cobberpete1]

Very nice. I made your Baron Egg Cup with a piece of Claret Ash. Very nice to turn. I wish I could get more of it here in West Oz. Merry Christmas Richard.

[@SpunbyGreenJeans]

Nice small bowl. Thank you for sharing !!

[@glencrandall7051]

Very nice Richard. I like the simple shape. very easy to produce if a set is needed. Thank you for sharing. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.🙂🙂

[@kennethmiller1245]

Another awesome demonstration! As I watched it seemed that you kept the same lathe speed for turning, sanding and polishing. Looks amazing.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Very likely. It's nice to have variable speed, but not essential.

[@DiemenDesign]

Lovely little project. Would love to turn some Claret Ash, if only I could get our Cow to stop harrassing the trees guard and let it grow, lol.

[@ThomasGates-y4h]

I noticed something when you’re doing the bowl you get chattered that’s what happens when I’m doing it. I’m glad to see an expert, so thank you for showing this least. I know that I’m not doing something wrong. It is always amazing to watch you work. Thank you for this.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

There is often a small ring of barely discernable chatter that's quickly smoothed with power sanding.

[@terrysharp908]

Excellent as always, thanks

[@STMwoodturning]

Thanks for sharing your skill and knowledge 😊

[@alun7006]

I am in awe of your speed and efficiency. I can't get cuts that aggressive and get any sort of decent surface finish.

[@henrysscrollsawworks6917]

Niiiicccceeelllyyy done sir ‼️‼️‼️ and Merry Christmas

[@pbpleased7936]

Why power sanding on inner bowl and not on outer? Thank you so much for your commitment to teaching and sharing! Beautiful little bowl.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Partly expense in that sheet abrasive is less expensive than a disk. That adds up when making several dozen bowls a day. Inside, power sanding is in part a shaping tool but also less hard on my fingertips and joints.

[@lucyb15]

lovely!

[@jorisdemoel3821]

A lovely bowl form indeed, and a lovely figure in that wood. As always, you make it look so easy! Amused to see the wax buildup in the black and orange sock. Are there types of wood especially suite (and unsuited) for tea bowls? Well, other than the poisonous of course. Thanks for another instructive and diverting video.

[@josephpotterf9459]

Very nice Thanks

[@ajtechbd6999]

Nice.....

[@nigelspencer6546]

Great video. Where did you buy the sanding head for an anglegrinder?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Sanding pads are widely available throughThe wax is often mixed with boiled linseed oi woodturnig specialist stores as well as generally. Most of mine are Skiltons made in Australia.

[@jeanlong4285]

Beautiful, do you ever use anything other than bee's wax as a finish?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

As you'll see in many of my videos, the beeswax is often mixed in with boiled linseed oil. If there any fissures or open knots I use just the BLO.

[@danielemanuele5827]

How do you prevent the foot of the bowl from being indented by the chuck?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

You turn the foot to the correct size for the chuck being used but need suitable chuck jaws with crisp dovetails that aren't chamfered. There's a video on using jaws and not marking the wood. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoeVhWmlf8x2n5Y

[@danielemanuele5827]

Thank you, so very much!

[@kenvasko2285]

Sweet little bowl. The foot is a little high for my eye. It looks around 1/2" high.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Maybe a tad more, Ken. It's modelled on classic Japanese and Korean tea bowls.

[@kenvasko2285]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I see that now. I've never turned one because I worry about stability with a high foot. I guess turning to proper proportions comes with practice and observation.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@kenvasko2285 The weight of the foot ensures stability provided it's not too narrow. Whilst I was establishing myself as a turner I was fortunate to have a lot of design input and critiques from very well-known potters. It was an enormous help.

[@WhoGnu08]

Richard, I see from a previous comment that your scraper is 9mm thick. How wide is it?

[@WhoGnu08]

@RichardRaffanwoodturning, never mind, I think it found it. Here in the US, Packard Woodworks sells the line of Richard Raffan Signature Tools, and I believe the one that you used on the inside of the bowl is the Refining Scraper. Is that correct?

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

@@WhoGnu08 I generally use the 1¼" whenever possible for the extra weight over a 1". When refining a curve I like to have an edge radiused just slightly tighter than the curve I'm cutting - which means I've several slightly different shapes available. The edge from the manufacturer soon changes to suit your requirements. If you've a similar dimensioned barely used round nose scraper, that can be reshaped over time.

[@WhoGnu08]

Thank you for your answer.

[@birdman858]

What is the brand of the inside scraper you use? And thank you for the excellent advice you’ve given over the years. I was given one of your books years ago and I’ve been a student of yours since.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I'm using Raffan Signature scrapers made by Henry Taylor. They're 9mm thick.

[@birdman858]

Thank you. I’ll get one.

[@milasiroky3301]

I believe it should be number HS67 according to H. Taylor's catalog

[@birdman858]

Thank you for that number.