Richard Raffan turns a small crossgrain ash box

This box is turned using two of the blanks saved from the split bowl blank seen in • Richard Raffan convert... .

[@Brush0akie]

Thank you for being direct, and to the point, no extra fluff and chatter. I respect the fact you are using common & affordable tools, lathe, and grinder. All said you’re are a class act. Thank you Richard!

[@DiemenDesign]

Two videos in one day, how lucky are we for your generosity? It certainly brightened up my afternoon of paddock fencing until it started raining, to come in and see notifications of new videos. Thank you Richard always enjoyable and informative.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Since the videos are linked it seemed sensible to upload them together. And I couldn't decide on which to post first.....

[@ShevillMathers]

I learn so much from your presentations, by far the best YT channel on wood turning, excellent video quality right on the action, I can see exactly what you are doing, no endless chatter, no acres of gouges lining the walls, the master at work. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 😊

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Many thanks. Glad to be of help.

[@jamescarter8813]

Totally Agree. Richard's videos are by far one of the best on KZbin. No music, sped up cutting, or stupid artistic showmanship. Just straight forward explanation by a true Master Turner.

[@ShevillMathers]

@@jamescarter8813 There is one UK fellow who could be interesting but there is so much waffle, 5-acres of walls covered in tools, which never get used, the camera work shows more of the turner than the workpiece, and at the end of 30 -60 minutes ones sits back and tries to work out 'what did I learn from that presentation?' in essence, very, very little. We know what we will see with Richard's presentations and we learn so much every time without fail. I often watch his several times because there are so many clues that slip through on the first run through.

[@mattrichardson9012]

Fully agree

[@pigeonmanof180]

Couldn’t agree more. Every video is a master class. From the other side of the planet, thanks.

[@malbun3275]

Hi Richard As I watch our lawn turn into a lake under the onslaught of a prediction of 120 mm of rain and possibly another flood through the property,what a restful relaxing video to watch of you turning that lovely little box.thank you so much for sharing your lifetime of knowledge with us. Wood in all its forms is a joy to work with and apart from the odd dig in etc is a very calming and enjoyable experience at the lathe. Regards from the coromandel NZ

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

In 1975 I was very tempted by a $10K block looking north over the gulf but reckoned making a lving as a turner in NZ would be very difficult. With hindsight I reckon I was wrong having met several Kiwi turners who do very well.

[@milasiroky3301]

The certainty and skill with which you turn is incredible!

[@jamescarter8813]

Always excited to see one of your Videos Richard. Truly impressive work at that speed, less than 24 minutes to make a lidded box, sanded and finished in several chuck changes is beyond belief for most turners. It show your experience and mastery of the craft. Thank you for sharing your skill.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

And I was sure I took less than 20 minutes so was somewhat disappointed, but then I've not done any serious production turning for at least ten years.

[@jamescarter8813]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning I said less than 24 because the video was 24:23 long and you talked before and after, less than 20 may have been true. Either way very impressive and I thank you for sharing.

[@randycosgrove3608]

Not a comment about this video in particular but a general comment. I've said several times that I've learned a great deal from watching your videos in the last few months and that's true. But it all paid off today when I wanted to turn a small part for a larger project and remembered one of your tips for holding items in what would appear to be a small decoration. Worked like a charm and I was able to achieve something relatively easily that earlier I would have really struggled to do. Thanks again for your excellent demonstrations and methods.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

My pleasure. Glad to have been of assistance.

[@WhoGnu08]

Such mastery! The design of the outer curve of the lid is particularly elegant. And such economy of motion! Bravo!

[@billy19461]

You should have 100 times the views that you do! People don’t realize what they are missing. Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@timofeyzhukov-khovanskiy9173]

You have a depth gouge.... brilliant

[@dagwood1327]

Seems like it is greeting and where I’m from day. I really enjoy the way you make shavings. I am surrounded by forests. Never short on something to turn. Greetings from very rural north central Arkansas in the US.

[@geraldguyette470]

You have a great eye for design , I am learning by watching you , thanks for showing us how you turn .

[@haroldsworld]

Very nice piece, love the shape. you worked hard for your supper. Harold

[@uptopmikep7065]

Cam, I'd say this table has more art deco or "cubist" style than patchwork. I Love it. But then I'm into unique one-off design stuff like that. Thanks for another great video.

[@mikeduvar]

Superb as usual - an elegant little box - I find that after watching your videos I tend to find more uses for scrapers - tools I'd tended not to use very much in the past. all the very best Richard from the South of France.

[@ronfontenot4534]

Such detail in your work. Bravo. Well done.

[@mattrichardson9012]

I love how easy you make everything look

[@Huttify]

Very nice design. Like it a lot! I will try the same.

[@dt.woodcreations2064]

Enjoyed the video. I learn quite a lot from your videos.

[@hfbowerndesigns810]

Beautifully designed box Richard. Thanks for the demo Take care Cheers Harold

[@williamhector6863]

Fantastic very very inspiring

[@josephpotterf9459]

Thanks sir, always enjoyable to watch

[@burnleyize]

Boss, if I had just a fraction of your talent…. I see that as a seasoned pro, you seem to always display your confidence in the work staying in the chuck( I know … there are times it comes loose!) That is one thing that I think holds me back, is I seldom go above 600 rpm for fear of the darn thing coming off the Chuck, even with a face shield on. My other big issue is one that I’ve slowly overcome, and that is from watching GOOD turners on KZbin. I never really thought much about SUPPORT for a bowl! I just went along using the same Chuck for all sized bowls, using the same- sized tenon on all. Ha! And I would wonder why I was getting vibration and unintended patterns on the piece.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Looks like I'm' going to cost you more money, this time on chucks. Meanwhile I'll wish I could play the piano as well as yourself.

[@markthompson6860]

great job

[@davidskillestad7093]

Very nice

[@ronbeckhaus7326]

Great video, Richard. Perhaps your spare ash lid could be utilised as a lid to a two level box? Just a suggestion and may even be another excellent video.

[@KenGrunke]

Love the real-time unedited presentation, showing the "gotchas" like the piece flying off the chuck. Richard, what are your thoughts on making the fit of the lid just a bit snug? Instead of "spinny" loose? I guess "sticky" loose is what I'm trying to say.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I don't make snug fits on these crossgrain boxes because they go slightly oval with changes in humidity. If this happens when the lid grain is 90-degrees to the grain in the base, the lid can jam on so tight it can be difficult to remove. On the other hand, when the parts are slightly oval and aligned, the lid 'locks' as the grain moves out of alignment and that impresses non-turners no end. Movement in endgrain boxes is less of a problem so that's when I go for suction-fit lids.

[@KenGrunke]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning That's what we like to do, impress folks to no end :) I bought your book in '92 and taught myself the upside-down-gouge box hollowing technique. That was a blast having the chip curls spewing out the opening once I got the hang of it! Still turning at almost 70, just not as crazy about it as in the first 15 years. Thanks for the informative reply!

[@larrypack1]

Thanks for all of your informative videos and books, several of which I own and refer to often. Can I ask what speeds you are using to turn and also to sand? Also, Is there anything special about the beeswax you use? I have tried your technique for applying beeswax but it simply does not melt. Could it be because I am in Maine and my shop is often at about 60 degrees . I am using "purified" beeswax. LP

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Lathe speed for this small box would have been in the region of 1250 to 1650 rpm. I tend to lower the rpm to sand only when I can't feel the abrasive dragging on the wood. If your wax isn't melting, you need more sustained pressure to build the friction and heat to melt that particular wax. The wax I'm using is pure beeswax and harder than many I've used, maybe because it's at least 70 years old. (30 years ago I was given a 2-cubic foot lump known to have lain in a barn for more than 40 years.)

[@marcelsimun6282]

Pekná práca pán majster... 👍👍👍

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Ďakujem

[@frogfella8247]

Could tell me where you get the colour coded abrasive from please.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The abrasive is Colour Coded Grit available in Australia at www.veneerinlay.com.au/product-category/sandpaper/emery/. If you’re in North America, I’m told it’s stocked by Craft Supplies USA.

[@joelahnstein2281]

Are you placing the square scraper above, at, or below the center line? i can't tell from the video. thanks in advance.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

It depends how the scraper is being used. The important thing is to keep the angle between the top of the tool and the surface you're cutting at less than 90-degrees, known as a negative rake. So when turning the inside of a box the rest is set near centre height so a scraper is tilted down to cut at center or across a flat surface. On a profile (the outside) of a facework project the rest needs to be lower to achieve the negative rake. My books illustrate this far better with a range of drawings and photos. www.richardraffan.com.au/books-and-dvds/

[@joelahnstein2281]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning many thanks for that explanation.

[@jburton8170]

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful videos. Just one question, are you sanding at the same speed as you are turning? Again thank you for such quality examples!

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Usually the same speed. I want to feel the wood pull on the abrasive. If it doesn't I'll drop 200-300 rpm or reach for fresh abrasive.

[@jburton8170]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Thank you!