A Woodturner's Tale...

I started making sawdust as soon as my dad let me use his tools. My dad showed me how to keep body parts from harm’s way and patient shop teachers in school taught me to measure twice and cut once.

When dad died, I found an old lathe in his shop. I had no idea what to do with it or even how it worked and stored it over 10 years. In 2000 I tried using it with disastrous results. I enjoyed time on the lathe so I got a better lathe and took lessons from Ted Bartholomew in Tacoma and David Bradbury in Port Ludlow. I discovered I was ‘addicted’ to turning and all other shop equipment became staging areas for turnings. Dad’s lathe helped ‘addict’ another turner when I gave his lathe to my nephew.

Lathes make a lot of sawdust - quickly - and as the piles grew, my ability improved though not as quickly as the piles. After lots of time on the lathe and some pieces materialized, I got the nerve to sell bowls at craft fairs and graduated to selling pieces on consignment at Northwest Fine Woodworking in Seattle.

I turn with a Powermatic Model 4224 lathe. I use local wood from fallen trees like Alder, Birch, Big Leaf Maple, Mountain Ash, Madrone, Pacific Yew and ornamental trees like Beech, Elm, Monkey Puzzle and Oak.

Every piece I create is unique. If you like my work and would like to order a custom piece, I can work with wood I have or with wood that has a sentimental value to you. Wood is warm and remarkably expressive, capable of being shaped into an endless number of wonderful creations.

I've made everything from items you use every day, to collector's pieces, to remembrance pieces that hold wonderful memories, and more. If you have an idea for a piece, get in touch and we'll make it happen!

Thank you for your interest in my work and what I saved after making the sawdust.

~ Roger Dunn
   Woodturner