ALL-DAY WOODTURNING, POLE LATHE & UKIBORI DEMONSTRATION AT THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND WOODTURNERS CLUB - March 2026

siloutaggart
26 minutes ago
2 min read

I was invited to demonstrate at The Garden of England Woodturners Club last week. As it's a good 2-hour or so journey, I stayed in an AirBnB provided by one of the members where I received a wonderfully warm welcome, a fabulous evening meal and enjoyed getting to know him and his family.

The welcome was just as hearty when I arrived at the club the next day for my all-day demonstration.

I spent the morning showing the members how to turn an off-centred candlestick - eccentric woodturning. This is a popular demonstration and a little different to turning a bowl, which can be a little boring to watch (let alone demonstrate :-)).

After lunch, I showed the group how to use the pole lathe. This is a woodturning lathe that uses the resilience of a pole or rope as a return spring for its treadle. Pressing the treadle pulls on the cord that is wrapped around the piece of wood, or "billet", that is being turned.

This traditional method requires no electricity, just the power of the user's leg to press the treadle up and down.

A number of members came up and had a go at this ancient craft - very different to the electric lathe but equally as rewarding.

I ended the day with a demonstration of how to use the fascinating Japanese art of ukibori to add texture to the rim of a vessel.

Ukibori involves creating raised, three-dimensional designs on wood by compressing the fibres, then raising them with heat and moisture. The process typically begins by using a metal punch with a rounded tip to depress the wood surface, forming small dimples. The surface is then carefully shaved down to the level of the compressed fibres. When water or steam is then applied, the compressed wood fibres swell, creating subtle bumps or raised patterns that mimic natural textures.

Members of the club were able to ask questions. I always like to offer notes to go along with my demonstrations. That way, members can then try turning the projects themselves. It's important to share ideas and projects so that others can learn from them and be inspired to create their own designs.

I'd like to thank the group for their warm welcome and help with the setting up and packing down at the end too.

The Garden of England Woodturners meet on the first Saturday of every month and also have club nights on some Tuesday evenings. If you live in the area and you'd like more information about this fabulous club, you can contact them on this GofEwoodturners@gmail.com or check out their WEBSITE .