We started in early 2022 after I was bored out of my mind due to Covid isolation, I needed to find something to do. A friend had been making pens on a lathe and I said to myself, “I can do that!” Boy did I have a lot to learn…
I watched hundreds of YouTube videos which made it all seem soooo easy but they definitely had thousand of hours of experience so to them I guess it was. No better way to get started than jump right into the deep end.
I started by picking up some equipment and decided to begin with bottle stoppers. First purchase was a “Kit” with the basic parts to begin. It came with a few pieces and a couple of chunks of wood. Now for some more equipment, more parts and more wood. And More wood, and even more wood.
The first stopper I thought was just great. Looking at it now, it is crude and unrefined, but I have kept it for personal use. I found a local wood dealer and became a regular at his shop buying some cutoffs and small pieces to practice on. Slowly my technique improved. Time to expand.
I started making Pens and Pen type projects in Late Spring and am now totally addicted. The Wife is the other half of the team and she pairs up the hardware with the finished bodies (if you don't like the combination - Blame Her).
So now here we are, trying to share our creations with all of you. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
-ALAMAR Woodturning