On Friday 18th September Tadley Men’s Shed welcomed +20 attendees to watch a demonstration by George Chapman of the Association of Pole -Lathe Turners and Green Woodworkers.
George showed us how using hand tools he would split a log and select the best piece of wood for the item he wanted to make. Then he demonstrated using a Shave Horse and a Draw Knife to create a spatula followed by a carving a spoon using a side axe. George then explained how the Pole Lathe would be set up, the various parts of the lathe and how he would use the various chisels to create bowls, goblets and spindles that he had brought along for us to admire. A very interesting overview of a traditional way of producing many items from freshly cut green wood as this is easier to split, cut and shape than seasoned timber.
