Woodworker

[Tom Dunne]

I met this man in Nunhead Cemetery when I was out shooting the old memorials.
He made the lathe in the old fashioned style, makes his own tools and uses wood harvested from the wilderness in the graveyard and does his work in the cemetery. And he was happy for me to photograph him as he worked.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Tom, these are great-quality shots. Really nice tones and comps. But more than that, they seem really...sympathetic. Hard to buy that!

 

[Tom Dunne]

Thanks so much Rob. He asked me if I would let him have copies and I said you must be joking.
He emailed me saying he was delighted with them and so happy to have them.

 

[Brian Moore]

A pole lathe I think that's called. He works the pole by pressing with his foot on a lever attached by that rope you see, the pole springs and cause a reciprocating motion of the work. Is that right, Tom? Fascinating! Does he sell what he makes there? Great shots, Tom! Thanks.

 

[Pete Askew]

Fabulous Tom and I can only echo Rob's comments.

 

[Tom Dunne]

Exactly Brian. I think I have some shots showing what you are referring to and I'll post them soon. Don't know whether he sells his work Brian but I would imagine he does.
Thanks Brian

 

[Tom Dunne]

Thanks Rob and Pete. It was a real bonus on the outing to find him in amongst graves.

 

[Tom Dunne]

A few more that demonstrates what Brian was referring to...

 

[Pete Askew]

Three more super shots Tom. I have watched such lathes being used before and I'm always impressed with the speed with which they can work green wood with them.

 

[Tom Dunne]

Thanks again Pete. He was a good subject and very enjoyable to watch him in action.
Apparently razor sharp tools are the key to master the green wood.

 

[Brian Moore]

Three more great shots, Tom. Thanks for posting them.

Working green wood on a lathe is an art all its own. The key to success is even drying of the wood. So, you need to have evenly thick surfaces. Once you get the bowl (or whatever) shaped, you just wait and see what develops. The evaporation (however uneven it may be) often causes the wood to warp as it dries, resulting in interesting shapes. (There's nothing quite like soaking wet, green wood shavings flying off a lathe.)

This chap you've taken the pictures of is clearly a craftsman.

 

[Dave Green]

Love stuff like this - very nicely done!

 

[Tom Dunne]

Three more great shots, Tom. Thanks for posting them.

Working green wood on a lathe is an art all its own. The key to success is even drying of the wood. So, you need to have evenly thick surfaces. Once you get the bowl (or whatever) shaped, you just wait and see what develops. The evaporation (however uneven it may be) often causes the wood to warp as it dries, resulting in interesting shapes. (There's nothing quite like soaking wet, green wood shavings flying off a lathe.)

This chap you've taken the pictures of is clearly a craftsman.

Thanks for providing more interesting information Brian. The smell of the wood was really nice. I think his love for his work shines through.

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Superb Tom. I know pole lathes well and this is quite an elaborate one. I am sure he is very pleased with these.

 

[Ivar Dahl-Larsen]

I second Rob and Dave on these. Lovely made in black and white and a very nice story told. Thanks Tom, this is down my lane.

 

[Paul Lange]

These are great Tom, fascinating in fact, to see the lathe at work.

 

[Dave Young]

Really nice work Tom, the tones are just spot on.

 

[Douglas McMann]

A great storyboard Tom, with excellent, sympathetic images....nice.

 

[Tom Dunne]

Thanks so much Douglas. Very much appreciated.