02-05-2011, 02:10 PM
(01-05-2011, 09:52 PM)big band heaven Wrote: What a great bowl. I've never seen that type of wood before but it does have a nice grain pattern. There is certainly a lot of skill tied up in making one of those. In these days of mass produced rubbish - its refreshing to see something produced with both love and extreme skill.
Richard.
Thanks for the kind comments folks.
Given that you are in Aukland, NZ, Richard, it might interest you to know that that's where my lathe and chucks were manufactured by a leading lathe maker, Teknatool International, who manufacure and market lathes and chucks under their 'Nova' brand name.
They began manufacturing woodworking machines and accessories in Auckland, NZ, in 1977, and began exporting in 1980 - their first international market being Australia. In 1996 they began exporting to the North American market and later to Europe, where they now have a firm foothold.
In 2006, Teknatool opened its own facility in Qingdao, China, 100% owned by Teknatool International NZ. In 2008, Teknatooll was awarded the SUPREME award for its operation in China, in the National NZ-China Trade Association awards.
http://www.teknatool.com/
My Nova lathe has eight speeds, which the belt has to be changed on pulleys to alter, which onlty takes a few seconds, but Nova also make a variable speed lathe (DVR-XP) which is very popular in the UK. As secretary of our local woodturning club, I submitted a successful bid for £3,500 lottery funding for a DVR-XP and Nova checks ansd accessories a copule of years ago.
Australia is also firmly on the woodturners' map when it comes to lathes. Vicmarc Machinery, a family owned and operated business, has been manufacturing Wood Turning Lathes and Accessories such as chucks for hobbyists and professionals since 1984, and markets them worldwide.
Vicmarc lathes, chucks and accessories are wholly manufactured in Oz.
http://www.vicmarc.com/default.asp?contentID=593
I don't think many people would assocate NZ ad Oz with machinery manufacture, given the limited size of their home markets, so it's a good news story down under, and all credit due to them.
Australian woodturners have an excellent choice of homegrown exotic timbers - eucalypts and wonderful burrs known as 'goldfield burrs' but I'm not sure what the situation is in NZ, whch has a more temperate climate.
David
