Richard Raffan cuts an old beam into figured turning blanks.

You see how I transform part of an old beam into a clutch of turning blanks. And you see how three of the blanks end up as a bowl and flat box, both with rippling grain patterns.

[@nelsonsiu7342]

Please keep these coming Richard. These are so very much appreciated by the community, and we are so thankful you are sharing your knowledge with all of us.

[@MikePeaceWoodturning]

Excellent demonstration of how we should identify cracks early, Richard. And bandsaw safety which is often overlooked. Thanks for taking time to share a lifetime of turning wisdom.

[@s10m0t10n]

From sow's ear to silk purse, Richard. Those finished pieces are lovely and I look forward to seeing the video of their making, along with what you fashion from the other bits, too. Thank you.

[@Mckmake]

Richard, what a fantastic source of knowledge you are, I never tire of watching your videos.

[@trurex007lee7]

Very interesting in how you cut the wood and not only imagine what you can do with such small pieces but then actually turn them into your imagined designs. Fantastic.

[@glencrandall7051]

I never would have imagined that many useable pieces from that piece of wood.

[@debbiecoull6957]

I watch all your videos. I am so appreciative that you are passing on your skills. Today I watched this one and it has given me the confidence to tackle huge lumps of olive I picked up in France 3 years ago. One was a large lumpy root ball. I've managed to get 10 box, and two bowl blanks out of it, and I'm not done yet. Wonderful figure in the wood.
Thanks so much Richard, and keep them coming. Debs

[@keithdexter8710]

My daughter picked me up a box of radoom wood on her honeymoon 7 years ago. I have been wondering what to do with it. Thanks so much, you are a genius

[@DiemenDesign]

Some great information, shows how much decision making goes into selecting the best parts out of a blank.

[@kenvasko2285]

Cutting along the medullary ray split was brilliant. The piece went from ordinary to beautiful when you did that. I never thought to do that cut but I will do it in the future. Thanks for the excellent video and for that sensible tip.

[@tomislavtomasicwoodturning]

Great video,love the teaser at the end.... And they turned out awsome....

[@ndothan]

When I first started turning, I always tried cutting out all cracks and other defects. I'd cut away all bark and stuff.
Then, I watched videos where people said those defects were *works of art*, so I started keeping them in, trying to fill cracks with epoxy and such.
I am so happy Richard started posting these videos. I never felt right with my products having defects. Now I have a bit more confidence that its ok to be picky with my work.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

I went through my red and blue epoxy stage in the early 1980s and soon discovered epoxy is inert whilst the wood moves and shrinks. Working with split blanks is inherently dangerous and using epoxy expensive as well as bringing it's own hazards.

[@MarklTucson]

This was very instructive seeing the decision process you followed while processing this block of wood. Has me thinking about how I can use some of my smaller pieces of mesquite.

[@tricolorturners]

I think the tuition button is missing for this one (meaning super valuable info), Richard. Wonderful insight on making the most of a chunk of wood. Thank you very much!

[@raydriver7300]

I find these videos so interesting and I thank you for sharing 🌞

[@WoodMonk3y]

Turning the extraction on & off used to drive me nuts until i got a plug in remote control for the extraction power point.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Normally for the bandsaw it's switched on and stays on whilst the saw is in use, so no irritations.

[@theangrywoodturner9972]

Nice I have the laguna saw with the brake..what blade are you using? Cuts like butter.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

The blade is 3/4-in 3 tpi flexiback freshly sharpened as seen in th-cam.com/video/StWj3KaklHI/w-d-xo.html

[@milasiroky3301]

Hi Richard, are you going to show the production of the flat box here as well? Thank you. (this was translated by google :-)).

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Yes. That will be uploaded within the next week after the bowl.

[@milasiroky3301]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning amazing!

[@milasiroky3301]

One more question please. What wood was the beam made of? Thank you

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Forest sheoak - Allocasuarina torulosa. I recognised it when I turned it.

[@milasiroky3301]

@@RichardRaffanwoodturning Ah, thank you, so Australia.

[@danielrowley9045]

Where are you from originally Richard? You sound like a Yorkshire man to me.

[@RichardRaffanwoodturning]

Born in Devon, raised in Sydney 1947-51 and Devon thereafter. Back in Australia since 1982.