Contemporary Clock

This piece is a gift to my Sister and Brother-in-Law for Christmas.

The clock mechanism has been mounted into the wood and will be covered with a matching False Acacia plate, only a little smaller than the front.  But it will help to tie the front and rear design together.

The piece has taken quite a bit of time and is almost complete, just the rear cover plate to finish off and it will be ready.

 I will update with news of the completed piece with additional photos of the rear, which also has a simplified carving too.

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

Digital Inspiration

No doubt we all look for inspiration in many different ways and in many different places.  I have always used my PC and associated software to crop, correct and generally enhance my original DSLR images.  Recently I have been using Picasa to mess around with my original images to create interesting alternatives, some of which lead to ideas for future projects.

So, I decided to take this a stage further and have been playing with a simple piece of 3D rendering software to create interesting organic shapes.  The software uses simple polygon wire frames that can then have texture applied.  Once rendered by the software they produce quite realistic, organic forms, many of which promote inspiration and creative thinking.

I have included a few of these images below in the hope that you may find some inspiration and possibly promote new ideas and forms for your own future work.

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

Dust

For the past few months I have been researching dust in the workshop.  I came to the conclusion a while ago that I wasn't doing enough to protect myself or my workshop.  However, finances have denied me the opportunity to acquire the necessary equipment until now.

Having looked into the subject it is apparent that there are 3 main areas of dust control:

Control at the source
Personal protection
Workshop filtration

I have had an excellent dust extractor working at source from my lathe but no personal dust protection or workshop filtration.  So, I have recently purchased the following items which are soon to be delivered:

Microlene MC420 - Image courtesy of Acrol UK Ltd

Trend Air shield Pro - Image courtesy of Trend

After much research I have chosen the Microlene MC420 Air Filter.  I had the pleasure of checking this in person at the Scottish Woodcraft Show and decided it would be ideal for my purposes.  It comes highly recommended by other users I know and judging from the manufacturers website, is well built and constructed.  The design allows the filter to suck in air from 360° and from the bottom.  Statistics show the filter capable of replenishing the air 10 times within an hour for a 40 cubic meter space.

My research shows that the Trend Air shield Pro has mixed reviews.  Although most reviews are positive in terms of dust protection the majority seem to negatively review the weight, noise and design.  However, I had the chance to try it out at the Scottish Woodcraft Show and found that neither the weight, noise or design where an issue for me.

I will be installing the Microlene MC420 in the workshop and using the Trend Air shield Pro this week so will report back with my own, independent review in due course.

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

Needs Must When Times Are Hard

When I dreamt of starting my own business as a self-employed woodturner/artist it was easy to imagine how it would all fall into place.  However, I, as well as many others, often underestimate the amount of hard work and determination required to turn your dream into a reality.

Since I am still in the early stages of growing my business, finances are always tight and sometimes I question if it's all worth it.  Well, gladly I think it is.  But there are times when we need to look at our situation and figure out how to improve it with limited funds.

So, I recently decided to sell my Volvo V70 SE Estate.  The newest and by far the best [arguably] car I've ever owned.  It belonged to my late Dad and was gifted to me by my Mum ( a non-driver).  To be honest, I never really enjoyed the car.  So, with my Mums good wishes, I decided to sell it and part exchange it for a lump of cash and a car I do enjoy.

So here it is, a Volvo 940 LPT Estate.  One of my all time favourite Volvos and one that will hopefully give me much pleasure for years to come (not to mention a financial boost to the business):

The Beast - In all it's glory!

A very long car - but handles like a dream!

Overall body condition is excellent for it's age.

Just a car - but I like it!

Since I am the only driver in my immediate Family I am the only one who makes driving decisions.  I am happy to have sold my previous vehicle and now have great pleasure in driving the Family wherever they want to go.  A nice, smoothe ride, built for comfort - not speed - just like me!

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

Midnight Madness

We all do things in our spare time to relieve stress and have fun.  One of the things I enjoy is online gaming on my PS3.  I am a member of a really Friendly clan made up of Relatives and Friends and tonight at midnight sees the launch of the next FPS (First Person Shooter) in the Modern Warfare series.

So, at midnight I'll be heading off to pick up my pre-ordered copy and will no doubt have fun into the wee hours with friends and like minded gamers.

This is the 1st time I'll be doing this so it's really quite exciting.  We can all have new experiences if we are open to them and although this is no big deal, it's something different and fun. 

For any PS3 gamers out there, feel free to add me and we can have a game or two.  ID skeets101.

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

Digital Creativity - A Heart Shaped Crisp

Original image - taken with Nikon D5000

Original image manipulated using Picasa

Picasa image manipulated using PhotoScape

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

Guy Time!

When we spend time working on our own we need to remember that our Family is what it's all for.  I have spent a lot of time with my Son recently, who is 6, and lives most of the time on another planet, LOL! But we both enjoy Gaming very much.  So, he blasted around the track and I took some HD photos of the game on the TV!

I though i'd share the images of some quality Father and Son time:

Blasting through the air!

Serious drifting, YEHHHH!

Super fast uphill racing, WOOO HOOOO!

Racing under the Moonlight, B-E-A-UTIFAL!

BLASTING round the track, AWESOME!

CRAZY DANCIN' on the roof of the car, WTF!

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk

A Simple Bowl

Every once in a while I like to turn what I call a simple bowl, not simple as in easy, boring, or lacking in creativity.  But a bowl that has simplicity of form and finish, thus highlighting the form and finish per se.

Form & Finish Close Up

The great thing about working with forms and finishing of this type is that there is now where to hide!  Bad tool control and poor finishing just won't cut it with this delicate form and design.

A Simple Bowl

The piece currently has a small foot but this will be removed/refined to allow the piece to 'sit' better.

Thanks for visiting. www.leerobertsneddon.co.uk