NGLJ
Member
In September my wife and I went for a short vacation to Pender Harbor on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Close by where we were staying I saw a sign which read, "Plumb Bob, woodturner". Of course, I had to investigate this. Luckily, I spotted what I believed to be him working in his front yard. Indeed it was him, real name Bob James, and I introduced myself. Being fellow woodturners always helps, and Bob was very friendly and welcoming. I greatly enjoyed my few hours with Bob, who is a multi-talented individual. In addition to woodturning (mainly large bowls), he is renovates motor cycles, old cars, and stained glass windows. You can see some of his work at www.plumbbob.ca. He makes bowls mainly from Arbutus (aka Madrone), Pacific Yew, and a wood which I need to identify (see attached).
He showed me around his home, which you would have to see to believe, since it looks like a museum inside with stained glass windows on the walls instead of paintings, and beautiful model boats that he has made. As if the talents mentioned wasn't enough, he trained to be a professional concert pianist! Bob is a very eclectic individual. As I was about to leave he said, "would you like some wood?". Can a duck quack
. He literally has huge piles of wood scattered all over his large property. He gave me some Arbutus, Pacific Yew (both of which are abundant in the area), and the "mystery wood" in the form of a log about 3" in diameter and about 18" long. I have started to make use of all of the wood, but so far only completed a pen using the "mystery wood" with a cigar kit. The wood is very hard (drilling was a challenge) but turns and finishes very nicely. See attached photos. If anyone has any idea what the wood might be please let me know. My only clue is that I "think" Bob mentioned Laburnum, but my memory isn't what it used to be 
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He showed me around his home, which you would have to see to believe, since it looks like a museum inside with stained glass windows on the walls instead of paintings, and beautiful model boats that he has made. As if the talents mentioned wasn't enough, he trained to be a professional concert pianist! Bob is a very eclectic individual. As I was about to leave he said, "would you like some wood?". Can a duck quack
. He literally has huge piles of wood scattered all over his large property. He gave me some Arbutus, Pacific Yew (both of which are abundant in the area), and the "mystery wood" in the form of a log about 3" in diameter and about 18" long. I have started to make use of all of the wood, but so far only completed a pen using the "mystery wood" with a cigar kit. The wood is very hard (drilling was a challenge) but turns and finishes very nicely. See attached photos. If anyone has any idea what the wood might be please let me know. My only clue is that I "think" Bob mentioned Laburnum, but my memory isn't what it used to be .
