G'Day from Gold Coast, Australia

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spidie

Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2024
Messages
1
Location
Gold Coast
Hi All,

New to this forum - it looks like an awesome community.

I am based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Recently got into pen turning at my local men's shed where a couple of the old timers have given me a lot of help. I am one of the younger members of our club at aged 50!

Never did woodturning before - my day job is in IT and Electronics and I'm not particularly "crafty", but something about making pens really clicked with me and I find it super relaxing on a Saturday morning to do this after a big week of work.

Been making a lot of classic fancy 2 piece pens in any bit of wood left over at the shed (especially like Camphour Laurel - an invasive weed in Australia and Australian Hairy Oak). I get a real kick out of giving these precious gifts to my friends, family and colleagues - they really treasure them as - I made it!

Recently I've been doing more pencils and just started some fountain pens in Acrylic and Resin poured wood (from some Hairy oak that had lots of termite holes in it). Also on my list at the moment are some Christmas Tree decorations.

They look great - I'll try and post some pics. Especially our unusual Australian woods which a lot of people from around the world here haven't seen before.

Steve
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Hi All,

New to this forum - it looks like an awesome community.

I am based on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Recently got into pen turning at my local men's shed where a couple of the old timers have given me a lot of help. I am one of the younger members of our club at aged 50!

Never did woodturning before - my day job is in IT and Electronics and I'm not particularly "crafty", but something about making pens really clicked with me and I find it super relaxing on a Saturday morning to do this after a big week of work.

Been making a lot of classic fancy 2 piece pens in any bit of wood left over at the shed (especially like Camphour Laurel - an invasive weed in Australia and Australian Hairy Oak). I get a real kick out of giving these precious gifts to my friends, family and colleagues - they really treasure them as - I made it!

Recently I've been doing more pencils and just started some fountain pens in Acrylic and Resin poured wood (from some Hairy oak that had lots of termite holes in it). Also on my list at the moment are some Christmas Tree decorations.

They look great - I'll try and post some pics. Especially our unusual Australian woods which a lot of people from around the world here haven't seen before.

Steve
Wecome from Georgia USA. I spent 2 weeks on the Gold Coast a few years ago. Loved it, all but the driving part! Hard to used to the right side steering wheel.
 
Greetings from Nebraska and welcome to the IAP community. I am so envious, Hairy Oak is one of my favorites, especially when it is diagonal or cross cut. Like the one in this linked post by Casey Giddins (CjG78). The grain is simply awesome. There are so many unique timbers in Australia and New Zealand. We rarely have access to them in the USA because of the shipping cost.

Do you know Casey Giddins (CjG78) or Peter Hay (PenPal)?

Regards,
Dave
 
Steve; Welcome! Be sure to checkout the "Resources", "IAP Library" there are lots of great articles about all aspects of pen turning and turning in general. Many craft techniques transfer easily to other crafts. Metal working, pen turning, bowl turning etc.
 
Welcome Steve

I recall driving up the gold coast seeing the piles of burr timber at the side of the road advertised as firewood . My wife insisted UK customs would not understand me having a suitcase full on the flight home rather than my holiday clothes 🥹
 
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