About the Contest

The Fall 2006 AAW Forum woodturning contest results are in. Congratulations to Travis Stinson, the first place contest winner. This was the 7th turning contest held on the AAW forums. The theme of the contest was "Boxes with Finials" in line with the feature story on page 24 of the Fall 2006 AW Journal, by David Nittman. The contests winners are:

First place: Travis Stinson
Second Place: Keith Burns
Third Place: Robert Davis

Click on each of the winner's names for a view of their creation.

The AAW would like to thank Cindy Drozda for judging this contest.

There were 7 entries in the contest. The Fall 2006 contest details and rules are listed here along with links to photos of all the entries.

If you want to enter the next contest, watch for contest announcements in the AAW forums.

 

 

About Travis Stinson:

Masur Birch box with Blackwood pedestal, rim and inside-out finial. 3 1/2" diameter by 8 1/2" tall. Buffed Seal-a-cell finish.

Click on each image for a larger view...

"I've been turning for 3 years and have fallen absolutely head-over-heels in love with it. I got my 1st lathe on sale at Home Depot, just to turn some spindles on a plant stand I was making for my wife. I had no idea at the time what could be done on a lathe. My eyes were quickly opened to the possibilities and I was hooked. I joined the local turning club, Magnolia Woodturners, and was amazed at what I saw. My 1st lathe was quickly sold and I bought a Jet 1236 and proceeded to wear it out. I now own a PM 3520a and a Jet VS mini. The Masur box was turned completely on the mini.

I've become friends with several people on various woodworking forums over the past couple years. We try to get together as often as we can for a weekend of turning and fun. We all pitched in and put together a website of our work, http://www.flyingcurls.com/ . Keith Burns convinced me to turn something for the contest. I really enjoy turning hollow vessels and have worked really hard at refining my finials. Cindy Drozda's work epitomizes gracefulness in my mind and it is an honor to have my piece selected, considering the quality of the other pieces entered.  I had attended a demo on inside-out turning at my club a couple years ago and tried it once or twice. I couldn't remember ever seeing that done as part of a finial and thought it would work really well if I could incorporate an inside-out section in mine. It took me 3 tries to get something I was satisfied with. Masur Birch is a wood that I totally love. The eyes and markings have a look of sparkling jewels. I felt the Blackwood would provide a nice contrast to the Masur Birch. "