This blog is dedicated to my love of all things wooden, and my journey from complete novice to whichever stage I reach as a woodturner.
People have asked me why I don’t sell what I make. Apart from the fact I don’t see it as being anywhere close to good enough, I see the hobby as a form of therapy. I can spend hours on end sticking bits of metal into bits of spinning wood, and close off the outside world – along with the pressures it tries to present.
I could never do this for a job. Turning a hobby into a job spoils the hobby, and removes the pleasure it once gave. No. I’m perfectly happy messing about, and trying to improve what I do to a standard I am happy with.
Disclaimer:
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About the blogger
Tom is an amateur woodworker, and more recently woodturner. Apart from High School woodworking, Tom has no other practical experience in either field and is almost completely self-taught. Having battled mental illness for many years, woodworking & woodturning is a means of escape and expression.
Tom is employed as an IT specialist in a university, and has previously worked as an electrician, shop-fitter, salesman, gardener, handyman, taxi driver, fast food delivery driver and has been self employed in various capacities. Tom is married, and has 2 adult children. Family is the most important aspect of Tom’s life.
Adventures in Turning 
People often ask me the similar question why, after several years of college, I’m still not working for yourself. I enjoy my woodworking as it is and even the small amount of pressure in making something for a friend can sometimes have an adverse affect on my enjoyment and it is always important to consider ourselves.
Hi Tom, just found your blog this morning. You’ll probably see a hit from either USA or Kazakhstan – that’ll be me looking in for a work computer in my lunch break. Read through a few of your posts and your story is similar to mine. I’m just 5 or 6 years behind you. I finally started woodturning in January and am smitten. Bought the shed, lathe, tools etc. with a bit of inheritance and would happily spend all day every day out there. But Mrs. Boss has other ideas. Great stuff on your blog. You are doing pretty much what I plan to do – document the highs and lows of my journey from novice to expert. Cheers, OwenD
Hi Owen
Thanks for the interest and for taking the time to comment. I had a look at your blog too, but the comments don’t seem to be switched on for existing posts.
Keep up the good work.
Tom