Barley Twist

[Richard Findley]

Hi all

Some of my favourite work is twist work. It is always a challenge and I find it incredibly rewarding, esspecially when the piece is from old furniture or is a feature in a listed building.

I had a job recently which was a stretcher for a footstool. The original was badly chewed by worm - I'm assured they are long gone! The twist is a kind of double twist, but the second is smaller and runs in the valley of the main twist. I'm unsure of the exact terminology. Anyway, some careful wood removal with my Proxxon angle grinder and lots of hand work with Microplanes and this is the result:

Beech, 50mm diameter and just shy of 800mm long



Cheers

Richard

[malcy]

Nice job, Richard. I've done some twist work and find them rewarding when finished. A bit frustrating though when something doesn't work out. Malcolm.

[Graham]

Now that really is impressive. Wouldn't know where to start.

[bodrighywood]

Beautiful work Richard, more patience than me. I have been asked to do them but can't do them fast enough to make them pay.

Pete

[edbanger]

Very nice Richard Your The Man 

Ed

[Les Symonds]

That's quite something, Richard. It makes one appreciate the value of antiques that have such elements in them - although I suspect that those resourceful Victorians had a contraption to do the bulk of the cutting-out.

Les

[Richard Findley]

Thanks for your comments guys.

Pete, I will be the first to admit these jobs aren't the most profitable, but remember I don't do the arty stuff that many do, so this sort of work not only keeps my brain working but is my presentation stuff that I can show on my website and on forums etc. There is no doubt that the real money is in the big production jobs but this restoration stuff is what I love to do.

Les, the Victorians may have had a special tool, but I don't think so. I believe that labour was just incredibly cheap. If you look at this job, there is about £5-£10 worth of wood (modern selling price), the rest of my bill was labour. Now, labour is hugely expensive and so hand made, highly skilled work like this is rarely seen. The mass production machine rules now, sadly.

Richard

[The Bowler Hatted Turner]

Richard without these little jobs, and no doubt you enjoyed this one,the skills would not be practiced and therefore they would be lost. Take pride in the fact that not all turners could (or would) attempt these. I handcut a replacement threaded spindle  for a customer that didn't match any threads on my thread guages so was probably cut originally by the village carpenter somewhere. Not a great erning job by any means but great satisfaction upon completion. Well done on these, a true craftsman at the top of his game.

[Graham]

What John said. 

[Eric Harvey]

very nice work there Richard.

[Bryan Milham]

Richard, a barley twist is one thing but you've also had to include the inner smaller twist as well, that is a whole new game. Wonderful bit of work to look at.

Next time you're invited to Bristol... if you're struck for something to demonstrate... Hint, hint!

[TWiG]

Good stuff Richard , you say you do not do "arty " stuff but in a way this is exactly that !  The original was made with a load of unnecessary fancy bits to attract a buyer and not simply .. form following function ...I occasionally acquire scrap furniture  and keep such pieces as barley twists for other projects , such as candlesticks .  Why have you made a bit 800 mm long for a stool stretcher ? or were you enjoying so much you just got carried away !!..  Terry...