Al Mather - Inside out turnings

Inside out turnings My candlesticks and ornaments are made using a method of wood turning known as "inside-out turning." This method uses four pieces of wood of the same size. I cut the material to be used for inside-out turnings into rough square pieces of 18" - 48" in length. These pieces are squared on two sides, and then finished in a thickness planer to bring all the pieces to the same thickness.
	Following the step of cutting all these squares to the lengths desired, I lay them on my worktable and match four pieces into a set. These are held together temporarily while what will become the inside is shaped. One end of this set is glued to hold the pieces in place while turning.
	Upon turning and finishing the inside shape, the set is cut apart on the glue lines, each piece is then rotated 180 degrees in place. The pieces are reassembled and permanently glued for the final turning.
	After the pieces are permanently glued, the candlestick is placed in the lathe a second time in order that the outside shape may be formed. A hole is made for the insert at the top and the rest is shaped.
	The inside and outside of each piece is sanded to a semi-glossy or even glossy finish with micro mesh^®. Each piece is finished with Renaissance Wax^®. On some pieces a walnut oil may be used before the wax is applied. All that is left to do is to turn and finish a base piece, mount the candlestick, and insert the metal candleholder in the top.