Since you ask, a shopping bag holder. Put the plastic handles over the thin bits and carry them by grasping the comfy centre section.
OK, so I can't entirely take credit for this work. Woodex is on again this weekend and I dropped in out of curiosity. In the past it's been an entertaining show and a useful source of cheap veneers and tools for my other model making activities. Being only a 5 minute drive away helps of course, as does an entry fee only slightly more expensive than a pint of beer.

When I got onto the stand for my go a square stick was chucked up in the lathe and Guy proceeded to show me the basics of turning (pun intended) this into a round stick. Most of the session was hands on with a quick demo of each tool followed by plenty of time to have a go with it.
First we made a round bit of wood, I'd always though this would be hard work with the tool bouncing off each corner but it wasn't, then the thin parts were formed with a couple of pointed tools. Rounding the ends came next and was by far the hardest job. You have to "roll" the tool along the support and I found it difficult to get this consistent, hence my un-symmetrical work. Then the centre section took shape and we finished off with 5 different grades of sandpaper and some finishing oil.

Result, a nice smooth object that I can be proud off and hands that were slightly slippery but a bit more recovered from the grittiness left over from building work.
In all the work took about 40 minutes but as there were a surprisingly low number of people wanting to have a go this wasn't a problem. Guy was an excellent teacher and I felt completely confident, but not entirely competent, in using some huge wood carving tools on a tiny bit of dead tree. This session was worth far more than the cost of entry alone !
If you fancy learning how to do this yourself, Guy Ravine runs courses in Weedon, Northamptonshire. Tel: 01327 340410 or e-mail: g.ravine@btinternet.com

Another exhibit was a wooden model of a spark plug. Not any old spark plug either - an NGK type 14mm plug don't you know !

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