Glenn Lucas is a woodturner from County Carlow, Ireland. He’s best known for his production bowl turning, but also does spindle work, as well as artistic pieces for exhibits. This is Glenn’s first released DVD. After buying and watching it, I can honestly say if I could only have one in my library, this would be it. It’s not based on a project, but rather on the techniques; sharpening, tool presentation, and proper body mechanics. This DVD has something for everyone, no matter the style of turning they prefer.
The DVD starts out with an explanation of lathe options. Glenn discusses the features, as well as what to look for in a lathe, to make your turning experience the most enjoyable. This includes an in depth “walk around” of an Australian version Vicmarc VL300 shortbed lathe. Next, he moves on to the sharpening systems that are available. Glenn provides an excellent explanation about the available options, as well as tips for setup and proper body mechanics. Included in the explanation is the process to upgrade a standard bench grinder to make it more suitable for a turner’s application. He also discusses the Tormek and the accessories available for turners.
The rest of the DVD is split up into tool specific sections. The first tool is the spindle roughing gouge. He starts out by discussing the proper uses of the tool as well as direction of cut in spindle turning. After a demonstration of how to sharpen it, he shows the proper technique and body movement while using the tool.
Parting tools are next. Glenn discusses a variety of parting tools; including the diamond section, thin, and the beading/parting tool. He sharpens each tool and also explains why the tools have different methods for sharpening. The explanation and demonstration of the use of each tool is very informative and in depth. It includes the use of calipers in combination with parting tools, rolling beads with the beading/parting tool, and also the proper use of a thin parting tool.
Glenn moves on to the spindle gouge and shows examples of different grinds, as well as their advantages. The sharpening portion of this section is started from where everyone starts, reshaping a new tool and then sharpening. He demonstrates how versatile a spindle gouge can be by showing how to turn a taper, a planing cut with a swept back grind, a cove, a bead, as well as hollowing end grain using three different techniques.
The next tool is the skew. Glenn discusses a variety if skews as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. He also explains what happens in a catch and how to avoid it with a clear and thorough discussion. After showing how to sharpen the skews, a demonstration of various cuts as well as how to roll beads while using proper technique is given.
From there, Glenn discusses bowl gouges. An emphasis is put on the proper stance and body movement to help to achieve a flowing and elegant curve on bowls. The sharpening portion begins the same way as the spindle gouge section, with a new tool’s reshaping and then sharpening. He gives an excellent explanation of bowl gouge profiles, their differences, and how they affect the sharpening methods. A demonstration is given on the uses, as well as the different cuts, of a bowl gouge as he goes through the stages of turning a bowl; including roughing, finishing, push, and shearing cuts. Glenn finishes the demonstration with a specialty gouge that he uses for the finishing cuts on the interior of a bowl.
The final tool is scrapers. He shows a variety of scrapers, how they’re sharpened, and also provides some tips to make their use easier. Glenn demonstrates the use of different scrapers on a bowl, a platter, and an end grain box. He also shows a specialty scraper for making recesses and tenons for dovetailed chucks.
The closing credits of the DVD are shown during a slideshow of photos from Glenn’s bowl production. Inspiring and captivating, doesn’t even begin to explain what you’ll see during the slideshow. If every good meal has a dessert, this DVD’s dessert is this excellent slideshow.
I found this DVD to be incredibly informative and thorough. There’s something for everyone. Glenn’s masterful skill and passion for woodturning is easily conveyed in this DVD. His procedures and techniques don’t have a single wasted movement. They’re incredibly efficient and safety-oriented at all times. I’d highly recommend this DVD to anyone and everyone.  Greg Haugen, The Wood Bowls, Wisconsin, USA.

What does that mean to me? Well the music is wonderful, the very best of any video on turning I’ve seen. The lyrics have subtle messages that complement the lesson. If not intentional then a wonderful coincidence. The videography is also spot on as my Brit friends used to say when I spent a year teaching at Tynemouth College in North Shields outside of Newcastle on the northeast coast.
The introductions you did really set up the lesson providing the big picture and Segway into the new material. I liked the multiple views you presented on the task when most just give one. It allowed me to develop a three dimensional understanding viewing an essentially two dimensional medium.
I spent over 40 years in technical training and education even running a video studio that supported a power plant’s training efforts. You have nailed the best of what we were able to do after many years of experience.  
I have recommended that my local club purchase a copy for their library. I see the very best being purchased by some members since they want to view and review it more frequently than by just borrowing it from the club library. Herb Lapp, Lehigh Valley Turning club (Allentown, PA).

Glenn Lucas, despite his 20-some-thing appearance, has been a professional woodturner since 1995. He operates a production bowl and platter-turning enterprise in County Carlow, Ireland. Recently he has begun to diversify with the addition of woodturning classes at his facility and by undertaking several demonstration tours to the United States and Europe. Mastering Woodturning Tools and Techniques is the latest aspect of this diversification.

This video, the first of a series of woodturning videos planned by Glenn, is directed primarily at the beginning woodturner and provides a basic foundation for getting started correctly in woodturning. The content is not project oriented, but instead it is directed at helping the new turner acquire the tools and the basic skills needed for any woodturning project. Despite its introductory orientation, experienced woodturners will also find this video appealing and useful.

After brief discussions on the selection of a lathe and a grinding system, Glenn presents a detailed introduction to each of the most common classes of woodturning tools: spindle-roughing gouges, parting tools, spindle gouges, skew chisels, bowl gouges, and scrapers. He treats each class of tool as a separate lesson in which he shows how to shape and sharpen the tool, discusses the uses of the tool, and demonstrates the various cuts that can be made. Throughout these lessons, he emphasizes the use of proper stance and the use of fluid body movement to maintain good tool control.

Glenn’s presentation and the photography provide a clear view of the action in all cases. Each lesson is quite detailed, generally treating several variants of the tool and showing a wider range of cuts than in most introductory presentations. For example, his treatment of spindle and bowl gouges extends to include several forms of pull cut and the back hollowing cut. My one quibble would be that he does not address more fully the use of sharpening jigs for gouges. Although he shows in detail how to sharpen spindle and bowl gouges freehand, he merely points out that jigs are available for those who prefer to use them. However, since several other resources are available on the use of sharpening jigs, this is not a serious defect in an otherwise fine presentation.

The Glenn Lucas videos are available from Woodworkers Emporium, Las Vegas, NV or directly from glennlucas.com. Other U.S. outlets are expected soon.

In the June 2011 issue of ‘More Woodturning’, I published a review of Glenn Lucas DVD on Tools and Techniques, a part of his series on Mastering Woodturning. I was pleased to have the opportunity to review his next video in the Mastering Woodturning series, Bowl Turning Techniques. Concerning this video, Glenn says, ‘producing this DVD has been a labour of love. In it I show and explain my personal approach to turning a bowl, along with techniques I have developed over twenty years.”

This video has a run time for 100 minutes in which Glenn takes you to the woods to harvest a tree and cut it up for turning, rough turns a bowl, shows how he treats them to dry them in his special kiln, final turning after drying, sanding and finishing. It appears that he does this big time and produces a lot of bowls.

I personally feel that the video is worth watching whether a beginning woodturner or an experienced one. Glenn’s technique for catching the shavings when rough turning in a large container and then hauling it our with a fork lift is very neat. Basically, these are the subjects covered in the video: Introduction, Safety, The Chainsaw, Converting the Log, The Bandsaw, Rough Turning the Bowl, Coring the Bowl, Seasoning-Air and Kiln Drying, Turning the Seasoned Bowl, Coring the Bowl, Sanding and Finishing, Taking off the Spigot – Vacuum Chucks.

This video is as well done as his first one and both Mildred and I highly recommend it for both beginners and for experienced turners.

DVD Review Re-visited
Having read the Editor’s review of Glenn Lucas’ DVD in the December 2010 Journal, I invested €20 of my hard-earned in a copy. Now that I have viewed – and more importantly used it as an invaluable tool – Mastering Woodturning : Tools and Techniques, I think this is the best investment I have made since first switching on a lathe.

Any book, video or DVD I have previously come across has been used once, and then put to one side. Undoubtedly they have been helpful and have contained tips and information that has stayed with me. However the Lucas DVD is one I dip into regularly to update myself in general – and I actually refer to its contents during specific projects, for hard information on the correct approach and technique.

From the first viewing I was struck by the excellence of the production. The camera-work is bright and shadow-free, the close-ups are superb, and the sound is first rate. A bonus comes in the form of the written text which reinforces what the picture is showing and what Glenn is saying. So this is a superbly made and reproduced piece of filming that makes the mastery of this young tumer’s work instantly and clearly available to us all. Further to its credit is the excellent layout, flow and sequence of the information. I can think of many books, for example, that go on at such great length about the history of the lathe, the mysterious properties of timbers, the variety and development of tools over the years – you get the picture – that you are inclined to go and paint the garden shed instead of persisting in the chore of study.

ln Mastering Woodturning shavings were flying from the word ‘go’. After very brief to-the-point sections on lathes and sharpening systems Glenn goes straight into six chapters each dealing with a different class of tool. And here, I think, lies the secret of the excellence of the DVD. First we see him – without commentary – put the tool through its paces, turning expertly into both simple and intricate shapes. The he comments briefly on how and when and why this tool is used. Next he sharpens the bevel and the close-up camera shows more than the written word could convey. I, for one, learned more about sharpening than I had done previously.

Still with the same tool, he quickly turns the piece from basic to complex profiles, with numerous tips thrown in both verbally and graphically. Throughout he explains and puts into practice the important safety aspects of turning. The layout of the sections is so easily accessed that one can really switch on and play any section at will. This truly makes this an instant reference source, rather than something to be watched once, and then put to one side. To re-state a point – this: DVD forms part of a turner’s toolkit. ln summary, I was struck by the professionalism of the production . work on the DVD, and – not for the first time – by the proficiency of this expert turner. This is evident in the contents of the final section – Bowl Production Slideshow.

This 75 minute DVD represents great value. You should invest in one, because I do not think anyone lucky enough to own one is likely to lend you their copy. Once you have viewed it I am sure you will refer to it again and again. As a sort of added bonus Glenn introduced me to the music of Jerry Fish and the Mud Bug Club which provides a background to the graphics. I for one am a convert!

Taking a step-by-step approach through your turning tools, Glenn Lucas demonstrates the tools in action, with excellent close-up camera work, filmed in high definition.  
The footage echoes his successful classes and international demonstrations. It will help the beginner identify each of the basic turning tools and gain an understanding of how and where to use them.  It will also benefit the intermediate turner in refining their sharpening and tools skills.  
It is available in both PAL and NTSC formats to suit world wide DVD players.