Name: Pete Jordan
How young are you?
52. I was born in Saginaw Michigan, at least that’s what Lefty Frizzell told me.
Physical description:
I am 5’8” with my inserts in and so hairy I don’t wear undershirts in the winter.
uncle pete 01.jpg
My first square bowl - yellowheart
Where is home?
I live in Mason, Michigan – which is 17 miles south of Lansing and is a small farming community that is rapidly urbanizing. The cornfield across the street is slated for 55 upscale homes. My friends tell me my property values will go up but I happen to like the value of corn. That might be due to installing a corn stove last year or just the peace and quiet. I have lived here for about 10 years.
My youth was spent in Saginaw and I enjoyed growing up there. After a couple of junior colleges, I ended up at Michigan State and finished my Art major. I did quite a bit of pottery back then and really enjoyed East Lansing. I graduated with a teaching degree but at that time, teachers with 8 years experience were being laid off. I decided to retire and moved to Traverse City. Having no money, I worked as a bartender and waiter at Sugar Loaf Mountain.
This allowed me to golf, ski, and play tennis year round. I quickly gave up skiing and took up cribbage. Not as “cardio” but more profitable. I worked at other bars and restaurants and maintained my retired lifestyle. After 8 years of fun, it was time to un-retire so I got my first teaching job and have remained there for the last 23 years.
I also did 9 months in Houston till I realized how hot it gets down there. The rest of my residences have been around Michigan.
Family information:
I am recently divorced and this has freed up much time for woodturning. I get my three sons every other week and make the most of every minute.
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Now that summer is approaching, I plan on devoting the lion’s share of my time in the shop.
Do you have a website?
I have a family website devoted to my boys. I have not done enough turnings to make one for that. Here are the boys
Vocation:
I am a 5th grade teacher in a tough neighborhood in downtown Lansing. This is my 23rd year and I still love it. It is one of the most rewarding (not monetarily) jobs you can do. There’s nothing better than the smile on a kid’s face.
Shop Overview:
I have a 2˝ garage that my car will not fit in but hope to get it back in there before winter. I have the ceiling insulated and hope to do the walls this summer.How many lathes do you own?
- Ryobi Table Saw and router
- Ryobi 10” band saw
- Hitachi Compound Miter
- Rikon 18”’ band saw
- Dewalt planer
- Hitachi floor drill press
- 3 sanders and many hand tools
I have the Powermatic 3520B lathe and the General Maxi. I was all set to buy a Grizzly lathe as my first, but was dissuaded by this group. I fell into the Mustard vortex and love it.
Then I bought Maxi so I wouldn’t have to go to the garage in the winter and also allow me to keep a better eye on my sons. I moved it out to the garage a (while Andy was posting this thread) so the boys and I can work together. I am putting it on a lower workbench that fits their size better.
How many turning tools do you have? Store bought; home made; favorites?
I have 32 turning tools and I use the Ellsworth PM most of the time. I was recently given this old scraper. I think it is low speed steel.
uncle pete 03.jpgI like to learn from videos.
- Oneway hollowing system
- Gast vacuum pump with Oneway vacuum chucks
- Stronghold and Talon chucks
- Oneway coring system
- Husky 340 chainsaw
Purchased from the Alabama Woodturners Site:
- Woodturning videos:
- Elegant Finials --------------------------- Cindy Drozada
- Turning Wood ---------------------------- Richard Raffan
- Bowl Turning ----------------------------- Dell Stubbs
- Turning Boxes ---------------------------- Richard Raffin
- Turning Projects -------------------------- Richard Raffin
- Hollow Forms ----------------------------- Lyle Jamison
- Turn It Up Vol. I II III --------------------- Jimmy Clewes
- Making The Native American Style Flute ---- Bill Hughes
- Turned Bowls Made Easy ------------------ Bill Grumbine
- Beyond the Basic Bowl --------------------- Bill Grumbine
- Finishing Secrets Vol. I II III --------------- Russ Fairfield
Why do you have two shops?
- Cloverleaf Box ----------------------------- Pat Johnson
- Hollow Turning and Christmas Ornaments ---- Larry Hasiak
- Christmas Ornaments ----------------------- Will Pate
- Fancy Turnings ----------------------------- Larry Thomas
- Tops --------------------------------------- Jim Caldwell
- Sharpening Your Tools Properly -------------- Pat Johnson
- Beautiful Small Bowls ------------------------ Tom Fortenbery
Sorta. I have my main workplace in my 2˝ garage and a smaller area in my basement for when it gets too cold.
How long have you been turning, and what got you started in the first place?
I guess about a year and a half but there were droughts mixed in there.
What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Chocolate almond. It brings back fond childhood memories.
What do you enjoy most about turning?
Roughing out shapes. I do a lot of roughing. This might be because my finishing shapes are not where I want them to be. It is also because I had so much trouble with my vacuum chuck set up before the problem was ironed out. I have a bunch of bowls that need the bottoms finished.
What do you enjoy the least about turning?
Inclusions. I found out the definition when a 10” cherry bowl split in half and the next thing I knew I was staring at the ceiling. I am a strong proponent of face shields!
What was your first completed turned project? You get bonus points for a picture of it.
I think it was a box that Steve Ash glued up for me.
Yup – here ‘tis
What’s your favorite individual piece that you have turned, and why?
My first hollow form which was spalted maple. I “found” the wood near an old train station that was remodeled into a restaurant. After dulling a chain saw blade and ruining a band saw blade from nails, it turned out pretty well and has warped nicely.
What’s your favorite form that you turn?
Right now it is simple bowls. That might be due to my fledgling ability but I enjoy simple things and as Steve Schlumpf said, “let the wood do the talking.”
What do you not turn now that you want to - or plan to - in the future?
My future in woodturning is a family business. I have a carport that I have enclosed where I would like to set up a store where the boys and would sell our wares.
uncle pete 04.jpg uncle pete 05.jpg
I would like to give the guys the opportunity to learn something wonderful while giving them a job to make spending money. I would rather have them with me than working odd jobs like I did. Since I have no experience with my own business, I will gladly accept any advice given. Please PM me with any ideas you may have! My skills must improve exponentially but I am in no hurry.
Time for a commercial break
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