Nobody took your eye, Polyphemus...

November 8, 2017 7:42 AM

Frank has done it again. Check out the incredible wooden eye Frank Howarth created recently.

If you aren't watching 'FrankMakes', you really should. His videos are mesmerizing, his voice soothing, and the works he turns out of the shop are always stunning.

Some of my personal favorites, in no particular order, are:
- Bamboo Death Star
- Wood Turned Plum Bowl
- Maple Clouds Bowl
- Wood Turned Easter Egg

posted by RhysPenbras (12 comments total)

That's no moon ...
posted by GallonOfAlan at 7:46 AM on November 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

Wow, that maple cloud bowl is absolutely beautiful. The combination of normal video and stop animation makes it very fun to watch. I'm at work right now, so I've got it on 2x speed and mute, but the videos are really enjoyable
posted by FirstMateKate at 8:11 AM on November 8, 2017

wow. that was so fun and fascinating to watch. I found listening to him to be very soothing and almost mesmerizing. and that eye!! the pupil is so beautiful, a work of art!
posted by supermedusa at 8:21 AM on November 8, 2017

Neat.. Though I find the iris on both sides of the eye a bit offputting. (I like making sawdust, but one tool I don't own is a lathe - no creativity in that dimension - but I'm always amazed at what folks make on them)
posted by k5.user at 8:53 AM on November 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is he also the filmmaker? Some pretty nifty FX for a woodshop vid.
posted by OHenryPacey at 8:56 AM on November 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

People said, "Frank, you would never be able to make this."

And Frank said, "Wooden eye?"
posted by Faint of Butt at 9:05 AM on November 8, 2017 [12 favorites]

Watched this a couple of days ago. I don't think I've never seen that skim-and-rotate technique for producing spheres before (very neat), but the most difficult bit is actually building the rings - you have to cut all the segments very accurately so the finished product has no gaps.

If you like this, there are a lot of voiceover-free woodturning videos on Youtube that are very relaxing, but if you can find Steve Jones on Facebook, he's a production turner and his skew work is just leagues ahead of your average Youtuber.
posted by Leon at 9:25 AM on November 8, 2017

I love this video not just because the final product is so glorious, but because it's a rescue of a larger, failed bowl. Bloody inspiring!

Another rescue! This little Frankenbowl feels like a piece of raku from Looney Tunes.

Previously and sorta related: kintsugi.

(And once nasty deadlines go away, I have to watch these all from start to finish.)
posted by maudlin at 9:46 AM on November 8, 2017

Actually, I'm 99% sure this is Steve Jones' Youtube channel. No Facebook required.
posted by Leon at 9:46 AM on November 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

Is he also the filmmaker? Some pretty nifty FX for a woodshop vid.

Looks like (before that he was an architect, apparently).
posted by atoxyl at 11:15 AM on November 8, 2017

Is he also the filmmaker? Some pretty nifty FX for a woodshop vid.

Yeah, he makes his own videos. He's a really interesting guy with a pretty whimsical approach to his work. I think his background is architecture and he's got a really good eye for form.

He's also got a stutter, which comes out in interviews, but you would never guess from his videos.
posted by that's candlepin at 11:16 AM on November 8, 2017 [1 favorite]

before that he was an architect, apparently

Ah, that explains all the equipment and the massive beautifully-lit workshop in a gorgeous location.
posted by Greg_Ace at 1:49 PM on November 8, 2017 [2 favorites]