Review: Andy James Demo – Sunday 15th March, 2026

Andy explained how to create a blank for segmented turning. He uses Titebond for the wood and CA for the acrylic. Sketch out the shape of the piece on graph paper to scale. Use the squares to estimate the diameter of each segmented ring. Andy provided a handout with a fuller explanation. The piece is made in two parts, the base and the neck.

Andy showed us his hollowing technique and the tools he had acquired. The neck is created by forming a spigot to match the size of the hole in the base. The neck is glued to the base and then finished.

Andy spent some time showing us how to create a good finish which is really needed for small pieces. He sanded from 180 to 600 grit, then used wet and dry 800, 1200 up to 2000. You don’t need high speeds for sanding 1100rpm is sufficient. Any higher and you could melt the acrlic. Andy applied sanding sealer and showed us his buffing routine. First use Tripoli compound. Then white. Third Carnauba wax.