Kip Christensen, PhD, is a well-known woodturner who has been active in the woodturning community for over forty years. In 2022 he was recognized for his contribution to woodturning by receiving the Honorary Lifetime Member award from the American Association of Woodturners. He has a particular interest in woodturning education and has been invited to give over 400 national and international presentations at workshops and symposia.
Kip has co-authored five books and co-produced eight instructional DVDs about woodturning. His work has been published in over three dozen books. He has also authored several articles regarding woodworking and technology education. His turnings have been pictured in a variety of magazines and displayed in many galleries and international juried exhibitions. His work is also housed in numerous collections, both public and private. Kip’s work is characterized by enduring form, clean lines, and fine details.
For further information see the article “Kip Christensen: A Life Dedicated to Helping Others”, published in American Woodturner (Journal of the American Association of Woodturners), December, 2021.)
Demonstrations
Principles and Techniques of Clean Cutting
Kip will demonstrate several principles involved in producing a clean cut while turning wood. He will also show simple yet effective techniques for developing muscle memory for making basic turning cuts. This session will help beginning turners jump-start their skills and help intermediate turners move to the next level more efficiently. It will also contain useful information for those interested in teaching others how to turn wood. The demonstration will combine information from two of Kip’s articles published in the American Woodturner, including: The Scales and Chords of Spindle Turning (Feb. 2017), and Ten Principles of Clean Cutting (Feb. 2016).
Handouts
Ten Projects Fast and Fun
Kip will demonstrate how to turn ten projects that are fast to turn and fun to make. In the process, he will show how to work with a variety of tools and chucking techniques. This demonstration is particularly recommended for woodturning teachers, youth, and beginning-to-intermediate turners.
Handout
Woodturning Design: Form is Foremost, Details about Details
Kip will discuss the importance of form in the design of turned objects. He will demonstrate a quick and effective method to produce several forms, evaluate them, and select the best options. He will then select a form designed by an attendee and turn it on the lathe. This is an interactive demonstration where attendees will participate in the design process.
Inlaid Box with Chatterwork
Kip will show how to turn a lidded box with a double inlay and chatterwork. Concepts and techniques covered will include material selection, box design, preparing an inlay, rough turning and drying a box blank, finish turning a box, spigot and shoulder design, fitting a lid, inserting an inlay, finishing the interior and exterior of a box, and chucking methods.
