Derek Brightwell

Derek showed us how he makes wall plates that have a Celtic shield look about them and use a number of colouring and texturing techniques as can be seen from the photos below. For texturing Derek worked with one of the tools available from Simon Hope Tools as well as the Henry Taylor Decorating Elf which has a small rotating head and is ideal for small boxes. Robert Sorby also offer a range of spiralling tools and the B330 comes with four different cutters as well as an unhandled version to fit multi use handles. The metal studs are upholsterers supplies and a box of 450 (assorted silver, gold and bronze colours) are on Amazon for £5.88. To get the spacing correct, Derek used the Paul Howard universal indexing system supplied by Simon Hope. This is far more versatile and easy to use than indexing on the lathe headstock. Derek also drilled a 2mm pilot hole before tapping the studs home (saves bent studs!). The colouring was done with Jo Sonja paints which come to life when used on a dark or preferably black background.

Derek finished the evening by showing a simple decoration by using the tool on its edge and the back with a swirl pattern and then with a reversed tool angle.