RPTurners.co.uk John   Berkeley

	Address.............	11 Faringdon Avenue LUTTERWORTH Leicestershire LE17 4DJ
	Phone Number...	01455 557398
	Fax Number.......	01455 557398
	Mobile Number...	07947 492462
	Email................. Web Site............	john@johnberkeley.co.uk www.johnberkeley.co.uk/
	Main Products....	Threaded wooden puzzles & boxes
	Other Work........	ACDITM
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	Notes.................

About John and his work

I began turning about twelve years ago, having previously been involved with the restoration of metal antiques-dirty job! From the first time my arm was twisted to make bone cribbage pegs, my interest in things softer than brass began to grow. I "graduated" to ear rings in bone, and then wood, dolls house bits, including goblets, chess pieces, rattles and many other things, to my current speciality of puzzles and boxes, mostly with hand chased screw threads. Though I rarely use oak, it is easy to see how "large trees from little acorns grow."

I learned from magazines, books and watching demonstrators at shows. All my senses drew me to the writings, and demos of a certain Mr. W Jones, who I regard as my mentor, and now fortunately as my friend. I unashamedly try to emulate his skills and do so with varying degrees of success. We all owe him such a lot for his help over the years.

I currently make a range of thirty different puzzles and I have now had a book published, containing some 20 puzzles, so that other turners can share the pleasure I get. Another speciality is spinning tops, of which there is considerable variety. I make a range of small boxes, with screwed lids, for pills or whatever and some of these can be seen at David Woodward's Gallery "From The Wood" at Hay on Wye, and on my website www.johnberkeley.co.uk

I really enjoy demonstrating and try to pass on to others some of the enthusiasm I have for what I do, as well as all the tips I can to help others up the rungs of their ladder. (I don't mind picking up a few tips myself either).

I have had numerous articles published so far on miniature goblets, thread chasing and on a number of puzzles. Others are to follow and my book, "All Screwed Up" can be purchased from my web site.

My studio boasts two Vicmarc VL100 lathes and I give private tuition, usually on a one to one basis, on all aspects of turning, though not including anything very large. I undertake commissions and I undertake chess repairs and make various replacement parts for the antiques trade.

I now have another web site www.jaybeeze.com on which I sell abrasives, tools, polishes, some books, and offer advice on turning.

Examples of work or parts turned by John Berkeley

From left to right..... Rosewood and Blackwood spring loaded pencil humming top. Boxwood and Blackwood humming top Boxwood doll twirler. Kingwood and Blackwood twirler. In front is launcher for humming tops.	From left to right..... Tulipwood Snakewood Cocobolo Simulated horn Snakewood Pink Ivory Wood Pink Ivory Wood
Apple Puzzle. See article in The Woodturner Vol 6 Issue 6	Bell shaped Ring Box in Yew.
Kingwood needlecase with Blackwood bobbin removed. Blackwood box	Tulipwood Box.

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