RPTurners.co.uk Malcolm   Cobb The Wood Revolution

	Address.............	The Workshop Moor Close Lane Over Kellet CARNFORTH Lancashire LA6 1DF
	Phone Number...	01524 735882
	Fax Number.......
	Mobile Number...
	Email................. Web Site............	malcolm.cobb@virgin.net
	Main Products....	General turning
	Other Work........	G
		(See Code)
	Notes.................	RPT Assessor (Northern England) and Chairman of the Register

About Malcolm and his work

My original vocational short-list was steam locomotive driver, Canadian Mountie or scientist. In the event, science lost, and 32 exciting years ensued of study, academic research (in a team working on cancer biochemistry) and industrial development. (Incidentally, the word exciting refers more to those colleagues forced to share my laboratory!)

In 1981, a world-wide price collapse in synthetic fibres prompted ICI to offer me an early retirement package, which included training for running a small business, a short course with Peter Child, and some money. Having seen what is called "the writing on the wall", preparations had already been set in motion for a second manifestation as a woodturner. Surprising, because, until I bought an ML8 in 1976, I had no memory of seeing a woodturner at work, or even having been close to a woodturning lathe.

At that time, we were living in Harrogate, and many a wet Saturday was spent in the antique furniture shops of that town sketching classical furniture parts, and trying to understand the "grammar" of how various turned elements can be brought together in a pleasing manner.

So 1982 saw Margaret and me, free from direct responsibility of our children, searching for a property with workshop space and near to steam locomotives. After a year, we found a small country house with workshop (including 3 phase) near to Carnforth Steam Town, which meant that I could woodturn all week and mend, and occasionally act as fireman, on steam locomotives at the weekend. Paradise? You bet!!

Over 20 years, most of the turning work has been commissioned by other professionals, who supplied the timber blanks for staircase and furniture parts. In addition, some really odd jobs have come my way, such as an imitation brandy barrel, with tap, for a photogenic St Bernard. Or the full scale wooden prototype fire extinguishers (don't ask!). Or a presentation Met. pattern truncheon for a retiring Hong Kong Police inspector. Or a set of 17th century virginal legs (for a harpsichord maker). Or etc etc.

Steam Town, as a place to play trains, closed about 5 years ago. But the wood spinning continues, such as for a deluxe kitchen with 147 turned components!

Examples of work or parts turned by Malcolm Cobb

Turned and carved cores for curtain valence hangers, for a castle near the River Thames.	Replacement finials in elm for a four-poster bed in Italy.
Table lamp in the Flemish style.	Harpsichord legs for Lancaster maker, Robert Deegan.
Newels and balusters for a farmhouse in north Lancashire.	As 5. Cap finials to be installed when building work completed.
Replica turned chair, with original. (south Cumbria).	Turned components for chair (one of eight). Note both sections of the back legs are turned.
Barley sugar twist dining table legs, illustrating stages from marking-out to completion.	Set of harpsichord legs in beech.

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