Extreme Woodturning
By Al Furtado

If you are new to woodturnig then you probably have discovered the many, many tutorials on youtube for woodturning. There are a handful of guys that I follow to learn the basics and new tips and tools used for woodturning.

Al Furtado Takes Woodturning
To New Horizons

Al Furtado is one of my favorites, simply because of his down home type teaching and examples. In fact, he will take on projects that I think most woodturners would be afraid of turning.

I was just thinking that I had not heard from Al for a while and I was hoping he was OK…. he had a heart attack a while back but it certainly did not seem to slow him down …in fact, I think he has gotten a little crazier when it comes to woodturning …taking on projects  that few would.

I say “crazier” in jest. He actually has a brilliant imagination. He can look at a lop sided, deformed piece of log and imagine the most beautiful piece of art. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t ….. but Al Furtado seems to always go on the attack.

If you watch a few of his videos and you are a woodturner, you can’t help but love the guy. I have learned so much from him ….from tools to life!

Al Furtado Is One of My Favorites

Al Furtado takes on some of the most unbelievable projects. By that I mean, he will mount a piece of wood on a lathe that no sane person would attempt to turn ….and somehow he ends up with the most beautiful and unique woodturning that you have seen.

Olive Wood Root Vase by Al Furtado

Today, Al Furtado mounts an Olive Root Ball between centers, first turns a tenon and then starts to shape the massive root ball. You must watch this video to learn how you migtht take your skills to the next level. I do warn you though, be very careful, if you do not have the experience necessary ….this is not the type of project you want to consider.

Watch his video here.

Here is a comment I left on
Al Furtado’s video:

“Big Al” never disappoints when it comes to a new turning project!

Hope you are doing well my friend, awesome video. Even if I had the lathe that could handle a piece of wood like that I don’t think I have the courage to attack something like that!

I was just wondering if things were good from you since I had not seen any updates from utube. Was hoping that your health was still good. I have suffered from poor health for a long long time and I know how it can affect everything in your life. I keep you in my prayers!

Needless to say, it is a beautiful piece of work ….more of a piece of art.

You say that it is Olive wood. The piece you had left over has much potential. I was just looking at the PSI catalog and it looked like Olive wood pen blanks were a big seller. You might want to consider ripping some of those pieces for pens …either for yourself or others.

Thanks again for taking to time to record your efforts …I know from experience what that it takes much effort to record and edit a video ….when all you want to do is get out in the shop and turn a project 🙂