Mike Dean – Award Winning Wood Turner

I first met Mike Dean around 1998 when he started his woodturning business, Barleywood, near Hastings in East Sussex. Back then he had a new Hapfo copy lathe and two ‘hand’ lathes and my fist impression was that here was a man intent on working to succeed with an enthusiasm not unlike a pack of hounds fresh on the scent. Twenty-odd years later, the enthusiasm remains undimmed but the amount of machinery to create the huge range he sells has expanded to almost fill the workshop.

What I admire about Mike is not just his enthusiasm but the hours of sheer graft he puts into filling orders and the huge range he covers, from architectural to artistic turning. We have kept in touch over the years – mainly when I refer enquiries for tens, hundreds or maybe thousands of a turned item – and he still hasn’t bought me a beer.

In his workshop now, along with the standard machines such as bandsaw, planer, sawbench etc., the Hapfo lathe has been extended to take 4m newel posts and columns, there is a second copy lathe, a barley twist machine, a CNC four blade planer (for preparing dowel blanks), a dowel cutter and separate dowel sander – and now three hand lathes.

His list of famous clients is impressive and among his portfolio of production turnings are literally tens of thousands of ballet barres which are exported to the US, Europe, Australia and Asia, marquee poles and dowels from 19-65mm, barley twist spindles, harp frames, porch columns up to 300mm diameter and a whole range of urns, #nials, knobs and suchlike. As he says, the production work pays the bills and allows him the time to indulge his passion for woodturning.

Tell us about your background and training.

My first memory of woodworking goes back to when I was aged five and my father bought me a tool kit to make a rabbit hutch and, later, a go-kart.

On leaving school, I started on a youth training scheme making cabinets and staircases, then moved to a joinery !rm making windows, doors and conservatories.

Three years later, a job for a woodturner came up on a local paper and I have never looked back.

Creative Timber in Hastings then offered me a job making components for its #rniture range, including twisted columns, table legs and fluted spindles.

While I was working at Creative Timber I found a workshop available for rent which was already kitted out with planer, saw bench and crosscut and I thought this was an opportunity to start my own business. This was in July 1998. Sometimes you have to take a gamble in life and am so pleased I did.

How do you like to work, what are your favourite tools and why?

My favourite tool to use is a 1in special roughing gouge purchased from Jerry Glaser in the US. This is a very versatile tool, keeps it edge for ages and is a joy to use.

Describe your workshop – what is the set-up and how long have you been there?

My workshop is 1,500sq $ converted from a farm building and prior to 1998 was occupied by a joinery company, hence the machines I started with.

How does your design process work?

With my job you never know what is coming through the door. It could be wooden handles, stair parts, ballet barres, marque poles – anything that is round I can make. One of my favourite jobs to make is wooden porch columns because they need a little bit of thinking about and look stunning when finished. I have made these up to 300mm diameter and 2,500mm long.

Which woods do you most like working with and why?

For production work I like working with tulipwood (Liriodendron tulipifera, not Brazilian), which is easy to turn and !nish and is very stable. Burr elm and burr oak are my favourite woods to use for the artistic pieces I make, like thin delicate bowls and pieces that are turned green and le$ to dry naturally.

I have been using some burr horse chestnut recently and been trying deferent colours and finishes to produce the best possible results. I never work in any material except timber.