Sandy Sheahan

How young are you? I am 66 yrs. old.
Where is home? Paris Township – South of Union Grove
Family information? 6 kids and 9 grandchildren
Vocation? Retired industrial sales rep
Shop overview: There are not many woodworking tools Fred did not buy: I’ve got to tools to do almost anything with wood.
How many lathes do you own?  2 – a Oneway 2416 and a Delta Midi.|
If you could upgrade to another lathe, what would it be and why? I am happy with what I have.
How long have you been turning and what got you started? I bought a cheap Sears lath in the ‘70s but there were no learning resources at that time. My projects were pretty crude. It’s so long ago that I don’t remember specifically what got me started but I was taking woodworking courses at night through the local high school. Then, after Fred & I retired we took a number of turning courses at Woodcraft and we were hooked.
What do you enjoy most about turning? Watching the grain of the piece appear as I turn.
What do you enjoy least about turning? Sanding
What was your first completed turned project? It’s so long ago that I do not remember – probably a candle stick.
What is your favorite individual piece that you have turned and why? Oh, that’s hard – probably a burl bowl – I got the shape pretty good, the grain is wild and, as the piece dried it developed texture.
What is your favorite form that you turn? Whatever I am turning at the time.
What do you not turn now that you want to, or plan to in the future? I have not hand turned threads and I would like to be able to do it.
What is your favorite piece some one else has turned and why? I love many things that other people turn. I particularly like pieces with flowing curves and good proportions.
Are there any turners, well known or not, that have influenced your turning? Yes, Hank Bardenhagen, Ron Nelson & Jimmy Clews.
What is your favorite wood to work with and why? I like all the woods that I have worked with. But, you do need to understand the properties of the different species.and choose a project that suits it.
Got any nicknames? How did you get it? Sandy is the only nickname that I know about – there may be names they call me when I am not listening though.
Any words of wisdom for your fellow turners? Work on improving your designs, make every cut a practice final cut, practice, practice, and have fun at it.