Introduction
Kraft Village including the Museum and Art gallery will be
closed on Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May Bank holiday.
Please see our Contact page for normal opening hours.
Robert Bishop RPT welcomes you to his
Woodturning/art/ crafts website
* Kraftinwood Woodturning Workshop
* High Wycombe Chair making Museum CIC
* Large Contemporary Art Gallery
* Craft shop (a range of ideal crafted gift items)
* Artist studios ~ our artists in residence are Poppi Harrison, Marlene Lees, Tracie Murchison and PB Woodcraft Ltd.
* Tracie has been busy and kindly set up an Instagram page for Kraft Village Gallery so do have a look at the posts to see a sample of what we have on display and for sale in our Art Gallery and Craft Gift shop.
- This Hollow form is turned from a Yew tree root ball. It measures H 42cm X Dia 29cm
Sold Robert turns Large bowls, Hollow forms and Vessels in Burr, Exotic and Native woods ~ especially Monkey Puzzle, all from sustainable forests/sources. Roberts demonstrates and teaches wood turning for beginners through to experienced turners wishing to expand or hone their skills. Visit Kraft Village to browse and purchase from one of the biggest selections of wonderful wood turnings . Robert is a professional wood turner and is on the Register of Professional Turners supported by the Worshipful Company of Turners, he has been turning for over 25 years and a member of the Association of Wood-turner’s of Great Britain and the American Association of Wood turners. His work consists of a variety of shapes using different woods. Many pieces are considered to be ‘outstanding’ and are exhibited in Art Galleries, Exhibitions, Craft Events and Shows and are widely sought to add to Private collections internationally and at home here in the UK.
- The above hollow form measures H 17cm x Dia 24cm Now Sold
To view or to buy a unique wood turning then visit the Gallery pages above. Be sure though to add the Kraftinwood site to your favourites and return as new items are being regularly added. Robert specialises in turning Monkey Puzzle such as the bowl here on the right, the exquisite shape highlights the whorls and black natural staining (spalt) making a wonderful combination that will appear on many wish lists.
- This measures H 29cm x Dia 19cm.
Can you see the faces in this hollow form made from a Laburnum root ball? Some say they are Monsters … others believe them to be Alien creatures … or foetus! Whatever you see, this is truly a one off collector’s piece that can never be replicated ~ Now sold This is where wood differs from pottery and ceramics etc, the figuring or grain in wood is natural. Pottery or glass do not have this and so need to have colour and texture applied to enhance what otherwise could be a quite bland material. Robert processes mostly all his own wood and has various size chain saws and a large 17″ band saw. His interest and requirement for unusual wood especially burrs quickly became known and it is quite common for him to find a cut up tree in the drive left on appro by a tree surgeon or many e-mails enquiring whether he is interested in a Monkey Puzzle, Walnut, fruit tree or the like that is being cut down soon. As trees take up a lot of room finding more space is always a problem however regular trips to cut up /collect unusual trees helps ensure a good supply of wood to store and dry. The drying process is unfortunately slow and more often than not can take several years before the turning process begins. Wood cut into planks that is used in furniture making etc dries at approximately one inch – 25mm per year, up to say three inch – 75mm thick. Large pieces of wood in the round never dry at that rate due to the moisture that is retained within and will still provide all nearby with a soaking when put on the lathe even after many years in storage!. Unfortunately Burr Elm is now very rare due to the Elm disease that killed virtually all the large established trees in 1990. Stocks of Elm burr are unfortunately now exhausted although some patch burr still exists. Robert generally has the following native woods in his store - Ash, Wych elm, Walnut, Eucalyptus, Beech, Monkey puzzle, Laburnum, Sycamore, Holly, Maple, Fruit wood and Chestnut. In addition to the native woods Robert imports a selection of woods and burr from Australia Canada and America. Today’s international delivery costs are high, even shipping a reasonable size but green burr now adds more than 100% to the cost of the wood. Despite this and in order to offer a diverse selection some quilted maples, redwood burrs from the US and a few of the 700 or so Eucalyptus (gum trees) from Australia are bought. After a couple of years drying, these burrs are turned and finished revealing some wonderful figuring, well worth the wait for an exceptional bowl. If you are considering commissioning a hollow form, bowl or vessel as a present, gift, award or prize then Robert will be pleased to offer advice, help you with choice or design and most importantly provide a competitive free quotation to make your requirement using either your own wood perhaps from a memorable tree or a selection from his wood stock. Turning large pieces requires not only a big lathe but also large cutting tools and hoisting equipment. The VB36 lathe is considered the ultimate lathe in wood turning and is excellent and more than capable of supporting the large trunks, roots or burr wood he hoists on with a 1 1/2 ton lifting crane. The wood is screwed at one end with large coach screws to a face plate, the variable speed enables the careful cutting necessary for deep hollowing using large cutting tools, the biggest cutter being in excess of 2 metres in length!!. This process is not for the faint hearted, one catch inside a large hollow form whilst it is spinning at a high speed and as per ‘Elf and Safety recommendations’ …………… you need to have an exit strategy in place ~ just hope that’s not the same direction the hollow form remains are travelling in !!!. Robert gives demonstrations in wood turning and also provides tuition for beginners where they learn how to be proficient in the safe use of tools and produce their first or own turning. More experienced turners can benefit from more advanced courses in deep hollowing etc. Courses are on a one to one basis and everything is provided including necessary insurance. Contact Robert for further details.
Below is a further selection of forms and vessels, the variety provides a refreshing change to the run of the mill choice generally available elsewhere. There is usually in excess of 400 turned items on display and for sale at Kraft Village
Myrtle hollow form with African Blackwood lid with finial
and Blackwood base
Monkey puzzle jug SOLD 
Monkey Puzzle Amphora Eucalyptus jug Sold
Yew Hollow form Sold
Available now
Dvd’s of our Museum tour are now in stock !!
If you wish to order please contact us for details
thank you.
If visiting please note that we close at 5pm ~our last
Museum guided tour starts at 4.15pm.
To find us ~ just follow the Brown Tourist Road signs to High
Wycombe Chair Making Museum which will bring you straight to
Kraftinwood at Kraft Village, Grafton Street, High Wycombe,
Bucks. HP12 3AJ Tel 01494 533302
Please note our normal opening hours:-
Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
Closed all day Wednesday and Thursday.
Sunday opening 12 to 5pm.