Review of Binh's DVD #1

This DVD is not intended for the beginning turner. While it is well done, it assumes the viewing turner has a core set of skills skipping steps or not showing basic skills. It was very appropriate for the subject matter, but new turners should start with a Bonnie Klein or Dick Sing or John Jordan to get the basics down prior to attempting these thin walled vessels.

The DVD covers the making of a Binh Pho thin walled bowl, then moves into a thin walled vessel expanding on the techniques used during the bowl turning and then finishes with a thin walled vessel with his signature wing, giving excellent instruction on not only the “how” he does that, but he adds in his thinking on layout and design for his pieces. The winged hollow vessel left me wondering how he gets all the way to the edge of the inside of these pieces, because that step seemed to be missing (however because I watched this after our monthly meeting, I may have missed that due to sleep deprivation).

The narrative sound during this DVD is not meant for people who have hearing loss! During the Hollow Vessel Chapter, Binh dons a turning smock and the microphone must be under the smock, because all through it, his voice is muffled and hard or at times impossible to understand. I enjoyed the music, that accompanies the DVD, however, at times it overpowers Binh making it very difficult to hear what he is trying to tell us.

The gallery shows just how imaginative and amazing Binh's work is, as you would expect. It is also an inspiration to anyone watching this DVD to go practice your newly learned skills. I liked the layout and flow of the DVD. I especially appreciated that Binh closes with a chapter on his suppliers.

Binh is one of the most gracious and giving members of our club. His talent and imagination seems unlimited and his work just keeps getting better. His willingness to give back to our club and the woodturning community as a whole deserves a hearty Thank You!! The publishing of this DVD, in my opinion, is long overdue for Binh and although I am likely not the first, I'd like to wish him a hearty congratulations on this accomplishment.

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