Can I Tame THE BEAST? - The Ultimate Woodturning Challenge

Join me in this Epic Woodturning Challenge as I tackle a colossal piece of Monkey Puzzle wood. This massive and weighty piece challenges the limits of my lathe, but even with determination and skill do I manage to tame the beast? Well you will just have to watch and find out.
Thanks for watching and feel free to leave comments in the chat below.
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DISCLAIMER :
All of my videos are designed to be entertainment only. Please follow all required safety measures when using tools or machinery and always read and understand the manufacturer's guidelines and safety instructions.
The methods I demonstrate are not to be used as a guide for best practice. Thanks

[@DoloresJNurss]

There's something immensely calming about listening to the gentle voice of someone who takes in stride all manner of unexpected complications with grace and good humor. After watching a video like this, I always feel like none of my challenges in life are all that bad.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Dolores, I really appreciate your message, all the best, Mike

[@huberthicks9080]

You certainly gave your hand and wrist a workout, Mike. A very lovely, huge piece. You did the wood justice. Love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Hubert😀

[@allochthonplays2978]

I think "Well, that's remarkably undramatic!" is my favorite line from a turning video. Undramatic, when turning huge pieces of wood, is good! LOL
Spectacular piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha, I was expecting something else to happen 😂

[@frankashworth5961]

Thank goodness for video editing, eh Mike? I can't imagine how many total hours you had invested in this unique, swirling piece.

[@MikeHolton]

@@frankashworth5961 Indeed a lot of the actual turning was trimmed otherwise the video would have been a lot longer lol

[@louisjackson4634]

I love seeing people work with monkey puzzle, such a lovely finish. This piece is no exception, especially with all the trouble you had. Great job Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Louis😀

[@redsworkshopuk]

Mike, another great piece of art.. The more I watch, the more you are inspiring me to have a turning channel myself. Fantastic job.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks and give it a go, feel free to email me and I'll give you all the help I can ([e-mail])

[@allisonv8539]

I love how you keep so much natural beauty in your creations. This piece is no exception. It’s such a gorgeous piece of wood!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Allison😀

[@rambladesmanmoe6291]

Thanks Mike. Really love that we can follow along with your thought process throughout your turnings. That is what separates you from the rest. Beautiful piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much my friend, I fell if I can share as I go along then we can all discover and learn together 😀

[@JohnVegas]

A beautiful and elegant bowl.
Thank you and Gid bless!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you too!

[@theresafreeman6426]

Stunning!!! Great work! I love that you kept the finish natural

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Theresa 😀

[@KRColson]

Absolutely smashing job! It came out really lovely indeed! Well done!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@charmainerohde8575]

With skill, patience, and nerve you finessed that piece of tree into another stunning piece of art. Such a pleasure to witness its creation!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Charmaine, this was a lot! 😀

[@user-fp2si6kr4t]

Thank you for continuing your works. I wish you well with the move and look forward to seeing your new shop in action.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Michael 😀

[@butthedd0233]

SPECTACULAR piece. THANKS.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@lizacole9520]

Another brave shout, with a fabulous outcome! I love the way you never seem to give up on giving a piece of wood a new life! Gorgeous colours too! 😍

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Liza, I don't believe in giving up, only if all hope is lost will I throw in the towel 😀

[@jairbilesimo3986]

Great Job, Mike! Congratulations!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😀

[@debrapatane8042]

BEAUTIFUL!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@contemperis]

Congratulations mike that is one impressive woodturn ❤

[@jmwz9657]

Always a good morning when one of these pops up!

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you like them 😀

[@user-xd6bw3nl1n]

Stunning, great result.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks David 😀

[@spikejohnson4477]

Stunning! Well done for another outstanding project😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Spike 😀

[@jjnewton33able]

Such a beautiful piece at the end. It is always enjoyable watching a craftsman create something from a piece of nature. 😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John, one of my best friends at school had the same name as you 😀

[@cindymonroe1223]

Beautiful work. Thank you.

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks Cindy 😀

[@thijsversteeg9010]

Mike, you have beautifully showcased the beauty of nature!

[@MikeHolton]

Many thanks 😀

[@robinkerr1624]

Beautiful work as usual Mike.
Love watching your work and problem solving.
Inspiring stuff

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Rob, I appreciate that 😀

[@patsyjohnston4526]

That piece is fabulous! ❤ love it! Great job..😊

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Patsy 😊

[@janwalters5563]

Another beautiful piece.❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you Jan 😊

[@dianeclemmer1344]

Absolutely ❤️ Beautiful! Perfect!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much! 😀

[@stevedoran3631]

I have never been so happy to see one of your artworks finished as I was with this magnificent bowl...... superb work Mike......

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much and I felt the same 😀

[@terryllewellyn1677]

Fabulous Mike 👌

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Terry 😀

[@brendadriver2702]

Wow! The color of that wood and the figuring is beautiful! I love the shape. That’s a keeper! Hope you’re getting settled into your new digs. Thanks Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Brenda and yes it's a keeper, we move in next week 😀

[@bethjohnson2793]

Wow what a beauty!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Beth

[@deehenry1983]

This is an absolutely amazing bowl! I have never heard of this wood before, so I was thrilled to see what you did with it. Glad to see you still going strong, and with more sponsors!!! So proud to be along on this crazy ride, and to see all of your continued success! Have a great one!!!!

[@amieclay8409]

Mike has done two other videos with the monkey puzzle wood (Knobs Off and Knobs On). You should check them out because they are SO neat!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Dee😀

[@deehenry1983]

@@amieclay8409 i am going back thru all of his old videos, so i am sure i will run into it :) thanks for letting me know!!

[@OmegaPrime76]

Beautiful!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Buddy 😀

[@teddyt4989]

That bowl your turned is one of the prettiest bowls I've seen. Thank you.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! 😀

[@jsprankel4712]

Great job Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you enjoyed it Jim 😀

[@brianjoneswoodturning3682]

Very Brave Mike . Turned out well Thanks for sharing and congrats on a sucessful project

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Brian, this was a beast but great fun 😀

[@Audie1234]

❤That is absolutely fabulous❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Audie, hard but fun 😀

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@scottpoettker2268]

That's a gorgeous bowl and will make a fantastic center piece for family dinners in your home! Thank you for showing that anything is possible with patience and determination!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Scott 😀

[@JRasch12]

Came out great. Good Luck with the Move!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😊

[@maryhodgson2298]

What a lovely piece of work. Love how it has turned out. It's beautiful

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Mary😊

[@karenstafford724]

That is absolutely gorgeous. Love the wood.🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎🤎

[@MikeHolton]

Me too Karen, the grain pattern is just beautiful 😀

[@vdubboy85225]

What a beautiful piece. That wood is so amazing. Thanks Mike.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you too! 😀

[@vdubboy85225]

@@MikeHolton I was just meal prepping and thought of you. I have an old pepper mill from my mother, maybe from the mid 70's when she got married. Thought it might be cool to see you turn something similar?

[@adrianhoe5199]

Stunning piece, well done Mike

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Adrian 😀

[@jenw9361]

Wonderfully done.!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Jen 😀

[@mickwilson127]

Wow, what a beast!
As always a lovely result -

[@MikeHolton]

Glad you like it Mick 😁

[@michaelmcdermott2178]

An absolutely lovely sojourn with you and a beautiful result.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you kindly Michael 😀

[@user-jo3wu7qj1h]

Absolutely beautiful bowl! A true master at his art. 😘

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Paul, you are too kind 😃

[@ronaldbreeden5173]

Great job Mike … loved seeing this come to shape … your eye for reading the wood really shows your experience…

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Ronald, sometimes the piece tell you what to do, you just have to make sure you listen, I hope my wife does not read this as it is something she claims I do not do well. lol 😀

[@DorothyMarks-Tango17]

Another amazing piece!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Dorothy 😀

[@beverlym5465]

Just beautiful, the shape is elegant and the wood is very nice! ❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Beverly 😀

[@kristinalubas5181]

I love learning about all the different types of wood (and the trees they come from). This was a gorgeous piece as well with the grain and eye patterns and the color changes. Hope the move is going well, can’t wait to see the new shop all set up!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Kristina, I can't wait as well, so eager to get started 😀

[@barbkrienke8400]

That is just amazing!!! What a stunning piece made out of an amazing piece of wood!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!! 🥰

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Barb 😀

[@ruthportway5198]

So much work but what a stunning result. I admire your perseverance and being able to ‘see’ the potential in the chunk of wood you start of with yet adapting as it throws up challenges to you. tfs

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Ruth, I had an idea what I wanted to create but it all had to go out the window as the wood had other ideas lol 😀

[@jeramiahcrosier3481]

Amazing show of patience as you were roughing - the end result is worth it! Cool and functional.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks my friend, lot's of patience needed, and a lot of sweeping during and after lol 😀

[@kennedykirkhope6251]

That looks awesome with the eyes around it… great finish too

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much my friend 😀

[@petershipman7314]

Love the wood and the great bowl ,fantastic work 🎉❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Peter 😀

[@troybaldwin5329]

That was a massive piece and you did a fantastic job of turning it. That's a beautiful bowl Mike congrats.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Troy, this is probably the largest piece I've turned 😀

[@royalmaster203]

good looking bowl, thanks for your time

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks for watching! 😀

[@DavidBird-uu8km]

Very Nice. I love the knots.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@user-ml8je4zj1t]

Beautiful and hard work. Perseverance pays off Mike. Really well done mate, I love it.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks James, this was certainly a challenge and to be honest if it was not for the CA glue I would have probably ended up throwing it away.

[@user-hx5lj7vs7f]

Love your work.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Marie 😃

[@andrewhall1693]

Braw ....Good luck with the move ....hope the weather is kind on the day ....Looking forward to your first in the new workshop!.
thanks for sharing

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Andrew, just can't wait to get started 😊

[@GoetzMons]

Fantastic!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 👍

[@confused837]

Wow what a lovely piece of work

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks! 😀

[@mollynakamori]

This piece is just amazing. I can't wait to see what comes out of the new studio.

[@MikeHolton]

Neither can I Molly 😀

[@lynnettejohns4733]

Amazing! The eyes are a standout feature. Your determination is astonishing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Lynette, I never like to give up because when you do you stop learning 😀

[@simon54131]

Another tricky piece handled so well, it looks amazing.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Simon, it was a real pain but we got there 😀

[@jamesfleming5908]

What a challenge. Great outcome. Like the shape and finish.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much James 😀

[@jimkilton2141]

Looks like a real challenge with amazing results. Keep up the good work.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks, will do my best Jim 😀

[@dennisduggan9611]

That is a huge turning! Beautiful!!!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😁

[@johnbuchanan578]

That was a challenge well met. Great result.😎

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John, it was a bit of a workout! 😀

[@dianebridges6256]

So very talented! Absolutely lovely. God Bless

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much! 😃

[@TheGothmod666]

Amazing!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks! 😃

[@Radcon-2222]

Another great one ❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks 😀

[@NomaD_203]

I love listening to you 'think out loud' as you work and ponder over challenges as they arise. The finish really brought out the character of the wood and let the grain 'emerge' to fill in the negative space around the eyes. Before that, they looked a lot like something else to me 🤔🤭🤣 . Well done! Another triumph over adversity and another beautiful piece.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much for your comments, I want to try and include everyone with what is going through my mind, hopefully this way we can all learn together 😀

[@charlesmcdermott6139]

Quite beautiful! A silk purse from a sow’s ear for sure! 🎉

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! 😊

[@mariabasil9631]

What beautiful color and grain! Again - thanks for sharing!

[@MikeHolton]

My pleasure Maria 😁

[@jimwazlawik4424]

I love all the knots showing

[@MikeHolton]

Me too Jim, it's the best part of this wood 😀

[@scottfonner]

Well done Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Scott 😀

[@RoyWCanada]

Hi Mike, what a dramatic piece. The eyes standout and the shape depth of the bowl. When you put on the walnut oil it transformed it completely. Again you have turned a stunning bowl with great skill and thought along the way. Thanks for the video looking forward to the next/last one before your move. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Roy, the last turn will be emotional, I started turning in this workshop just a few short years ago, will be strange to turn in another workshop

[@raywaltersjr.2146]

I really love the grain pattern on this wood. It’s beautiful. The finish that you put on there brings it out beautifully. Beautiful piece of work Mike as usual excellent job..

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Ray, I was amazed how much colour variation appeared when the oil went on 😀

[@nickabercrombie4001]

Very nice project you make it look so easy.

[@MikeHolton]

Haha thanks I do a good impression of someone who knows what their doing 😃

[@geraldsimon3268]

You do such beautiful work.

[@MikeHolton]

You're so kind, I appreciate it, Mike 😀

[@joyceburton8208]

I enjoy and appreciate you sharing your thought process. I've never seen this type of wood. Job well done in dealing with all the rot problems. This turned out to be a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing and creating such a lovely bowl.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Joyce, if you look back on my videos you will see me turn two other pieces 😀

[@georgegentry8922]

thanks Mike, lovely bowl, love the grain.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much George 😀

[@barbararussell9532]

Watching you is so relaxing and you turned out a beautiful bowl.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Barbara, I really appreciate it 😀

[@markporter4442]

You have the patience of a saint Mike, I was quite apprehensive for when you turned the piece round to hollow but the mortise was a good decision and once again you nailed it. Great piece of work.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Mark, I was so glad it held, that lest thing I wanted was that huge piece flying off the lathe lol

[@colinmacdonald404]

Thanks 👍 I was holding my breath until the end but it happily stayed in the chuck. Cheers

[@MikeHolton]

Haha that makes two of us 😀

[@cherikrebs2637]

You do beautiful work!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you so much Cheri 😀

[@jessicamorelli2003]

My first time seeing your work. I will be back for more. Beautiful bowl, nicely done.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much Jessica 😀

[@user-mj7is9xg9n]

Great job, Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John 😀

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John 😀

[@WoodturningWithJohnMarro]

Colors are amazing! Nice Turn Mike!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks John, they certainly are 😀

[@stephenaxford1505]

Another fantastic piece. Your patience and skill is wonderful. I loved the knot pattern in the inside and loved the simple but pleasing shape. Well done. Best wishes for a successful and none stressful move.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Stephen, not long now 😀

[@Peter_R996]

Another lovely piece!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you! Cheers Peter 😀

[@mpham321]

Awesome project! Very nice!

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much! 😀

[@margaretgrover-rb3ed]

That's a beautiful bowl. You tamed the beast!!

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Margaret 😀

[@jimwinter4635]

Absolutely Beautiful... Very well done, not the easiest of woods to work.

[@MikeHolton]

Thank you very much Jim and you're right about that lol 😀

[@markdesautels4764]

Very nice! I love larger pieces but even makes me a little nervous just watching. Your patience and thoughtfulness definitely paid off.

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Mark, this certainly took a lot of time to complete, all the best, Mike 😀

[@ladyhiker5873]

Absolutely gorgeous Mike. ❤

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks so much 😀

[@donnagreen7386]

That’s a beast Mike!!! It’s a stunning piece 😁

[@MikeHolton]

Thanks Donne, it certainly is a big one lol 😀