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Galleries - Gulf Coast Treasures - Luna Ford


Luna R. Ford
"Learn how the tool works before you begin a project"

Gulf Coast Woodturners gives an annual award called the "Luna Ford Award."  It's named for one of our most esteemed members, Luna Ford, and it's him who we profile in our first Gulf Coast Treasures vignette.

Luna was the first recipient of the award named in his honor.  The award is "in recognition of unending dedication (for) sharing knowledge of woodturning skills with club membership." 

Unending dedication--it's an apt description of Luna.  Unselfish could be added too.  Luna is one of GCWA's mentors and he's never too busy to help a member who has a question, or a problem.  He is especially supportive of those who are just getting started.  And he's always glad to have folks come to his shop . . . invited or not. 


The Luna Ford Award


Luna with GCWA
member Jack Hanley

Luna is one of the most recognized turners in the state of Texas.  Anywhere you go, woodturners seems to know, or know of, Luna.  He has demonstrated at the SouthWest Association of Turners (SWAT) Symposium, it's predecessor, Texas Turn or Two (TTT) and is a regular at Houston-area woodworking shows.

Woodturning tools are Luna’s forte and he's an expert at handling them.  His ability to understand how the cutting edge of a tool interacts with the grain structure of the wood is a skill that he practices and teaches.  His philosophy is simple, learn how the tool works before you begin a project.   "Time spent handling a tool by 'making shavings' and learning how that tool works, is time well spent," he says.
 

When it comes to tools, Luna doesn't discriminate.  If he doesn't have a tool he needs, he will first try to make it.  Only if he can't make it will he will buy it.  He has fashioned many woodturning “tools” from old screwdrivers, scissors, saw blades, planer blades and who knows what else. 

He doesn't discriminate when it comes to lathes, either.  He has three of them--a Delta DL-40, a Jet Mini and a Carbatec, and he uses all three regularly.  Luna makes bowls, hollow forms and a wide range of spindle items, but he enjoys making miniatures the most.  Why? "No stress, just pure fun," he says.

   
Luna is a frequent demonstrator at GCWA monthly meetings

Bill Berry, a past president of GCWA and also a recipient of the Luna Ford Award, claims that he's never known Luna to purchase wood.  "A phone call from Luna often starts off, 'Hey Bill, they just cut a big Ash (or Pecan, etc.) tree over on XYZ street.'  What he is really saying is, 'Let’s go get some of that wood, but I need help loading it!'" Berry chuckles. 


Finishing Mesquite		 Bill spends several afternoons a week with Luna usually doing turning projects, or turning-related tasks.  That speaks highly of Luna, because Berry is a master turner in his own right! 

Asked what words of advice he would give to a beginning woodturner, Luna doesn't hesitate: "Get a green piece of wood and put it between centers and practice with every tool you have. Don't try to make anything, just turn the wood away. when you have learned to use the tools then start your projects and have fun."

Here are some pictures of Luna's work:

         

         

            

         

How can we sum up Luna Ford:  A true friend and mentor of every member of the Gulf Coast Woodturners Association, past and present.  He's kind, considerate and caring -- qualities that have endeared him to several generations of woodturners. 

Luna Ford - a true treasure of the Texas Gulf Coast!