Meet the Maker

Dave Branscombe

The Heart of Ingrain’d

I’ve always believed that a woodturner is part technician, part explorer and part translator. My favourite days are spent at the lathe, anywhere that there is one, peeling back the years of a log, or a kiln-dried blank, to see what story that particular piece of tree has been holding onto, sometimes for years waiting to be discovered. Whether it’s the stubborn, tool-blunting strength of oak, the reliable flex of ash, the wild grain of elm, or the ancient, transformative beauty of yew, I’m always looking for that "extra something" hidden beneath the bark. And in case you were wondering, I have been known to turn woods that have more than 3 letters in their name! Pine is one of them.

I’m sometimes asked what I look for in a piece of wood. The truth? I’m looking for a surprise. While a burr is always a treasure, I find just as much joy in finding a hidden streak of colour or a sudden shift in grain, even in the "plainest" of timbers. That is why I created Ingrain’d,
to find and share the extraordinary within the ordinary through persistence and endeavour.

Sharing the Craft

Starting in 2003 as a hobby, my woodturning journey has been and will continue to be a lifelong apprenticeship. The moment you stop learning is when the craft stops growing. I love chasing new horizons – whether it’s a technical challenge at the lathe, integrating new technologies and ideas into my work, or simply pushing the artistic boundaries of what a finished piece can be.

This passion for exploration and growth is why I love:

  • Demonstrating: Travelling to woodturning clubs to share my process, exchange "shop talk", and be inspired by and hopefully spark a bit of inspiration in others.

  • Teaching (1-to-1): There is nothing quite like the "aha!" lightbulb moment when a student makes their first clean shearing cut with that much maligned skew. I offer personalised tuition for those looking to hone their skills in a focused, hands-on environment.

At the end of the day, I’m just a man with some sharp tools and a deep respect for all things made by human hand. My goal is simple: to take a piece of timber that was once standing tall and proud, and, quite literally, turn it into something that you’ll want to hold in your hands for years to come.