Cheam Woodturners Association

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Cheam Woodturners Association Associated with the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain Twinned with Central Oklahoma Woodturners Association

Greg is well known to the club having been a past chairman and member for many years.

He is listed in the Register of Professional Turners and has been turning professionally for some 26 years and frequently demonstrates and lectures.

This was evident in the pieces he created in the demonstration, a natural edge bowl and a bowl from a Monkey Puzzle tree, the later almost a trade

Greg started by explaining that as a professional turner there were, in the months after Christmas, no exhibitions or opportunities for demonstrating

avoid infestation and make sure air can circulate around the wood). A NATURAL EDGE BOWL.

good control when cutting. The blank was a log from a pear tree which had been felled in November 2017 and stored wet.

wood. This was mounted between centres at the mid way point of the length using a multi pronged drive centre.

1 Cheam Woodturners Association Associated with the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain Twinned with Central Oklahoma Woodturners Association Cheam Woodturners Association Newsletter Issue number 050 A big thank you to Chris Barrett for providing this text of the evenings demonstration. Greg is well known to the club having been a past chairman and member for many years. He has taught woodturning for some 19 years and some of the current club members are among his students. He is listed in the Register of Professional Turners and has been turning professionally for some 26 years and frequently demonstrates and lectures. Greg describes himself as an Artist, Craftsman and Turner in wood, in that order. This was evident in the pieces he created in the demonstration, a natural edge bowl and a bowl from a Monkey Puzzle tree, the later almost a trade mark for Greg. Greg started by explaining that as a professional turner there were, in the months after Christmas, no exhibitions or opportunities for demonstrating at craft fayres so he used the time to rough turn pieces for finishing in the spring and summer and selling in the spring, summer and autumn, usually at galleries. He would use wood cut down in the autumn and stored wet for him to rough turn wet after Christmas (if you store wood wet keep it off the ground to avoid infestation and make sure air can circulate around the wood). A NATURAL EDGE BOWL. Greg turned with bowl gouges, some of which were quite heavy, with long handles for tucking securely between arm and chest and therefore securing good control when cutting. The blank was a log from a pear tree which had been felled in November 2017 and stored wet. The log, about 9 inches long and 5 inches in diameter had recently been band sawn longitudinally into two equal halves, one half being used as the blank. The mid point and the highs and lows were determined by using the tool rest and altering the position where the tail stock centre engages with the wood. This was mounted between centres at the mid way point of the length using a multi pronged drive centre. The corners of the blank were then cut away using a slow lathe speed and the ends rounded to form a bowl shape. All cuts were made working away from the bark edge and towards the wood. The next step was to begin to form the underside of the bowl, not the bark side. This included turning a spigot for holding the bowl when turning the inside. It was important to turn the spigot a little oversize at this stage to allow for possible shrinkage and distortion possibly turning oval. The above pictures show the natural edged bowl taking shape before it is mounted in a chuck. The bowl was then mounted on the chuck and wood removed from centre outwards. It is essential at this stage that the bowl gouge is bevel supported at all times. Picture 1. shows how Greg made a small cut out in the bark to allow the drive centre access to the wood. We look forward to seeing you on March 21 st Page 1

Natural edged bowl demonstration continued :- The bowl would then be sealed with End Seal

The quadrants sealed, were those where the grain had been cut across (shown below).

( End Seal is a water miscible wax that is applied with a brush).

The spigot is returned having been previously turned larger than necessary.

Using careful, bevel supported cuts with the bowl gouge working step wise from centre to bark edge.

The Monkey Puzzle Tree ( araucaria araucana) is native to Chile and Argentina.

The primitive leaves are more thorn like than leaf like, tough, pointed, sharp and to be avoided.

it). The pith is hollow which compromises holding, so there is a need to mount just off centre, the

The turning is end grain and not amenable to re-turning at a later stage.

The blank is then mounted between centres and the underside of the bowl cut to shape including a

This involves carefully cutting back the side branches flush with the surface of the bowl (they

The blank is then mounted in a chuck and the inside opened up with the tail stock still providing

This is continued carefully until the desired wall thickness is achieved ( 1/8 of an inch?

2 Natural edged bowl demonstration continued :- The bowl would then be sealed with End Seal generously around spigot and base and only two of the four quadrants on top and underside. The quadrants sealed, were those where the grain had been cut across (shown below). The blank is then set side for 3-4 months.( End Seal is a water miscible wax that is applied with a brush). END SEAL END SEAL END SEAL The dried blank is then trued up. The spigot is returned having been previously turned larger than necessary. A blank and pad are used to hold the blank between the chuck and tailstock. Using careful, bevel supported cuts with the bowl gouge working step wise from centre to bark edge. The blank is then re chucked and returned as in the next two pictures. A MONKEY PUZZLE TREE BOWL. The Monkey Puzzle Tree ( araucaria araucana) is native to Chile and Argentina. It is a primitive evergreen and a soft wood. It has three important characteristics for turning. The primitive leaves are more thorn like than leaf like, tough, pointed, sharp and to be avoided. The branches occur at regular intervals on the trunk but in regular bands like the spokes of a wheel (pic 1). Thirdly the wood is full of a sticky, sugary sap which, in the wood, appears as irregular black stripes. This is not spalting, but the sap blackened by bacterial degradation ( or poo as Greg chose to call it). The pith is hollow which compromises holding, so there is a need to mount just off centre, the pith space has to be plugged at the finish. The turning is end grain and not amenable to re-turning at a later stage. The first stage is to determine the top of the bowl, one to two inches above a ring of branches. The blank is then mounted between centres and the underside of the bowl cut to shape including a spigot ( pic 2). This involves carefully cutting back the side branches flush with the surface of the bowl (they started about 1-2 inches proud). The blank is then mounted in a chuck and the inside opened up with the tail stock still providing support (pic 3 & 4). This is continued carefully until the desired wall thickness is achieved ( 1/8 of an inch?) and a natural edge secured (pic 4). The centre pillar is then carefully removed (pic 5) and the pith hole plugged (usually with glue and a tight fit). The bowl is then covered in oil and wrapped in oiled rags to prevent drying and left for 6-8 months. It is then sanded and finished with 3-4 coats of Danish oil cutting back between coats. Picture 6 shows Gregs finished bowl. Thanks Greg for a great demo The spigot is cut way. At this stage the underside of the bowl is supported between a blank and pad and the tail stock centre. Sanding is then done with Webrax and the finished bowl oiled with Danish oil 3-4 times sanding in between coats In answer to a question Greg stated he does not advocate the use of PEG, polyethylene glycol, for getting moisture out of wet wood.) 6. We look forward to seeing you on March 21st Page 2

On the February show table John Wood was the

made from an old window frame with beech Insert.

finished with Yorkshire grit and Hampshire

This piece appeared on last months show table

3 On the February show table John Wood was the best on show for this Victorian table leg that he has turned into a table lamp. John also produced this needle work lidded box made from an old window frame with beech Insert. Jamie Shears produced this Acacia platter finished with Yorkshire grit and Hampshire sheen. Identifying his work underneath. This piece appeared on last months show table It is a beautiful square edged bowl by David Buskell. Made from Texas Ebony. Gordon Cookson makes a challenge for anyone to reproduce this multi axis object. This natural edged piece was also on the January table. This was produced by Jimmy Clewes during his all day master class. We look forward We look to forward seeing to you seeing on March you on 21June st 17 th Page 32

The colour will probably change to a light brown with age. This trophy was hand crafted on a lathe by Francois Greeff in February 2018.

4 February show table continued This bowl was hand crafted by Francois Greeff. Its purpose is to knead bread dough. The timber is spalted horse chestnut, which is plain light ivory in colour and texture, with virtually no visible grain nor growth rings, except where the wood is spalted. The colour will probably change to a light brown with age. This trophy was hand crafted on a lathe by Francois Greeff in February Its purpose is to serve as an annual floating trophy for the best birdhouse made and entered by a member at the East Surrey Woodturners Association. The socle is made of figured Walnut and has an area large enough to affix silver name plates each year. The vertical pillar was turned from a branch of a Laburnum tree and it has a silver medal suspended from it by a royal blue silk thread. The medal is hallmarked : Town Mark: Birmingham; Year Mark: 1901; Maker s Mark: J.A.R. (J A Restall & Co, Cambridge Street, Birmingham). The medal weighs 28.2 grams. The medal was originally made by the London and Provincial Ornithological Society as an award, but it was never engraved with the recipient s name and so it shall remain because the names of winners of the new trophy will be affixed to the socle by the addition of silver plates. We look forward to seeing you on March 21 st Page 4

February show table continued By Derek Dowle, On the February show table, you will have seen a use for redundant wine bottles.

Initially a line needs to be scored around the bottle with a glass cutter. An alternative would be to use a ceramic tile cutter.

This heating and cooling process may need to be repeated four or five times before a click is heard and the base comes away.

5 February show table continued By Derek Dowle, On the February show table, you will have seen a use for redundant wine bottles. I cannot recall where I saw the idea on the internet; however, I thought I would give it a try. The first challenge was to cut the base off the bottle and here the internet came to the rescue. Initially a line needs to be scored around the bottle with a glass cutter. An alternative would be to use a ceramic tile cutter. The scored line is then rotated over a candle or T-light flame to heat the glass. Immediately after removing from the heat a piece of ice is wiped around the line. This heating and cooling process may need to be repeated four or five times before a click is heard and the base comes away. With care the edge of the glass then needs to be sanded to remove any roughness and sharp edges working down through the grits. When sanding the glass edge, it is advisable to wear a face mask. Turning the base is relatively straight forward but do not aim for a tight fit for the bottle over the base because the glass will most probably not take the stress and smash. You will see in the photograph of the base that three slots have been cut into the sides of the base. These are to provide the air to enable either a small pillar candle or T-light to burn. The depth of these slots is determined by trial and error. If they are not deep enough then the flame will soon extinguish once the bottle is placed over it. One final word of advice is to take care as the glass may be too hot to touch if the flame has been burning for a while. The flame can be extinguished by just placing something over the top of the bottle Post AGM Update At the committee's first meeting following the AGM Jamie Shears accepted the committee's invitation to be co-opted onto the committee. The 2018 committee now comprises Chairman DEREK DOWLE Secretary. DAVID WHITING Treasurer.JOHN FENN Communications.DAVID BUSKELL Membership..CHRIS TAYLOR Display table & Club night Organisation.FRANCOIS GREEFE Programme.JAMIE SHEARS We look forward to seeing you on March 21 st Page 5

6 Club Displays and Demonstrations Event Date Contact Nonsuch Town & Country Show Setup Saturday 26 May Show Sunday 27 and Monday 28 May Derek Dowle Ashtead Village Day Saturday 9 June Trevor Etherington Belmont Festival Sunday 8 July Derek Dowle Oriel Park Trifest September (date to be advised) Trevor Etherington Externally Organised Events During the recent AGM the committee were asked to consider events which members might like to attend and which the club would subsidize the cost. To start the ball rolling the list below shows the events currently being advertised. If members consider that one of the following will fit the bill then please let a committee member know. Midlands Woodworking and Power Tool Show March 18 Yandles & Sons Woodworking Show April 18 Makers Central 5-6 May 18 Woodworks@Daventry May 18 The Toolpost Open House 2-3 June 18 UK & Ireland Woodworking Symposium in Coventry Yandles & Sons Woodworking Show 30th June 1st July 7-8 September March 21th April 18th May 16th June 20st July 18th August 15th Sept 19th Oct 17th Nov 21st Dec 12th 2018 Programme :- Jason Breach :- Club Night :- Martin Saban-Smith :- Club Night :- Ed Oliver :- Club Night :- Stewart Furini :- Pat O Connell :- T.B.A. :- Xmas Social and Frank Clarke Competition Deadline for the April issue of the e-newsletter is Mar 31st If you have any article or information you would like included in the e-news. Contact: Chris Taylor Chris.r.taylor@hotmail.com Please note the December meeting is being brought forward one week to the 12th December due to Christmas commitments. We look forward to seeing you on March 21 st Page 6

Alex Bellringer shows us how he makes a Celtic design on his pens

Alex Bellringer shows us how he makes a Celtic design on his pens Cheam Woodturners Association Associated with the Association of Woodturners of Great Britain Twinned with Central Oklahoma Woodturners Association February and March 2016 On 17th February we welcome Jason