This Saturday, 25th March, is another workshop day, with the subject being ‘Spindles and Pens’. 

By taking part in this workshop you will become more comfortable turning spindles and or pens, learn new tips and tricks, or confirm that you are doing things right. There is no ‘tutor’ at this workshop, everyone will bring something to the lathe and hopefully come away a slightly better turner. David and Judith will be there for a good part of the time as they have great experience in making pens and also quality spindle items.

There are five workshops of this type in the first half of 2023, all being workshops rather than training days.  Each one gives us the opportunity to do some familiar turning in the company of members who have something to share and something to learn. 

The next workshops are:

Saturday 29th April  – Involuted turning
Saturday 27th May – Stools
Saturday 24th June  – Demonstrating 

Chris Parker’s demonstration today, Saturday 18th March, was excellent and very different to any previous demonstrators. His use of shape, texture and colour has inspired us to step up and try something new and adventurous. Although he used several tools we are familiar with there were several which were new to us, especially his negative rake scrapers and bespoke tenon cutter.

During his demo he also used a couple of sanding arbours which gave more precision and can be purchased from Chris via his web site shopping page.

https://www.chrisparkerwoodturner.com/shop

I would encourage you to give these a try, and it would not be right to say they are better than other makes, some of which are very familiar to us, but they can perform in a way that is very controllable and less likely to damage previously cut sharp edges.

Chris can be contacted via  Email: thebaldwoodturner@gmail.com  or by phone: UK 07723097271

Please note that I will not be opening the workshop for club members this afternoon 1.00 – 3.00pm.

I expect we will be back to normal next week.

David Simpson 

Saturday 18th March sees Chris Parker, a professional woodturner sometimes known as ‘The Bald Woodturner’ will come to our workshop and show his skills. Tickets are £15, which will include tea and coffee AND LUNCH. We normally charge £20 but are treating you all to lunch this time.

The demo starts at 10 am and runs to 4pm so will be a full day of excellent woodturning plus catering for a mere £15 so please get your tickets as soon as possible from Jimmy Brown or Sarah Burns. We can accommodate a few last minute ‘walk-ins’ but prefer numbers for the catering.

The following day, Sunday 19th March, Chris will be back for a ‘Masterclass’ , where you will be taught by a master, you don’t need to be a master yourself, just have turned for at least a year and be ready to take your turning a step further.  Tickets are £50 (but you have to bring your own sandwiches) tea/coffee and biscuits are provided. This day also runs 10am to 4pm. This type of training often costs £200 and upwards so this is your chance to have a fun day, learning and making something special under Chris’ guidance. 

Chris does top quality turning and texturing, plus a little bit of colour. You can see some of his work at     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100013117201598

Following a request from members, next Tuesday, 7th March, Phil H (Medium Phil) will bring his Simon Hope Easy Arm hollowing rig to the workshop. Phil demonstrated how to set up the rig in a remote demo during lockdown, but this is a chance to see this system live and have-a-go if you want.

We’ll set it up on the big Jet lathe and make some shavings. The rig will accept any hollowing tool with a shaft 19mm diameter or smaller, so if you have a tool that you would like to try in the rig, bring it along. If you have no idea what we are talking about go to www.hopewoodturning.co.uk then lathe accessories and look for Easy Arm.

The Saturday 25th February Better Bowls & Better Bottoms workshop, 9.30 to 16.30, will soon be upon us. This is not a training course but an opportunity to develop your skills and share ideas. There is no leader or tutor, everyone has equal status and value. Come along and try a new shape, size, thickness, or style; using dry or green wood. Alas I can’t be there as I have a family member coming to visit. Please reply to this post if you can come along so we can use the 9 lathes most efficiently.

Rolf

SATURDAY 11th MARCH – is the next all day Beginner’s Woodturning course.

One person has already signed up and I would like another two or three please as I do not intend to do any more until after the summer. The course is 09:30 until 4.30pm (or 5.30pm if you still have the energy). Students need to be full members (£40 per year) and the all day course costs £120.

email me rolfbuwert@outlook.com to secure your place.

February’s competition item was a Valentine’s Day item. Apologies for forgetting to photograph the entries. The points situation to date:

Mature category:

Ken Powers (6), Phil Jones & Mick Schofield (5), Rolf Buwert (1).

Novice category:

Findlay Mitchell (6).

The scoring system awards 6 points for 1st position, 5 for 2nd, 4 for 3rd. All other entries, including those with no votes, receive 1 point.

Since the turn of the year, only one other person has been coming to the Wednesday afternoon workshop sessions.

We have both agreed that it is not worth opening the workshop for the two of us, so I propose that after this coming Wednesday, we give it a break until Easter, or at least until the weather gets warmer.

If there’s a demand for continued opening, I’m happy to change my mind.

Best wishes,

David