July

The Better Bowls workshop was on Saturday 25 July with Rolf as the Moderator. Rolf reports ‘Judith, David and Ian all either improved or made a better bowl than they had made previously. . . . It is a shame that the other two places were not filled.’

August

Many thanks to Rolf who stepped forward at the last minute to run our stand at the Wigtown Show on Wednesday 5 August.

Tonight Roger will talk about and demonstrate ‘Workholding ideas and gadgets’. The competition item is a vase with a high gloss finish and the Wood of the Month is Apple.

Tomorrow we start our exhibition and sale at the Kirkcudbright Tollbooth until 30 August. Roger and Phil H have been there today setting up. Many thanks to everyone who has volunteered to look after our show and/or demonstrate. There is a copy of the schedule on our web site and a hard copy on the Notice Board. If for any reason you can’t do your scheduled sessions, please let Phil H know as soon as you can so that we can try and get someone else to fill in. We have written some Notes to help you, get your copy from Phil H tonight.

We still need LOTS of work to sell, either donated to the Club, or on commission. Note that the Tollbooth charges a 25% commission +VAT on our total sales, and the Club will pinch 15%, so you will get 60% of the sale price. We have to provide an accurate list of the stock on sale for the Tollbooth staff so you can’t take items along and just put them out on the sales table. Hand new items to whoever is on duty for them to add them to the stock list.

September

On Saturday 5 September we welcome professional turner Philip Greenwood to the Club for a full day demo. Philip is a regular writer for Woodturning magazine and usually features projects which most turners would be able to make. Tickets on sale tonight from Phil J.

All the places on the ‘How to turn a bowl’ refresher course on Saturday 12 September went very quickly so this is fully booked. There is a Waiting List form on the Notice board. Print your name and contact info. on this sheet if you want to be told if someone cancels, or if you are interested in attending the next running of this course. We need at least three people to run the course, maximum six people.

G&S Specialist Timbers near Penrith are holding a Show on Friday 18 September and Saturday 19 September with turning and carving demos and lots of Show specials.

A further reminder that the Committee would like to see the Club take part in the inter-club competition at the Border Woodturners Open Day in October. Each club’s entry must consist of five items, no restrictions. We are asking you all to bring your best work, which needn’t be new, to our September meeting. Members will mark each item as per our regular competition, then the top five pieces will form our entry for the interclub competition. So get your thinking caps on and get turning your very finest pieces.

And finally . . .

There has been some talk about the Club running a ‘ladies only’ turning day. So, ladies if the idea appeals to you, talk to Judith !   This is the third month this idea has been in the Notices; if no-one speaks to Judith tonight we will assume that our ladies are not interested in the idea and drop the item.

We have been buying supplies from a company called Dave Biven Machinery Sales, and Roger has ordered items on behalf of individual Club members. In future, Roger will place a Club order once a month, just after each Club meeting, so if you want to order anything let Roger know before or during the Club meeting, otherwise you will have to wait up to a month until the next order is placed.

The ‘How to turn a bowl’ refresher course on Saturday 12 September is fully booked.

The sign-up sheet has been taken down from the Notice board and replaced by a Waiting List sheet. Print your name and contact info. on this sheet if you want to  be told if someone cancels, or you are interested in attending the next running of this course. 

Note this is NOT the same as the Better Bowls workshop that Rolf is running on Saturday 25 July. See Rolf’s previous post for info about that workshop and read your July Notices for info. about this ‘How to turn a bowl’ course.

July

We had a good couple of days at the Kirkcudbright Country Fair, many thanks to everyone who donated work for sale and to Reg and John who helped out on Saturday. We made over £120 profit for Club funds.

We don’t usually have a Club meeting in July but this evening we are pleased to welcome Joe Laird, an accomplished turner from Ireland. As this is an extra meeting there is no competition item and no Wood of the Month. Joe is also offering to teach a Masterclass for members TOMORROW from 10am. The master class will concentrate on making a Celtic Bowl. The cost for the day will be £160 shared between up to 4 people. If you are interested in attending the Master Class please speak to Roger tonight – first come, first served. Joe will also be demonstrating all day at Border Woodturners on Sunday 19th and as usual you would be welcome to go along.

The Better Bowls workshop is on Saturday 25 July with Rolf as the Moderator. We have run lots of courses for new turners but this is our first attempt at doing something for intermediate turners. This means that this is NOT A COURSE ON HOW TO TURN A BOWL – but it IS an opportunity for members who have turned a fair number of bowls to get together and share their knowledge and experience. There is room for five members and we believe there are still places available. The workshop outline is on the Notice Board for you to read at your leisure. Speak to Rolf if you are interested in taking part. If lots of people are interested we could run another workshop at a later date.

The next ‘Introduction to Woodturning’ course will start on Thursday 30 July, So far we have 4 ‘students’ on the list with room for a couple more. The syllabus is on the Notice Board, speak to Phil H if you are interested.

August

We probably will NOT be at the Dumfries Show on Saturday 1 August, but Judith and David will be ‘waving the flag’ at the Wigtown Show on Wednesday 5 August. If you stay down that end of the world, or fancy a wee trip West, they would appreciate your support.

At the Club meeting on 11 August, Roger will talk about and demonstrate ‘Workholding ideas and gadgets’. The competition item is a vase with a high gloss finish and the Wood of the Month is Apple.

The next day the Club starts an exhibition and sale at the Kirkcudbright Tollbooth until 30 August. That’s over two weeks !!!!. Some of the Committee were there this morning to have a look at the space and consider how to arrange things.

We will need people to look after our area every day during that period. You do NOT have to sell or handle money, just be available to talk to visitors and demonstrate if you want to. If you want to demonstrate you should take your own tools, wood, finishes etc. Roger is going to lend us his small Jet lathe on its own bench and we will have a Club chuck available. You were asked last month to consult your diaries, he/she who must be obeyed etc. and come to this meeting ready to put your name down on the schedule. We will circulate the schedule on a clipboard. In any case we need LOTS of work to sell, either donated to the Club, or on commission. Please bring work to the Workshop any Tuesday or Wednesday before the exhibition as we have to give the Tollbooth a complete listing of all items for sale.

September

There seems to be some interest in a ‘How to turn a bowl’ refresher course so we have arranged one on Saturday 12 September. It maybe that you learned your woodturning years ago and would like an update on current practise. We would encourage you to bring your own tools, chuck and wood, or you could buy a blank from Club stocks. The course will be FREE to members, yet another benefit of being part of Galloway Woodturners. Put your name down on the clipboard if you are interested. We need at least three people to run the course, maximum six people.

A further reminder that the Committee would like to see the Club take part in the inter-club competition at the Border Woodturners Open Day in October. Each club’s entry must consist of five items, no restrictions. We are asking you all to bring your best work, which needn’t be new, to our September meeting. Members will mark each item as per our regular competition, then the top five pieces will form our entry for the interclub competition. So get your thinking caps on and get turning your very finest pieces.

 And finally . . . 

There has been some talk about the Club running a ‘ladies only’ turning day. So, ladies if the idea appeals to you, talk to Judith !   This is the second month this idea has been in the Notices.

 

We have been given another lathe – a Tyme Cub. Phil H had one of these for many years and it’s an excellent small lathe. We will buy chuck inserts to allow us to use our Patriot and Supernova chucks on this lathe. We have returned the small Record lathe that we had on loan to the owner so that all the lathes in the Workshop now belong to the Club.

May 

Both the Watch, Try and Buy Day, and the Sue Harker demo day were not very well supported. The Committee will need to review these events and try to work out why that was the case. Any thoughts you may have on the subject would be welcome; speak to any Committee member.

As far as I am aware no member came forward to represent the Club at the Vintage Machinery show on Sunday 31 May. This means that this opportunity to promote the Club was missed.

June 

The topic this month is ‘Abrasives’ and the competition item is a bowl with textured decoration. The Wood of the Month is Lime.

July

We expect to be at the Kirkcudbright Country Fair on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July with demonstrations, the display boards and sale of work. Offers of help with the event would be welcome.

We don’t usually have a Club meeting in July but this year we have arranged a special evening demo on Tuesday 14 July, which would be our Club meeting evening. We will welcome Joe Laird, an accomplished turner from Ireland. This extra demo is FREE to members, £3 to visitors.

The Better Bowls workshop is arranged for Saturday 25 July with Rolf as the Moderator. We have run lots of courses for new turners but this is our first attempt at doing something for intermediate turners. This means that this is NOT A COURSE ON HOW TO TURN A BOWL – but it IS an opportunity for members who have turned a fair number of bowls to get together and share their knowledge and experience. There is room for five members, two places are already taken, leaving three places available. The workshop outline is on the Notice Board for you to read at your leisure. Speak to Rolf if you are interested in taking part. If lots of people are interested we could run another workshop at a later date.

If other members would like the Club to put on a ‘How to turn a bowl’ refresher course, we would be willing to do that. Speak to Phil H if you are interested in this; to date no-one has, so we assume you are not interested ???

August

As usual we plan to be at the Dumfries Show on Saturday 1 August with demonstrations, our display boards and your work For Sale. Offers of help with the event would be welcome.

At the Club meeting on 11 August, Roger will talk about and demonstrate Workholding ideas and gadgets. The competition item is a vase with a high gloss finish and the Wood of the Month is Apple.

ADVANCE NOTICE The next day the Club starts an exhibition and sale at the Kirkcudbright Tollbooth until 30 August. That’s over two weeks !!!!. We will need people to look after things every day during that period. Please consult your diaries, he/she who must be obeyed etc. and come to the July meeting ready to put your name down on the schedule.

And finally . . .  

The Committee would like to see the Club take part in the inter-club competition at the Border Woodturners Open Day in October. Each club’s entry must consist of five items, no restrictions. We are asking you all to bring your best work, which needn’t be new, to our September meeting. Members will mark each item as per our regular competition, then the top five pieces will form our entry for the interclub competition. So get your thinking caps on and get turning your very finest pieces.

A reminder that the Workshop is now open on Wednesdays, 7 – 9pm as well as Tuesdays. John (Jake) Twiname and Bryan Jardine are looking after this initiative which will continue if it is supported by members. So, come on Tuesday, or Wednesday, or both – your choice.

We are taking bookings for the next ‘Introduction to Woodturning’ course, starting date to be confirmed. There are several people already booked on the course, but places are still available. The course fee is £50 which includes everything you need. Speak to Phil J if you are interested in taking part.

There has been some talk about the Club running a ‘ladies only’ turning day. So, ladies if the idea appeals to you, talk to Judith !

Simon Hope is demonstrating this Sunday, 14 June, at Border Woodturners in Brampton. Please let Brian Conchie know if you are going so that he can order enough lunches, 01387 265608. If you want to order anything from Simon’s range of goodies, also let Brian know ASAP.

March

The Chainsaw Workshop that we ran last month was excellent. It was supposed to finish about 4pm but we basically had to throw people out sometime after 6.15pm !! There was an informal competition for the dirtiest air filter, after which the saws got some much needed care and attention.

Urr Church was full to overflowing for the funeral service of Life Member, Robert Irving. The Club was represented by most of the Committee and was mentioned during the address. Robert has bequeathed his lathe, tools and equipment to the Club, some of which we will keep and some which we will include in the Auction. The lathe and chuck have already been in use at Turning Tuesday.

April

The topic this month is ‘Chucks, jaws and their uses’. The competition item is something turned AND carved; the Wood of the Month is Walnut.

The Auction of woodturning and woodworking tools and equipment is this Saturday, 18 April, with viewing from 11am and the sale starting at 2pm. Tonight is your very last chance to put anything in the sale as we have to prepare the final catalogue. We can NOT accept items into the sale on the day of sale. If you need a hand shifting large items we may be able to help; speak to Rolf. The Terms and Conditions of sale, and the Catalogue of items entered so far, over 120 lots !!, are on our website in the Calendar entry for the Auction. There are three paper copies of the current catalogue, and the T&C’s, on the Notice Board for those that don’t have computers.

The Auction will work like this :-

If you intend to bid, on Saturday you MUST get a bidding number card. At the same time you will also get a copy of the final catalogue.

The ONLY way to bid is by showing your bidding number.

When an item is sold, we will write the lot number and successful bid amount on your bidding card in the space provided.

Take this to the Treasurer and pay, cash or cheque only. Treasurer will countersign your card PAID.

Show this to the Doorman and they will hand over your goods.

At the end of the sale there will be a delay for sellers while we work out how much is due to each seller, then we will pay the sellers, less the Club’s 20% commission of course.

May

Chris Pouncy from Robert Sorby will be with us once again next month to demonstrate their latest gizmos and give you the opportunity to buy stuff. If you want to order anything specific, let Roger know ASAP and Chris should be able to bring it.

The Competition item is easy – a group of three mushrooms; and the Wood of the Month is Chestnut.

Saturday 23 May is our Watch Try and Buy Open Day, for which we will need demonstrators, work to sell and general helpers. Sunday 24 May is a demo day by professional turner Sue Harker; and we usually include a light lunch as part of the package. Judith and David Simpson, who have prepared previous lunches, are providing B&B for Sue therefore will not be able to do the lunch this time. So, we need someone to make sandwiches etc. and generally look after lunch – if you’ve been to any of the demo days you’ll know what’s required, any volunteers ? The obvious possibility is – no volunteers, no lunch.

Both these events are advertised in the Spring Fling brochure; copies of which are on the table under the Notice Board.

And finally . . .

As listed on the back of your Programme, the Club is attending three events this year at which we will be demonstrating and selling YOUR work. Therefore we will need LOTS of items especially for the Kirkcudbright Tollbooth in August which we have for over two weeks.

Our website is able to send you an email when something new is added to the site. If you don’t receive emails from us and would like to be kept informed, to register for this service, send an email to Phil Jones, his email address is on your Programme card and on the web site. If we open the site so that you can register yourself on-line we very quickly get hundreds of spam registrations, so we had to stop that.

Extra item for the on-line version

The Notices writer forgot to mention that we will be starting another ‘Introduction to Woodturning’ course on Thursday 23 April with, I think, 4 students.

Items additional to the printed Notices from the Club meeting on 10 March are in BOLD type.

This month we are delighted to welcome Record Power who are going to demonstrate ‘bandsaw setup and maintenance’. Dave Biven, who supplied our new Jet lathes and bandsaw at very competitive prices, is also here with a range of ‘stuff’ for you to buy. Should be an interesting evening.

The competition item is listed on the Programme as ‘A carpet bowls jack and two bowls’. However it has been pointed out that carpet bowls doesn’t actually use a jack! What we mean is simply one small ball, approximately 2 inches diameter and two matching larger balls, each approximately 3 inches diameter.

The Wood of the Month is Monkey Puzzle.

The professional demo planned for this Saturday, 14 March, by Nikos Siragas has had to be cancelled as his wife is unwell and he will not be making the planned trip to the UK. Anyone who has already paid for a ticket will get a full refund from the Treasurer.

We will be holding a Chainsaw Workshop on the afternoon of Saturday 21 March from 1pm to 4pm. We’ve got Andrew back from the excellent demonstration we had last November on chainsaw maintenance and use, so bring along your chainsaw and PPE and get some practical guidance on using it safely and efficiently and keeping it in good working condition. Members only, no charge but donations will be very welcome and will go to pay Andrew’s expenses.

Our friends at Border Woodturners are hosting a demonstration by Richard Kennedy on Sunday 22 March, 10am to 4pm as usual. Have a look at Richard’s superb work on his web site www.bolegallery.com. Members of Galloway Woodturners will be charged the same as Border members, £6, lunch is available for only £2. If you decide to go please give Brian Conchie a ring on 01387 265608 first, just so that he can ensure you get some lunch !! 

April

The topic next month is ‘Chucks, jaws and their uses’. The competition item is something turned AND carved; the Wood of the Month is Walnut.

We are holding an Auction of woodturning and wood working tools and equipment on Saturday 18 April, with viewing in the morning and the sale in the afternoon. This will be a regular open bid auction, not the silent type that we ran last year. The Club will take a 20% commission on the hammer price of items sold; but will not charge anything to buyers. Anything you want to sell must be here at the Workshop by April 11 so that we can prepare the catalogue. If you need a hand shifting large items we may be able to help; speak to Rolf. Anyone can enter items in the sale so please mention the sale to family and friends who may have items to get rid of.

Turning Tuesdays

As Turning Tuesdays are busy these days by all means bring your own chuck and tools along to avoid disappointment. Our lathe spindles are two each of ¾” x 16, 1” x 8, and M33 x 3.5; plus we have a number of inserts and exerts to suit.

At the Committee Meeting last Tuesday, we decided to buy another Patriot chuck (with a free Stebcentre) and one of the new Record SC4 chucks. Hopefully Dave Biven has brought the chucks with him tonight so they will be available next Turning Tuesday. This means that all five of the Club lathes will have a chuck available; we do not own the other lathe, it is just on loan to us and the owner could ask for it back.

We have also bought a pyrography unit for Club use.

We also wondered if there was any interest in having the Workshop open at other times. We did try opening on Monday evenings last year but that wasn’t popular. Available days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, possibly Saturday morning. Have a think about this then Phil J will ask around during coffee break. If you have a strong view either way, please have a word with Phil; don’t wait to be asked.

And finally . . .

For the information of anyone who wasn’t here last month, we have introduced a ‘New Turners’ section separate from the Main section of the Competition. The two sections will be run as follows:-

 

• the competition item will be the same for both sections
• the two sections will be displayed on separate tables
• each member may enter 1 item per month
• the member decides which section to enter
• members will assess each section separately
• results will be published separately
• at the end of the year there will be a separate prize for New Turners
• the winner may be encouraged to enter the Main section in subsequent years!

So you don’t have an excuse for not having a go at making the Competition item – just do it !

As listed on the back of your Programme, the Club is attending three events this year at which we will be demonstrating and selling YOUR work. Therefore we will need LOTS of items especially for the Kirkcudbright Tollbooth in August which we have for over two weeks.

There are a couple of articles in the December 2014 issue of Revolutions, the AWGB magazine, that you should read and think carefully about. Copies are available in the Workshop.

Club member Robert Irving, who has been a wonderful supporter of this Club, is in hospital and not very well. Our thoughts are with Christine, Keith and family.

A very Happy New Year to everyone and welcome to our first Club meeting of 2015.

At the AGM last October we asked you to help out with the running of the club – we still need volunteers for some of the jobs, none of which are very onerous, so please make yourself known if you can help out.

 

Club Champion

The final result of the 2014 Competition was published on our web site on 10 December and is 1^st – Chick Hampton with an average score of 7.7, 2^nd – Bryan Jardine, 7.6 and joint 3^rd – Phil Howard and Reg Thirlwall with 7.5. Congratulations once again to Chick who retains the trophy and well done to everyone who entered. The full results are on the Notice Board.

Still on the subject of the Competition, we originally decided to organise a monthly Competition to encourage members to actually make something and to have a go at items that they may not think of making otherwise. Last year less than half the membership entered any items into the competition so to encourage participation we have introduced a ‘New Turners’ section separate from the Main section of the Competition. The two sections will be run as follows:-

• the competition item will be the same for both sections
• the two sections will be displayed on separate tables
• each member may enter 1 item per month
• the member decides which section to enter
• members will assess each section separately
• results will be published separately
• at the end of the year there will be a separate prize for New Turners
• the winner may be encouraged to enter the Main section in subsequent years!

This was announced on the web site on December 16^th and at Turning Tuesdays and is repeated here for everyone’s information.

 

February

The topic this month is Balls! which should suit Rolf down to the ground. The competition item is a turned scoop or spoon and the Woods of the Month are Laburnum (because Phil H forgot to bring the samples in December) and Maple.

 

March

Next month we have managed to arrange for Record Power to visit us to demonstrate Bandsaw setup and maintenance. Dave Biven, who supplied our new Jet lathes and bandsaw at very competitive prices, will also be coming with a range of ‘stuff’ for you to buy. If you need anything in particular let myself or Roger know ASAP so that he can ask Dave or Record to bring it along. Should be an interesting evening.

The competition item is listed on the Programme as ‘A carpet bowls jack and two bowls’. However it has been pointed out that carpet bowls doesn’t actually use a jack! What we mean is simply one small ball, approximately 2 inches diameter and two matching larger balls, each approximately 3 inches diameter.

The Wood of the Month is Monkey Puzzle.

Our first professional demo of the year is on Saturday 14 March when we welcome a return visit by Nikos Siragas. Tickets are available tonight, still only £10 for the whole day, including lunch and unlimited tea/coffee.

We will be holding a Chainsaw Workshop on the afternoon of Saturday 21 March from 1pm to 4pm. We’ve got Andrew back from the excellent demonstration we had last November on chainsaw maintenance and use so bring along your chainsaw and get some practical guidance in using it safely and efficiently and keeping it in good working condition. More details will be added to the website in due course.

 

Turning Tuesdays

This seems to get busier every week with about 20 people there last week and all six lathes in operation. There have been suggestions for getting another lathe, more chucks and a good quality table saw – all of which the committee will consider at the next meeting. If anyone feels they’d like to open up the workshop on another night, maybe when the nights aren’t so dark and cold, let us know.

Some quick housekeeping requests: please remember to:

• wash your mugs (not just rinse them!)
• make sure the drive centres are not left in the lathe
• make sure everything is put away (even if you weren’t using it)
• change/remove the dust/shavings bags

 

And finally . . .

Also we’re re-floating the idea of a ‘Better Bowls’ workshop and/or a ‘How to turn a bowl’ refresher. Have a think about it and we’ll take a show of hands to gauge interest at the end of the night.

At the AGM we asked you to help out with the running of the Club and take a bit of the load off the Committee.

We STILL need :-

One or two people to take charge of Refreshments on Club nights and Turning Tuesdays, bringing the milk, buying coffee/tea/biscuits as required, keeping the kitchen, mugs etc. clean and tidy.

One or two people to take charge of our audio/visual kit, setting up the cameras and screens, microphone and speakers, and acting as camera persons.

Potential volunteers, please speak to any Committee member. If these roles remain empty we face the real possibility of no video and/or refreshments at a future meeting – it’s up to you.

December

The topic this month is ‘Scoops and spoons’ with Phil J and the final competition item for 2014 is a set of at least 4 (four) drinks coasters. The Wood of the Month is Laburnum.

January

Note that there is NO CLUB MEETING IN JANUARY. Turning Tuesdays will continue, apart from 30 December.

And finally . . .

After the talk on chainsaws last month, we wondered if members would be interested in a hands-on Chainsaw Workshop session with the same tutor. Bring your own saws along, check them over, sharpen the chain, cut some wood. Tell any Committee member tonight if you want the Club to arrange this.

Programme cards for 2015 are available tonight. Several members commented during the year ‘Oh, I don’t read the Programme’. If you were one of those then don’t take a copy, otherwise please do. Two dates in May need to be corrected, should be Saturday 23 and Sunday 24. The version on our web site is correct.

Subscriptions are now overdue, if you’ve not paid yours please pay Phil J tonight. It is the same as last year, just £25. We don’t want to have to ask you to pay the Visitor’s fee of £3.

The Committee is meeting tomorrow evening – if you want to raise any matter, speak to any Committee member tonight.