Here are some notes for turning a sphere. I will follow this more or less at the demonstration on Tuesday evening. The notes are updated from the version I posted last year.

Mick

Simply Spherical2

The next course will be on Saturday12th March at the Castle Douglas workshop. Derek Andrews has signed up to complete the course which he had to stop due to the Covid-19, if there is anyone else who wants to pick up where they left off I would be happy to see them on the 12th. There will be place for 3 others on this all-day course which runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm and may be the last of the all-day courses before I move on to a different format, spreading the learning over three or four sessions/ weeks.

Let me know if you are interested in the March course, or if you are interested in any subsequent courses.

Rolf

rolfbuwert@outlook.com

Don’t forget, we have a woodturning session starting on Wednesday afternoons 2pm – 4pm at the club. First session this coming Wednesday.

Roger

Roger Cutler has kindly offered to restart the Wednesday afternoon, 2 – 4 pm workshop sessions. Those of you who enjoyed this afternoon chance to meet at the workshop, when David Simpson generously came to open up for us, will remember how nice it was to come out, and return, in daylight. Wednesday evenings can be busy so the afternoon slot is quieter and there is more room to let the shavings fly, plus stopping for a tea break at 3pm seems more natural. Retired, shift worker, between jobs or got some time you can take off work then this is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

If you are interested in Rogers generous offer to come and open up for this Wednesday afternoon session please give him a call, or if you don’t have his telephone number you can email him at creetownstudio@gmail.com . The same procedure applies as for Turning Tuesday and Turning Wednesdays, namely you need to be a member, comply with all relevant and current Covid-19 restrictions, and put a pound in the jar if you are having a coffee break.

It is nearly February so, for those I have not seen yet, Happy New Year !

Sorry we could not fulfil my hope of a meeting in January, but it looks like we are now out of the majority of restrictions and as of 8th February we are back to 95% of normal.

Our next Monthly Club Meeting is Tuesday 8th February 2022, our demonstrator is Rodger Cutler who is demonstrating something practical for the kitchen, and the competition is a kitchen implement.

The committee meet this Tuesday to firm up our demonstrators for the rest of 2022, so if you have an itching to have a go at demonstrating something then let us know and we will support you in whatever way we can. 

Although Turning Tuesday and Turning Wednesdays are well attended and also our monthly meetings are also almost back to pre Covid numbers  I am well aware that there are a few key members who have not been able to return, we value you, miss you, and would like to see you back as soon as you are ready.

Rolf

Yesterday we held a Beginner’s and Refreshers course at the workshop. Carolyn and John undertook the Refreshers course as they can already turn but wanted to remind themselves of the basics, Daniel is new to tuning although he has had a go on the club lathes a few time, he also follows in his big brother’s footsteps in being one of our youngest members, and like his brother shows maturity beyond his years and promises to be a good turner.

All three worked their way through the key turning tools, namely the spindle roughing gouge, skew chisel, spindle gouge, bowl gouge, scraper and parting tool. 

As we were tidying up at the end of the day I had a wee look at the shavings on the benches and, like finding pearls, I found some of the most beautiful and perfect spiral wood shavings, so delicate and consistent that they demonstrated a sharp tool well used. My intention in these courses is not to produce an ITEM but a WOODTURNER, I feel we have three woodturners of great potential here and the Galloway Woodturners are fortunate indeed to have them as members. I wish you all well for the future.

Rolf

My new lathe is up and running. Delivered on Tuesday, installed on Wednesday. Thanks to Rolf, Phil J and Geoff T for their help. For reference the bowl on the lathe is 15 inches in diameter.

My previous Wivamac lathe has gone to a good home at Dalbeattie Men’s Shed.

Happy New Year and lots of shavings to you all. Phil H

For the avoidance of any doubt, I will be opening the workshop tomorrow evening (Tuesday 28th Dec).

And btw, Merry Xmas!

Here is the points situation at the end of 2021.
Senior/ Mature:

Colin Marshall (52), Rolf Buwert & Stephen Eccles (38), Mick Schofield (36), Bill McCoskrie (26), David Simpson (18), Arthur Young (8), Phil Jones (6), Reg Thirlwall (4), Tom Florey & Elwin Campbell (2), John Brown & Ken Coates & John Coldbeck & Steve Dunn (1).

Junior/ Novice:

Andrew Hall (40), Michael Jacob (27), Christine Carson & Ken Power (6), Alyson Young (5), John Faircloth-Wood (4), Jimmy Brown & Kenny Johnston (1).

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.

December competition entries
Mature
Phil Jones (winner)

Arthur Young

Steve Eccles

Rolf Buwert

Novice

Ken Power