West Sussex Woodturners Newsletter – April 2006
Meeting Report – Sunday 2nd April
Jim Young
, with no little help from
Peter Brown
, called us to order and welcomed
Tim Godsmark
back after illness.
Our appearance at the Worthing Rotary Club event (coordinated by
Alan Fielding
)
received a good response from the public and ‘was probably the best stand at the show’.
Thanks to all contributors.
Ron W
. reported a good start to the Amberley season AND that the Discovery Channel, in preparing a
program on the history of turning/chair making, are due to film at the museum in the near future.
While the pole lathe group will be the main focus, they have shown interest in the Holzapffel treadle
lathe. Budding film stars needed …
The Demonstration
After a few more announcements (see later), Jim introduced our demonstrator for the day, Colin Simpson , who in a brief reference to his role as editor of Woodturning magazine, asked for members to pass any comments on the publication, especially perceived shortcomings, to him during intervals. He then gave us an amusing and thorough ?teach in? on basic skills, at a gentle pace, as he turned a sycamore bowl. This was laced with references to his preferred tools (five or six for his main interest (bowls and vases) with a finger nail profiled bowl gouge as top of the list), his starting point (usually a National Trust tree!) and the importance of sharpening. From a personal ( novice) view point I found his comments on how ?spiral grooves? can arise on the outside of a bowl - and how to remove the ridges by changing speed - most useful. Lightness of touch - as Peter Coxall frequently reminds us - is also vital; pressure should be only aimed downwards, and at the tool rest! Colin also pointed out that with larger diameter bowls / platters he would leave plenty of centre, for stability, and complete the rim first. The only thing he seemed unable to achieve in the morning session was a deliberate ?dig in?! The post lunch session (reports Ted H) was equally interesting and finished with Colin using three brushes, laced with spirit based colours (red, yellow and blue) simultaneously, and to good effect. Our thanks go not only to Colin Simpson for an entertaining and informative day, but also to Bill Whittaker for epic camera work, great interaction with our visitor (he took everything that was thrown at him!) and above all stamina!
Spalting …
Thanks are due to researchers David Peffers, Roger Marshall and Louis Hopkins for shedding light on how the term spalting has come into the wood turning language. David?s references suggest a recent (1970?s) introduction to our parlance. He found more ?induced spalting recipes? than you could shake a log at and a note from an ancient church document stating ?roof timbers were spalt through rot and decay?. Roger came up with an old English term ?spalden? ? to split or cleave off with an axe and ?liable to break or split?. Scholar Louis H. has found the modern German ?spalte and ?spalten? meaning crack / fissure and to split respectively. So a Saxon introduction seems likely with modern turners preferring the term spalted to rotten!
Future Events
At the next meeting (May 7) Dave Dean will be demonstrating long stemmed goblet turning as a precursor to the competition on June 4th. We hope to have a volunteer sharpening, and a Jimmy Clewes video, too.
| Stem length | Stem diameter | |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | 3 inch min | 9mm max |
| Intermediate | 6 inch min | 8mm max |
| Advanced | 8 inch min | 7mm max |
NOTES:
1. Mix of imperial and metric
2. Length will be measured from top of base to bottom of goblet
3. Entries
must
meet this spec! (they will be measured)
Ditchling Handworkers Guild has an exhibition in the village hall 14th - 17th April. Fri and Sat
Noon to 5.00 pm, Sun and Mon 10 - 5.
West's Wood Show 5th and 6th May, 10-5 at the Selham site.
Jim Young still has a vacancy at the May 6/7th Wakehurst event.
Tables are available at the three day Storrington Flower Festival at £12 a day. Ted H.
(01903 745551) is coordinating. Dates 26 - 28th August.
The Raffle
Normally only gets a mention at the year end as a fund raiser efficiently run by Joyce Kenward. I suspect we have never had a handbag as a prize before, and if this was meant as a publicity stunt then it surely worked! This delicate fashion accessory was not selected early in the draw (?); in fact it was last! However, a delighted Dave Unsted got a big hug from Ted H. and carried off the trophy with delightful poise.
The Shop
Now has wet and dry to 2,500 and black stain for use prior to ebonising. First order over £50 next month comes with a free handbag?