WSWT Newsletter – June 2007
Meeting Report Sunday 3rd June
Chairman Ted Hickford opened a crowded meeting with the sad news of the
recent death
of member Monty Clue. Monty travelled to us from Petersfield and had been a
member for several years.
Ted then invited anyone prepared to demonstrate turning (and sell!) at the Mead
School, East
Grinstead, on Saturday 30th June between 12.00 and 15.00(?) Contact is
Christopher
Knox on 07941 336832. It is an outdoors event but power is available! Contact
direct or, better,
talk to Ted on 01903 7455551 first.
Jim Young then reported on the recent exhibition at Wakehurst Place. Because
of the
appalling weather sales were limited but the recently introduced collective swipe
debit card system
worked well.
While Ted and fellow judge Dave Dean took the stage to assess the platters, Mike Spence entertained us with a comprehensive and beautifully illustrated account of how he designed and produced his competition winning segmented turning entry last year. Using a 15 degree template and a steady hand he converted two similar blanks in sycamore and cherry into delightful scallop shell bowls each the mirror image of the other. He may well be starting a new fashion! As Don Pollard commented, Mike must have put in considerable work ahead of such a coherent presentation and the enthusiastic round of applause reflected our collective appreciation.
Club stalwarts Peter Coxall and Charlie Martin then took the stand and dispensed much hard-gained wisdom on the subject of finishing which, from the storm of questioning they provoked, remains a source of concern, not to say distress, among members. Recipes in cellulose, acrylic, meths and other near-lethal chemicals were flung around. The overriding advice was to keep the pressure and speed down as the finishing gets finer and to use moisture at intervals to raise the grain in obstinate situations. Time spent finishing, both on and off the lathe should match that spent on the lathe during turning! Charlie admitted to making 4 platters before he was happy to enter the competition and showed members the three ‘failures’ (it's all relative!!), one in mahogany with a cellulose finish, an offset cherry with a coloured rim, and a yew platter with an acrylic finish. Our thanks to them both for being prepared to stand up and be questioned!
Competition Results
Our judges first had to disqualify a number of entries which did not fulfil the definition of platter – a plate form essentially flat on the underside. Most of these ‘shallow dishes’ in both the beginners and intermediate section were recognised as very well prepared items. And both Ted and Dave were very pleased with the overall quality of the legit entries.
| First | Second | Third | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginners | Stan Coombes and Bob Easterbrook | Judy Reed | ||
| Intermediates | Mike Spence | Maurice Lancashire | Ron Wicks | |
| Advanced | Charlie Martyn | Don Pollard | (only two entries) |
At the end of an exciting and very informative morning Don thanked the judges for their efforts and their very positive remarks, and also Mike Spence, Peter Coxall and Charlie M for their lively contributions.
Future Programme
Peter Coxall will be demonstrating Involute Turning at our next meeting on Sunday, 1st July. The practical day scheduled for August 4th has been replaced by a presentation on finishing by a Representative of Chestnut Products.
For Sale
Record DML 24X lathe with chuck - £40, other tools available including grindstone and parts for pen work. Located at Peacehaven. Contact Roy Plummer on 01272 596679 for further details.
Jim Young is selling a Turnstyler lathe.It features a 3-phase 2HP motor with inverter to provide comprehensive speed range; forward and reverse. 36 inches between centres, it has two tool posts, one ‘outrigger’ style. Also included is an Axminster chuck, a 15inch 3-jaw chuck, 10inch faceplate and 4 tool rests. £950. Contact Jim on 01273 494719
Amberley
In preparation for the ‘Wood from the Trees’ (September 9th) event, Tom Bradbury needs to know who wants exhibition space asap.
Lost Property
Don Pollard has a marquetry set that was left (sold or unsold?) at the meeting.