WSWT Newsletter – July 2007
Meeting Report (July 1st!)
Ted Hickford opened the meeting with a passable joke - well the editor detected a touch of sympathy in the laughter - and then welcomed Tom Garner to his first WSWT gathering for a very long time. He was remarkably chirpy, considering all he has been through since his stroke. Ted also made mention of a defect in the last newsletter - something about meeting dates, I think.(Next one is, probably, The First Sunday in August!)
Attention was also drawn to the ‘Artists plus Makers’ festival in the Worthing and Horsham Districts from July 1st-22nd. Our very own Dave Dean, Keith Greenfield and David Unsted feature in the programme.
Secretary Tony Matthews reminded us that he will be retiring from office at the end of our year (just two more meetings left before it happens) and that we must have a volunteer in position to take over. He will happily assist the transition and he and the committee are hoping that someone will step forward soon.
Jim Young can still provide space at the Wakehurst exhibition/sale over the August bank holiday, 25-27th. He will not be at the next meeting so ring or email him to register your interest.
Events organiser Don Pollard then introduced one of our founder members, Peter
Coxall, who took us through not only the convoluted procedure of involuted
turning (or was it the other way round?) but quite a lot more, too. A combination
of his demonstration and the passing around of intermediate stages as well as
finished articles, including some impressive vases provided by Denys Dollin,
showed us very clearly what is possible - and how to get there. However, the
several skills and soft touch needed (and even Peter didn?t get it quite right on
the day!) is a real challenge for us mere mortals. Peter implored us to have a go
for the September competition, and not to worry too much on the finishing. We must
support him and going ‘involuted’ before we lose our local
A&E (and China has consumed all the planets wood) would seem a good
strategy! We also gained much from his impromptu bead turning session (with a small
skew) and bits of advice thrown out along the way. He uses two ring centres for
delicate spindle turning to avoid ‘bites’ and when using a chuck always
has the tailstock in position for added safety.
Thanks to Peter, Denys (in absentia) and also film director Colin Willetts
(not his fault the camera failed) for an excellent session.
Future events
The next meeting (first Sunday in August) will have in addition to the finishing expert from Chestnut, a representative from Toolpost with a display - and no doubt a facility for placing orders and taking money.
On the first Sunday in September we will have the convoluted/involuted turning competition. The clock is ticking…….
For Sale
Record Coronet lathe No.2, 30in. between centres, 3 speed, swivel head. Twin tube bed for bench mounting. Face plates 6in. & 4in. in new condition. Also Record RP3000X Chuck and Precision combination chuck plus set of 8 wood turning gouges. Package includes a rotating tailstock centre, a fixed tailstock centre plus 2 drivers. Price £200 (ono) from Derek Parr, Lordings, Station Road, Pulborough, RH20 1AH Tel. 01798 872872.