WSWT Newsletter – January 2008

Meeting Report Sunday December 6th

Chairman Ted Hickford opened the meeting a tad late as he had been surprised by Sunday morning's sudden arrival. He wished us all a happy 2008 and introduced new members Jim Cabrey (Peacehaven), Will Dudman (Sompting), Peter Whitmarsh (Westergate), Mike Wood (Yapton) and Roger Boniface (Shoreham). Jim Young announced that it looked as though our long association with Wakehurst (exhibiting and selling) has come to an end. Secretary Jim Reed is organising a visit (10-seater minibus) to the woodworking exhibition at Alexandra Palace (early Feb). Seats were quickly taken, but it might be worth checking in case of cancellations.

Founder member Peter Coxall then took the lathe and stage to show us how we might turn a cup and saucer, and usual with Peter's presentations, there was more besides! He started with some sycamore and his skew chisel showing us how to use double-sided carpet tape on the way. Having turned the back of the cup, he used his bowl gouge to ‘drill’ into the cup until satisfied with the depth. Very quickly a cup and saucer appeared, with both cup base and saucer recess turned concave to ensure an edge fit. A shear scraper and a touch of abrasive finished them off. Blue Peter technology came to the fore on handle fitting options but we also had a demo of preparing the rings (home made hook tool and an abrasive covered spindle as aids) and firm advice that we should get a cardboard profile of the cup before cutting the handles to size and shape! On the way Peter also stressed the advantage of profiling the top of the parting tool at an angle. By presenting the ‘proud’ edge to the work, trailing ends become history – or rather left on the spigot. All in all, a great show – thank you Peter and, of course, projectionist Bill Whittaker for all the hard work!

Miscellany

Tony Twine has received a ‘thank you’ card from the Friends of St. Richards Hospital, Chichester. They are very appreciative of the pieces that Tony has provided - ‘really beautiful and sold very well’ - which they sell at Goodwood and Chichester Christmas Markets as well as their stall at the hospital. So, thanks are passed on to all those who have helped, along with an invitation to others to join in the good cause!

David Unsted is in need? Sorry, David is in need of a band saw, with a minimum 4inch throat. Contact him on 01403 211077 or at the shop!

Members are reminded that name badges (or sweaters) should be worn at our meetings. Compliance was not very good at our first meeting of the year…

If members, new or old, are now on email, please send an email to the editor (Mark Hughes).

Dressing up? Keith Greenfield has a catalogue from which named club polo and sweat shirts can be chosen, and has also sourced a range of smocks that can be printed with the club logo. Full payment with order.

Thanks are due to Jim Hill for donating a Record lathe and various tools to the club. This gift is much appreciated.

Next Meeting

Will be on Sunday, February 3rd. For the chairman's benefit, a good guide to when this will likely occur, will be the slightly earlier arrival of Saturday Feb 2nd. Spot that and all you have to do is think ‘tomorrow!’

Events organiser, Don Pollard, aided and abetted by a big team, is aiming to provide wide-ranging assistance for us relatively inexperienced turners. Dave Dean, Keith Greenfield, Tony Twine and Dave Unsted will be manning the lathes; webmaster Robin Read will demonstrate pen turning and Ray Jackson will be literally at the grind stone. Away from the bustle, Bob Fielding will be exhibiting his life size carvings of birds (the feathered sort) and explaining how he does it! To make the most of the opportunities on offer, members are invited to bring their questions, problem pieces, tools they have difficulty sharpening or profiling to ‘ them in the know’. Let them show you how to get the best out of new tools – the field is yours.
NB As the shop's keepers (KG & DU) are involved in the teach in, the Club's stall will only have abrasives on sale. Other stalls are unaffected.

Program Changes

Owing to a clash with the Wood from the Trees day at Amberley on Sunday 7th September, the composite turning competition will now be held following the AGM on October 5th.