WSWT Newsletter, July 2009

Meeting Report Sunday July 5th, 2009

Announcements

Val reported she had completed the 10km Race for Life in aid of Cancer Research – and not only recovered – but also raised over £500! Well done! She thanked us for the generous support by club members.

Ron Wicks and two other members will be attending the Worthing Craft Fair (24th– 26th July) being held in the Methodist Church at the Steyne. There is an all-inclusive fee of £60 and Ron has space for another couple or so bodies. Contact him if interested.

Crafts in Action charity, The Sussex Guild, now have a permanent shop in Southover Grange in Lewes, open every day (bar 25th December!) 10.00 - 17.00. They are also running an exhibition/sale and childrens’ workshops over 6th - 9th August at Michelham Priory (nr Hailsham). Open 10.30 - 17.30 each day.

Demonstration

Chairman Ted Hickford then invited professional turner Mark Hancock to take the stage. Mark made it clear that he was very much a decorative turner - “nothing I produce is useful - it’s to look at!” and is very keen to develop new designs. He provided samples of his latest creations (and passed around folders depicting many others) and indicated that his aim was to take us through enough of the key stages to show us how he produces his current hollow form design. The shape he is after is key!

Before he got stuck into a piece of half dry holly, Mark advocated the use of the terms of parallel grain and cross grain to classify work to be carried out, because, irrespective of how the wood is to be mounted, it is the grain direction that determines the tools to be used. A spindle roughing gouge is certainly not for cross grain turning!

The thorough demo included many very useful asides on the way such as a detailed analysis of the deep hollowing tools available, a plea for – and good demonstration of – cabinet scrapers (including their sharpening) and a drilling tool (spoon bit?) to die for. No doubt Ray J & Dave D will come up with something. Texturing was a totally inadequate term for what Mark then inflicted on his hollow form! An Arbotech with chain saw attachment was used to carve grooves every which way and had projectionist Bill Whittaker ducking and weaving like a professional boxer. The editor understands that after lunch there was more carving (Arbotech) and some ebonising on show. Not quite exciting enough for Keith G however, who my spies tell me, was seen to nod off… Many thanks to Mark - and Bill - for an instructive session.

The Shop

Open all hours (but only on the first Sunday of each month) our substitutes for Arkwright and Jason have a new line in abrasives. Grades from 100–500, the white strips cost just £1.50/m - much less than the real Arkwright would have charged!

Next Meeting

Will be on Sunday, August 2nd. Stalwart Denys Dollin will be demonstrating how to turn a lidded box. Members are advised that they should be very attentive, as just one month later, lidded boxes will be the subject of the competition. And Denys will be the senior judge…!