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Pro Demo by Paul Hannaby

Colouring Bowls

A packed house welcomed the out – going chairman of the AWGB Paul Hannaby to our club. He set out to demonstrate to the members correct bowl -turning techniques followed by his signature methods of colouring those bowls. He began by turning the outside of the bowl using a spindle gouge (and explained his choice of tools and techniques for avoiding tear – out and achieving a professional finish as he went along).

With the outside completed he then showed us various methods of applying gesso to the surface as a base for spraying with acrylic colours. He demonstrated his knowledge of techniques and equipment which he has built up over 20 years of experimentation with the medium and then turned away the middle taking care to show us of his methods of achieving a smooth final result.

With the remaining time he turned the outside of a piece of oak and then use a vinegar/steel wool solution to darken the wood prior to applying a paste on top. When the excess was removed using paper towel a very attractive finish remained.

Inside Demonstration by Roy Hadland

Tonight Roy demonstrated how to turn a cocktail stick holder in beech – one of the many items that he regularly sells at local craft fairs.

He began by handing out a detailed drawing of the various components that he would turn during the evening which was very useful for the audience (and to Roy as people called out the measurements as he went along!). He then proceeded to turn a conventional box – lid first and then the body which he drilled with a Forstner bit. All the time he was giving the audience little tips from his vast experience about the best way to achieve a professional result.

In the second half of the demonstration he showed us how to turn and construct the inner cocktail stick holder and why the design was configured the way it was. And finally the tricky bit – the finial. This is Roy’s version but he did say that there was much scope for invention!

Our thanks to Roy for a very informative evening .

Chairman’s Challenge.

Alan Edwards challenged us to make a set of skittles (+ 2 balls) and then use them! Members were split into 2 teams – the Red team led by Phil Sheldon and Keith Drew and the Green by Ivor Gissing and Geoff Davies. Each team was tasked with making 5 skittles and 2 balls to templates which were checked against master templates for accuracy by our chairman. He then awarded a maximum of 50 points for accuracy.

Afterwards 9 members from each team bowled 2 balls each to achieve a total pin fall score.

Results

Red Team 232 from possible 300 + pin count 44 Total ………… 276

Green Team 229 from possible 300 + 35 pin count Total………. 264

Congratulations to everyone and particularly to our chairman for one of the best evenings we have been able to share for some time!!

Tool Sharpening Masterclass

Tonight was a chance for new and old members to benefit from the expert advice and experience of senior members in the essential methods of keeping your tools sharp. Phil, Alan and Roy demonstrated their own set ups and techniques for keeping a good edge on a range of tools. Unfortunately they would have been joined by Keith but he had car problems! Hope they have been sorted out!

Roy’s Setup

Alan’s Setup

Phil’s Setup

Emerging Bowl

One of our members Robin Kalinowski, under the watchful eye of Geoff, tonight demonstrated how to turn an emerging bowl – a very ambitious project in the time available!

He began by hollowing two bowls in the centre of two identical rectangles of salvaged sweet chestnut with a 50mm router bit. This produced 2 sections that were then glued together face to face using superglue

With the two sections glued Robin then suggested various methods of securing the resulting rotated rectangular block into the chuck. Members also offered advice on further ways to ensure that the two pieces didn’t come apart during turning. Robin then carefully turned the end of the block to a circle which reveals the bowl (x2).

The finished item – a creditable result considering the time allowed and that this was only Robin’s second attempt at this tricky project (and indeed at demonstrating in front of an audience). So, well done Robin!