Author: srdm1207gmailcom

Off Centre Turning by Alan Edwards

A really intriguing topic which, I know, many members are interested to try. There are many ways to approach this but Alan showed us a few of his. Firstly he drilled two holes into a bowl blank that he had prepared – one hole on centre and the other offset. He used the centre hole to mount the blank using a screw chuck and then turned the outside of the bowl leaving a recess to remount as normal.

He then remounted the bowl using the offset hole, marked out the spigot and made that (a little too small but he rectified the mistake later).

On returning to the job he mounted the bowl on centre to clean the face before changing to the offset spigot to hollow out the now offset bowl.

In the interim Alan made a smaller offset bowl by turning the bottom of the bowl in the usual way but making a longer tenon than normal. When he reversed the bowl to turn out the inside he put the tenon into the chuck at an angle which allowed the offset.

And finally, as an embellishment, he reversed the bowl again, supported by a block faced with router mat in the headstock with the tailstock supporting the base at an offset.

Many of us, I’m sure, will be trying this in the near future. So thanks Alan for a really informative demo.

Show and Tell

Another successful evening of Show and Tell at the club tonight. Russell, ably assisted by Sue, introduced an eclectic mix of projects from contributors new and old throughout the evening. Eugene kicked the session off with his recently – made gonks followed by a variety of Geoff’s latest work.

Contributions from Roger, Roy and Ian took us along to the break after which Sue took on the MC duties.

Mark and Nick both had interesting stories to tell about their projects before Colin amused us with tales of woodturning in Spain where he lives. Steve and Brian concluded this section of the evening.

The evening concluded with a flock of Alan’s (P, E and J!) rounded off by Russell’s own work and his problems with dragonflies!

Demo by Terry Smart of Chestnut Products

We were pleased to welcome Terry Smart from Chestnut Products to the club for another visit. As many of our members use these products a guide to their correct use is invaluable. He began the evening by demonstrating the Chestnut Buffing Systems and which compounds and waxes to use for the best results.

He then showed us the effect on different woods of the standard Sanding Sealer followed by Burnishing Cream and Wax finish.

In the second half of the session he showed us his method of finishing pens and ended with a demo on an ash vase of Chestnut’s range of Rainbow Waxes.

Homemade Jigs and Fixtures

A few members shared with us a number of jigs that they have made to solve a variety of woodturning problems. Alan Edwards starting the evening off with a number of devices.

Roy took the theme on by showing everyone his method and jig for open segmented work.

Contributions next from Alan P, Mark and finally Geoff who showed us jigs that he uses to produce his signature ducks.

Alan E returned to the floor to show us jigs for bandsaw work, a spindle steady and a jig for turning pendants with off centre holes.

Internal Demo by Roy Hadland

Using a number of home – made jigs Roy set about showing us ways in which the router can be used to embellish your projects. The first jig, utilising the lathe’s indexing, was used to cut circular decorations into an ash platter.

The next jig was used to make lines of various shapes on the work. Roy explained in detail how and what materials he’d used to make the jig and what adjustments he’d built in.

Roy positioned his final jig along the length of a spindle, in this case, to channel grooves along it to make a lamp body. He cleverly used segmented softwood in order to facilitate a central internal groove for the flex.

Despite encountering a few problems due to his jigs being used on a different lathe to his own Roy’s demo was quite inspiring. We just need to get in the shed and try it out! Thanks Roy.