November 2011

Newsletter of Derwent Woodturners – No. 4 – November 2011
New year!
Future events
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24 . Nov. – Guy Ravine
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1 . Dec. – Hands on
Remember to bring your tools!
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15 . Dec. – Chris Eagles
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12 . Jan 2012 – Hands on
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26 . Jan. – Club demo
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9 . Feb. – Steve Heeley
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23 . Feb. – Hands on
So a ‘New Year’ and a few changes for me. First, I will apologise for the
lapse in the club newsletter after a fairly good start at the beginning of the
year, but I will say that I intend to get the newsletters out at regular intervals
from now on. My intention is to do one for each of the demonstrations, and
incorporate any events happening at earlier ‘hands on’ meetings into those
newsletters. Second, I volunteered to be club secretary, so I hope to use
the newsletter on a slightly formal basis, to keep you informed about the
club in general.
The club’s New Year got off to a good start with a large number of members
attending the first meeting after the summer break. There were a few
formalities up for discussion, mainly due to the cessation of the Northern
Federation of Woodturners and how that affects our club, but the rest of the
meeting was spent catching up with other members, a nice display of
members work and a look at the new club lathe.
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8 . March – Club demo
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29 . March – Chris Pouncy
Robert Sorby technical
presentation. Tools &
equipment. Usually has
discounted prices! Bring your
wallet (or lock it away if you
are easily tempted!)
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19 . April – Hands on
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26 . April – Club demo.
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10 . May – Gerry Marlow
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24 . May – Hands on
The most important issue for the club is how it obtains insurance, as this is
a significant but necessary cost. Alan outlined the work done by Don, our
treasurer, going through the options available and the respective costs. The
committee proposed the club go for full affiliation to the AWGB (Association
of the Woodturners of Great Britain). This requires all the club members to
become members of the AWGB. Following a brief discussion of the pros
and cons of AWGB affiliation, Ivan Blood proposed acceptance of this
option. This was seconded by David Winter, after which the rest of the club
members voted in favour.
Allen Bumstead queried if the club would be changing it’s ‘year’ to
correspond with the AWGB i.e. Jan-Dec, but Don said there was no need
for this. He would take annual subscriptions at the beginning of the club’s
year (September) and process them ready for the following year’s
membership of the AWGB. This year, club members can take advantage of
the AWGB’s policy of offering full membership from Oct of one year to Dec
of the following year at no extra cost. Don provided AWGB membership
forms for completion by club members.
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14 . June – Club demo
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28 . June – Mick Hanbury
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5 . July – Hands on
Coupled with these administration changes is the annual membership fee.
This has been set at £25 but that covers both club and AWGB membership.
Any club member, who is already in the AWGB via another club, will only
pay the difference of £9. This arrangement is reciprocated with other clubs
should you visit any of the many other branches around the country.
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12 . July – AGM
More to follow.......
I will update this calendar in
future newsletters.
A quick reminder, the club
meetings are from 18:30 until
21:00 but we need help setting
up the equipment before the
meeting can get going, so if
you can get there early and
help, it would be appreciated.
Editor: Paul Bellamy
On a lighter note, Alan has got a lot of business cards, with the club’s
contact details and meeting schedule. This idea was proposed by David
Lea at the AGM. They can be handed out by members, at events, shows
etc. to anyone who is interested in the club.
Finally, to keep the newsletter interesting, I need articles. Please send me
anything you think would be of interest to other club members. You can
email me, post it to me, give it to me at club meetings or even dictate it to
me over the phone, but bear with me with that one, as I don’t do shorthand!
See you next meeting,
Paul
Page 1 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
New club lathe
The club has got a new lathe for use by demonstrators and at hands on evenings.
This is a 3/4Hp machine; with full electronic speed controlled lathe, remote control
and even a reverse facility. That is something fairly rare on lathes but can be very
useful when sanding.
The lathe had its first outing when Alan Truman did his demonstration and I think
most members were impressed by how quiet it was, suggesting good solid bearings
and drive system. The lathe also has good turning capacity, both spindle length and
‘over bed’. I am sure it will earn its keep and will be a popular unit at hands on
evenings.
Thanks to Terry Coombes, the club has been allowed a 15% discount off Axminster orders, which reduced the
price of the lathe and the chuck to go with it. The only difficulty is that this discount only applies to orders over
£200. Realising it could take some time for each of the club’s members to get to that value of order, Paul Bellamy
has offered to keep a ‘running shopping list’ and to place the resulting order when it gets past £200. If you need
anything from Axminster, please contact Paul with the exact description and item number, either from the catalogue
or their website. But please appreciate your item may not be ordered immediately, as we need to wait until the
order gets to £200. Bearing in mind the number of club members, that should not take too long.
Terry Coombes Ornamental turning
The first demonstration of the year was by our own Terry Coombes who brought in his latest ‘ornamental lathe’
system. Each time I see Terry’s lathes, he’s added something or refined them further to achieve yet more complex
patterns.
Terry spent the evening showing us how the machines are setup to make various cuts. Unfortunately my camera
was playing up that night so I don’t have any pictures but I am sure we will see the next incarnation before too long,
and I will get some pictures.
Ornamental turning relies on templates to drive the cutters in and out of the workpiece at the same time as it
revolves. Depending on where the cutter is positioned the same template can cut ‘inside’ or ‘outside’ patterns. Add
to that all the other variations and it is amazing how Terry keeps track of the patterns he can create.
He demonstrated on a several pieces of wood, thoughtfully coloured so we could see the cutting process more
easily. Thanks Terry for a mind-boggling demo! Pity those car boot and tool auctions you visit, you must raid every
box, in your quest for parts.
Steve Heeley’s softwood candlestick
Earlier this year, Steve Heeley did a demonstration in which he turned a candlestick from several pieces of
softwood. Many of us dismiss softwood from our turnings, as ‘you can’t get a good finish’. Steve proved otherwise,
as the end result shows.
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 2 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
Alan Truman – A pomander with lid and finial
This evening’s demonstration was going to be a large wooden pomander, comprising a
base and a lid with holes and a finial. The distinguishing part of the design is that it
starts with a scalloped blank, where the edges have been hollowed out with eight
partial circles. It was made from two pieces of sycamore, an often-overlooked wood,
which turns and finishes well.
Alan only uses a few tools for his work, mainly a 3/8” bowl gouge, a 1/8” parting tool
and a ¼” spindle gouge.
The blank was mounted on the screw chuck and
the base faced off with the bowl gouge. Some
turners use a pull cut but Alan prefers the conventional push cut, making sure
to keep the bevel rubbing all the time. Once the piece was trued up, he slightly
hollowed the face to ensure the pomander would ‘sit’ properly on a table. Next
he cut a chucking spigot to suit the chuck after which he shaped the base.
The wood was turned at medium speed to prevent the tool dropping into the
gaps at the edge of the piece. And the push cut should prevent the edges
splintering, but it does require good tool control to keep the bevel rubbing.
When Alan was happy with the profile, it was power sanded, through the
grits, using the reverse facility to further improve the finish of each
sanding. It was then well brushed to remove and dust before a coat of
melamine lacquer was applied. Alan uses this diluted 50/50 with
thinners to make sure it soaks into the wood and gives a good base for
further finishes. He also pointed out that you should cover the bed of the
lathe to prevent any finish getting on the bed. That can cause the banjo
to stick, annoying in itself, but even worse if, when trying to get over the
‘sticky bits’, you push the toolrest into your work!
Polishing the piece is made difficult due to the points at the edge. These would give your fingers a nasty rap, so
Alan wraps his polishing cloth over a large soft brush, and uses that in ‘trailing’ mode to finish the surface. A
second coat of melamine was applied followed by a coating of paste wax.
The wood was reversed on to the chuck, and the parting tool used to mark
the limits of the bowl area. The bowl gouge was used to remove the wood,
aiming to copy the outer profile. Alan cuts slightly above centre to get extra
bevel rubbing. He also showed the result if you lose the bevel rub – a
series of rings on the surface as the cutting edge bounces its way across
the surface.
With the inner profile completed, Alan again power sanded the surface. He
starts sanding by moving the pad vertically over the centre of the bowl to
get rid of any ‘pip’, after which the sanding moves to the 8 o’clock position.
Alan pointed out that it is just as important to move the drill, as you would
the gouge, to follow the profile of the surface, otherwise you will miss some
sections and round off edges that should be crisp and clean.
The wood for the lid had been pre-drilled with two circles of holes. Not too many or
you will weaken the wood! Alan didn’t want the lid too tight a fit as it needs to be
easy to remove and replace but you still need to be accurate with your work.
The wood was mounted on the screw chuck and trued up, as for the base but this
piece was easier and is it a true circle.
He cut the rim of the lid, then decorated it with a single bead, and both were
cleaned up with the spindle gouge. Now the lid needed hollowing out but leaving an
area for a chucking recess in the centre. This would become part of the design, as would the screw-mounting hole.
To avoid tearing the edges of the holes, the bowl gouge cut was made well above centre to have maximum bevel
rubbing and to keep the bevel on the wood as the cutting edge traversed the hole, a useful technique.
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 3 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
The inside of the lid was sanded and finished, then reversed onto the chuck to
shape the top of the lid. Alan worked the outer edge first, to quite a thin section,
leaving the inner wood for support. Once he is happy with that area, he can move
further across the work, getting it all down to a nice even thinness.
The surface was sanded in the same way as the base, but the inside of the holes
presents a problem. To sand those, he wraps a piece of abrasive around a dowel
that has a slot down the middle. The slot holds the abrasive in place but to keep it
curled round the dowel, Alan uses an elastic band. This sanding dowel is run
through each of the holes and leaves a perfect finish.
The last task was to mount a small spindle in the chuck to make the top finial.
This was decorated with a bead and ball top, with the base sized to fit in the
screw chuck hole.
Alan mentioned that another small finial should be turned to hide the screw hole
on the inside of the lid but time did not allow for that. Needless to say, the final
piece was most impressive.
Thanks Alan, we look forward to your next demonstration.
Members’ work
This table is for anyone to show items they have turned or on which they are still working. Once again we had a
good show of work.
Work brought in to the September ‘Hands on’ meeting, including a segmented pen by Alan Smith and some
ornamental turned boxes by Terry Coombes My apologies for not getting details on all the items.
And some from earlier meetings,
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 4 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
And a reminder of the end of year, ear-ring stand competition, with the winner David Winter.
and earlier in the year, we had Bob’s challenge to make a candleholder.
Another good display of the standard of club members’ work.
And of course there were other pieces created during the year, some as competition entries, some as individual’s
projects but good to see there is also a sense of humour in the club when it comes to breakfast time.
Again, sorry I didn’t get everyone’s name for these pictures.
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 5 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
North of England Woodworking show
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I appreciate it’s a bit late to mention this but if you weren’t aware, this show takes place on the 18 . 20 . November
at the Harrogate showground.
I went, for the first time, last year and despite it being a long way to go, it was very worthwhile. Lots of exhibitors
and demonstrators and quite a few ‘bargains’. Mind you it is VERY tempting to spend when tools and other bits and
pieces are presented in front of you. Tickets are cheaper if bought beforehand, via the ‘net.
There is a small group of us going up to the show on Friday, so I will try to do some sort of write up for the next
newsletter, or, if you are going, maybe you would like to do that for me.
In the meantime, I have copied the list of Exhibitors from their website. A good assortment!
DA & BE Murkin
Flexidisc sander
Le Tonkinois traditional oil varnishes
A Harrison Woodturning & Timber Supplies
Turning & carving blanks
Anglian Chemicals
Camvac dust extractors
Felder UK
Hammer woodworking machinery
Ashley Iles (Edge Tools)
Turning & carving tools
Five Star Products
Glues & adhesives
BarnesJB
Metabo Power Tools
Draper Power Tools
Irwin Tools
Barnes & Robinson electric bikes
Freshwood Publishing
Woodworking magazines
Freud Tooling
The range of Freud & Hawera bits & power tool
accessories
Behlen Ltd
Wood stains
Wood finishing products
Spray guns
General Finishes
Flexidisc sander
Le Tonkinois varnish
Uni sharp jaw clamps & sharpening systems
Birchwood Price Tools
The range of Holden hand tools
GMC Publications
Books & magazines
British Hardwoods
Wood planks & sheets
Buck & Hickman
Trend routers & accessories
Makita power tools
Grahams Machinery
Bessey Clamps
Fein power tools
Stanley tools
Chestnut Products
The Chestnut range of wood finishes
Hamilton Beverstock
The largest selection of bandsaw blades
Classic Hand Tools
Quality hand tools including:
Lie Nielsen
Veritas
Pfeil woodcarving tools
Norton sharpening
Blue Spruce
Hassop Hand Tools
Quality hand tools
Durafix power tools
Hope Woodturning
Woodworking & sanding tools & accessories
Jardin de France
Wood shears and pruners
Craft Lights
Hobby & magnifying lamps
L S Starrett Company
Hole Saws
Bandsaw blades & accessories
(Bring your own bandsaw blade dimensions & order a new
blade)
Craft Supplies
Veneers
Led lights
Courses
Lincolnshire Woodcraft Supplies
Traditional & exotic turning & carving blanks
Crown Hand Tools
Turning & carving tools
Lovell Workwear
Woodworkers aprons & smocks
CTS Ironmongery
DeWalt power tools
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 6 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
Neville M Oldham
New & used woodworking machines
NMA (Agencies) Ltd
The Mafell range of power tools
Peak Tools
A wide range of hand power tools, plus accessories
Phil Irons Woodturning
The Vicmarc lathe plus accessories
Hegner Scrollsaws, accessories & spares
Hegner Lathe, accessories & spares
Hegner Sanding equipment, accessories & spares
Rhynogrip® Advanced Sanding Technology
Organoil® wood finishing oils
Workshop extraction solutions
Live demonstrations on the stand
The Old Tool Store
Used hand tools
RDG Tools
Woodturning lathes & chucks
Abrasives
Taps & dies
Measuring instruments
Engineering grade drill chucks
And a good selection of quality engineering tools
Rex Crystal Fixings
Milwaukee power tools
Robert Bosch
A full range of Bosch woodworking power tools and
accessories
The Rocking Horse Shop
Rocking Horse plans and kits
The Saw Centre
Scheppach range of woodworking machines
The Toolshop
Antique & collectable hand tools
Tite-Fix
Specialist wood screws
Transwave Converters
3 phase converters
Robert Sorby
Woodturning chisels
Lathe accessories
Patriot lathe chucks
Woodworking & framing chisels
Woodcarving tools
ProEdge sharpening system
Rustins Ltd
Finishing oils, waxes & accessories
SNA Europe
The NEW BHS hand tool system
Snainton Woodworking Supplies
English & exotic turning & carving timbers
Glues & adhesives
Jo Sonja's colours
Microclene air filters (demonstrated by Ron French)
Microplane
Pen making accessories
Polyester project blanks
Proxxon tools & accessories
Sanding & finishing accessories
Tormek sharpening systems (demonstrated by Martin
Brown)
Record Power woodworking machinery & accessories &
finishing products
Charnwood woodworking machines & accessories
South West Surplus Tools
The biggest selection of tools, equipment & accessories
Straightlines.com
Safety Goggles
Drawing board
Turners Retreat
Pen kits
Project accessories
Evolution 9 mandrel system
Clifton planes
Microclene air filters
Pax saws
Safety equipment
Glues
Microplanes
Sharpening stones
Inlace
Leather tool bags & rolls
Testool
DVDs
Finishes
Leigh Jigs
UK Tools Direct
A wide range of hand tools, power tools & accessories
Viking Industrial Products
Adhesive tapes & abrasives
Warren Machines
A comprehensive range of the Warco woodworking
machines
Woodworks Craft Supplies
Foredom rotary power tools
Olson saw blades
Zora hand saws
Razor tip pyrography machines
Power crafter air turbine craftsaw
Technology Supplies Ltd (Hegner UK)
VB36 Master Bowlturner Lathe, accessories & spares
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 7 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
Questions and answers
Have you got a question; tools, wood, finishes, in fact anything relevant to woodturning? Why not ask other club
members if they’ve got the answer. And I will publish the answers in the newsletter, so everyone benefits.
Help with Clarke round bar 37” lathe – Paul Bellamy
One of my students has got a problem getting the head and tailstock aligned on his lathe. I am not familiar with this
model so does anyone know if there is an easy adjustment to get it sorted?
Turning tips
This section is for any tips or advice you would like to pass on to other members. It doesn't matter what it is, if you
discovered something you found useful that you think may benefit others, please pass it on.
Tool identification
During my ‘chat’ on sharpening earlier this year, it was obvious I was having trouble finding particular tools. At
home, they are in a rack and I know where to find each one, even though the ‘points’ are hidden. One of our club
members, Jock Norton, suggested painting a code on the handle end of the tool, to help identify them. Good one,
Jock.
There’s another good reason for identifying your tools. At a village show, several woodturners were demonstrating
our art, occasionally borrowing one another’s tools. When I got home and was returning the tools to their racks, I
discovered I had an extra spindle roughing gouge. This was a totally innocent mistake. In fact when I managed to
find out whose it was, he admitted to putting his tool in my box, but since then both of us have put our initials on the
end of the tools.
And a general bit of advice, not just for woodturning, highlighted by an amusing tale from America Always ask, never assume!
His request approved, the CNN News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a
flight.
He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.
Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger.
He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, 'Let's go'.
The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.
Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take
pictures of the fires on the hillsides.'
'Why?' asked the pilot.
'Because I'm a photographer for CNN' , he responded, 'and I need to get some close up shots.'
The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally he stammered, 'So, what you're telling me, is. . You're NOT my
flight instructor?'
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 8 of 9
Email: [email protected]
November 2011
Items for SALE or WANTED, or even FREE!
FOR SALE
Remember we are also using the Club’s Storage box as a noticeboard, and that includes items ‘For sale’ and
‘Wanted’, so make sure you checkout those notices for other items.
Custom toolrests – David Fields
David’s grandson is able to make toolrests, similar to the Robert Sorby system, out of round steel bar. These can
be tailored to suit your requirements i.e. toolpost stem and length of the actual toolrest. At the moment he is only
doing straight toolrests but bowl rests may be feasible in the future. If you would like to see one, or want to discuss
your requirements, please have a chat with David at the club meetings.
If you have a Record lathe and do small spindles, he has developed a cranked toolpost, allowing the toolrest to get
close to the work, without the banjo dropping off the front bed bar.
Carnauba wax polishes – Paul Bellamy
Following the favourable reaction to the polishing kits I started earlier this year, I have established a supply of
carnauba wax flakes. These can be used to make your own ‘sticks’ or mixed with other components to make a
range of polishes. I am selling these in 250g bags but I can do larger quantities if you need it. I also have some
ready-made wax blocks, comprising 60% beeswax/ 40% carnauba. These are softer than most ‘woodturning sticks’
but I prefer this as it doesn’t score your work.
I also have more of my ‘Buffing kits’, similar to Chestnut’s system. For more details, see me at the club meetings.
Useful websites
There’s a host of information out there and sometimes it’s just luck when you find a useful site. Please let me know
if you have any other suggestions.
I have been asked by a few people for the address of the Mid Staffs. Woodturners. It is:http://www.mswa.co.uk/
The newsletters from the past five years are all available as free downloads and may be of interest. You will find
them on their ‘Newsletters’ page, as PDF files.
Of more general interest, take a look at
http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/
And this is a very interesting article on High Speed Steel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_speed_steel
This one’s got tips on glueing up panels with cauls,
http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/35878/clamping-cauls-the-secret-to-great-glue-ups
Editor: Paul Bellamy
Page 9 of 9
Email: [email protected]