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Alabama Woodturners Association May 2006 |
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A member of the American Association of Woodturners |
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Come
see us at the Homewood
Senior Center - 816 Oak
Grove Road, Homewood, AL |
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Alabama Woodturners Association May 2006 |
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A member of the American Association of Woodturners |
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Come
see us at the Homewood
Senior Center - 816 Oak
Grove Road, Homewood, AL |
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| Coming
Events
May 13th – John Roth demos chip carving as it applies to turnings Officers
of AWA
Pat Johnson
Secretary Treasurer Directors:
Web
Master
Newsletter Editor
In This Issue
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First let me welcome the new members who joined AWA in April: Cecil Horn of Prattville, Mark Hobson of Vestavia, Bill Turner (can we resist calling him "Woody"?) of Vestavia, and Bob Rosser of Homewood. AWA continues to grow with the help of new members like these and the dedication of our long time Woodturners. We had an excellent presentation by Ed Lewis of the Tri-State Woodturners of Chattanooga, TN at our April meeting. Ed showed us how he does big turnings and gave us some excellent tips on turning, tools and finishing the piece. That epoxy finish is really something. There is a note on the AWA Web Site about where to get the special epoxy finish thanks to follow-up by Bill Cleage. (Look under Tips and Articles.) Ed has opened his doors to us to visit his shop anytime and a couple of members have already been to see him. We will work on more links to neighboring clubs. Also on the Web Site is a note regarding the success of the Shriner’s silent auction. James Vaughn says our turnings were very popular. Training is an important part of our reason for being here at AWA. Will Pate continues to provide leadership for this important function having taken over from Bill West this year. Will reports on recent activities in another article further on. Thanks Will. We have had 45 gallons of the 50+ gallons of Anchorseal signed up for at the last meeting at a great price of $6.00 per gallon. We plan to start dispensing the anchor seal between 7:30 and 8:00 to avoid conflict with the meeting program. Pat Connell has agreed to have the drum shipped to his business and he will bring it over the Saturday of the meeting, May 13th. We’ve asked a few helpers to coordinate filling the jugs and collecting money. Those of you who signed up get first crack at the Anchorseal if you get there before the meeting starts. After that, its first come first served. Bring your own one gallon containers and the correct change or a check for faster service. ($50 bills and higher go to the end of the line) Several of us are going to the Southern States Symposium the end of April. As a sponsor, we will staff the set-up, video, and clean-up chores for one demo room. Should be a great time and learning experience. Congratulations to Don Wilcut who won the drawing for the One Way Talon chuck at the last meeting. Don lives in Collierville TN, just outside Memphis. Worth the drive over wasn’t it?
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Don Blankenship and Phil Duffy won the wood brought for door prizes. Ray Morgan brought a couple of pieces of wood that were given away on the table in the back. Woodcraft day will be on June 10th (meeting Saturday). We will have a shorter program so we can get down to the store for free food. More information on the Woodcraft day will be available at the next meeting from Nelson Brooks. Contributors to our Newsletter continue to
grow and we appreciate the help from our members. If you would like to
contribute, contact me or Jerry Hanchey, our
editor. Harold Jones continues to add content for the AAW Web Site competition. If you haven’t visited lately, do it and let us know what you think. Dave Chanslor President 2006
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When one hears or reads the word “critique,” it often conjures up memories of some place or time in the past where we were being told the things we had done wrong or could do better. Critiques can be unpleasant but they also are powerful tools to be used for improvement. Realize it or not, we are always critiquing something as we decide whether we like it or not and at some level answer the question “why?” The following article by Maurice Clabaugh on “Critiquing A Wood Object” gives us all some pointers on what to look for when answering that question “why?” and hopefully will help in some way to make us pay more attention to our own turnings. The following are opinions of knowledgeable turners; read it with an open mind and then make your own choices. “Ain’t woodturning fun?” - Editor |
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Often we look at a wood bowl and instantly like or dislike it. We rarely know what to look for in critiquing a wood object. The following guidelines provide the reader with a list of areas that should be critiqued before making a judgment. Do your wooden objects meet the criteria? Where can you use improvement? How can I eliminate the problem area(s) in my pieces?
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TYPES OF TURNINGS: Hollow Forms can be described as a vase type turning, usually with a small opening at the top. The look of a hollow form can vary as much as the turner’s imagination can see. The piece can be solid looking or have many voids in it, making it look very artistic. Bowls can be used around the home for mealtime or to hold your favorite snack. These types of bowls are, more often than not, thicker and larger than an artistic bowl placed on a shelf as decoration. Spindle Turning is taking long square stock and making it round into a slender cylinder of sorts. Such turnings can be rocking chair back inserts, bedposts, porch columns etc. Turning Wood can be a very addictive hobby but one with many benefits. Giving wood bowls, hollow forms or any kind of wood turned art as a gift is going to be very much appreciated by the recipient. With desire, practice and patience, you can have your own wood turning fine art gallery online and sell your work as an income supplement or you might just make a living at it. Every time you turn wood, you’re making an original fine art turning. CRITIQUE FOR TURNED VESSELS. Here’s what you should look for when buying wood turned art. Remember these are guidelines only and special circumstances are always possible for exceptions. Shape. The shape must be pleasing to the eye. Shapes based on classic ancient pottery forms are a good bet but are not the final answer. Wood was part of a living organism and takes its form from nature – a turned vessel that uses the natural form of the wood is often the best shape BUT the needs of “making the most” out of an odd shaped chunk of wood can also detract the artist and create lopsided pieces. Balance. This is partly the shape but if the proportions are off then the shape will be unbalanced. Turning quality. This is best gauged by the wall thickness of the vessel, which should be uniformly thick, though it may be a little thicker at the base and the rim. (Potters often make the rim heavier for reinforcement – also good for turners to remember that.) Wood vessels should not be too thick either 1/4 to 3/8 inch for medium size vessels. Wood that is too thick will check if it dries unevenly. See also machine marks below – good turners take the time to eliminate any marks left by the machining process. Rim decorations can add significantly to the overall appearance of a piece. Finish. This is a personal thing but I prefer more natural finishes that allow the wood texture to be felt – though the surface should be smooth as a baby’s bottom. Definitely no sanding marks. High gloss may be fun for some items but mostly it looks and feels like plastic (which it is) but it ought to feel like the wood it really is. If the finish is a varnish then it must be absolutely smooth (and preferably matt? My personal preference.) Machine marks. Can you tell how the work was held on the lathe when it was turned? A vessel that shows no signs of its machine heritage is superior to one that does. - continued - |
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Material. What species of wood is it? Is it common or rare? Is it a burl? (Rare) Are there knots and other inclusions, which enhance the appearance? Are there checks (cracks) in the wood? (Checks should be avoided but in some pieces they can add to the appearance, though rarely.) Some burls are full of holes and bark inclusions but this is what makes the material interesting. Remember it is slight imperfections that enhance beauty. “The beauty spot” on Marilyn Monroe’s face for instance. Function. What is the function of the vessel? If it is a practical item then it should be suitable for its intended use. How will you use it? It CAN be art. Uniqueness. Is that a word? No two pieces of woodenware will ever be exactly alike but some turnings are emphatically unique and as such they are simply beautiful to behold. But the above criteria must be met first. Name. Is the wood turner well known? If you are investing in his name you may want to buy an item from an unknown (but accomplished) craftsperson/artist because the price is right and you are investing in his future fame. But check out the above criteria to know the artist’s potential. An art collector once told me he would rather have some bad art from a famous artist that great art from an unknown artist. This tip is written by John Williams of Canada and adapted by Maurice Clabaugh
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This month’s demonstration is going to be done by another one of our own talented members, John Roth. Most of you have seen his work at one club meeting or another and realize that John does what he does very, very well. He’s going to tell us about his speciality and show us a bit about how to apply chip carving to a turned object. John spent his early years in St. Louis, MO where he grew up learning to do woodworking from his father, who designed and built furniture for enjoyment. After he finished school, did a stint in the military and found his true love, he landed in Rockford, IL where he was employed as an aerospace structural engineer. John actually started turning before carving. He got his first lathe in ’79 and upgraded in ’82. |
John
Roth
Chip Carver Extraordinaire
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| He moved his family to Huntsville, AL in the mid 80’s and a couple of years later began carving. John says he settled on chip carving because the essence of chip carving is decoration of wooden objects. After he developed some skill, John began entering carving shows and competitions. Every year he participates in at least three main shows…the Woodcarving Showcase at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN; the Artistry in Wood Show in Dayton, OH; and the Huntsville Show. Although, John didn’t mention this, we know he’s won some prestigious competitions. – Editor – | |||
| Items
for Sale
Delta 46-860 lathe and Delta 46-408 duplicator, lathe has new 2 HP variable speed motor and controller with reverse, size 16 by 40 will turn 20 inch platter, will turn outboard, has safety shield and index. Lee Taylor. 205 664 1006 home
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Come and See Us For those interested in joining our club, it is a great way to share and learn woodturning techniques. With over a hundred members, the experience of our members ranges from novice to professional turner. Some have big fancy lathes and some have none. Everyone who is the least bit interested in knowing more about this addictive hobby, contact Philip Duffy at (256) 355-4201 or Dave Chanslor at (205) 669-5196 and they’ll happily answer your questions and get you signed up. OR…come visit us at our next meeting. We meet the second Saturday of each month. Meeting starts at 9:00 am, but people start showing up much earlier. Questions are welcome and answers are plentiful. For directions see bottom of page 4.
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BLACK WARRIOR WOOD TURNING SCHOOL 2929 10th Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL, the only wood turning school which offers one-day classes on full sized lathes in the southeast outside of Smithfield, TN and Brasstown, NC, Has the following class schedule for the remainder of 2006. Notice all skill levels and several special project classes are taught through out the year. Classes are restricted to a maximum of four (4) students. For more information call Maurice at 205-553-6977 or maurice@clabaugh.org. Date Skill level- course content May Sat 06 Basic-Introduction to Lathe Turning with Maurice Sun 07 Small Projects with Maurice Sun 27 Intermediate- Lidded Boxes Jun Sat 03 Advanced-Hollow Turning I Sun 04 Advanced-Hollow Turning II Sun 11 Basic- Bowl Turning July Sat 01 Basic-Introduction to Lathe Turning Sun 02 Basic-Sanding and Finishing Techniques (3 Hour Session Aug Sun 05 Basic-Bowl Turning Sun 06 Advanced-Bark Edge Bowls
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Sep Sat 02 Advanced-Hollow Turning I Sun 03 Basic-Introduction to Lathe Turning with George Shelton Sat 10 Advanced-Hollow Turning II Oct Sat 07 Basic- Bowl Turning Sun 08 Intermediate -Bowl Design Sun 15 Intermediate - Green Wood Bowl Nov Sat 04 Intermediate-Platters with George Shelton Sun 05 Advanced-Bark Edge Bowl Sun 12 Basic- Bowl Turning Dec Sat 02 Basic-Introduction to Lathe Turning Sun 03 Basic- Bowl Turning with George Shelton Sun10 Intermediate- Pepper Mills SIGN-UP NOW TO CONFIRM YOUR SPOT IN YOUR CLASS!!! Remit Date preferred, course selection and payment ASAP to insure your class slot to: Confirmation of your class space will be made in writing within 10 days of the receipt of this form and payment. Call Maurice at 553-6977 for further information.
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Club Workshop
In the spirit of sharing information and promoting woodturning, (which is the principles, on which our club was founded,) we held our first Saturday afternoon workshop on Getting the most out of Your Tools. There were seven smiling faces (Staten Tate, Buddy Finch, Danny Altman, Chuck Smith, Jennifer Smith, Lynn Smith & Don Blankenship) that participated in getting us off to a good start. Beads and Coves, both big and small proved to be the challenge of the day, but our gritty group met the challenge in good cheer and is well on their way in this department. Half size pepper mill shapes were turned and discussed for design. (Next Class?? Sept, Oct) Turning shapes is good practice for designing full size project (No pressure to complete anything) I think we all learned a few tricks about some of the tools we brought to show and tell. Since some new turners haven’t bought there tools yet, this gave them and opportunity to try different tools before they bought them. Special thanks are due to Bill West, Larry Thomas and Richard Serviss for their expert help and guidance. This workshop was very well received and was successful in accomplishing the goals of the club while having fun with every one. We all had a good time and learned some things as well. See Web Site for Photo’s - Will Pate -
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ANNOUNCEMENTS Be careful!! Recently one or more people have received telephone calls to join the AAW or to subscribe to the AW Journal (magazine). This is a con!!!Be aware of some facts: - The AAW does not do any telemarketing or phone soliciting for membership. - It does not do any telemarketing or phone soliciting for magazine subscriptions. - It does not endorse any agents to solicit AAW membership or magazine subscriptions.
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Location of Meetings— From I-85 N, exit 256B (From I-85 S, exit 256A). Turn West on Oxmoor Rd. go about .5 mi – halfway there take the left fork at the traffic light – Turn left onto Oak grove Road and go about .2 mi. Homewood Senior Center is on the right |
