General Questions

Members - we need suggestions on topics and/or demonstrators for future meetings. Currently there is not a plan in place for February and beyond.

What or who do you want to see?

Aaron Gesicki

Coulee Region Woodturners

Several topics that may be of interest (at least for me) would be sharpening, segmented work, resin casting, dying wood and stabilization. also possibly a discussion of the various types of finishes used for different applications 

They may be a bit simplistic, but just my thoughts at this time

I like the sharpening idea. Universally applicable.

Aaron Gesicki

Coulee Region Woodturners

I agree, finishes and finishing. Ie., wig stands and items subjected to moisture and of course other fine turnings.

A while back, fairly recently, Mark Palma explored this topic in Woodturning (UK) magazine. I feel that is available in the club library.

Thx.

Bob (RG) Raasch

My opinion: Hollowing. We could start small, with demo using hand held tools doing such things as small forms, bird-mouth vases and hollow ornaments. And not just by boring a hole in a chunk; but sticking a hollowing tool inside the bored hole and turning to match the outside curvature of the piece. This can be done on a smaller lathe.

And then we can also do the hollowing systems such as the Jamieson and others. This will require a full size machine such as the Powermatic or a full size Jet, but wonderful pieces can be made this way.

John

First, a comment. Getting and responding via cell phone works well. I'm doing just that right now. Just log in and all functionality opens.

Now, the response -

Getting topics suggestions is valuable. But the "who" is also important and often more challenging. I'll work on that.

Aaron Gesicki

Coulee Region Woodturners

Possibly an interactive presentation by Joe Cornell if he does these at reasonable cost, on the use of AI for embellishing turnings. Joes web addy is studiojoec.com

studiojoec.com or LumenCarver – Wooden Art Made by Hand

I have a link to that on our club's home page. See more info on page 10 of the Dec issue of the American Woodturner

Might have some appeal to our more creative members. Best thing, no fancy software needed, all graphic utilities are run directly thru a web browser, and created templates can be printed out to lay over the turned object to start the embellishment process, largely piercing. His work is inspired by Binh Pho and others.

Joe is associated with the Seattle Woodturners Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners.

Another topic- use of various methods for holding turned pieces such that bowl bottoms can be easily and safely finished. Methods could be donut chucks such as Ron Brown's donut chuck, shop made donut devices, Vacuum Chucking devices, Longworth chuck, etc. Ron Brown's Best also has donut chuck can also be used to hold goblets and scoops and ladles.

This might be a good topic for Round Robin Turning, several turners demonstrating, each with a special topic on active lathes. Could also incorporate the sharpening station.

I recently acquired a vacuum system that could be used on a 1 1/4X8 tpi spindle with a lathe chuck with 2" jaws for the demo.

Nother one- Mark Palma on making pepper and salt mills. His approach slightly different than some others. Might he demo an offset mill?? He did an article on pepper mills in the past for Woodturning magazine. November demo??

Bob Raasch

Quoting John Griffiths announcement on 4-20-26. "Hello members, as some of you may have heard, I have taken on the job of program director for the club as of the last meeting. So all of us want to listen to interesting demos at out meetings and even learn a thing or two. CRW uses both outside demonstrators and members. What has become clear over the years is that our rank and file members both create beautiful and artistic turnings and we can give interesting demos as well.

I ask everyone to think about what they may may do in a demo that will benefit the members. Then talk to me about how we could make it into a demo the members would enjoy. So give this a thought, your fellow turners will appreciate it and will not throw rotten fruit at you if you stumble over your words. get back to me if you can contribute.

Thanks for your consideration, John"

John,

Once again, I suggest a round robin experience, 5 or 6 stations. We've done them in the past with the big club. Well received by membership and good bang for the buck back in the day. Possibilities:

1. chucking methods- cole jaws, collet chucks, mandrels, donut chucks, Longworth chucks, etc.
2. Vacuum chucking, (separate from chucking methods),
3. threading methods- hand chasing and mechanical/jigs
4. offset turning- spindle turnings
5. Sanding/preparation methods prior to finishing
6. Inside out turning methods and faux inside out turning methods
7. Beading tools-commercial and shop made tools
8. Making shop made EasyWood tool type scrapers.
9. Woodburning methods
10. Shop made sanding jigs
11. Coloring technics- dyes, pastels, acrylics, india inks, etc.
12. and the beat goes on.

Bob (RG) Raasch

Bob, thanks for the suggestion.

Members, Bob has a good idea. Who can step up with something to offer? When might we schedule something like this? Please get back to me with what you could offer in a round robin and when we might do it..

Bob, thanks for the suggestion.

Members, Bob has a good idea. Who can step up with something to offer? When might we schedule something like this? Please get back to me with what you could offer in a round robin and when we might do it..

John and members,

As a general suggestion, would like to see basics of spindle turning; the foundation of good turning.

We haven't seen any goblets type spindle type work in several months or longer which leads to skills in turning a small bowl, thin stem and base all on 1 piece of wood. 7-10" l x 2 1/2 -3"w O hardwood needed. Bowl part incorporates some creative small bowl and shallow hollowing, stem incorporates delicate skew or sharp spindle gouge work to get stem to 3/16 to 1/4 or thinner, use of opposite hand to steady the thin stem, capturing the goblet portion with a jig or other creative method to steady the work while turning, then turning the foot to a thin base. Not difficult, but takes patience. And then the attitude; of if it breaks toward the end, it's just a chunk O timber. Chuck up another.

My goblet on the left. John on right photo with tailstock jig for preparing the goblet to turn the goblet stem thin.

That's my method for the goblets and my flared petal flowers turnings.

If curious, see Cindy Drozda's spectacular works or Microsoft Word - 4guidelines2finials.doc

https://www.cindydrozda.com/images/ArtworkFs2012/12558Dancer.jpg

Methods of making coves, beads, valleys, with various tools: spindle gouges and skews on spindles. These are basic skills that when executed successfully leads to a variety of quality work.

Add "captured rings" using captured rings tools, shop made captured ring tools from Allen wrenches.

Get fancy and make captured rings as in captured rings.

Bob (RG) Raasch

Captured rings....oh my. a how to guide.Captured rings- wooodworkers journal

Bob (RG) Raasch