Always entertaining, Doug is a reliable Member Demonstrator SPSW. His past contributions include Wood Stabilization (June 2022) and Chucks, Chucks and More Chucks (May 2024). Both of which may be found in the members only portion of our SPSW website under demonstration videos. In his latest rendition coming to the SPSW stage on February 19, 2026, Doug will share key insights for making a John Beaver type Wave Bowl. One of his goals is to demonstrate less involved techniques most of us could deploy in our own shops to safely cut a round object in half… You don’t want to miss this one, there might even be a golden reward at the end of the rainbow.

Rick Rich is a professional woodturner from Clark County, Washington. He is proud to be a founding member, and current president, of the SW Washington Woodturners. Rick is also a member the Cascade Woodturners Association in Portland, OR, the Northwest Woodturners of Tualatin, OR and the American Association of Woodturners. His strong preference is spindle turning, but he includes faceplate turning, bowls, small tabletops, dishes, and like items in his repertoire.

Rick’s description says, ‘This unique desk toy has a top which eventually tips over and stays on the tower, ready for the next spin.’ On Jan 15th, 2026, he will also demonstrate making a traditional spinning top with a small bowl to spin it in. This demo focuses on tool use techniques and exploring precision turning. No specialized tools are used—just the standard equipment most turners already have. Get ready to enjoy a fun and unique toy turning demo!

In the beginning, sharpening is a mystery for all of us turners. For some, it remains a mystery for much longer than need be. Learning to sharpen your tools is as critical as learning to ride the bevel.

Fortunately for South Puget Sound Woodturners members who attend our November meeting, our own Director of Mentoring, Mike Poirier, will be on stage to de-mystify sharpening. He will fill the evening with information and key insights on different sharpening systems, jigs and techniques. He will show how he uses these tools to produce a sharp edge. Bring your questions.

This is a fun and simple project to experiment with multi-axis turning. These weed pots are miniature versions of the large vases I show in my multi-axis vase and spout off vase demos. They are turned using many of the same concepts, without the complexity of having to hollow out a vessel. As an added plus, they can be done on almost any size lathe. Optionally, this demo can also cover regular weed pots, which are a great exercise for those new to turning as a practice in spindle work and help in creating shapes and forms that are pleasing to the eye.

You can download the demo handout here.

Kathleen’s start in woodworking truly began in early childhood watching her dad, Oscar Frey, build various wooden objects. She enjoyed watching him puzzle out how to make and build the different pieces and elements of his projects. Even at an early age she was absorbing his problem-solving methods and inventiveness as he progressed on a project. One of her most cherished pieces that he made for the family is a beautiful clock that Kathleen dubs the “Incredible Time Machine.” She also recalls a decorative spinning wheel that dad made for mom, Margaretta.

Kathleen will demonstrate the wing element of her interpretation of an umbrella ornament during our August 21st, meeting. She will include key elements of turning the wing form, design considerations and how she forms her piercings. This is certainly a timely topic leading into our September Mini- Symposium focused on holiday ornaments.

Social hour starts at 5:30, meeting starts at 6:30 at the Almendinger Center.

Dan’s fourth lathe is the Powermatic lathe he has in his shop today. Here is Dan with a large maple blank in his previous shop. He calls this, “My Happy Place.”

Dan’s involvement with the SPSW grew over the years. Between 2010 and 2012, Dan served as club president. These days Dan looks forward to mentoring new woodturners and supporting charity causes by turning and donating wooden bowls.

Dan will be demonstrating Inside Out Turning a Christmas Ornament, timely subject giving you plenty of time to turn yours.

“Do you have a desire to create hollow forms on the lathe? Are you already making them, but struggling with any part of the process? Do you want to give freehand hollowing a try? I will show you my process for creating hollow forms with clean lines and small openings. Through a combination of hands-on turning and discussion, this demonstration will include everything from selecting the wood to mounting it on the lathe and shaping the form to hollowing and finishing. I will also cover tool selection and use, ergonomics and body mechanics. Hollow forms do not need to be complicated or require expensive tooling to create.”

Dave’s tenure with the SPSW club reaches back to the very first meeting in 1992 or 1993. At that time, He was working fulltime and had a young family, so he could not afford the time to drive up to Seattle to attend the only woodturning club meeting in the area. Then he heard through a friend, Tom Richards, that a meeting was to be held at the Fife Community Center to form a new local woodturning club and he should attend. Dave not only attended that first meeting along with 40 to 45 other men, he joined the club that night. Over the subsequent thirty plus years Dave was not always able to attend the meetings, but he stayed connected with the club. When his life allowed, he stepped up to a larger role and supported the club in the role of VP and Director of Programing. Something near and dear to me. Dave served in that capacity for seven years. These days, one can often find Dave busy taking quality photographs of club member pieces that are
brought to our monthly meetings. Many of these images are then shared in this monthly newsletter! Thanks Dave!

I have turned 400+ bowls with a focus on locally sourced woods and simple designs that showcases the uniqueness of the wood on both sides of the bowl.

Utilizing 3 simple feet that flow out of the bottom to both elevate the form and provide lightness to the shape. 3 feet also form a stable base to rest on.

I’ll show the steps and tools I use to make bowls that highlight the best characteristics of each piece of wood. I will illustrate where to locate the feet and explain why they need to go there on both natural edge and flat rim pieces.