members – South Puget Sound Woodturners

April President’s Challenge Winner

Tim Spaulding — Wed, 01 May 2024 18:07:09 +0000

The President’s Challenge for April was adding resin to your turned piece. Although there were a few entries, they were all very stunning. There was one piece that stood out above the rest, it was a Black Walnut Platter with a resin rim with black walnut shell inlay. The shells are thinly sliced and in order for them to not float to the top of the resin, are glued into the groove and resin added. I have to tell you that the artist is none other than lifetime woodturner, Bob Sievers. I asked Bob how long he has been turning wood and he said ‘forever’; he started turning in high school and has turned every day up until late 2019, he still turns today, just not as often. If you have paid attention in our show-and-tell over the years you can see that Bob is a very talented artist.

Bob came to the Pacific Northwest from Minnesota in 1958 to work at Boeing where he worked for 34 years and has been retired for 31 years so that really is a lifetime of woodturning, I would say over 65 years. WOW! Although he has been a member of the SPSW from the inception as an original member, he has been an ardent supporter of the club and brings his artistry every month he is in attendance.

April Sawdust Session

Tim Spaulding — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 02:34:51 +0000

Even though our demo was on the 1st this month we are still holding our Sawdust Session on it’s normal date, April 22nd.

Paul Crabtree

Tim S — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 07:00:56 +0000

Many long time SPSW members will remember Paul Crabtree as an active member of our chapter. We have been notified of Paul’s passing in late August. Paul had been residing in Tennessee at the time. Paul’s family is conducting a memorial service at the Tahoma Memorial Cemetery on November 8th at 10:30 AM. SPSW members are welcome to attend.

November Membership Meeting

Tim S — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 14:00:32 +0000

This month, our own David Best, will show us 4 different methods for turning hollow forms. Dave will hollow a large vessel in multiple steps using different systems for each layer as he goes deeper into the form. There are a lot of systems out there, and this will be a great chance for all of us to see how these different tools compare to each other, as well as seeing the advantages of each.

AAW Selection

Tim S — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 00:10:39 +0000

Congratulations to SPSW member Bob Sievers for having his turning selected as the AAW Turning of the Week.

May Demonstrator – Eric Lofstrom

Tim S — Sat, 13 May 2017 17:09:15 +0000

Eric Lofstrom, has been a SPSW chapter member since 2002. Eric will be demonstrating how to turn a Square-Ripple Bowl. Eric is a woodturning artist, demonstrator, passionate teacher and private instructor who is excited about the creative process and exploring the quest for clean forms and “pure” curves. Eric enjoys turning all styles of pieces – anything from pens, peppermills, fitted-lid boxes, utilitarian bowls and serving utensils, to sculptural one-of-a-kinds!

Thursday evening:

Square-Ripple Bowl: During this demonstration, Eric will create a bowl with an outward flowing square rim. Created from a square-corner blank with basic turning tools, this project will showcase the bowl gouge, finishing scrapers, and several methods of mounting a facegrain blank to the lathe for turning. He will emphasize tool control and creating a flowing form, while aiming for the cleanest cuts possible from my tools. The square-winged bowl demonstration is sure to tease your mind and resonate with your imagination!

Visit Eric’s website for a description of his woodturning experience, look at his Bio page: http://ericlofstrom.com/bio/

Photos can be found in the gallery section of his website: http://ericlofstrom.com/gallery_photos/

April Demonstrator – Michael Poirier

Tim S — Sun, 16 Apr 2017 17:08:44 +0000

Michael will be demonstrating how to combine a bit of segmented turning with turning a coffee mug from rings instead of the tradition staves as shown in the cup instructions. It will be a start to almost finished cup with the use of swap outs as the project progresses to minimize actual turning time or having to wait for glue to dry.

Michael first started building toys and furniture for the family where some of those projects required turned parts, so a lathe be-came a necessity. That was his introduction to turning and about 3 years ago he joined the SPSW to see what he could learn and how to could improve. With the help and encourage from a few of its members he feels comfortable enough to give his first demonstration.

SPSW Members in the News

Tim S — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 03:01:22 +0000

Former SPSW President Dan Stromstad and member Dennis Johnson are featured in an article in the Tacoma News Tribune. Great story of friendship, giving, courage and overcoming disabilities.

A friendship strengthened through adversity, crafted with a lathe

What’s Happening at Other Chapters

Tim S — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 03:00:02 +0000

The Northwest Woodturners in Beaverton, OR will be not be meeting in December.

The Seattle Woodturners are meeting on December 3rd. This meeting will be the annual holiday party.

The Inland Northwest Woodturners in Spokane Valley are meeting on December 3rd. New webmaster Ron Valley will present the club’s new website including how to log in, how to build a profile, adding pictures and what information is available.

The Southwest Idaho Woodturners in Boise, ID will not be meeting in December.

The Olympic Peninsula Woodturners are meeting next on December 9th. This meeting will be the annual holiday party.

The Woodturners of Olympia are meeting next on December 10th. This will be the club’s annual holiday party.

The Fraser Valley Woodturners in Abbotsford, B.C. will be meeting on December 10th. Rick den Braber, President of the Central Fraser Valley Woodcarvers, will demonstrate relief and chip carving on a turned bowl

The Willamette Valley Woodturners in Salem, Oregon will be meeting on December 10th. The meeting topic will be gadgets and gizmos.

The Southwest Washington Woodturners in Vancouver, WA will not be meeting in December.

The Northwest Washington Woodturners in Mt. Vernon will not be meeting in December.

The Island Woodturners Guild on Vancouver Island will be meeting on December 12th. This will be the annual Christmas social.

The Cascade Woodturners in Portland, OR will not be meeting in December.

The Beaver State Woodturners in Eugene, Oregon are getting together on December 17th. Randal Dale will demonstrate making a laminated Genie vase from scrap hardwood flooring.

The Greater Vancouver Woodturners Guild in Vancouver, B.C. will not be meeting in December.

Woodcraft Annual In-store Woodworking Show

Tim S — Thu, 25 Sep 2014 13:00:26 +0000

The Seattle Woodcraft store is holding their 12th annual in-store woodworking show. Lots of great demos and specials all weekend long. Check out the flyer below.

Remember, SPSW members get a discount at Woodcraft.