If you ordered maple and/or madrone burl from Dave Schweitzer at the August meeting it will need to be picked up at Dave’s on Saturday the 24th at 10:00 a.m. There were several people that ordered wood last time and did not show. If you signed up for wood be sure and make sure that you get it and even if you didn’t, take advantage of this opportunity to get some tremendous material to perform your artistry. If Dave does not get the proper turn out Jay will have to reconsider going to all the effort to bring us this great wood. Madrone burls are hard to find not to mention harvesting.
Table Saw Safety
A recent article in USA Today reported on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) look into table saw safety. According to the CPSC there are 10 finger amputations a day from table saw use. The head of the CPSC says she will call on the power-tool industry and safety standards group to find out why there haven’t been any actions to address the issue of injuries.
This is where I find it getting interesting. Stephen Gass, who invented technology used in SawStop® table saws that stops the blade when it contacts skin, has been pushing the CPSC to establish new rules for table saws. Mr. Gass, who is a patent lawyer, and SawStop® own several patents on the technology. The Power Tool Institute and several amateur woodworkers told the CPSC that Gass’ technology is too expensive, and the numerous SawStop® patents makes it impossible for other sawmakers to develop their own technology. Licensing of the SawStop® technology could be very lucrative for Mr. Gass’ company.
But as Mr. Gass says, what price do you put on lost fingers and hand injuries. What do you think? Leave your thoughts below.
p.s. The Power Tool Institute has a couple of resources on their website: Power tool safety videos and Safe operation of power tools (pdf) which includes many tools including wood lathes.
What’s New on the SPSW Website
There have been several items added this week:
Photos from the 2011 SPSW Picnic & Wood Auction
Photos from the demonstration by Dan Ackerman at the August membership meeting
The handout for the all day demonstration by Avelino Samuel
Finally, if you are not on our mailing list, here is the September newsletter.
September Demonstrator – Tones Briggs
“Tones” (AKA-Dennis Briggs):
Woodturning for me began back in 1998 after meeting Ted Bartholomew at a turning exhibit at Seattle Center. I attended one of Ted’s Saturday classes and was immediately hooked. Subsequently I have had the opportunity to attend a number of symposiums, meet a number of great woodturners, as well as having participated in hands on classes from some of the best. I have also had the privilege and honor of being able to turn regularly with David Schweitzer, a great friend and mentor.
I continue to enjoy turning hollow forms, natural edge bowls, ornaments and finials and strive to hone my skill with each turn I am involved in.
Most recently I have begun to explore the Asian “rice bowl” as its form, function and simplicity continue to intrigue me. I will share some of these discoveries with you as your demonstrator for this month. My hope is that this will stir some of you to explore this area along with me.
Tones
AAW Message
Northwest Washington Woodturners is pleased to announce A DAY WITH DOUGLAS FISHER on October 22 in Anacortes, WA. We invite you to join us and share in this informative day. Douglas will be discussing and demonstrating the details of how he creates his unique turned sculptures. Registration is only $35 and includes snacks, beverages and lunch.
Please find attached a .pdf file which provides all the relevant information. If you have further questions please feel welcome to contact me.
The Anacortes area is a wonderful place to spend a weekend. If you will be staying in our area overnight, a list of accommodations including hotel/motel, B&B and RV is available upon request.
Rick Anderson
Vice President
Northwest Washington Woodturners
VicePresident@NWWWT.org
360-319-7600
Craft Master 2011
Last April I posted about a new Irish reality show called Craft Master 2011. This show will pit three apprentices each week in an intensive two-week residential course in the discipline of their choice under the guidance of a relevant Master of Craft. There are five different disciplines, including woodturning. The winners of each of the 5 disciplines will then face off in the series finale.
The woodturning segment is Episode 4 which is scheduled to air on Tuesday, September 27th. The Mentor for the woodturners is Glenn Lucas who is one of the most established woodturners in Ireland. Glenn sells his own work, conducts woodturning classes in his shop, and demonstrates around the world, including the 2009 Utah Symposium, the 2010 AAW Symposium, June 2011 at Arrowmont, the 2011 Norwegian Woodturning Cruise and numerous woodturning clubs and guilds.
The schedule for the six week series can be found on the Crafts Council of Ireland website.
