The Northeast Florida Woodturners Association (Jaxturners) have posted videos of their latest meeting demonstration. In this demonstration Bob Hunt starts with a discussion of turning safety, sandpaper and techniques for sanding deep hollow forms.
Here is the first of the four videos. You can see them all on the Jaxturners YouTube Channel.
httpv://youtu.be/qFsKU6feJRA
[note]This message was sent by AAW Board Member Stan Wellborn[/note]
Working Without a Rule Book
At a regional symposium a couple of years ago, I watched a wonderful demo by Mark Gardner, a talented young turner in North Carolina. At one point, he performed a chucking technique that was inventive – and unorthodox. Someone in the audience joked, “You know you really can’t do that.”
Mark just grinned at us and said, “Show me the rule book.”
Since then, I’ve often thought how nice it is to enjoy a pursuit like woodturning in which there are no firm do’s and don’ts. To be sure, we have to observe basic safety measures, learn how to ride the bevel, keep a sharp edge, and other basics. But beyond the fundamentals, the field is open to anything you want to try – so long as you get the result you want.
Today’s turners certainly aren’t afraid to venture into the new and unfamiliar. One guy produces stunning pieces by turning fragile twigs embedded in blocks of ice. At my local club last month, I saw a veteran turner produce a beautiful platter using nothing but a 1½-inch scraper. In my own shop, I’m doing a lot of hollowing with the lathe running in reverse. And every issue of American Woodturner contains some novel way of doing tried-and-true lathework.
What does any of this have to do with AAW operations? It’s true that the AAW Board has a detailed handbook of procedures and protocols that govern our actions – everything from budgeting to bylaws, and from ethics to elections. With that foundation in place, the AAW is free to try out new ideas and “think outside the bowl.”
At our national symposium earlier this summer in Saint Paul, AAW members suggested a variety of great new ideas to me and other Board members and staff. We continue to get both critical and constructive proposals by phone and e-mail. I’m eager to try to put some of these ideas into action, because introducing dynamic and positive change is what keeps any organization fresh and innovative.
The AAW Board and our Executive Director are determined to try new approaches to expand the organization’s membership to broader demographic and geographic areas – especially to international prospects, retiring baby-boomers, and younger audiences. We welcome all your ideas and will give them serious consideration.
And, you don’t need to worry about any rule books.
Happy Turning!
[note]This message was sent by the Northwest Washington Woodturners.[/note]
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
The SPSW is going to participate in this year’s Garfield Street Fair in Parkland. We are in desperate need of people to help. We will be turning pens at this event. If you have any spare time on August 20th we can use your help. We also need help with mini lathes, turning tools and pen mandrels; not to mention sanding supplies and polish. The pen blanks and pen kits will be provided.
Please get in touch with Craig Chatterton at 253- 848-4205 or chatterwc @ yahoo .com as soon as possible. This should be a very fun event and there are over 100 vendors, food and bands. This would be a great family event for a pleasant Saturday afternoon
You can find out more about the event as well as see a list of vendors at: http://shopgarfieldstreet.com/default.aspx
With enough support you will only have to help for a minimum of time. And, if you haven’t turned pens before, this would be an excellent opportunity to learn.
This is your chance to be a true supporter of the club instead of just being a spectator.
Again, this can be a wonderful family event. In other words, bring your spouse, your kids, your grand kids and help support the best turning club in the state.
SPSW Membership Chairman Jarred Hoffpauir provides this report on new members:
New members in June are as follows
Additionally in July Mr. Larry Rydberg is officially the first person to pay his 2012 dues!
New members from June are as follows
Also from June is a returning member Robert Miller from Lakewood.
As of July, 2011 there are 176 paid members in the SPSW.
Yesterday’s post was about a woodturner who lost most of her vision but was able to adapt her tools and processes to allow her to continue turning.
Coincidently, the AAW website has a feature on how the 25th Anniversary Symposium included the first showing of woodturnings to visually impaired people. Andi Wolfe, one of the turners involved with the showing commented “It was the most amazing experience for me to watch how these individuals explored each piece with their hands.”
This is another great example of how woodturners are willing to share. I highly recommend this article.
