Just read this sad report about an experienced woodturner and demonstrator who had a serious accident May 4th while at her lathe. Joan Kelly was turning a large cedar bowl blank on her lathe. Something happened that caused the blank to shatter and Joan was struck in the face and forehead. Her husband quickly called for aid and she was taken to the hospital where significant efforts were made to help her. Unfortunately, she died from her injuries on May 17th.
This is another reminder that this activity we get so much pleasure and reward from can also be incredibly dangerous.
It is interesting to watch what results from invention and innovation. A couple examples recently involving turning kits.
Anthony Turchetta, the owner of The Golden Nib.com, began promoting shaving accessory kits – razor handles and shaving brushes. From what I can tell he has had these for a number of years. He offers razor handle kits that used Mach 3 style heads and double edge safety razor heads. He has several different razor kits and 7 different Badger Hair knots for brushes. He was the only supplier I could find. But in the last six months almost every major turning supplier – Penn State Industries, Woodcraft, Arizona Silhouette, Rockler, Hut – has got them in their catalogs.
Another example is seam rippers. Ken Ferrell started making turned handles for the small plastic seam rippers. He then wrote a tutorial for turning seam ripper handles on the International Association of Penturners website and offered the plastic seam rippers for sale. In fact, the price he offered was better that you could get at the local fabric store. The latest Penn State Industries catalog now has chrome seam ripper kits.
So what do you think is going to be the next idea that shows up in retail catalogs?
The June issue of Woodturning magazine has an article titled “Creating long spindles with a join” by Richard Findley. He talks about being able to create spindles that exceed the length of the lathe bed by turning multiple sections and joining them with mortise and tenon joints. He shows his techniques for creating these types of joints.
This made me think of a recent video posted by the Northeast Florida Woodturners from their April meeting demonstration. In it Ed Malesky and Emory Mclaughlin show how to create long spindles with multiple features utilizing a different type of joinery.
You can check out the video on the Jaxturners YouTube channel. Remember that there are three parts to this video.
Our last demonstrator, Donald Derry, commented that he has received negative comments from people related to coloring his turnings. These may be considered woodturning “purists” since they prefer the natural appearance of wood. These same people would probably not appreciate segmented work either. But to each his/her own.
As a member of the Segmented Woodturners chapter of the AAW, I frequently check out the goings on at the website. Looking through the photo of the week history, I couldn’t help but want to share some of the absolutely amazing work being done. So here are a few pieces that can be viewed on the Segmented Woodturners website (membership not required to view gallery):
The Charioteer and Quadriga by Al FoxThe Charioteer and Quadriga was created by Al Fox from Hummelstown, PA. This piece was created with 461 pieces of Wenge, Canarywood, Black Veneer wood and a Maple floating base. Carved handles and acrylic figures.
The Gathering by Al FoxAl also created The Gathering which was created from 1326 pieces of Gabon Ebony, Sapele, Wenge, Maple, Pheasant Wood, and Black Veneer wood. With Acrylic Figures.
During the latter part of the sixth century B.C., scenes of women at a fountain house became popular on black figured terracotta vessels.Here women gather to chat and fill their hydriai.
Euclids Dream by Art BodwellEuclid’s Dream was created by Art Bodwell from Dundee, Michigan. This tubular sculpture was designed using Google Sketchup. It was titled in honor of the father of modern geometry. The sculpture is approximately 14” wide and 14” high, including the base. The woods are Maple, Walnut, Bubinga and Koa. The sculpture is attached to the Vermont granite base with 3/8” diameter clear acrylic rods. There are 194, 2” diameter rings, and a total of 1552 individual pieces. The finish is spray shellac sealer, several light spray coats of Deft gloss lacquer and a final coat of Deft semi-gloss lacquer.
Arts and Crafts Vase by Thomas KnappArts and Crafts Vase was created by Thomas Knapp and consists of 239 pieces. This is an interesting piece to me for many reasons. First, it was made from quarter sawn White Oak which is not a generally friendly wood to turn. It has open segments which adds interest and the piece was fumed for five days after it was turned and final sanded.
Buffalo by Hans FinsterwalderBuffalo was created by Hans Finsterwalder. This is a large segmented Bowl which was made from Maple, Ebony, Bloodwood and Turquoise.
Scalloped Rim Bowl by Craig KirksScalloped Rim Bowl was created by Craig Kirks from Andover, Minnesota. It was crafted from Ebony, Curly Maple and Bloodwood. Craig states that making a stable bottom with the flower design was a concern. He constructed it using two 1/8″ thick segmented rings with staggered seams. Only the top one has the design and the bottom one has a center disc that is 1/4″ diameter larger than the one in the top ring
We are in woodturning symposium season and several have been posted here – the Utah Woodturning Symposium which just wrapped up last weekend, the AAW symposium coming up in June, the Olympia Woodturners symposium in July featuring Mike Mahoney and Stephen Hatcher, the Great Falls Woodturners symposium featuring Jimmy Clewes in September and the Yellowstone Woodturners symposium in October featuring Stuart Batty.
I recently learned of a symposium scheduled for Fall, 2012. Sponsored by the Lonestar Woodturners Association, the symposium is titled “Your Time to Turn” and will be the first woodturning symposium of its kind that will be specifically designed to teach woodturning techniques to the blind, as well as those with physical impairments including paraplegics, quadriplegics, those with an inability to stand for long periods, or those who have a lost an arm or hand, or one or both of their legs.
This will be a hands-on symposium where qualified instructors will help guide attendees through skill building exercises.
The Lonestar Woodturners are looking for your help. They ask that you refer blind or physically disabled woodturners or would be woodturners to their website to make their interest known. They are also looking for companies that would be willing to support the event with a tax deductible donation of cash or tools/equipment. These can also contact the Lonestar Woodturners on their website.
On Saturday, May 21, the Tukwila Rockler store will be having their annual Guild Day – a day given over to local guilds so they can show the benefits of membership & participation, publicize their activities & calendar of events, and generally attract new members.
Displays & demonstrations are always a centerpiece of Guild Day. Sharing instruction and techniques on
woodturning is a great way to pull spectators over to our table where they can learn more about our guild.
This year there are extra benefits for wide participation! First, all guild members will enjoy an additional $5.00 off that day’s purchases, in addition to any sale or coupon promotions.
Second, the guild with the highest proportion of its membership stopping by will be awarded with Rockler gift cards worth a total of $250.00!
Last, the Rockler store team will be voting on the best demo of the day, based on the uniqueness of the demo, crowd size and presentation. Some talented demonstrator will be going home with a gift card for $100.00!
So if you are a member of SPSW stop by and help us win those gift cards.
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Just read this sad report about an experienced woodturner and demonstrator who had a serious accident May 4th while at her lathe. Joan Kelly was turning a large cedar bowl blank on her lathe. Something happened that caused the blank to shatter and Joan was struck in the face and forehead. Her husband quickly called for aid and she was taken to the hospital where significant efforts were made to help her. Unfortunately, she died from her injuries on May 17th.
