Words from the Chair

Another hold-up!

Just as we were hoping to be celebrating the resumption of club meetings we find instead we must wait a little longer. Whilst the end of restrictions regarding meetings had seemed to be imminent we were all probably expecting further delays. The good news however is that the committee are (hopefully) going to the hall to check the lathes etc. After so many months of not being switched on it is necessary to be safety conscious.

These have been trying times for everybody involved with woodturning not least the professional demonstrators. It appears we will be facing a reduced number of demonstrators for various reasons.

Many of us have been aware for a long time that the charges made by the professionals have not covered their costs of preparation, travelling and demoing. Unless clubs can meet all of these expenses our club will not be alone in seeing this scenario unfolding.

What can we do about it?

Well, some demonstrators have invested in the necessary equipment themselves and have been making good use of Zoom, the online meeting facility. This may be the route they will follow from now on. It would not be unreasonable to consider hiring them exclusively for an evening and projecting onto a big screen much as we do at present, not the same but better than not at all perhaps.

It is not hard to imagine the lack of atmosphere of such demonstrations. And neither is it difficult to imagine this could signal the demise of many of the smaller clubs.

On the bright side this could see the resurgence of the more accomplished club turners, who knows what the future holds.

Except that I hope the Chelmer Valley, our club, will continue for many more years.

Turn on everyone and turn up when we can.

Newsletter

Thank you to those who have indicated that you would be willing to attend a session if it were to happen in July. As per Barry’s note, this will not be possible this month. Although we will assume that your indication will be the same for the August session, all being well. If you have changed you mind, or you would like to attend the next session, please do let us know by contacting us at Info@chelmerwood.co.uk or by giving one of us a call.

More on this in the next newsletter, hopefully!

Another Lockdown Job

In my workshop, space is at a premium and so a couple of years ago I bought a Mac Allister folding workbench, which I love because of the speed to erect it and to fold away after. Folded flat it is only 4 inches wide so it is very easy to store and transport. My biggest problem was that the bench top was just a little too small for bigger projects. I needed a larger top but one that would easily lift off and store vertically.

Inspired by the many benches shown on Pinterest that use bench dogs, I created a top out of two sheets of 18mm MDF glued together edged with hardwood (rescued mahogany). I sized it to be able to use my guide clamps both width and length. I also decided on a full grid of dog holes for maximum flexibility. I set out the grid with small guide holes and then made some guide pins and a jig for the forstner bit to ensure everything was drilled vertically. I also turned the first pair of dogs in aluminium for use with the jig. I put two coats of Ronseal varnish to seal the MDF.

The underside of the bench top has a simple frame that slots over the Mac Allister bench.

I am now making more bench dogs of varying heights and also two 90 degree vertical boards around 6 inches high with dogs screwed to the base so that they can be “plugged in” anywhere on the bench and allow vertical clamping for edge planning etc.  The bench sides are also much better for clamping. 

I am also making a base for my guided frame saw and my fretsaw so they can be “plugged in”. It works very well with a reversed clamp that pushes against dogs

I now have the best of both worlds with the highly transportable, lightweight Mac Allister bench and a heavy duty larger  bench top for the workshop.

Ted Higgs - June 2021

8 months without touching a Lathe

I bought a ‘new to me’ lathe in September last year, an Axminster M950 from the turn of the century, which was very exciting as any new tool is. It was kindly stored in the future in-laws garage for me to use. There were a few problems with the lathe, mostly minor niggles, with only one major one being the shaft of the driven pulley being split. ‘No bother’ I thought, I’d just get a new one and all will be well. Low and behold, after 10 hours of research and calls across two weeks, no luck. I took a gamble on a newer model’s version which didn’t fit, but after some light modification, and a new bearing it fixed the issue!

I documented this in a video on YouTube - www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgUMt21KkRA

Well, as soon as I fixed it, we hit another lockdown. I wasn’t able to touch the new lathe for 8 months from when I fixed it. We lived in a 5th floor flat in Chelmsford, and wanting to keep the prospect of having in-laws, having a conversation about the lathe being in the flat didn’t get very far. Not unsurprising, but if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Well, after moving house and getting my (‘our’ as I’m often reminded) garage, I’m pleased to say that I’ve been able to start back turning again. Definitely some rust that I need to blow off and get back to where I was before the lockdowns. As John Austin says ‘A spindle turner can turn bowls, but a bowl turner can’t turn spindles’. With that advice headed, I thought I’d start with a nice and easy project of a dibber. Now onto the other projects that have been racking up in my mind over the last few months!

Kyle McGill - June 2021

Woodturning Zoom - https://woodturningzoom.com/

Don’t forget to have a look and let us know what you think. It might just trigger a thought that you want to share about how we can do things to interest you.

If you decide to get involved, let us know your experience! - info@chelmerwood.co.uk

Conkers Live

The web demos brought to you by Chestnut Products.

After a fantastic session by Rick Dobney on June 23rd, which can still be viewed here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KICUOglKDxo

The next sessions are as follows with the presenters to be announced shortly.

• 14 July 2021

• 2 August 2021

• 26 August 2021

• 4-5 September 2021 – Woodturning Weekender!

• 30 September 2021

https://chestnutproducts.co.uk/conkers-live/

Show and tell - July’s Theme

The AWGB are now running a monthly competition called Show and Tell where you can enter to win a £50 voucher.

July Show and Tell

Theme - Simplicity

National Simplicity day (yes, it's a thing!) is happening in July, which has lead to this month theme of simplicity. We are looking for good from, simple design and excellent execution. No colour, resin, pyrography or such. We're going back to the key fundamentals of a piece of wood becoming something simple yet effective. Will it be a bowl, vase, candle stick, spurtle? The choice is yours.

Deadline for entries is the 31st July.

Prize – £50 voucher plus £25 voucher with Brandon Bespoke Oils & Waxes

See existing entries as the come in here - www.awgb.co.uk/show-tell/

See how to enter and the rules here - www.awgb.co.uk/show-tell/show-tell-rules/