July 28th Monthly Demonstration

The West Virginia Woodturner's Association

Demonstration:

Today’s demonstration was on rough turning green wood. Rodney LehrBass first demonstrated how to re-chuck a bowl after the tenon has been broken by a catch or have a pre-cord bowl blank. This demonstration was prompted by earlier discussion on remounting some rough turned bowl blanks Gerald Chandler had brought with him. Rodney’s method was to place the bowl between the 4 jaw chuck and live center. The inside of the bowl will be turned again so the marks wont make a problem. After centering the bowl, he then started his lathe at a low speed and made sure the bowl was secure and retightened the live center. After increasing his speed to about 700 rpm he then cut his new tenon. Rodney said he likes to make his tenons about 90% of the depth the chuck will allow. This gives a great hold with out bottoming out.

The next demonstration was on turning this piece of Apple wood 10"dia x 6". Rodney had previously prepared the blank and cut it to round on his Rikon band saw. He then sealed it completely with end grain sealer to preserve the blank until it could be used. Rodney started his turning demonstration by mounting the bowl blank on a 3" face plate. He used a Sorby extra thick round nose scraper to round and balance the bottom. Now that the blank was balanced he could then use his Sorby 3/8" spindle gouge with a fingernail grind to shape the tenon and the outside of the bowl. After removing the face plate, he then mounted the blank using the newly cut tenon and hogged out the inside of the bowl using a sorby 1/2" blow gouge with a fingernail grind. Rodney explained how he will point the bevel of the bowl gouge parallel to the outside of the bowl. This will ensure the initial cut is starting in the correct direction. Following the couture of the outside, he continued his cut, stopping to follow the cut with his fingers to be sure of the thickness. His final cut was a constant cut from the rim to the center. A light sanding with 80 grit paper will reveal any major faults. Remember this is a rough turn and your cuts don't have to be perfect although dry wood is much harder and gross defects may make it harder to start a good cut when finish turning.

Show and Tell

Several items were brought to Show and Tell that took place before the demonstration. We encourage all members to bring in the items they turn during the month and share them with the other members.

Fonzie brought a beautiful bowl that was crafted from several segmented peices of various types of wood. Some of the species were Black Walnut, Spalted Maple, Red Oak, Sassafras.

Fonzie describes how he made a bowl from Red Oak that he turned dry from an interesting peice of wood he noticed in a stack of firewood.

Cliff brought a wonderful natural edged peice that he had turned from a Yew shrub root. He said his neighbor had removed the shrub and had given him the root from the shrub. You can also see a portion of the root that he turned the item from. It has some beautiful color and will make several other unique items.

Rodney displayed several peices including three hollow form vessels that he had completed recently. Two of the peices were made of Ambrosia Maple and the third from Red Wood. He then finished the items with an oil based polyurethane applying three coats.

Rodney showed the group a youth baseball bat that made from Para wood and finished with 4 coats of Walnut Oil. He scaled a full size bat and then turned the smaller version down to match. The bat weighed in at 15 oz. at completion.

Rodney also brought a French style rolling pin that was turned from Para wood and finished with Walnut Oil. Many of these items will be for sale at the WV State Fair this August 10th thru August 18th at the WVWA craft booth.

Bob,who was out of town, sent over a Black Walnut lided box. This was his first attempt at turning a lided box and he did a great job.

Discussion:

Today’s discussion included several topics of interest.

James Cox discussed "F O G" wood. "Found On the Ground". James stated that this wood is really a great wood to work with; it is FREE and is very unpredictable species and grain.

Cliff introduced our new Masters' Library and held an open discussion on the general rules and availability of materials. Books and DVDs will be available to members only, at $2.00 per month. Late fees and lost material fees apply. See our Masters Library page for more information and rental policy.

Gerald Chandler brought in several rough turned bowl blanks he had picked up at an Amish shop that was shut down. He told of how there where many blanks and tools there and the WVWA agreed to put together a team to go up and make a bid on the materials. Great find Gerald.

James Cox also spoke on the Website and posting of items of interest on our websites Usefuls’ Information page, Specials and Promotions page, or Peddlers’ Exchange page.

Rodney passed around a sign in sheet for the WV State Fair booth schedule.

James brought up the North Carolina Symposium in October and suggested all members interested carpool and go down together.

Door Prize and Raffle:

Todays door prise was a Shallow apple bowl turned in an earlier demonstration. Won by Roger Andrews

Raffle prizes:

Apple blank - Cliff Baker

Woodcraft Lock back knife - Lauren Cox

2 $10.00 Craft Supplies Gift Cert. - James Cox

Woodcraft Polo Shirt - Jon Skaggs

Woodcraft Apron - Gerald Chandler

10 Misc. pen blanks Donated by James Cox - Jim Medows

Cherry Spindal Blank - Jon Skaggs

Marquee Cinema Passes, donated by Marquee Cinemas - Stanton Spinks

Large turning Blank donated by Fonzie Fitzwater - Laurenn Cox