Words from the Chair

Have you noticed how introspective we can become during the winter months? Shorter days and reduced light levels give us more time to reflect on our daily lives and routines. My plans are quickly revised, often unnecessarily, because it doesn’t look very nice outside. So instead of braving the elements and going the few metres through the garden to my workshop I sit in my armchair and read or do a crossword. However, things are changing, I am now getting into the workshop for a few hours most days and if they are changing for me then I assume they are for you also. When we finally get back to club meetings I will be expecting to see and share our turnings produced during these wretched lockdowns.

As it stands it does look more likely that some form of normality will be resumed sooner rather than later and meeting up again is something we can all look forward to.

I wonder; do we all have a favourite item we prefer to make? Mine is grinders. Salt and pepper grinders have become my thing, I get so much pleasure and satisfaction from these I feel quite guilty. How daft is that?

I don’t know how much feedback Kyle has had regarding members getting together via a Zoom meeting, perhaps the question has come too late, although the committee has been using this method successfully so nothing has been left undone.

I hope everyone is staying well and keeping to safe practices.

And finally, congratulations to Kyle and Lizzie, they are now engaged to be married.

Newsletter

Edited by Ted Higgs

Kyle has been doing a sterling job on keeping us informed of what is happening in the woodturning world and our grateful thanks to him for all his work. He has started a new job this month and so he has asked me to step in as guest editor for the month so he can find his feet. As you can imagine, learning a new job via on line chats and conference calls all day long is a very demanding process. How many of us would have imagined a world where so many people would be working remotely from home. But despite all that he found time to propose to Lizzie and she said “YES” so many congratulations to Kyle and Lizzie from all of us.

Barry mentioned in his ‘words’ about the survey asking if a Zoom club meeting would be welcomed. There have been no responses so we hope to all get together in person sometime in the summer. However if you do want to have a chat with any of us or need help with Zoom meetings or other computer issues, just get in touch; we are here to help.

I have been keeping busy in the workshop with various woodwork projects and I have started another device to use with the lathe. More of that as the project progresses.

I have also made a Harry Potter wand for my grandson and a fairy wand for my granddaughter which is decorated with Jo Sonja iridescent paints and sparkle. They loved them but have been warned that the silver haired old wizard who made them also has the power to take them away for misuse.

Spotlight on Den and Sue Carter

Some of you may know that Den and Sue spend a lot of their time making and selling woodturning to raise funds for charity and I asked Den to tell us a bit more about it.

I started turning in 2001 and from a slow and steady start had to find an outlet for my turned objects. My first stall was at an Essex Wildlife Trust open day in our local nature reserve and it escalated from there. Last year, despite having no craft fairs to raise money for charity my wife Sue and I sold items at the door or from a car boot display to past customers who either knew where we lived or had taken a business card. Covid played into our hands because some buyers bought lots of Christmas presents to save going into shops. We sold our stock of 72 Christmas crackers, the last 2 going on Christmas Eve. The Christmas sales enabled me to donate £1595 to Havens Hospices and the other main beneficiary is Essex Wildlife Trust from whom I get all the native timber from local woodlands in Dawes Heath, Thundersley.

Thank you Den and Sue for sharing this with us. Den hasn’t kept track of donations over the years but it sounds like a lot. This is an amazing and selfless effort.

Chuck Cleaning

It’s one of those jobs that gets put off and put off and…. But eventually when the key gets difficult to turn you realise just how much crud has built up inside the jaws and slide-ways. Even the jaws themselves get finishing oils and waxes on them and it builds up a layer.

I spent a couple of hours taking apart and cleaning my chucks and what a difference with a restored smooth action. I used a dry PTFE lubricant for exposed surfaces to avoid sawdust immediately sticking inside the jaws so a regular spray should keep things smooth.

To remove the layer(s) of dried finishing oils and waxes I tried white spirit, meths and enamel thinners but none of them really touched it. I then reached for my all purpose thinners bought from Aldi some time ago under the Baufix brand name. This is an acetone based thinner and worked with just gentle rubbing after leaving it for a minute or so to soak in. I now have gleaming jaws. It also gets any paint overspray off the lathe so well worth getting hold of some acetone based product.

As with any solvent make sure you heed the warnings about ventilation and being highly flammable. Protective gloves and eye protection are essential.

Ted Higgs March 2021

Sanding Machines

Using an orbital or belt sander with a dust extraction hose attached can get frustrating if it keeps getting caught up on the edge of the bench or the item being sanded. I solved this problem by firstly clipping together the hose and the power cable using spring steel clips (the type usually screwed on the wall) and then suspending it above the work with a bungy cord. A bit of duct tape ensures the hose stays firmly in place on the outlet port.

Works for me.

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.

The next demo is on the 12 May so have a look via the link below to see who is demonstrating.

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

Show and tell - April’s Theme

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

April - Technique focus - Pyrography

A wonderful facet of woodturning decoration coming from pyro- meaning fire and -graphy which means related to writing. Will you use the Beltane Fire Festival as inspiration? How about Volcanoes? There are some fantastically creative things you can do, so what will you do to stand out from the competition?

Deadline for entries is the 31st April.

Prizes - £100 total voucher for Chestnut products. Chestnut will add a £50 pound voucher in addition to the £50 voucher supplied by the AWGB.

See existing entries here - www.awgb.co.uk/show-tell/April-2021-show-tell-entries/

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