Courtesy of Members of NC Woodturners

Volume 24, No. 8

Website:

North Carolina WOODTURNERS Journal of the North Carolina Woodturners Association

A Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners

August Demonstrator By Beth Parham

of the Old Stone Church, a beautiful and historic Public Square in Cleveland,

, [ St r e e t A d d r e s s ] , [C i t y , S T Z I Pchurch C od e ] on Presbyterian [ W e b s i t e ] [ e- m a i l ] [ ph on e ] Ohio.

Kaleidoscope We know of the inventor of this unique scientific Table of Contents August Demonstrator instrument, Sir David Brewster, but what of the craftsman, President’s Message JAMES N. DUXBURY, who, July Demonstrator Recap with his numerous skills, creates beautiful pieces Treasurer’s Report specifically for your appreciation and enjoyment. Mentorship Information Born in Cleveland, Ohio, James N. Duxbury (Jim) August Raffle Items moved to a rural suburb as a young child where his father, a finish Newsletter/Membership/Library News carpenter by trade, built the house Jim 2014 Challenge Projects resided in until relocating to North Carolina. Jim had an inquisitive 2014 Programs (and presenters) mind, and his interests always turned Tips, Tricks ‘N Techniques to mechanical and building projects throughout his youth. He pursued a trade as a sheet Challenge Project Photos metal and HVAC contractor. Ironically, a Gallery Photos Presbyterian like Sir David Brewster, the founder of Kaleidoscopes, his desire to serve God and his own 2014 Officers and Board of Directors congregation while using his technical and creative abilities drew him to a position as properties manager

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The AAW is dedicated to the advancement of woodturning by providing education, information, organization, technical assistance, and publications relating to woodturning. The North Carolina Woodturners Association purpose is to promote an interest in woodturning for persons of all levels, and to encourage membership in, and give support to, the American Association of Woodturners. Volume 24, No. 8

August 2014

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North Carolina WOODTURNERS

Jim now resides in Graham, North Carolina where the bright warm sun shines down on his little shop almost every day. Creativity abounds - all sorts of fine turnings are made from small Bottle Stoppers to Bowls, Bud Vases, Trays, Furniture, Kaleidoscopes, Turned Wooden Hats, and even a working Foucault Pendulum. New models of Kaleidoscopes have been designed resulting in numerous blue ribbons. Both custom made Kaleidoscopes and the plans to build them are now available on this website. www.duxterity.com/ec Much of woodworking generates large amounts of very fine dust. Also noise and flying debris is a problem. It soon became evident to Jim that a good respirator that was compatible with ear and eye protection was almost a must. This led to the development of the Resp-O-Rator™, the first mouthpiece respirator ever designed to function on a full time basis. Many workers with beards or facial deformities can now also be protected with this device. A smaller version, the Resp-O-Rator Jr.™ has since been developed for lighter duty usage. The National Institute of Health and Safety, NIOSH, has tested and approved both the Resp-O-Rator™ and the Resp-O-Rator Jr. ™ as escape type devices. Both Resp-ORators™ are sold nationwide as particulate dust respiratory protection. Although Jim quit working in 1996 and has claimed to be retired, he has since obtained two U. S. Patents and has a third one in progress. Additionally his company, DUXTERITY LLC, markets both the Resp-ORators™ and Elegant Creations, his gallery of fine wooden objects. Both can be seen at his web site www.duxterity.com Jim has never had a boring day in his life, NEVER! (Information courtesy of Mr. Duxbury’s website.)

President’s Message By Renhard McLaurin

Courage… When was the last time that you tried something new? Anything new! I have been watching The You Tube lately trying to find new ideas and new things to try with my turning. I realized that I had passed into a new level of turning. I was actually looking for items that I was not familiar with. Things I had never tried. SOMETHING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE. After last month’s meeting, I was talking with some of the members about finding new things to turn. There are only so many pens that you can turn until the challenge is gone. Don’t get me wrong, I still make pens and bottle stoppers all the time. I find them to be great gifts. What I am looking for is something totally foreign to me. I have considered pyrography but it is hard to “practice” on a platter that took 2 hours to turn. I have begun segmented turning and I find the design possibilities exciting. I have yet to venture into creating a “feature ring” and with segmented turning you can create the size and shape you want without having find the wood to fit your design. In the end, the fact that I have challenged myself is the most satisfying part of my turning these days. Yea, I end up with a few funnels and some bowls with the inside larger than the outside but I don’t really care because I was trying new things. The challenge was the reward. Now for YOUR courage. Over the past month, a member of the board plus an officer of the club have resigned. There are two other members of the board who will be coming off the board at the end of the

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year. So, in addition to needing three board members, we will need a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. There are members who have repeatedly served and some who have recently served. With the need for at least 7 members to step forward we need EVERYONE to search their soul and decide if they can serve. There is an immediate need for someone to step forward and begin planning next year’s presentations. It is a great opportunity for one or two members to set the agenda for the year. Please step up. For the rest of you, please approach a board member or an officer and ask about a position that might fit your ability. It is not hard work. (Except for ALL the stuff Beth does) Without the members putting themselves into service for the club, there will be no club. It is up to you.

July Demonstrator Recap By Ron Davis

Alan Dewey and Chessspy / Chess set turnings Alan Dewey, our presenter in July, is originally from Hull, England. He talks very fast with a British accent and turns even faster. You must listen very closely and quickly to what he says and you dare not look away or blink your eyes or you will have missed something very important. He currently lives in Asheville with his partner, Melissa Ellison, and she would occasionally interject an explanation at a more moderate pace for our old North Carolina ears. He specializes in turning and restoring antique chess sets, teaches classes in Asheville and has a wonderful website at www.chessspy.com. He offers a two-day workshop on turning a workable, usable chess set. The set that he focuses on was established in 1849. He uses screwdrivers for his tools and a small inexpensive lathe from Harbor Freight for turning chess pieces. This just proves that you don’t have to have a $3200 or even $500 lathe and the latest, highest priced tools to be successful. He also uses a skew on which he rounds off the shoulder to avoid catches. He holds a finished piece up next to the roughed out piece and marks it with a pencil and then very quickly turns the form of a pawn. He places the top of the piece in the headstock and the base of the piece in the tailstock. He used a spindle gouge to turn the concave neck of the piece from the base to the top and then used his screwdriver tool to turn the top. He uses a piece of pipe ground down as a tool for the ball on top. He then sands with 400 grit paper and then steel wool before going to a shammy cloth with an abrasive on it. He then finishes with ShellaWax. He used holly and black walnut for the woods. Next he turned a bishop. He used Phillips head screwdriver as a three-sided skew. A flat head screwdriver is turned into flat skew. He used a skew in which he had rounded off the heel of the skew so that it does not catch. He cuts the head for the knight on the bandsaw. He drills the hole for the mouth from both sides. He then uses sandpaper glued to a wood sanding disc attached to a faceplate to finish shaping the head of the knight. The wood sanding disc has been tapered off on the backside so that the edge is very thin. He used 80, 120 and 180 gritsanding discs that are self-sticking. He uses a dremel tool to drill the eyes after shaping with the sanding disc. He recommends doing the same procedure on all four knight's head before proceeding. He drills a hole in the August 2014 Issue

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base of the knight’s head and then turns the base with a tendon that fits into the hole in the bottom of the knight’s head. The king is marked and the neck turned using the skew with the rounded shoulder. He made the king’s cross out of a piece of dowel with a three-corner tool. He quickly finished the cross by sanding the final shape on his sanding disk. He marks and turns the queen and then forms the points on the queen’s crown with a dremel tool. The rook, sometimes called the castle, - the top is drilled with a slight indention. After turning to shape he used a dremel tool cut the perpendicular cuts to form the bricks on top of the rook. He finished the demonstration just about noon. Some of the members went to lunch planning to return for the afternoon session not realizing that it was over. As I told you he was fast. [

Treasurer’s Report Beginning Balance 5/30/14

$9101.49

Ending Balance as of 6/30/14

$8,999.43

Mentorship Information If you are interested in learning new skills, or improving the skills you have, contact one of these NCW members: Scott Caskey (Iron Station, NC) Sam McDowell (Statesville, NC)

Jim Miles (Cornelius, NC)

704-735-2382 704-871-9801 704-661-0600

Edgar Ingram (Statesville, NC) John Melius (Mooresville, NC)

Don Olsen (Lincolnton, NC)

704-876-4576 704-663-0757 704-735-9335

August Raffle Items By Evanna Brening/Scott Caskey 1/8” Diamond parting tool Thin CA Adhesive (2.5 oz.) #2 MT Chuck 1-1/2” (WT18527) 3" Sponge Pad H&L Medium W/ Spindle Sealtite Wood Sealer PS33 120C 3” No Hole K/O Scalloped disc (50 pk) ¼” bowl gouge (6mm) (Raffle Items are always subject to change from what is posted in the newsletter.)

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Newsletter/Membership/Library News By Beth Parham Newsletter My thanks to Ron Davis for his write up on our presenter and to Tim Simmons for help with the photos of the challenge and gallery items. My apology to Orville Shook for missing photos of his eggoscope and his mahogany vessel. If you will bring them to the meeting, I will be able to get the photos and add to the online version of the gallery photos; I can include them in the next newsletter as well. Had the cards for the items we just missed getting the photos snapped. Library Getting the library digitized is progressing. I am still working toward looking at getting some of the VHS’s converted to DVDs but not progressing rapidly. These have not been checked out in years as they were stored under the cabinet and were not even visible to the members from month to month. When the electronic version of the library contents gets completed, we can see what is being checked out the most and things that may no longer be of interest or use to members. Hopefully this will give good feedback for updating content for the library as turning techniques progress and interests expand. We can work to keep the library current with trends and needs. Membership We were pleased to have Bob Singletary as guest at the June meeting. We had two new members this month: Lee Robbins from Catawba, NC and Thomas Hayes from Hickory, NC. Welcome them to our group. As someone that belongs to multiple organizations, I can say by far that this group is the friendliest one I am associated with – and I’m proud of that fact. Types of Membership and annual pricing. See me at meetings if you want to join or have questions regarding membership. Also, remember that membership entitles you to a 10% discount from Klingspor on all purchases (except wood and things with a plug).  Regular $50/year –   

 Centurion  Lifetime

After April 1st - $45.00; After July 1st - $40.00; After October 1st - $55.00, which includes the following year.

$100/year (paid to NCW Education Fund. Includes special nametag.) $600 one time paid to NCW Education Fund. Includes membership for life and special name tag

 Benefactor

$1,000 one-time paid to NCW Education Fund. Includes honorary membership in NCW (designed for businesses)

2014 Challenge Projects By Scott Caskey

MONTH August

September October November December

August 2014 Issue

CHALLENGE PROJECT Glue it up! Something made from something you glued up Maracas Bracelet / Broach / Jewelry Something you made at Extravaganza Hollow form

SKILLS TARGETED Creativity and using scrap wood from the shop

Sharing our skills with community Hollowing

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2014 Programs (and presenters) By Renhard McLaurin

MONTH August September October November December

PRESENTER Jim Duxbury All you want to know about Wood (AM portion of meeting) Finishing Learn and Turn – Bring a guest! Christmas Party

TOPIC Kaleidoscope Http://www.duxterity.com Inlay (PM port6ion of meeting) TBA Club members – teachers/mentors

Tips, Tricks ‘N Techniques

is a revamped “Beginner’s Corner”. These tips, techniques and suggestions will be of most interest to those members who are in the early stage of their turning career. But we all can benefit from refreshing our memories on various topics. Sometimes we just get in a slump and assume we recall all information. Some articles will be “recycled” tips/techniques from past years of the newsletter (Beginners’ Corner” and new articles as well. Please feel free to submit your questions/suggestions/requests for subjects in this section. Never hurts to knock the dust off our brains from time to time.

Woodturner on Board – Tips, Tricks ‘N Techniques (for the new turner but good review for all)

“Beginner’s Corner” by Robert Gulley, Woodturning Design magazine, August 2014 (used with permission)

Woodturning, as for many things in life, is a lifelong learning process. Some of the best turners around, will often talk about what they have been learning, or studying, even after all these years. That old line about ‘he has forgotten more than I will ever know’ surely applies here – and they continue to learn and explore. This segment is to help us examine how we develop a mindset of continual learning as well as keeping the hobby fresh. INSPIRATION Inspiration comes in many forms; it is different for different people. One of the most natural forms of inspiration is seeing something that draws one’s interest. Most of us probably got into woodturning in the same way – we saw a demonstration of turning and there was an instant attraction. Some of us even were other wood hobbyists. Robert Gulley was drawing to turning which can produce a piece in several hours where other woodworking can takes days or more. Club demonstrations by club members or special presentations from outside turners as well as what we see in our galleries at the meetings are also great sources of inspiration. Sometimes woodworking stores may have demonstrations. Schools, seminars, symposiums are available – although pricey and sometimes at a distance – may seek scholarships or make a vacation trip out of these items. (Editor’s comment: I’m lucky enough to have a spouse that is supportive of us funding ½ and of obtaining a scholarship for the other ½ of a weeklong Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts workshop.) A search of the AAW site will bring almost thirty different schools in the US alone. There are numerous professional woodturners who offer instruction whether through studio classes or adjunct classes tied in with an area club, community college. You do not have to search far for opportunities to learn in person or at hands-on classes – or by working with our own club mentors and members.

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BEYOND THE BASICS The article’s emphasize on learning is beyond the basics of learning – how to hold a tool, how to sharpen, etc. There are projects of every kind to challenge your skills. Robert considers developing a learning mindset to be every bit as important to beginning turners as tool manipulations, lathe basics, and wood selection. You can attend seminar after seminar, class after class; but you have to go home and put into practice what you have learned. The same holds true for books – there are numerous technique books on the market, but they have to be studied and followed. Learning comes by doing, every bit as much as it does by hearing. Often, we hear and see others and learn quite a bit, but if we never put these lessons into practice, we have no really learned anything in the long run. [Have we ever heard from any presenter “Practice, Practice, Practice”? Well we have to do that, not just hear it or say it.] The good news about this kind of learning-by-doing is that we are following a long tradition of the masters of any field – curiosity, dedication, and the pursuit of perfection is what drives anyone who masters a craft. Does it sound strange to be taking about mastering a craft in a beginner’s column? I hope not, because this is where the groundwork is laid for future advancement. At the risk of sounding similar to a late-night real estate investment infomercial, each of us can find an aspect of the turning hobby in which to become good enough to teach others (I’ll come back to the benefits of teaching later!). Notice I did not say we can (or should) all become professional turners. Becoming a professional turner is a separate issue involving a whole range of other skills not even related to turning. I am talking about becoming an excellent turner simply for the love of the hobby. “I DREAM OF TURNING” Bear with me for a few moments as I explore a few ideas with regard to gaining a teachable mind-set. Do you dream of turning? I do not mean actual dreams about turning, but daydreaming about turning is perfectly normal. When looking at a hunk of wood, does it inspire thoughts of bowls or platters or pens? When looking at a professional turner’s piece, does it get the wheels turning inside the brain to try a project? Far too often, new turners think they will never be capable of recreating something they see at a symposium or club meeting. With a bit of knowledge, practice and persistence, there is not much that cannot be learned. Robert became fascinated with hollowforms after seeing several presentations on the subject, as well as viewing some of the masters. The class was led by a professional turner who happens to specialize in hollowforms; so, when the opportunity arose to take the class, he was excited. Five days later when Robert returned home from the school and did a showand-tell for his wife of his hollowform adventure, he brought out the first piece and described the wood – she was impressed (until he turned it around and showed her where he blew out the side by letting the wall get too think). He showed her his second piece to her great appreciation, but sadly this one became too thin at the base – he had blown through the bottom. (Seeing a pattern here?) The third piece had beautiful gran and shape, but the hole in August 2014 Issue

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the side was a bit disconcerting. Then the fourth piece (with incredible gran and pattern) had beautiful knots in the wood, giving it an imperfect form that was still intriguing. When he turned it around and showed his wife, it was a completed hollowform with sides and bottom intact. He was so proud of that piece and the learning that took place went far beyond just how to produce a hollowform. Robert reminded himself how patient he needed to be with himself – my technique, design sense, understanding of wood, and so on. He could actually produce something of beauty even as a beginner. This is something that is so easy to forget – regardless of how long we have been turners, we are all beginners every time we try something new. Turning a bowl is different than turning a platter, and turning a hollowform is different than turning a cowboy hat. Whenever you try something new, there is always a learning curve, always a series of mistakes, and always a lot of wood wasted; however, wood used in learning to turn is never really wasted! LEARNING TO THINK LIKE A TURNER Learning to think like a turner is as important to one’s long-term growth as learning a new technique or getting the “perfect” lathe. Learning to think like a turner means learning to recognize potential in both the wood and in oneself. Learn to visualize cuts and techniques, the same way an athlete visualizes for his/her sport. Good turners develop muscle memory because they turn constantly. Eventually, that muscle memory also helps them feel the wood as they are turning and their movements become almost instinctive in responding to changes in the wood. This may seem far above your present abilities, but it is not too early to begin thinking like a turner with each piece. Do not rush through even something as “simple” as roughing down a piece – there are lessons to be learned and engraved on the brain with every piece. The old saying is “familiarity breeds contempt”, but for the turner – just as for the musician who plays scales endlessly for practice – every piece roughed down means just that much more learned and that much more muscle memory developed. In fact, I would suggest beginning turners rough down as many pieces in a row as possible before working on finishing a piece. Develop a good stack of roughouts in various stages of drying so that roughing out a bowl becomes second nature. The added benefit to this process will be numerous bowls or platters or pens ready to be turned into finished pieces. Just as practicing roughing down bowl after bowl teaches good roughing skills, finishing bowl after fowl will develop good skills for shaping and finishing cuts. If you only turn a piece here and there, much of the progress gained will be lost before the next opportunity to turn. (The balance of the article is on pages 36-37 of Woodturning Design.) TEACHING Teaching is something Robert highly recommends as a means of becoming a lifelong learner. Nothing gets people on their game faster than when they have to show someone else how to do something. If you believe something is exciting, so will others. Enthusiasm for your hobby leads to teach others so they can have the same fun. Sharing your passion is not only beneficial to others, but it also causes real growth and more than a little bit of satisfaction for the teacher. In fact, one of the best motivations for learning something is when a person needs to teach someone else – it is a great way to challenge yourself. August 2014 Issue

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Nothing cements a technique firmly in the mind and body better than when it is learned by an individual and then immediately taught to someone else. Be a teacher who is always willing to share passion and excitement, but never ever be a “know-it-all.” Folks will respond to passion – it is just how we are build. I cannot resist putting in a plug for teaching family members and, in particular, young people. Obviously you must have a certain level of proficiency before teaching someone else, but you need not be a master yourself. Once tools can be handled confidently and all the functions of the lathe are understood well, the learning can be a shared experience. Not only does this tend to motivate us, but the folks we introduce to turning are able to see the excitement we have, and that certainly can be contagious. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert Gulley is a retired minister and adjunct college professor who is also full-time caretaker and minister to his wife, Jennifer, who has Multiple Sclerosis; they live in Ohio and he has taught numerous woodturning classes at the local Woodcraft store. He’s been turning since 2001. “One of the most incredible aspects of turning wood is discovering a small part of the artistry of God as the mysteries of the wood are revealed. We join in that artistry as we uncover the form and figure of the final piece. I believe the artistry of God has the ability to touch the very core of our souls.” He and I have exchanged emails and I have his permission to incorporate his “Beginner’s Corner” column contents in our newsletter as I need. Thanks to Robert.

Challenge Project Photos By Scott Caskey

Robert Bynum Walnut Dean Wright – Maple (L); Maple (R)

Harold Lineberger

Ric Moffatt – Bradford Pear

Ron Davis - Cedar Tim Simmons - Maple

John Logsdon - Birch

Brad Angel - Walnut Orville Shook – Mahogany (L); Plastic (R) Ken Hunt – Bradford Pear August 2014 Issue

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Gallery Photos By Scott Caskey

Beth Parham – Mixed wood square plate & bowl Renhard McLaurin– Composite Bowl

Edgar Ingram – White Oak

Edgar Ingram Spalted Maple

Dan Greaser Ambrosia Maple Tim Simmons – Mixed wood square plate & bowl

Stoney Stone Coasters – Holly, Walnut & Mahogany

Renhard McLaurin Urns – Ambrosia Maple

Stoney Stone Plate – Purpleheart, Ebony & Maple

Max Schronce Maple

Brad Angel Maple

August 2014 Issue

Brad Angel Maple

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Jerry Ostrander – Cherry Burl

Harold Lineberger Streptohedrons 2 walnut and 1 pine

Max Schronce Cedar

Jerry Ostrander – Cherry Burl

Jerry Ostrander Cherry Burl

2014 Officers and Board of Directors OFFICERS President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Renhard McLaurin

(704) 838-0099

Brent Cook

(704) 990-6995

Last year of term (term expires 2014)

VP/ Program Chair

Mike Mills

Treasurer

Bruce Whipple

(704) 483-7315

Gene Parham

(828) 294-4001

Last year of term (term expires 2014)

Ed Mackey

(704) 537-2997

2nd year of term (term expires 2015)

Secretary Journal Editor

Beth Parham

(828) 294-4001

Jerry Long

(704) 483-9460

2nd year of term (term expires 2015)

Website Director

Mike Mills

(704) 483-7315

Tim Simmons

(828) 726-1599

1st year of term (term expires 2016)

Past President

Evanna Brening

(704) 740-8026

Tom Denne st

(828) 584-0890

1 year of term (term expires 2016)

August 2014 Issue

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North Carolina WOODTURNERS

August 9, 2014 Remember, our regular meetings are always on the second Saturday of the month 10 pm – 4 pm (with lunch on your own at 12)

Klingspor’s Woodworking Shop 856 21st Street Drive Hickory, NC unless otherwise noted in the Journal.

Working with the woodturning is very addictive. “Cause once you make something, it’s like you can make something else.”

North Carolina Woodturners C/o Beth Parham 2154 Frye Avenue Hickory, NC 28602

August 2014 Issue

(Jerry Measimer)