November Meeting

When:
Tuesday, November 13, 7 pm

Program
Barry Uden - natural edge with bark

President's challenge:
Sam Angelo's gilt or metal reactive paint on a turning

Location:
Bridges Community Church
625 Magdalena Ave, Los Altos
Directions

Upcoming Events

Tuesday December 11
WBW Holiday dinner and party

March 15 2019 >> March 17
Oregon Woodturning Symposium
Location: Albany, Oregon

October 2018 meeting: Harvey Klein - Christmas ornaments

Harvey made two ornaments, a snow-man and a bell. He showed us the tools he uses, how to chuck, how to decorate, how to finish and connection details.
His finish was a combination of shellac, alcohol and linseed oil.
His paint was purchased at Michael's (see photo).
Thanks Harvey. You gave us great incentive.
See demo photos here
See Meeting photos here

A Story by Bob Bley - "Breaking Records"

Breaking Records

My time in the shop is precious these days. So, I try to make the best of it. There are many reasons I love being in there. I certainly get lost when things are going well, sometimes frustrated, often challenged and I end up with a few nice things... sometimes.

I'm not usually into breaking records but I just broke two records simultaneously. There was a piece in my shop for well over a year that had already been turned into a hollow form, with a threaded opening waiting for a top. It had fractal burning and a little bit of turquoise inlay. I don't think I ever had a partially finished piece sitting around that long. I spent a bit over a year staring at that thing trying to figure out what I was going to top it off with. I finally got around to it after getting around to a few other pieces first. I ended up making a very delicate Blackwood finial that I was quite proud of. It was on top of a Blackwood threaded top to match the curves of the hollow form.

So I finished it last night, polished it up with the three step Beall system and was very impressed and so was my wife who is my favorite critic. For some reason, I put it back in the shop. I woke up in the morning and while getting ready for a bike ride, I had a bicycle mechanical problem. For some stupid reason I put the bicycle upside down on the bench right next to the finished turning. That voice we have all heard saying "this is not a great idea" spoke to me but I did not listen. I bet you can see where this is now going.

So, yes, bicycle falls over, takes the hollow form with it, it hits the ground, breaks the finial in half and breaks the finial out of the top, breaks the threads, and cracks the hollow form right in half! Second record broken: that is the shortest amount of time from completely finishing a piece to destroying it by accident that I have ever experienced.

So in the end, I learned a lesson that it's just stuff when we're done making it but the experience of getting lost in the process of producing it is maybe more important (and to listen to that voice next time). It's like the monks working on a sand painting and spending all that focused energy adding beauty while trying not to ruin anything. Then, they drop their bicycle across the sand and wipe it all out. Except I do not think monks scream the same profanities that came out of me when that happened. It was not a Zen experience in the moment. Maybe next time.

So enjoy your time in the shop as it's just as important as the beautiful things that come out of it. And don't try to break these records.

Bob

Editor's note: We all like to read stories, even the tragic ones, especially if we learn from it. So, if you have a story, send it in. We would like to publish it.

AAW Tip of the Week

Buttons for Jumbo/Cole Jaws

"Sometimes when using my jumbo/Cole-type jaws to finish the bottom of a bowl, I find the standard buttons are not tall enough. Looking around for something else to use, I noticed synthetic wine corks and decided to try them. I drilled through them on my lathe, held in a set of small spigot jaws. I added some M6-1 x 50mm bolts and the new, longer buttons work super. I have since discovered a commercial product similar to my idea, but mine uses something that would otherwise be thrown away, is fun to obtain (drink responsibly), and costs about $2. Also, they leave no black or other colored marks on the surface of the wood." ~ Don Orr Schenectady, NY

2018 WBW board members and committee chairs.

President:  Bud Trapp
Vice President: Bob Bley
Treasurer:  Duncan MacMillan
Secretary:  Roman Chernikov
Member at Large: David Vannier
Meeting Program Coordinator team:
- Harvey Klein, Dave Plemons, Richard Winslow, Claude Godcharles
Visiting artist Coordinator:  Bob Bley
Anchor seal:  Dennis Lillis
CA Glue:  Tom Kenyon
Craft Supply:  Richard Winslow
Coffee & Cookies:  Phil Feiner
Librarian: Bob Hedges
Audio Visual: Curtis Vose
Website:  Tom Haines

click here for contact information on the above