November Meeting

When:
MONDAY November 11
(Not Tuesday December 12)

Program
Christmas Ornament Demo on Bird Houses by Dennis Lillis

President's challenge:
Crochet hooks
(or other treen not shared with WBW this year)
Treen is small handmade functional household items made of wood. Examples candlesticks, rolling pins, egg cups, goblets, spoons, pepper mills, corkscrews, darning mushrooms, needle cases, bottle stoppers, and honey dippers.

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

Upcoming Events

Tuesday December 10
Holiday party and gift exchange

October 2019 - Crochet Hooks by Mike Lanahan

Mike Lanahan - master of crochet hooks
Mike spent the evening getting us hooked on crochet hooks.
Mike made the point that crochet hooks are symbiotic to pepper grinders.
If you will remember, Mike is also master of pepper grinders.
Another point, wooden crochet hooks are 'feel good' in the hooker's hands.
'Commercial metal hooks are cold, soulless, and not friendly for long use or arthritic hands.
Fiber artists appreciate the craftsmanship and warmth of handmade wood hooks.'
See Mike's presentation                         See the meeting photos.

David Ellsworth Demonstration Saturday October 19 2019

It is always a treat to have David Ellsworth show us 'how to'.
Some might call him the father of modern woodturning and he has the look.
His works have been included in the permanent collections of forty-three museums, he has written numerous articles and books and he is the founding member of the American Association of Woodturners. During the day, he turned three pieces.
A bowl allowed him to show us in detail how to use the gouge with the Ellswort grind.
A natural edge turning gave us a look at the fine points of dealing with the edge.
A hollow form allowed him to show the use of his famous hollwing tools. But this hollow form was different...a natural edge hollow form. Who ever heard of such a thing!
See demonstration photos

David Ellsworth Hands-on Class Sunday October 13 2019

Eight SVW and WBW members had an opportunity to spend a day with one of the AAW founders and one of the finest turners you will meet, David Ellsworth. David explained his grind, demonstrated the different cuts he makes, how he makes his tenons and why. He wrapped up showing his hollowing tools and talked about his handles. Everyone had a good time.
Photos and commentary by David Vannier

See hands-on photos

"As the Wood Turns" by Dave Vannier

A little while ago, Bob Bley talked about how he took care of some powder post bugs he had in a large piece that he had made. My solution had always been to just pitch wood when I found them. But, I had a large maple burl cap that I was debating about how to cut and use for oh maybe 7 or 8 years. You know, that infamous "will wood". I was looking at it as I sorted out some wood, and notice the tell tale dust. Great. That is an expensive waste. I decided I needed to try to salvage it. Off to research solutions. I learned we have two kinds of bugs, one that likes soft woods, and one that likes hardwoods. Guess that is good, as it means it isn't going after the plywood floor in my shop. One suggested solution was to freeze them. So, I roughed a piece out, talked with my wife who found a large zip lock bag, and threw it in the freezer for a week. The good news is, it worked! So, I roughed the rest and in the freezer it goes. Was a nice piece of burl, but now has a few holes created by those pests.

Moral of the story, use wood you buy/get or give it away.

I was reading an interview with Dale Larson, someone I have had the pleasure of getting to know through our work with AAW. Dale said always go look at wood when it is offered. He frequently didn't take any, but you never know when it will just be some special wood. Keep the best stuff and rough it right away. Give the rest away as you can't turn all you get. I'm sure we have all got wood that is too good for us to turn, and we sit on it. So, let me encourage all of you to turn it, don't save it.

If you need a good occasion or reason to make that nice piece, remember December is all but on us. Our annual potluck and turning exchange is coming up fast. This is an opportunity to make a special turning that you can give to a fellow member, and receive a nice turning from someone else. I have several nice pieces as a collection from the gift exchanges. I started work on a piece a month ago. Got to get back on it!

For those that are new, our December meeting is a potluck, gift exchange, and ornament raffle. The club provides turkey, mash potatoes, gravy, and water. We meet at Richard Winslow's church, so no alcohol please. Richard has reserved the church for the 2nd Tuesday in December. We should have a sign up list at the November meeting for your potluck item. The gift exchange is simple. It must be a turning that you made. If you have a guest and wish to also make a turning for them, you can do that as well. Please wrap your gift, but don't make it impossible to get open. We will hand out tickets for all that participate. No, you do not have to participate. Then, we will draw a ticket. That member will draw a ticket and give his/her gift to that member. We take your picture with the new owner of your turning, and continue the process. With the last piece going to the first person. Members are encourage to make and donate ornaments which are hung on a small tree and then raffled off. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or 5 for $20. The money raised pays for the costs of this meeting. Look for more info at the November meeting.

Dave
www.daves-turned-art.com

2019 WBW board members and committee chairs

President:  Barry & Laura Uden
Vice President: Bob Bley
Treasurer:  Duncan MacMillan
Secretary:  Roman Chernikov
Member at Large: Gordon Peterson
Meeting Program Coordinator: Bob Hedges
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 & Newsletter:  Tom Haines

click here for contact information on the above

Any comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.