There were 14 or 15 members present including a guest and one new member. John Weaver was generous in supporting our meeting through the use of his shop. His pup Abbey stayed through out to lend encouragement to anyone distracted enough to offer a pet or a rub.
We made a slight correction in the Itinerariy to accommodate Bill J. who had a previous pickle ball commitment. Bill showed his almost complete hexagonal box with a tumbling block top of walnut, cherry and maple. Bill has committed to show the finished product next meeting. Bill did a wonderful job creating a truly inspirational and useful piece.
Brian started the mini clinics demonstrating sharpening a plane iron with his Tormek wet sharpening system followed with a diamond hone . He produced an extremely sharp edge in less than an hour.
Chris followed with a demonstration of the Stay Sharp system for sharpening bench chisels that included three grits and finishing with a leather strop and rouge. Chis produced an extremely sharp edge in a matter of moments however this is a system who’s strength is limited to standard bench chisels of various widths. John Ragland added he has included a CBN wheel to his Stay Sharp system that substantially simplified the process.
Chris Geiger Sharpening Using Stay Sharp
Doug McCullough demonstrated sharpening turning tools. There was some debate about the Doug’s preference for cutting angle that was latter determined to be about 55 degrees. Doug produced a very sharp cutting tool in a very short period of time emphasizing he is able to maintain his desired sharpness with an occasional touch up and not a regrind. Doug also removes the heel opposite the cutting edge to enable cutting in a bowl with a smaller radius. He also sharpened a spindle gouge and a skew.
Chris followed up the sharpening mini clinics with a riveting demonstration of creating curved panels in three different ways for the final mini clinic of the night. His demonstration included a curved panel of solid wood staves creating a circle of which sections can be extracted creating a curved panel. In this method the panel must have a linear radius. This panel was held together with rubber bands in the glue up process.
The next method also created the panel from solid wood staves. These staves were ripped at a specific angle (7 and 9 degrees) and then connected with cables running through 1/8 inch holes drilled through the staves 1 1/2 inches from each end of the stave. These cables were then tightened creating a smooth and rigid S curve of two different radius. The final method included using two layers of flexible plywood , improperly referred to as wacky wood by a misguided member that may have been Brian and or John, pressed together in a mold to create a rigid panel appropriate for veneer. Please feel free to contact Chris for details.
We finished our shop time with our traditional Show and tell segment. John W showed an amazing method of finishing the croquet balls created by himself and Steve C. He also demonstrated how to buff out a dulled oil finished ball using the Beal Buffing system. Ed H. showed an interesting collection of bottle stoppers he created. Steve C. impressed everyone with his bowl turning skills as demonstrated with a small soft pine bowl.
We all departed for dinner at our back up, Palmetto, around 7:00 pm.
Steve spent 25 minutes of his 15 minute time slot demonstrating how everyone can and should update their data on our web page. He also reviewed how to upload images into our gallery. Everyone agreed Steves work on the web page is great and offers a wonderful vehicle for us to communicate and share the fruits of our labors, our ideas, opportunities and lessons as well as everyone’s favorite Chris’s screwups. Steve also reviewed the video show and tell of creations to large to bring or no longer physically available. There were a number of items shown highlighted by John R’s tool box he made for his very fortunate grandson. I do apologize for leaving some of the inspiring creations out of this post but encourage everyone to review the gallery to look for the many new additions.
Ed H, our senior VP, director, and Chief Officer of Membership initiatives, community initiatives, social outings, woodworking Guild outings and pen making, reviewed his progress on his many activities. Ed is in the process of creating preparations for everyone’s favorite social outing too include spouses , A GUIDED TOUR OF PLANT RIVERSIDE, DINNER AND DRINKS INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION. details to follow. By far the most requested LWG outings was a visit to Earl Ginn studios. Ed has had a bit of a struggle putting this together however I am confident he will persevere. If not the the following LWG outings were requested in decending order of popularity, Saw Mill, Randy Wood Guitar and pool cue maker.
Brian R. our senior VP of mini clinics, guest presenters and group project projects enlightened everyone with his progress on his many responsibilities. Brian has completed the details for our first guest presenter the World renowned wood carving artist Mary May. She is scheduled for May 7 in John Weavers shop. Mary will provide tools to borrow, you may choose to bring your own or you may choose to purchase a recommended beginners set. The cost of this full day class will be approximately $70.00 , a bargain at twice the price. There is room for a couple more participants, please let Brian know right away if you would like to join in the fun.
Brian has also put together a great group project headed up by our official jewelry box expert, John Ragland. John will guide the group through the design and creation of a unique work of art sure to become a family heirloom that will be enjoyed by generations. Sign up now to participate and create something deeply endearing. It would be unfortunate if your wife found out you choose to not be endearing.
John Weaver and Steve Chaplin will be responsible for the display cabinet change over, April 6. The cabinet will include a theme that includes the creation of the Croquet balls and mallet as well as a scattering of other creations.
PLEASE NOTE WE ARE IN SEACH OF SHOP HOSTS FOR OUR UPCOMING MEETINGS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
THE JUNE CABINET WILL BE ENTIRELY OURS. PLEASE BE PREPARED TO ADD SOMETHING.
IF THERE IS A MINI CLINIC YOU WOULD FIND MOST ENJOYABLE PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ASK.