2017 – Cheam Woodturners Association

December 2017

When Shaun last visited Cheam in September 2014 he amazed members by turning a winged bowl from a 350 x 200 x 150mm blank of Sycamore. Shaun noted that he only did short bed work turning bowls and hollow forms. For his demonstra- tion on this visit he had brought a piece of green Mulberry with a crotch in it from which he was going to turn a winged crotch bowl. By looking at the work piece it was difficult to visualise what the end result would be. Prior to the meeting Shaun had used a chain...

November 2017

When Chris visits Cheam he makes multi-part objects, and in doing so brings with him a multi- tude of jigs and the like from his Aladdin’s cave of equipment. Chris did not disappoint with his doughnut flower vase demon- stration. The vase had five primary com- ponents. A doughnut, ball and two cones in wood plus a glass test tube. Time constraints meant that Chris could not demonstrate the vase from beginning to end; however, what members were shown were the key elements of how to turn and asse...

October 2017

Kevin Hutson’s Candlestick at the September meeting - Report by Richard Hoodless After giving details of his turning career Kevin told us that when he tried selling items to a gallery the owner said that he needed to develop his own individual style so he decided to make square edged bowls, boxes and candle sticks.

August 2017

The focus of Mark’s demonstration was to show the techniques he employs when turning branch wood or small diameter logs. After explaining some of the considerations a turner must think about when using unprepared blanks Mark started on his first piece of the evening out of a length of wet mediterranean pine to turn a natural edge goblet. After examining the piece of pine, to identify any flaws in the wood,Mark removed large pieces of bark to prevent them flying off when turning begins. .

July 2017

At the June meeting we turned a three sided vase from a cube, first offered to the club by Colin Simpson during his all day demonstration on 12th April this year. There were 36 members at this hands on demonstration compared with 33 members attending last year in June. The most important part of this demonstration is to make sure time is taken to place the cube between centres so that each of the three corners of the vase are in the same position on the tool rest when the cube is revolved. Onc...

June 2017

Richard Findley’s visit to Cheam is his fourth and on this occasion members were treated to a demonstration on how to turn a three-legged stool. The stool being made was relatively small so following feedback from members it was agreed that it could either be a child’s stool or a foot stool. Size was not of importance as Richard’s aim was to show how to turn the individual components and the technique for assembling them which could be applied to a stool of any size. Joinery quality pine was to ...

May 2017

For the first time in a long time we have had a hands on evening! The plan was to practice with a skew chisel. Many of us have seen professionals, having practiced for hours, control a skew and produce planing cuts and beads at speed and with accuracy. But can we do this when we get in our workshops? The plan was that members bring their own skew chisels and with all three club lathes out, we were to watch the videos and then copy the techniques ourselves. We were able to watch and listen to v...

April 2017

An excellent day was had by all at the Dig In demonstration with Colin Simpson. The all day demonstration on Sunday 12th March was a great success. It was the first time we have witnessed some of our experienced turners saying that they had never heard some of the things Colin had to say. Colin passed on a wealth of knowledge which members of all abilities benefited from. Colin stated the demonstration was for beginners, explaining the use of various tools in great detail. Showin...

February 2017

On 15th February we welcome demonstrator Phil Jones who can be found at www.acornwoodturning.co.uk. We have a free for members all day demonstration by Colin Simpson on Sunday March 12th, followed by the club meeting on March 15th where Tony Cliffe will demonstrate an introduction to ornamental woodturning. Peter explained in his demonstration the way in which he wet turns, seasons and finishes dishes. He described how timber, after it is wet turned, changes its initial shape during the se...

January 2017

On 18th January we have our AGM followed by an open forum, and a demonstration by Peter Westermann. On 15th February we are pleased to be welcoming Jason Breach. The Frank Clarke Competition took precedence at the Christmas meeting. The Committee provided refreshments, with the winners of the Frank Clarke competition being announced towards the end of the evening followed by the raffle and a quiz by Trevor Etherington. Thirty seven members attended the Xmas social. There was a larger numbe...