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 video demonstrations from Richard Raffan, the AWGB lets teach turning DVD and part of Colin Simpson’s demo at Cheam on 12th April. Judging by the amount of wood chips needing to be swept up a lot of planing was achieved. About 20 volunteers emerged with all shapes of skew chisels to make wood shavings. There were a few catches, some vibration and occasional enlightenment. It seemed that those who had a go enjoyed themselves. A few progressed to beads and we seemingly ran out of time for spindle gouge work. Thanks to the more experienced members for one to one advice and thankfully the first aid box was not required on the night.