Artistic Woodturners
June 2007 Newsletter

  That month sure went by fast, at least for me. We are now into the months ahead for collecting a new supply of wood, its called hurricane season. I would prefer another season like last year.

  Remember this month the club will be having the exchange of bowls and such, remember to bring something you are proud of for the exchange. Start your collection of other members’ turnings.

The demonstration for this month will be on shop related ideas. Al McCoy will show you how to clean your lathe, dress your tool rest and other related items for keeping your lathe in good working order. Al will be doing a tool sharpening demonstration and why he believes you need a system with repeatable results. You need a grind that you can achieve every time you go to the grinder. Mike Peters and Al will show you how to set up a wolverine grind attachment to achieve consistency. There will be a segment on how to put a burr on a scraper, how to hone and use a burnishing tool. James McClure will be showing you how to make a “Pyramid Tool” and how to use it.                                 

  The committee has come up with a new clean up program. The clean up has been up to the same few every people every month and they want to encourage others to help. It will work like this every time you help your name will go into a pot for a drawing. The drawing will be held at the annual Christmas party. The prize for the winner has not been selected as of this writing. We will be coming up with something before the end of the year. The committee said either cash or a tool. Please help.

  We will strive to have the meetings ending before 12 noon. We know that you all have other things to do so we will try to conform to the hours of 9-12 each meeting. The only exceptions to this will be if we have a paid demonstrator, or some of you want some hands on help then you will be required to help keep the meeting place shaped up.

  If you would like to go to the Mobile Museum of Arts on 14 June around 1200pm  please contact either Al McCoy or Leland Leonard they are car pooling and have room for three more, if we have more we will need another person to drive.   We want to leave early enough to spend time at the museum and not be rushed. The entry fee is $10 payable at the door.

  See you at the meeting.                                                      

Photos from last meeting the
Robert McBroom Demo

We had a large turn out some new faces. Some not so new.



James last meeting as our President. Thank You for a very good job. Thanks to Mike Peters for volunteering for the job of President of the AWT Chapter 177. He was well received by the members we know you will do a great job.


Show and Tell Table examples of the clubs progression, some different types of turnings. Remember this month will be the Exchange for your turnings. Bring your best for the test.


Frank Buchanan turns a very nice bowl thanking everyone that has helped him along the way. Frank has turned spindles for years and says bowl turning takes some different techniques.


Here George uses several techniques for this piece. Lidded Box, Footed bottom and Dyed, good idea.


Frank Dubose shows off his first turned item thanks to George McClure his  mentor. Keep the lathe turning the only way to learn this endeavor, is by turning turning and more turning.


Jack shows us his stave turning very good, I must try one some time.


Bill Morris shows off a natural edge bowl from a piece of Pecan he found along the road. Another piece of fine wood from mother nature. This is one way to find turning materials and not have to stockpile pieces of wood. You might check out the next pile of wood you see along the road you never know what you may pick up.


Good to see OB turning in a great bowl. Looks like he toned down his shirt thanks to Sue and her new sewing machine. He must have put the flowers in his garden or on one of his pierced vases. Good luck on your new adventure keep in touch.


Leland shows his collection of lighthouses and a few bowls thrown in. He has become a turning fool during his off time from furniture making. Busy guy.


Frank Strong turns in a lidded box his first one. He said that he bought the wood at our auction and someone said that it would make a nice lidded box and here it is. Great looking lidded box. Keep them coming.


Dan Lovelace shows off a piece of wood he said he just loves the wood and finishes it like this just to enjoy the beauty of the wood. He told us if he sees a tree standing on someone else's  property he will go and give them his business card and says, "if you ever cut that tree down give me a call" Good Idea.


Dan said he completed this form after some few years had passed working on it then laying it aside. His son encouraged him to complete it. A Walnut Hollow form turned out well.


Here James explains his contribution to this S&T he has been turning up a storm. Most of the turnings are made from the Chinese Tallow tree better known as the Popcorn Tree. It must be his new Stubby Lathe.


Nice pattern on the wood. That is one thing you never know till you are finished.


Dyed sample of his work. Maybe we can get him to demo this technique sometime.

Robert McBroom's turnings, samples of the pieces he puts in the shows he attends. Robert makes useable things at a reasonable price that sells. Nice collection.


Introducing Robert for those that have not met him before, no he isn't sleeping some times the flash catches a blinking of the eye and this time it is closed.


Robert prepares a piece of wood for his demo using a roughing gouge to round out the stock. Robert went on to make a top, bird house, a hairpin, and a Christmas tree ornament. We all enjoyed his demo. He makes the things we like to turn.


Robert makes his tops out of one piece of wood without using dowel rods


Making a ladies hair pin from a scrap of wood.


Hollowing out a bird house from a piece of cedar.


Half of the ornament being hollowed out.


Turning the finials after the ball has been glued together and rings burned in for decoration.

Thank You, Robert for the great demo on the items you turned. The photographer must have been asleep behind the camera missing some of the details of this event, I'll have a little talk with him to pay more attention next month.