April 7th, 2022, Carl’s class on remedial trigonometry 101 was a success as every member learned the proper angle of attack when using a scraper or gouge to avoid getting “hit in the face” with wood or a tool handle! Carl demonstrated cutting a rolling pin on a laminated maple blank.
March 3rd, 2022, Doug discussed “From a Log to a Bowl” including how to choose the right tool for the job and which part of the log is best for bowls.
February 12th, 2022, Damon did a fine demonstration on coloring pieces with water based dyes in multiple layers. The role and need for multiple layers of added color was emphasized. There were 17 attendees which was a good turn out for a nice Saturday morning, so the topic was well received. Here are a couple pictures from the session, showing the progression when color is over-layered on the prior coloring. The goal was a sunset sky over water, in accord with the grain pattern in the wood.
July 10, 2021: Members were invited to join Damon in his woodturning studio for a follow-up on all those pine bowls he turned two sessions ago. He showed us various ways to remove a tenon and finish the bowl bottoms with methods that will work well for novices and advanced turners alike, including how to hold wood securely with an assortment of live centers and jamb chucks as well as the use and value of vacuum chucking. The session ran more than an hour with plenty of questions and answers afterwards.
May 6, 2021: Appearing for the third time from his Austin, TX studio, Craig Timmerman mesmerized our eyeballs with his secret method for creating spheres in an intentional size. There are many different ways to turn spheres, so Craig covered the technique he finds the easiest and the most flexible. With this technique you can make many things other than a solid sphere, such as sphere boxes, hollow spheres, candle holders, and ball-in-ball designs. PDF handouts on his website include Turning Spheres and Turning Sphere Boxes.
April 1, 2021: Our own INW club member Don Scott tackled a gritty subject: sanding and finishing. As he promised, he was not at all abrasive as he gave the history, materials, types, uses and tools associated with this vital turning tool. From 002 grit to 12,000 grit, turners take no shortcuts to produce the finest finishes. Thanks to Don, and to Ron Valley for the use of his fine Zoom studio!
March 4, 2021: All the way from upstate New York, renowned woodturner Phil Rose presented his unique turning methods for “split turnings.” Phil specializes in fantastic presentations on how to turn routine platers and bowl forms into unique works of art. A sample of his method can be seen by clicking on this LINK to his IRD page, and scrolling down to the “Split Turning Teaser” video on the left toward the bottom. Also check out his Dragon’s Rose Studio on his website.
February 4, 2021: Member Ron Valley demonstrated, via Zoom from his garage shop, construction of his unique jigs and their use for mounting a router for embellishment of vases and platters with fluted design. Fluting is a super useful embellishment technique, used perhaps most on spindle turnings such as vases or table legs. This is a technique available to turners of any skill level to augment their turnings, and this demonstration touched on many aspects of the multi-step process. Handout can be found in Member Resources. Read more on his handout here!
January 7, 2021: Guest demonstrator Kirk DeHeer of Craft Supplies gave our large Zoom audience a full 3 hours of learning and discussion on tool sharpening and grinders. We had more than 40 attendees and had ample time for questions (we were FULL of questions!) and helpful answers by Kirk; something for everyone. Kirk mentioned the new series of “Woodturning 101” videos that Craft Supplies USA is producing and which are accessible on their website HERE. The first 2 out of a potential 6 are ready for viewing on YouTube. He also referenced the “Woodturning Notes” pamphlet produced by Allan Batty several years ago. It includes guidelines for sharpening skew chisels and can be downloaded in PDF format for free from their website, HERE.
December 3, 2020: Member Damon did a wonderful presentation on multi-axis turning. He filled in with essentially no notice when the scheduled demonstrator was ill. Damon’s multiaxis work, including his spectacular fish turnings can be seen on the Members’ Gallery page.
November 5, 2020: Texas-based Craig Timmerman returned with a highly anticipated interactive remote demonstration (IRD) from his studio shop on Zoom. He introduced multi axis turning by producing beautiful weed pots. Very useful demo with many tips and additional information in response to questions from our large group of attendees.
October 1, 2020: Members Ron Valley and Carl Bodenstein presented on scrapers. Good references can be found on the YouTube videos made by Brian Havens, an excellent turner and teacher. Click HERE for one of them.
September 3, 2020: Member Doug Eaton presented on how to prepare a log to be a bowl blank.
August 6, 2020: We welcomed professional turner Craig Timmerman for an interactive remote demonstration (IRD) on winged and footed bowls. Fascinating photos of some of his work can be seen by clicking HERE. and by searching his name on YouTube. Craig is an experienced and remarkable turner who specializes in the native mesquite of his home state of Texas. His use of equipment for Zoom presentations is also professionally done. Complete session Video and Reference lists can be accessed by members on our Members Resources page by clicking HERE.
July 18, 2020: The team of Alan and Lauren Zenreich gave an IRD on turning and embellishing pendants. Their reference materials are on the INW Members Resources page HERE.
June 4, 2020: Trent Bosch, nationally renowned turner and tool maker, presented bowl turning and bowl embellishment techniques. He also offers IRDs on his own webcasting site HERE.
May 7, 2020: Damon demonstrated his buffing technique and tools using the Beale Buffing System. Members can review Damon’s PDF handout on buffing in the INW Members Resources page HERE.