Woodbury Woodturners Club
Encouraging, developing and promoting the art and science of woodturning
Learn MoreCongratulations on promotion Monday 4th November 2019
Following a delay occasioned by a combination of Competition Officer illness and the changeover in April from pencil to computer in recording competition entries and results, it has become apparent that Roger Hutton has rightfully earned 'Advanced' status and is hereby promoted accordingly.
Congratulations Roger. It is a very well earned promotion and our best wishes go to you to succeed in the new Class and to continue to enjoy your turning
Well Done!
Musings Wednesday 30th October 2019
Firstly, because of the way the system works, you may not have seen the correction to my posting of 22nd October entitled 'For the Avoidance of Doubt' in which I stated that the December Club Night was to be on 10th of the month. WRONG! It is, and always has been, Thursday 19th December.
Tuesday 10th is the Club Christmas Dinner.
The title should obviously have been 'For the Creation of Doubt'!
Next, a very interesting and thoughtful discussion is developing on the Forum regarding club competitions, particularly their purpose and ways to encourage members to take part.
So far, six people have aired their thoughts and suggestions, many of which make a lot of sense.
If you hesitate to put an item into a competition, for whatever reason, or if you have any thoughts on the subject, now is the time to come out and say so, and why. We can't improve things for you or make it easier for you to take part and learn unless you tell us ways in which we can change things for the better.
It would be most helpful if you were to do it via the forum, but if you'd rather, you can email Bob Merrifield direct.
December Competitions - For the Avoidance of Doubt! Tuesday 22nd October 2019
Just a note to confirm that the 'Ten Minute Turn' fun competition at the 19th December Club Night is for 'A Natural Edged Snowman'.
The natural edge can be wherever you like - base/plinth, stomach, hat, or maybe all three, if you're quick. It's up to you.
You may have been confused by a sheet that appeared on the notice board at the October meeting suggesting the subject would be 'A Christmas Tree' - NOT SO!
The main, points-earning competition is for a Chamber Stick, examples of which were so ably demonstrated by John Haxell in October.
Richard Findley Weekend Demonstration Sunday 20th October 2019
By Aubrey Dean
A few weeks ago, we were fortunate enough to have professional turner, Richard Findley demonstrate at our club for a full weekend. Richard is a well respected turner and a regular contributor to Woodturning Magazine and was selected by the committee as an ideal candidate for Bill Bolt's legacy. I think I speak for everyone who attended when I say that Richard was an excellent choice, providing informative and entertaining presentations both days.
Saturday started with Richard making a barley twist leg. This began with basic spindle turning techniques, moving on to methods and tools employed for creating duplicates. Richard explained about different types of twist and the importance of marking out such that the ends of the twist line up.
He covered a number of tools and techniques for creating the beads and it was impressive just how rapidly he managed to produce the finished leg. This was followed by a quick apple, made with careful attention to shape and form.
Many thanks to Jim Bailey for helping to keep the dust down.
In the afternoon, Richard turned a round bottom bowl; an aesthetic, tactile object, but highly dangerous for hot soup!
Sunday comprised a different set of projects, starting with a pewter inlay box. Richard started by making a crude mould from a piece of pine into which he poured pewter that he'd melted using a camping stove.
Setting the pewter to one side, he proceeded to make a box from black walnut, including a small recess in the lid to accept the pewter. After sanding and oiling the walnut, Richard started shaping the pewter, using normal woodturning tools (beading/parting tool and a spindle gouge). It is important not to be greedy here; Richard took small, careful cuts with swarf dropping into a strategically placed saucepan.
Shaping with a parting tool and catching falling pewter for next time.
After parting off and some final buffing, the pewter was fitted into the lid's recess.
Next was the Magic Cup project which facilitated the vanishing and reappearance of a small, red ball. I cannot give you any more detail for fear of Richard being thrown out of the magic circle; the secret will remain with those who attended on Sunday!
Finally, Richard turned a Puzzle Bowl, which might be described as a shallow dish containing a squashed volcano. The idea being that you have to move the bowl in such a manner that a marble ends up in the central hollow.
You can see more photos from the weekend in the gallery.
Thanks to all those who helped with the event, setting up cleaning up, with special thanks to George Webb and Suzanne Parsons for dealing with the tea/coffee/pasties, and John Rockey for stepping in at the last minute to operate the cameras.
Arranging demonstrations like this is becoming increasingly awkward, with many turners booked up for many months (or even years) in advance. As such, it is inevitable that unforeseen clashes with other events may occur on occasion, so it was unfortunate and unavoidable that the Creative Craft Show ran concurrently with Richard's demonstration. No doubt, this contributed to an attendance level lower than anticipated, as several members were prevented from attending whilst they helped promote the club at Westpoint. However, those who did manage to attend Richard's demonstration were most appreciative and thoroughly enjoyed it, with the majority attending both days.
Top Turners Under Attack from Monstrous Regiment Friday 18th October 2019
The ducks and ducklings, after some initial squabbling, took flight in the Competition at Thursday evening's Club Night. As a result, two of our keenest members have gained promotion in the 'Class' system, dubbed ‘the School of Hard Knox’.
Vicki Prouse, following a win in the Annual Show's Tazza category and a triumph with her ducks the other evening, is now promoted from Intermediate to Advanced status.
Pleasingly, Liz Cherrett's turning skills have come a long way in the short time since she joined the club, and following her wins at the Annual Show with her Tazza and success on the duck front on Thursday, she now moves from Beginner to Intermediate standard.
A quick chorus of 'Ducks and Tazzas come away . . .' would not go amiss here.
Many congratulations to both these winners. It just shows what you can achieve if you're willing to read a bit, learn from others and put some effort into your turning.
Have fun both of you in your new Classes.
Photos of the evening demonstrations and competition entries may be seen here.
Competition Class Promotions Sunday 22nd September 2019
Following the results from the Annual Show Competitions 2019, congratulations go to the following members who have won two club competitions within the last twelve months:
Ray Shaw is promoted from Beginner to Intermediate
Wins in Oct 2018 (Goblet) & at the 2019 Show (Pestle & Mortar)
John Guilfoyle moves from Intermediate to Advanced
Wins in Feb 2019 (Open) & at the 2019 Show (Pestle & Mortar)
Well done to both, and here's wishing you lots of success and enjoyment in your new Class!
Diary Dates 2019 Wednesday 4th September 2019
List of Events still to come in 2019
As supplied by Peter Banks, Events Organiser:
(All at Woodbury Village Hall unless stated otherwise)
Thursday 19th September - Club Night (19.00 - 22.00)
This is a come and try evening with expert help
Why not make an egg cup or at least part of it with Tony
Make some interesting things with Barry
Come and try your hand with our Guest Turner
Thursday 26th (09.30 - 16.30), Friday 27th (09.30 - 16.30), Saturday 28th (09.30 - 17.00)
& Sunday 29th September (9.30 - 16.00)
Woodbury Woodturners are proud to be demonstrating at Westpoint for 4 days
We will have a wide range of our Club demonstrators making some very interesting things
Saturday 28th - Sunday 29th September (08.00 - 17.00 Each Day)
A full weekend of demonstrations from internationally respected professional turner, Richard Findley.
Thursday 17th October - Club Night (19.00 - 22.00)
In-House Demonstrations: TBD
Competition: A Duck and Duckling: This is a Nicos Siragas speciality.
Scroll through his small items gallery to spot the duck.
Of course, you could always go off-piste and design your own!
Saturday 2nd November
WWTC Christmas Fair at Woodbury Village Hall (10.00 - 16.00)
More details to follow
Thursday 21st November - Annual General Meeting (19.00 - 22.00)
Our club's AGM is when you get the chance to have your say on the running of the club, and elect your committee. We need your views on demonstrations and events and everything else
After the meeting we can all enjoy an interesting wood identification quiz with some great pieces of wood as prizes. So sort out your teams of two!
Tuesday 10th December - Christmas Dinner
In the White Horse, Sidmouth Road (Meet 19.00)
More details to follow.
Thursday 19th December - Christmas Club Night (19.00 - 22.00)
Mince Pies and Mulled Wine.
Christmas Challenge - "10 Minute Turn":
Create a branchwood, natural edged Snowman (See WTM 326, Winter 2018)
Competition: A Chamber Stick
Last competition of the year and a final opportunity to gain any last minute TOY or COY points!
Think 'A Christmas Carol' and Dickensian England with no electricity, and try finding the bedroom without the help of one of these!
Regrettably the editor has no dates yet for 2020. They will be published here as soon as they are available.
Annual Show Report 2019 Wednesday 4th September 2019
The Setting Up and Running of the Show
(Words & Photos by Graham Drury)
The usual band of suspects, combined with some newer members, helped to set up the show on the Friday afternoon, John Rockey & Co. erected the gallery and Michael Merrett organised the raffle table. Stephen Long took charge of putting up the road signs, Aubrey Dean turned up to accept competition entries and Suzanne Parsons and George Webb organised the competition tables with great precision and care. The hall was made ready very quickly with all the helpers.
The Sales Area
On Saturday the early birds, Suzanne, George and myself, turned up at eight o'clock to place winning certificates next to appropriate entries. We then went on to photograph the winning and placed entries which took quite a time to complete.
Some of the Beginners' Competition Entries
John Guilfoyle, Susan Vincent, Pam and helpers arranged the kitchen ready for the day and a final few members brought along their items for sale.
By ten o'clock visitors where waiting at the door and the first demonstrators donned their smocks to do their bit: Tony Bennett, John Haxell, John Rockey, Roger Hutton, Peter Johnson, Peter Gradon, Barry Westaway and Graham Drury were our demonstrators throughout the show, most items were then given away to the patient public who watched the demonstrations.
The sales area was kept busy with a flow of buyers throughout the day and some interested visitors asked questions and showed an interest in taking up our chosen hobby.
The day closed a little after 4 o'clock and the putting away and tidying up went ahead with the help of members who stayed on to the bitter end.
The competition results are now on the website as are some pictures of the days proceedings, a good moment to congratulate Peter Johnson for his incredible achievement in winning all four categories that he entered and the best in show trophy, for his tazza. Very well done!
Many thanks to all who took part to make this a successful 2019 annual show.
The Competitions
(Words & Judges Photo by Aubrey Dean)
Peter Johnson's Winning Entries: a magnificent achievement
Aubrey writes:
The biggest problem by far was actually getting to the hall on Friday, due to several incidents on the M5 backing up the A38 to Haldon Hill. It took us over 2 hours and this affected other members and judges too!
Fortunately, George and Suzanne had set up a table and with a four person team, we were accepting entries within five minutes of arrival. Processing went smoothly and relatively quickly. Most members had pre-registered, with only a few registering there and then. One entry required a minor description correction, but otherwise, practically all the entries had been processed by about 5:15 and were displayed ready for judging. A final set of submissions from Peter Johnson at 5:45 completed the entries, and with that, the automatically generated tent cards were printed and folded ready for post-judging display.
The Judging
The judges (Roger Gubbin, Sandra Adams and Aziz Kahn) arrived between 6:40 and 7:10. Roger and Aziz had suffered terrible journeys and each had a cup of coffee; regrettably, we had nothing stronger to offer them. After I explained their duties, they were led to the Du Buisson room where they were left alone to assess the entries. By this time, everyone else had left apart from Richard Pegler and Jacquie who stayed for moral support and to help lock up.
The judges took a little over an hour in their deliberations, emerging to state that they had each chosen the same three items they would take home given the chance, so I don't think there was much/any disagreement between them; not that they found it easy, but that they were all on the same wavelength. After the judges left, we updated the website with their choices and printed out the certificates which were left with the tent cards ready for arrangement by George and Suzanne in the morning. I think we left the hall about 9:30 p.m.
The new computer entry system had never been used in anger with the Annual Show, where positions are recorded directly rather than through votes, so I was slightly apprehensive, but everything seems to have gone OK, with the results visible on the website on Saturday morning.
Aubrey and Son, Oscar, receiving Competition Entries
Some Show Stats:
(Full details will be available at the September Club Night)
Wood Sales £37.70 Cafe Takings £253.00 Raffle Takings £141.00
Paying Visitors: 265 Competition Entrants 28
Shop Takings £1,493.70 Total Income £873.52
July Club Night Report Tuesday 6th August 2019
18th July 2019 Demonstrations by Adrian Jacobs and Roger Hutton
(Photos by Graham Drury)
Up the front, Adrian demonstrated his new ornamental lathe made from an old bed and parts made using a 3D printer, and showed how it can be used to carve ornamental patterns on turned work.
He had made several significant improvements and added to its capabilities since we last saw the beast in action.
He also demonstrated laser engraving using a spirograph attachment and a universal cutting frame for carving rose shaped patterns.
The machine has been constructed for very little money and is based on the three articles he wrote in Woodturning which were published earlier this year.
See WTM Issues 327, 328 & 329 - January to March 2019.
You can see the machine at work on his YouTube channel at
Down the back, Roger applied his threading techniques and using home-made tools, cut threads for box lids:
June 2019 Thursday 4th July 2019
June 2nd: Joey Richardson Takes Woodbury Woodturners by Storm.
(Words by Graham Drury, Photos by Richard Pegler)
In front of an audience of some 35 members, she started by turning a cup shape from a piece of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and with the use of an LED light was able to leave a thin wall ready for shaping, piercing and colouring:
Joey moved on to show us how she goes about colouring her designs.
First she used pyrography to outline the shape of a bee with a pattern surrounding it, then carefully controlled her piercing tool to good effect to highlight the whole picture.
She followed this with a butterfly design, again using pyrography to outline the shape (this helps to guide the colouring and keep paint enclosed within the defined shape). With an airbrush and masking frisket, she used carefully chosen colours to paint the butterfly, working from darker to lighter shades.
Some more of the beautiful results can be seen in the website gallery,
Joey brought along some of her work for us to see which proved very popular, with many members taking photographs and bombarding her with questions.
Well done Joey and thanks for a day to remember.
20th June Club Night.
(Words and Photos by Graham Drury - we regret that music is not yet available as the website is still under development)
A busy night with two demonstrators, Peter Gradon and Chris Pomeroy, along with the usual monthly draw, abrasives sales, library of books and videos and Aziz with his exotic timbers.
Peter showed us how to turn a Tazza (handy for this year's Annual Show competition).
He started by turning the top section, using Cherry wood (Prunus sp.), to an ogee profile and sanding down to 400 grit before sealing and finishing.
He next turned the foot section using the same faceplate method, then, mounting a blank between centres, he turned a nicely shaped, very long centre stem to join top and foot.
Any resemblance between Peter's Tazza and a chairside table is purely illusory
Well done Peter.
Chris Pomeroy used his own Woodcut BowlSaver Bowl Coring System to demonstrate how he saves timber by coring out three bowls from one Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) blank. It was a fairly noisy process involving some vibration owing to the distance of the cutting edge from the tool's body.
The BowlSaver in place ready to start.
The first bowl blank separates from the parent timber
He will then leave the turned bowls for a period of time to dry out and warp at leisure to be finished at a later date.
Turned bowls await drying
Thanks, Chris. Very informative and well presented.
Keith Woolacott‘s Extremely Natural Edge Tuesday 21st May 2019
Keith is an AWGB approved instructor, a member of Axminster Woodturners Club and a highly accomplished turner.
The man hisself
His demonstration at the club night on 16th May involved creating a natural edged 'winged goblet' from a newly felled English Oak (Quercus robur) crotch-piece. At one point, one wag from the audience of 50+ suggested turning it into a catapult.
A Rapt Audience
This was quickly forgotten as Keith mounted the 'Y' branch, about 300m long x 150mm across the arms, between centres and began to rough down the stem to a cylinder. His drive was of a big 'steb' type and the 'groin' area of the branch was centred on a pre-drilled depression using the extended tailstock quill. Having turned a hefty spigot in the base, he chucked the branch in strong jaws and brought up the tailstock temporarily to aid centring. Cleaning up the outside of the arms ensued, together with truing up their top surfaces.
The Roughed Stem and Trued Arms
There followed an engrossing session in which the 'arms' were gradually and very carefully hollowed to produce the goblet's cup, the final depth being achieved with a 'fingernail gouge' having an ultra long point to get into the narrow recess.
The outside of the arms, stem and base were then refined before the goblet was parted off.
How to produce shavings from thin air! (Photo: Suzanne Parsons)
The Parting of the Waste
Nearly all stages involved turning air and risked blood on the lathe so Keith concentrated hard. As a result, he spoke rarely to the audience, much of the time relying on John Bainbridge's nifty camera work to show the processes and tools. He did, however, talk quite a lot to himself!
Sanding using a power drill and abrasive head, was done in stages on a stationary lathe as the work progressed, using grits down to 400.
The Goblet awaiting drying out and treating
No finish was applied at this stage, the wood being still wet. The biggest risk to the goblet would be splitting as the wood dried out so it would be placed in a cool, dark, draught-free place for three weeks before being treated overall with Cellulose Sanding Sealer. A further precaution against cracking could be the drilling of a hole from the base up into the stem.
The whole, apart from the bark edges, would then be waxed to a satin finish.
An absorbing evening with even the old (as in experienced!) hands picking up tips.
Thank you Keith. You were friendly, skilled and informative and we hope to welcome you back in the not too distant future.
Here's a smaller version in Laburnum (Laburnum anagyroides) that Keith brought with him.
Photos by Graham Drury, except where noted.
