Next Meeting -February 22nd, 2018
(Following meeting - March 29th)
MEETING LOCATION AND TIME
The chapter meets on the last Thursday evening of each month from 6:30 - 9:00 PM at the Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club, 6013 Craig Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76112.
Visitors and guests are always welcome to attend our meetings. The Handley-Meadowbrook Lions Club is about 1.5 miles south of I-30 on I-820 S. exit Craig Street (Exit 30a).
April 2018 Topic
Techniques and Tools for End Grain Turning
John Horn
Most of us know that a bowl gouge is the preferred tool for most bowl turning where the grain runs 90 degrees to the bed of the lathe, but end grain turning is completely different in both the turning technique and the tools used. If a person looks at the tool catalogs, there will be a wide variety of tools for sale to solve the difficulties of end grain turning. Some of the tools are complete systems of components that are quite pricey to say the least. How is a person to decide how to select the tool or system of tools that will perform the task at hand? Is it necessary to get a large loan at the bank just to turn a few end grain vessels? Obviously, there are a large number of options, some of which are relatively inexpensive and others which are very expensive.
Meeting Photos March 2017
Click on Image to see rest of photos. Image info is located on next photo.
MONTHLY PRESIDENT'S NOTES
At the beginning of my class with Nick Cook, he asked each participant their name, what kind of lathe they used and what they hoped to get out of the class. The first two questions were easy enough, the third, I had to think about for just a moment. I said I wanted to become more comfortable and competent in my turning. Nick’s response sounded oh so familiar: “Practice, practice, practice”.
During Nick’s introductory remarks he talked about his years of production turning and then said that he had turned 1/4 million bottle stoppers! That is a lot of practice. Nick is a very smooth turner, making it look so easy, whether it be a honey dipper, a platter or an end grain box.
My level of competence and comfort lie in my own hands. Not what I wanted to hear. I wanted the quick and easy way. Like most of life, nothing is quick and easy. But, you can get on the fast track by taking advantage of turning opportunities such as WNTX monthly meetings, WNTX quarterly open house sessions, utube instructional videos, visiting turners offering class time and demonstrations, and last and certainly not least is our own mentors. You will find their names, area of expertise and contact info in this newsletter. Look one up near you, give them a call and set up a session.
Another great opportunity we have in the Southwest is SWAT (Southwest Association of Turners) annual symposium and show held in Waco, Texas during the last weekend of August. It is a great time to learn from lots of name turners as well as regional and local turners with something to share. And the show and tell room is not to be missed, take lots of pictures for some great ideas about turning.
Remember that life is uncertain, we never know when our time will come. Appreciate those around you while you still can and smile a lot.
Be safe!
Bill Collins
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Woodturners of North Texas is to advance the creative pursuit of woodturning through educational programs, practical demonstrations and community service projects. Personal achievement is encouraged through mentoring, design challenges and member participation.
