Splinters June / July 2013

Newsletter of the Christchurch Woodturners’ Association Inc. www.woodturning.org.nz Back to Back at Dunback Photo: Celia

Irvine

For the second year the South Island Interclub , Waitaki, Timaru, and Christchurch Competition was hosted by the East Otago clubs put their best work on display and Woodturners in Dunback, inland from entered teams in the turning competiton. Palmerston. Club members from East Otago, Continued on page 2

The club meets for demonstrations on the first Thursday of each month at 7pm at the College of Education, and for a free hands-on night at Cobham Intermediate every third Thursday of the month, also at 7pm. All are welcome; a $3 door charge covers costs for the demonstration evenings.

Clubnight Reports & Showtable to be A Shed to Intrigue, Pages Photos, 6 – 7, 10 – 11. Rejuvenated, Page 9. 14 & 15.

June / July 2013

Interclub Fun Day [continued from page 1]

Once again, our team travelled down on Friday, staying overnight at various venues before converging on the hall bright and early on Saturday morning. Julie Clemett and Celia Irvine again took charge of the competition table setup. This year we had a surplus of pieces to choose from, and much discussion followed to ensure the selection represented adequate variety of style, form, and size – all in line with the rules which Meanwhile, the turning team The competition this year required each piece to be 50% of Noel Graham, Bruce was to turn 3 balls and 3 turned content. We spread Irvine, Rex Marshall, John skittles – the items in each set the rest of the items around Scott, Ray Hall, and Peter as nearly identical to each the hall. Interestingly, and Clemett set up the lathe, other as possible. perhaps a little unusually, we chose our turning order, and displayed no bowls. discussed design and tactics. Guest judge for the turning competition and best in show was John Lightfoot, South Island Club liaison officer on the NAW committee. Helping out judging the best club table were representatives from each attending club. Celia ably undertook that role for us.

Turning got under way at 10am, and out of the blocks for our team was Bruce, who

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options in his pursuit of the right formula, and some of the samples he showed us were fascinating. Alas, the riches have proven elusive, but clearly he’s a man happy in his hobby.

Awards were given out for best overall club table, winning club in the turning competition, and best individual piece on show. Judge John enthused about the number of pieces on set the standard with the first supplement the endless cups display that were of a high ball. Each turner had 20 of tea and tempting baked standard, echoing what many minutes to complete their goods provided throughout had said throughout the day. piece, but Bruce’s practised the day by the local ladies. eye became apparent when This year’s awards went to: he only needed five. This of Competition resumed once Christchurch Club for Best course gave us ample time to lunch had settled. Peter table; Christchurch Club for observe other teams in turned the first skittle to set best performance in the action, and it was a great the pattern, to be followed in turning contest; Mike Wing opportunity to see how turn by those from John and (Christchurch Club) for his varied the approaches were Ray. Both neatly matched fruit stand and fruit - the best to completing this task. the height, shape, and burned piece in show. Noel then, just as rapidly, line embellishment of the So, having taken out the turned his 70mm cube into a original. The skittles and trifecta again, all that sphere, taking a little extra balls went to the judging remained was the raffle draw, care to replicate all the table and it was cleanup time. and then time to pack up, say features on Bruce’s pattern. Whilst we waited for the final our goodbyes, and reflect Rex’s ball completed our set. judging and compilation of upon another successful and Then, a respite from turning scores, we were treated to an fun event. Many thanks to and time for a chinwag with entertaining talk by a local the East Otago Club for fellow woodturners and old woodcrafter who described hosting the event, and taking friends. Lunchtime arrived, his endeavours to “get rich care of us for the day. and with it a welcome cup of quick” by making and selling wooden toy vehicles. He had Story by Peter Clemett; photos by soup and filled roll to Bruce & Celia Irvine. certainly explored many 3

June / July 2013 Terry Brunell’s Hands-on Day

About 16 turners attended a special bonus day at Cobham Intermediate with Terry Brunell, while he was in town for the May club night. They watched him turn a couple of bowls in driftwood, then were let loose and encouraged to make something different. As expected, Terry had plenty of time and tips for beginners and veterans alike, so a good amount of creativity was spent and a lot of fun was had.

Rick Bolch

Photos by Bruce Irvine & Pat Jordan

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June / July 2013 Rex’s Work on the

Podium Again

Clockwise from top left: Terry enthusing; Joe Hayes and others getting into it; Ray Hall sanding his very-Terry driftwood bowl; lunch time; Michele touching up; and Katie Last year he won; this year it’s a third place Smith with her work. for a Rex Marshall piece at the Auckland Easter Show. It’s the latest in a line of successful lidded boxes in purple heart: this one having four holly inserts, inlaid with pewter & white styrene, then marbled and re- finished. Rex is too modest to let us think he gains a placing every time he enters these shows. Apparently several of the pieces that he sends away return home alone in the package. But the encouraging word from Rex is ‘enter!’ “More of us should be putting work in these shows.” Winter Club Night Schedule

June 6: Peter Clemett turning stone on the lathe. Showtable: face-plate turning.

July 4: AGM first of all, then Mainland Paints; Showtable: nothing specified, see page 9. 5

June / July 2013

April Club Night: Three Teams Go

It was with a strange mix of anticipation, some hesitation, and in the end, relaxation that the April club night imitated an Interclub Fun Day friendly competition.

Noel set the scene with some suggestions for strategy, to make it easy or complicated for the teammates who have to replicate what you’ve made. Then having displayed the project, a candle with base and snuffer, he called Rex and Bruce to join him for the first leg of making it.

With a little commentary and banter, three turners working in their own space became intriguing viewing. Bruce finished first, with almost half the time to spare, although it should be noted that he had made the model.

With three vacant lathes, a slight discomfort was felt as a call went out for volunteers, or members were called out by name. Bruce Osborn, Les Brindley and John Scott took up the chisels to turn the candlesticks between centres. These fellows all finished within a minute or two of the allotted ten minutes. 6

June / July 2013

At It, Fun Day Style

Clockwise from left: Bruce help[cheat]ing; a showtable full of wet- turned odds and ends; Mike Foster, whose 2nd placed piece was started in 1989; Derek Upton’s winning ‘whoops’ bowl.

Who would finish the job by they stretched their time but warped to an oblong shape. making the snuffers? Even completed the job. Celia after seeing six turners at noted that she was being And so concluded a different work, nobody was leaping punished for suggesting a sort of club night: a fun way out of their seats. That more complicated design. to see turning happen, and a hesitant pause ended as good taster for the upcoming newcomers Liz and Michele All night it was interesting to Fun Day. see different turners at work stepped forward, and Celia Rick Bolch, Danny Brooks joined in to make it a ladies’ on the same job at the same round. Assisted by a tutor, time, and to notice the differences in style, posture and facial expressions. Along with a good turnout and several new faces, this contributed to the pleasant buzz that grew throughout the evening.

A healthy showtable of items turned wet included some kinks and quirks. Mike Foster’s second place bowl had been started by Brian Jones in 1989, and awaited completion until last year. Derek Upton’s winning pug “whoops” kamahi bowl had 7

June / July 2013

Ten Questions for Mike Wing

What have you just finished I usually have a diagram. turning, and what is your next Most of my ideas come from or current project? magazines and articles, or club demonstrations. I’ve just finished a 300mm apricot bowl for an 80th What does your wife think of birthday present, and I’m your turning? about to make some more My wife thinks I do some earring stands. Every female lovely work, with a lovely relative wants one now. finish. Mavis does plenty of Favourite wood/s? knitting and crafty stuff too, so she’s a certified critiquing Yew, laburnum and lacewood with such a large turning officer. [London plane]. community there. What else do you like to do How long have you been What’s something you’ve with your time as well as turning, and what got you turned with which you are turning? started? very pleased, or most proud? I enjoy gardening and I’m a Having been into scouting Seven or so fob watch stands member of Probus. I also do since 1947, I joined the scout which I gave away as gifts, a bit of volunteer driving for fellowship when I retired. I modeled on a Keith Rowley the Cancer Society. needed another hobby, and I design; and my graduation Has your working life lent had enjoyed playing with piece, fruit and a fruit stand. wood all my life. An ex- itself to turning, or was it a millwright friend and I Do you often have several nice point of difference? visited a show, bought a lathe projects on the go at once, or It’s been completely different and we just got started and do you generally finish what to my working life as an kept an eye on each other. you start before you start electrician. It’s been very another project? Have you had any training? pleasantly challenging. And The latter. occasionally, when I forget A couple of short courses in that I finished the last piece the UK, but the Aoraki course How do you plan what you at high speed and start up was far superior. Clubs in the turn? That is, with detailed the lathe with a crunch, a bit UK have a vast pool of diagrams, or letting it flow less pleasant. But still fun. demonstrators to draw on, and evolve? 8

June / July 2013 Watch This Space: Showtable Crankup

The committee has been more than one piece at a concerned for some time now meeting, but will score only Monthly Showtable Rules by the poor number of entries one entry point for that in the show table competition month. There will be a trophy at many club meetings. After awarded annually in reviewing possibilities, A feature of the new format December to the person including what is done at is that members will have the accumulating the most some other clubs, we have opportunity to speak for up points for the monthly decided to introduce a new to a minute about one of competitions over the course competition where a trophy their entries. They may wish of the calendar year. (more details in the next to comment on the wood newsletter) is awarded for the used, the inspiration for the Each entry shall be an item person who gains the most piece or source of the design, completed in the last three points over the course of the or highlight some special months, except for the year. This will apply for July technique or jig that was December meeting when it to December this year and needed. This will not be shall be an item completed then February to December compulsory, but could add in the current calendar year. in future years. significant value to both No piece may be entered at speaker and listeners. more than one meeting The Jim Dunford Trophy except that it may be entered competition will continue as We will no longer specify a again at the December a separate event with rules as topic for the monthly show meeting. in the past and the subject table competition: any piece defined usually in the completed within the last 3 Points will be awarded as September newsletter. months can be entered as follows each month: long as it has some 1 point for entering The aim is to encourage connection with wood- one or more pieces that members to turn more than turning. Also there will no month; perhaps they do at present longer be a monthly prize for Plus 3 points for first, and to display their work so the show table competition. 2 points for second and 1 that we can all enjoy seeing a point for third. range of current work by the There will be a chance to ask members. Points are awarded questions and have the tie- Judging shall be by the votes for entering, as well as being break system explained at the of those present at the voted in the top three that June meeting. meeting. month, to encourage participation. As a further This should result in more Double points are awarded carrot, double points are turning and learning at our for the AGM night and the offered to encourage entries usual club nights. December meeting. at the AGM and December meetings. You can enter Pat Jordan 9

June / July 2013

Turning the Whirlwind: Terry Brunell

It was fast-paced and you had to pay attention. Ideas and stories were flying thick and fast, thicker than the woodchips, which actually eased up quite early in the evening. You may even have taken a half-finished sample home, but you would have gone home with your head full of new ideas for projects.

Terry is a Nelson artisan, a casual craftsman who brought along a heavy bag for show and tell. He likes things that As he specialises in turning shaped piece of a silver beach are unorthodox, and he driftwood, Terry put a burr. For bigger pieces, he doesn’t mind things that are couple of odd shaped hunks likes a long handle on the not quite right: not for him in the chuck and turned them chisel that he can tuck under turning out one flawless bowl into interesting bowls. Terry his arm for extra weight and after another. was turning a propeller- leverage.

Terry does not use the standard bowl gouges and tools for turning driftwood. He has made up specialized tools, which easily move over the uneven surface of driftwood. They are small fingernail-shaped [pointed] cutters, which are softly touched against the wood and moved slowly across until you have a surface conducive to moving at a faster rate. 10

June / July 2013

If it doesn’t work, that shows you should have listened to

and the May Club Night an expert.

Experts that inspire Terry include Stephen Hogbin, Gary Stevens, Bihn Pho, Marc Ricourt and many others. He likes to watch youtube clips, find pictures in books or magazines, and then get busy trying to make his own version.

Plenty of carving features in his methodology, as a way of creating pieces that will make people wonder how they This tool was used on the to do that challenge and test were made. He showed a centreline as if you would a the usual. Rather than throw large yew platter that had parting tool just pushed out an odd or broken piece, been carved so that the rim straight in and move side to Terry prefers to ponder how undulated, and a burned and side but don’t be aggressive. it can be used for something carved platter, pictured above He also had a tool with a disc else. Keep thinking rather left. cutter, which was used to than throwing stuff away. refine the cut once he had the His methods are rarely out of Rex’s natty-marbled pin, finished profile. the textbook, as he believes below left, won the show there are many ways to do table, albeit with hardly any Once he’d made them, he something the right way: find fierce competition. bounded off into the second the way that works for you. aspect of the presentation, Ray Morgan, Danny Brooks the show and tell session. Here is where his philosophy shone through. What he’d written on the board beforehand came to life in the objects he held up and passed around.

The main ideas were that we enjoy turning, and find things 11

June / July 2013 Ray Edwards: a Full Life

Surely you all know Ray of Works. He spent four while she hacked away with Edwards? White hair, front months on the ice, in charge some scissors, until she was row? You’ve heard him chat of building Scott Base. It had ready to welcome him home. with demonstrators and tell been prefabricated here, then them sincerely, how much he assembled in Antarctica, and At the other end of the appreciates them! He’s a it was Ray’s job to ensure mercury, Ray spent three sentimental bloke then, but that every piece that was years in the Cook Islands there may be a few details needed was in the kit, as putting up the government you don’t know that have there was no local hardware buildings. Also on his to-do shaped his life. if a few bolts had been left list in that decade was New behind. Zealand House in London. The son of a miner and war medic, Ray grew up in Gwyn When the job was done, he Ray’s later years were Ebwy, Wales. Upon getting returned to Wellington, organizing logistics for the an apprenticeship, he was debriefed the bosses, crossed Air Force. He’s happy with called up to the army and the Cook Strait took a train all the things he’s seen and done, Royal Engineers, where he the way to Invercargill to be and the people he has met. served in Kenya during the reunited with his young wife. Now in his 80s, he lives Mau Rebellion. She wouldn’t kiss him - that surrounded by reminders of polar stint was long enough his years here and there, and Having left the army and to grow a chest length beard, making do with memories. moved to , Ray so he sat outside on the step Talk to him some time. took a job with the Ministry We’re Celebrating our Craft in July

The Christchurch Community Arts Council is holding a ‘Celebrating the Arts’ event on the weekend of July 25-27, at the Hornby Working Men’s Club. The aim is to promote and showcase craft clubs to the community, who may be finding it difficult to access information about craft activities in our city at the moment. We have been offered the opportunity to run a manned display with some demonstrations and a chance for the public to try turning, as happens at the Avice Hill craft fair.

There would be no charge to us as participants, although it sounds like there is an entry fee for the public. While we are still in the early stages of deciding our approach, the club committee likes the idea and welcomes your willing involvement. 12

June / July 2013 President’s Page

Our worthy editor has who wish to step down and common or black alders pointed out that this will be to give us a healthy level of (Alnus glutinosa). The books my last ‘President’s Column’, turnover. A spell on the by Professor J T Salmon are as by the time the next committee is also a great way useful for identifying most of newsletter is prepared you to find out how the club the trees you will find in will have a new president. works and will enable you to N.Z. I then looked on That’s probably a good thing take on an office later. www.wikipedia.org and was as after about a dozen delighted with the array of Bruce Irvine has continued to columns I seem to be information there on the be a tower of strength as running out of ideas for what Alnus genus in general and secretary and has made my to write about. The club’s many of the individual job much easier. Thanks constitution very sensibly species. For instance, I read Bruce. I would like to thank includes a clause preventing that alders are ideal where those on the committee and any president from serving they are regularly cycled in the club at large who have more than two consecutive through wet and dry offered encouragement and years in the job. Requiring a environments. No surprise support over the last two fresh face in this role, or at then to find that much of the years. It has been trying at least a rotation of the old Venice waterfront is built times on a personal level – faces, is a good way to upon alder logs. The detail the ‘interesting times’ of the ensure the regular to be found on Wikipedia is Chinese proverb. Of course introduction of fresh ideas. phenomenal. There must be most in Christchurch have many other websites of Accompanying this had much to endure and I interest to woodturners. newsletter should be a form salute you all for the way you How about emailing Danny for those who wish to have coped and maintained a your favourite wood-related nominate someone as an cheerful outlook. website(s) and some brief office-bearer or to join the notes on why you find them committee. We have several I helped a work group interesting or helpful. committee members who recently recover some alder logs that will be a fine store have served the club for ten Happy turning and please for courses over the coming years or more and their give the next president the months. By collecting leaves contributions have been same support as you have I was able to confirm that invaluable. However we given me. need at least one or two new they were Italian alders ( ), and the other committee members each Alnus cordata Pat Jordan trees across the road were year to make up for those 13

June / July 2013 Keith McFadden: At Home in the Shed

Keith McFadden was born by the Main North Road in Belfast, and now lives two kilometres away in Redwood. His turning, however, has come a long way.

Growing up with the market gardens of the northern fringe around him, he did some landscaping but mostly market gardening himself for a decade or two. He’s now at Winstone Wallboards, and has been for nearly 25 years. As suburbs have sprawled out to envelop the land Keith used to work, his shed no longer stands alone in a paddock, it’s tucked away off an internal access garage.

He’s always been a bit of a woodworker, or liked to tinker a bit at least. The arty element of woodturning appealed when he bought a lathe instead of a colour telly about 30 years ago, although turning was still fairly rough and sporadic for a while after that. What boosted Keith from this limited turning to his current mastery of small, ornate turning was a discovery made in Waitaki. 14

June / July 2013

differently too. The latest is pens from corian, an acrylic benchtop material he cuts up and turns to look like marble.

While lidded boxes are his forte, Keith is willing to try turning all sorts of things, and has found inside out turning to be a lot of fun.

This modest, can-do turner is a fund of interesting work, and keen to share it with the rest of us. Next time you see an ornate lidded box on the Keith’s still not sure how he lidded boxes. show table, check the base. came to be at a Spinaround down at , but The making and remaking of the rose engine machine has Clockwise from below: the despite having owned a turning nook, with before and lathe and done a bit of brought Keith as much joy as the turning he does on it! It’s after shelves; the homemade turning, that was the first the Mark IV edition, he’s rose engine; Keith and lathes; time he recalls seeing the rejigged it several times to shelves of his specialty. new style of chuck and all make it more adjustable, The that they enabled turners to do. The freeform work he last tweak was to add heavy steel drawer slides, which he saw there really appealed, cut in half and used to slide and he decided to the engine two ways. He concentrate on small stuff. doubts there’ll be a fifth – Interestingly, it’s Otematata this one does everything he that you’d have to visit to can envisage. find another item like the Keith’s just about to one Keith’s built in his shed. It’s an ornamental lathe, a graduate from the Aoraki course, which as most rose engine machine, and students find, has broadened down south Ken Newton his range of turning ideas has made one, too. This is considerably. It’s started him what enables Keith to create such delicately decorated on a bit of a pen phase, and so of course he’s doing that 15

June / July 2013

the sixth Aoraki Course at Workshop For the Calendar the Cashmere Club. All are Afternoons MAY 31 - JUNE 2: the Hari welcome: RSVP to Celia or It may be that there are some Hari Jamboree will be on this Bruce Irvine.

members who want to use a Queen’s Birthday Weekend. well-equipped workshop and Late entries will be accepted, For Sale have some company and but you had better be quick. Scheppach thicknesser and

assistance as they do so. The JULY 4: the club AGM will planer on a mobile base. Aldred Men’s Shed in St be held at the July Clubnight. New, done less than 5 hours’ Albans is available for just Nominations for the next work. Heavy duty cast iron such people, and for turning club committee and officers, tables. Surplus due to tutelage Rex Marshall is before the AGM on July 4. relocating. Call Ian happy to spend Tuesday Please use the enclosed form Conway, 388 4101. afternoons there if there is to nominate an officer or a enough interest, starting committee member. Notices Noel has an estate sale with a Tuesday June 11 at 1pm. of motion for AGM DVR lathe, grinder with a The Aldred Men’s Shed is discussion cannot be raised at Woodford jig and a Carbatec located at the corner of the meeting if they have not jig, and a selection of chisels Nancy Ave and Knowles St been advised in advance. and other tools. Proceeds will help the widow to have in St Albans; a gold coin is TUESDAY SEPTEMBER cataract surgery. required for entry. 24: Graduation evening for

2012/13 Committee Contact Details

Patron: Soren Berger, 25 Rodney St, New Brighton; 388 1004. President: Pat Jordan, 39 McBeath Ave, Hoon Hay; 942 4279. Vice President: Peter Clemett: 36a Fenhall St, Russley; 342 5242. Treasurer: Bill Parsons, 76 Fendalton Rd, Fendalton; 351 5647. Secretary: Bruce Irvine, 401 Withells Rd, Avonhead; 358 8482. Newsletter: Danny Brooks, 950 Lower Styx Rd, Brooklands; 329 2126. Rick Bolch: 28 Waiau St, Hoon Hay; 980 5156 Les Brindley: 51 Charles Upham Dv, Hillmorton; 338 2216. Noel Graham: 63 Oakley Cres, Hornby; 349 8976. Celia Irvine: 401 Withells Rd, Avonhead; 358 8482. Rex Marshall: 396 Greers Rd, Bishopdale; 352 9297. Ray Morgan: 154b Brookside Rd, Rolleston; 366 9795. Mike Wing: 7 Donovan Pl, Halswell; 741 1475. 16