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NEWNovember 2012, Vol. 21, SNumber 9 November Meeting NOTE: The meeting is at a different place Liam O’Neill Woodturning Thursday, November 8, 2012 7PM Demonstration on Clifton Park Senior Center October 3rd Vischer Ferry Road, Clifton Park, NY By Nick Kolak

The Toxicity of ​On October 3rd, our membership was given a real treat and it isn’t even Halloween yet. Our By Herm Finkbeiner guest turner was Liam O’Neill, coming all the way from Ireland while visiting our countryside. Anne Lee to give the 2012 Fiske Memorial Lecture Liam is one of those ‘intrepid’ woodturners who is challenged by thinking outside the box and who Most woodworkers are dares to devise and utilize techniques that can vaguely aware that some easily be classified as foreign to the conventional may be dangerous world of . By 1997, he had designed and to their health, but few built a huge outdoor to make large sculptured realize that the even the vessels for display outdoors. In pursuing this most common woods can body of outdoor work, the challenges of scale be of concern. In addition and technical complexity were not for the faint of to fungal and mold heart. In sculptural and woodturning terms, Liam’s infection of the wood there journey in woodturning has taken him into new are even northern dimensions. You can view his work at http://www. temperate zone woods liamoneill.com/index.html. that require an awareness ​The NWA/AWA membership started arriving of their potential health early during lunchtime to reserve a seat for the hazards. Even so common ‘show’ that would begin at 1:00 pm. The audience a species as walnut is (approaching 60) was amazed and wide-eyed to dangerous to some people. see the instructor bolt an electric to Anne Lee has made a a rest which he had modified for the lathe. study of wood toxicity and Perhaps of equal interest was the 35 pounds of will share her knowledge green (11”x11”x16” ) awaiting its fate. with NWA members. ​Throughout the afternoon, Liam explained Anne is a graduate of the orientation of the chainsaw blade as it is the Pennsylvania State presented to the wood blank so as to maintain College with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences. After having a safe operation. In mounting the pre-drilled gone through ROTC, she joined the US Army and was an chainsaw bar to the tool rest, a beveled wood officer for 7 years in the Medical Service Corps. She became a spacer is sandwiched between the chainsaw bar Maryland Master Gardener in 1998 and served as both and the tool rest and the assembly is bolted firmly President and Vice-President. She joined the International together with two half-inch bolts. The wooden Wood Collectors Society (IWCS), with her husband Art, in spacer has the effect of causing the chainsaw 2000. Her interest in toxic woods first started with poisonous bar to tilt perhaps 15º from vertical which allows plants. Upon joining the IWCS and reading the Useful Woods for a safer operation and a smoother cut. The of the World (Vol 1), she became intensely interested in wood toxicity and how it affects woodworkers. Continued on page 2 Liam O’Neill Demonstration OFFICERS Continued from Cover President - George Rutledge [email protected] Vice President - Karen Arkison lathe was never turned on as some folks may have thought. Instead, the wood [email protected] blank was turned slowly by hand to allow the chainsaw to do its work. After 1-2 Secretary - Kitty Scharl 765-3189 complete revolutions of the [email protected] wood blank, the chainsaw- Treasurer - Austin Spang 393-2859 tool rest assembly was [email protected] repositioned. These steps Past President - Dan Tipton were repeated continuously [email protected] while the outside of the blank Historian - Wayne Diston 674-4171 took on a graceful curve. For [email protected] Executive Secretary - Charlie Goddard hollowing out the interior, the 370-0388 [email protected] chainsaw-tool rest assembly was positioned so that the tip of the blade was at the centerline of the lathe. These steps permitted fast removal CHAIRPERSONS of wood with a volume of Mid-Hudson Chapter shavings above ankle height. Bob Boisvert, President - 845-298-0454 Liam then drew a graceful [email protected] pattern on the side of the Sacandaga Chapter ‘vessel’ and, having removed Co-Chairpersons the chainsaw from the tool Clyde Cheney - 661-5138 rest, proceeded to carve out the Ray Laubenstein - 863-6071 side. The audience was amazed [email protected] at the skill of the instructor Education in completing the sculptured Stan Blanchard form. All that remained was [email protected] Tom Moran to power sand the surface [email protected] and apply his favorite finish - Youth Programs . Wayne Diston - 674-4171 ​Starting with a smaller [email protected] piece of pine (9”x9”x16”) Fiske Fund for his next demo, Liam Brian Walsh roughed out the exterior of the [email protected] form using the chainsaw. He Hospitality then switched to the “more Lew Hill conventional” bowl gouge to [email protected] turn and refine the exterior Library Darrel Welch - 477-8431 shape for use in making a [email protected] table lamp. Liam’s goal was to Membership demonstrate to the audience Joseph Bucci - 489-3719 that a piece of pine, or other [email protected] readily found , usually Programs shunned by turners, can be George Rutledge transformed into a work of art. Publications The membership then followed Wally - 434-1776 Liam outdoors where he [email protected] proceeded to ‘flame’ and ‘char’ Publicity the exterior of the table lamp using a propane torch. In the next step, since #2 OPEN Showcase Chair steel wool was not available, he gently removed the excess carbon material using Ken Evans - 753-7759 a brass wire brush. The loose carbon was brushed off to the harder portion [email protected] of the darkened growth rings which were gently elevated with respect to the softer valleys of the annual rings. The goal was to achieve a black, sand blasted grain finish. The use of pine concluded the afternoon session. With 52 members attending the evening session, the program consisted of UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, PHONE turning a small lidded box using spalted . Liam showed how to minimize NUMBERS ARE IN AREA CODE 518 the width of the cut between the lid and body so as to keep the grain matching Continued on page 3 2 Liam O’Neill Demonstration Continued from Page 2 WOODWORKERS NEWS is published by the Northeastern as closely as possible. A day prior to the evening session, he glued a piece of Woodworkers Association for its African blackwood, a contrasting wood, into the body of the box to provide members. The Association’s aim a shoulder into which the lid would fit. Liam demonstrated the ability of an is to provide a common meeting experienced woodturner to produce a close fit which created a ‘pop’ when the ground for lovers of lid is removed from its who want to know more about base. When the audience wood and the techniques for cheered when hearing the forming it. The newsletter is first ‘pop’, Liam jokingly published monthly. It is assem- admonished them quickly, bled in InDesign CS3 on an iMac, saying, “Wait! Not yet! I duplicated by Shipmates, and am not finished.” He was mailed to more than 1,000 implying that he could be addresses. jinxed into producing a loose or sloppy fit which wouldn’t do. Of course, the ‘popping’ feature was Your next issue of maintained. In finishing Woodworkers News the piece, Liam stated will be published that he uses a finishing in early December product in Ireland that Copy deadline: November 15 is not available here in Wally Carpenter, Editor the United States. So, he (518) 434-1776 is always on the lookout [email protected] for finishing techniques Elizabeth Keays Graphic Artist and products over here Designer that we use locally and which are readily available to us. In this instance, one of our very WEBSITE(S) own, Stanley Blanchard www.woodworker.org (a.k.a. Sidney), stepped www.nwawoodworkingshow.org forward to demonstrate how he applies a two step process utilizing “Triple E” and “Shellawax”. The application was simple and led to a super smooth surface and eye-popping spalted grain. It was a stunning lidded box that anyone would cherish.

NWA maintains two websites, the first noted here operates continuously. We also offer selected links to other sites of interest to our membership. Webmaster - Kurt Hertzog [email protected]

The second site operates from January 1 to May 30 and carries specific information about SHOWCASE.

NORTHEASTERN WOODWORKERS ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 246 Rexford, New York 12148 [Photography supplied by Stan Blanchard, Chris Stolicky & Nick Kolak]

3 CHAPTER NEWS Mid-Hudson News By Wally Cook

The Mid-Hudson Chapter’s fourth annual woodworking show was held October 13 at the Hurley reformed Church. Over two hundred items were displayed inside, and an outdoor demonstration covered ‘Logs to ‘-- the process of turning raw logs into dimensional lumber. In addition to the indoor displays, Walker performed a demonstration of preparing and using hot hide glue. Scroll artists Jack Collumb and Bob Boisvert made Christmas ornaments. The make-a-pen station was popular, while other turners showed the process of making larger items. Thanks to Keith Tompkins, John Franklin, Carl Ford, Matt Clarke, Remco Krafft, Joe Benkert, Ron Mower, John Tenuto, Phil Whitington, and Ralph Zimmerman for helping with the woodturning demonstrations. George Norton ran the portable on the grounds, processing several logs into very thin as well as thick planks. A planer was on hand to further mill the wood. Fred DuBois handled the used equipment sales tent. Many thanks to all the other chapter members for helping at the sales, raffle and ticket stations! The People’s Choice award went to Brad Conklin for his carved (not turned) bowl and stand. Brad Conklin won People’s Choice As always, door prizes and raffle items were offered. The winners of this for his carved bowl and stand year’s prizes were:

Door Prizes. 1. Rev. Dr. Robert Gram​ – Face of Jesus 2. Jacquie Donahoe – ​Spoon Bill 3. Rich Wall – Cutting Board 4. Marlin Klinger – Two Turned Pens Raffle Items 1. Bob Lee – Large​ Table 2. Jean Benkert – Small Table 3. Carl VanWagenen – Pair of End Tables 4. Hellen Wallace – Rocking Chair 5. Jim Lee – Plant Stand 6. Don Moyer – ​Jewelry Box 7. Joe Kennedy – Turned Bowl 8. Debbie Lee – ​Turned Bowl 9. Mona T/George N – Turned Bowl Joe Boek’s bird carvings underlined his mastery of technique

Ticket-takers Phyllis Wohlfield and Pete Chast tally the Dap Cole’s tiered table and Joe Mastro’s cherry side table show receipts different approaches with pleasing results

4 CHAPTER NEWS NWA Education By Tom Moran Sacandaga Chapter November will be a busy month at the Mustang Shop. Here By Gary Spencer is a list of the class activities we have scheduled for November. Watch your Email for registration information. If you don’t Our October meeting was a great have Email and would like to register then send your Name success. George Rutledge put on a great and Telephone Number to: program on “Sharpening of Everything”. His talk included wood sharpening, NWA Education sharpening, tool sharpening PO Box 246 and lathe tool sharpening. The session was Rexford, NY 12148 well attended and created much interest in those present. Class Instructor The Chapter thanks George for this Make Your Own Wooden Hand Plane Tom Osborne outstanding program and for his willingness Native American Flute Making ​Eric Marczak to share his many years of woodworking Introduction to the Dave Mobley & experience with the Sacandaga Chapter. Jon Cochran Our program for November 14th will Clark Pell feature multiple presenters who will cover Turning Demo Workshop ​Doug Fisher the multiple sides of wood carving. Jon Karl, Turning Hands-on Workshop Doug Fisher Emie Balch, and Ray Gannon have put their Toy Making Warren Stoker carving skills and knowledge together to Gold Leaf Demo ​​​Giles Gilson bring us a fascinating program. Gold Leaf Hands-On Giles Gilson Peppermill Demo / Workshop ​ Mike Kratky JON KARL: Will cover the many aspects of and how to prepare for this style of wood carving.

EMIE BALCH: is a hand carver, a CO2 laser carver and a CNC carver who will cover various materials for carving and the various CLASSIFIEDS methods for working them. Emphasis on transferring thoughts to carving will be For Sale presented. Delta Hollow Chisel : Model 14-650 Type 2.

RAY GANNON: Will cover carving in Includes 5 1/4” - 1/2” and 2 chuck keys. the round and and examining Excellent condition, used twice. the gathering of subject reference materials Price: $225. and the place of artistic elements in the final Contact: Bernie Shafarzek, 518-869-0759 structure of the carving.

If there is anyone that is contemplating trying their hand in some form of wood carving this is the program for you! We will still have a show and tell and hope many of you will bring something to Visit the show. We will still have 50/50, and door prizes so come on out. Northeastern Our regular monthly meetings are the Woodworkers second Wednesday of each month and begin at 7:00 P.M. Our next regular meeting will be Association November 14th, 2012. We will meet at our Website at shop at 55 2nd Avenue, Mayfield, NY. Come visit. www.woodworker.org

For Directions or information contact: Ray Laubenstein - 863-6071 Clyde Cheney - 661-5138 Gary Spencer - 863-6433

5 GENERAL MEETINGS

AND SPECIAL EVENTS Vischer Ferry Road, Clifton Park, NY Thursday, November 8,2012 7PM November Meeting

Clifton Park SeniorCenter Basic to Start Your Shop or CharlieGoddard 370-0388 call Ken Evans 753-7759 For meetingcancellation Election ofOfficers Circular Blades December 13 Family Night information, February 14 January 10 Finishing March 14 April 11 Canoe May 9

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS Gary Spencer, 863-6433 go two blocks toward Gloversville andturnleftoneblock to first road onright.That'sIt!Contact Second Avenue Mayfield, NY(ourworkshop) Ifyou are inMayfield atStewarts onRT. 30,just NWA Sacandaga -Thechaptermeets at7p.m.ontheSecondWednesday ofeachmonth at55 [email protected]. Right attheexit, rightatthe stop signandleftinto theChurch parkingarea. Contact Pete Chast, August, attheHurley Reformed Church. TheChurch isjustofftheHurley exit from Rte. 209. NWA Mid-Hudson-The chapter meetsat 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday, except July and CHAPTERS Contact Ray [email protected] NWA WC operates acarvingtool cribfor allto barrow tools. of your needs. We offerthewood, tools, patternsandthehow to carve training asyou needit. by appointmentonly. Allbeginners are encouraged to attendoften,aswe willassistwith100% We assistwithallcarvingmatters. Individualprivate sessionsare available Wednesday evenings weekly sessions, discussionsstart at7PM.Ourgoalsare to promote theartofWood Carving. 2nd Thursday ofeachmonthatthelearningctr. Ourprograms are determinedattheprevious The NWA Wood Carvers SIG–MeeteachThursday at5:30p.m.until9p.mallyear except the Schoenberg (518-371-1260), [email protected]. for more information. 237-6942, [email protected], Wayne Distin(518) 674-4171, [email protected] Steve fellowship andrelating experiences are amajorpartofoursessions. Contact Dave Axton (518) we work onandtheinformal training/learning sessionsgiven by andfor ourmembers. Sharing mods group. We strive to foster a learning environment for our members through the projects including theDoubleHHoleinWoods campfor children andrecently theGEElfunstoy Mustang Dr. Our general purpose is public service work for various charitable organizations, NWA Crafters - Meets every Saturday and Tuesday, from 9:00 am until noon at NWA Shop at 1 property inHurley. Contact MattClark,(845)454-9387. Kaatskill Woodturners -MeetsthesecondWednesday ofeachmonthat7p.m.theOpdahl 869-6268. at 7:00PM.Contact: JeanneAldousatAMJAMtat2 orBarbara Nottke [email protected] or Mustang Drive, Latham. Abeginner'ssessionstarts at6:30PMfollowed by ageneral meeting Scroller’s Guild-Meetsonthefirst andthird Thursday ofthemonthatTheNew Shopon www.adirondackwoodturners.com Contact Ken Evans, 518-753-7759 [email protected] sions run6pm-9pmexcept onAWA membermeetingnightsasdescribedabove. and Turn" sessionsoccuronallotherWednesdays attheNWA shop,1Mustang Dr. Theseses- (This is just off Rte 9 at the light at Fonda Road) from 6:30 PM to 9:00PM. Wednesday "Learn Wednesday), and are heldattheNWA Learning Centerlocatedat1Mustang Drive, Cohoes, NY every first Wednesday ofthemonth(except inJanuaryandJulywhenitisthesecond Adirondack Woodturners Association-TheAWA isactive throughout theyear. Meetingsare SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGs)