Club Night Report
Wednesday 10th April 2013An evening with Guy Ravine RPT - observations by Ian Hooker and Harry Rock
Guy (Website: www.wizardryinwood.com/GuyRavine) took up woodturning in 1979 and started his demonstrations with a method of turning a 3" diameter sphere in Sweet Chestnut. Coincidentally, a number of Members are currently working on the 'Secret Spheres Project'; so it was interesting to compare their own method to the one being shown by Guy. After turning and sizing the blank to a cylinder (between centres) - Guy proceeded to mark it out according to a list of calculated dimensions. Basically, the dimensions specify 
how to accurately 'knock the corners off' and to quickly arrive at a shape that is very close to a sphere. After smoothing the shape with a skew chisel and sanding most of the ball - it was mounted between a pair of shaped 'cup centres' for final finishing.
how to accurately 'knock the corners off' and to quickly arrive at a shape that is very close to a sphere. After smoothing the shape with a skew chisel and sanding most of the ball - it was mounted between a pair of shaped 'cup centres' for final finishing.NOTE: see this webpage for a similar method to the one demonstrated by Guy - there is a template available for download which avoids the need to carry out the 'calculations' required to mark out the cylinder:
http://davidreedsmith.com/Articles/ScoopOrnament/SphereTemplate/SphereTemplate.htm
Guy's next demonstration was to show some Pewter casting (using a simple wood turned mould) and to then make the cast Pewter ring into part of a decorated box lid. This worked well and the result was a machined ring on an African Blackwood lid with chatter tool decoration.
As a source of Pewter supplies - Guy mentioned Carn Metals (in Cornwall) - costs around £41/ kilo bar (delivered).
See website: www.carnmetl.demon.co.uk for details.
A little research also shows a supplier in Birmingham - who apparently will supply small amounts.
See website: www.pewtersheet.co.uk
Further research also revealed a supplier (based in Yorkshire) for the electric 'furnace' Guy was using to melt/ heat the Pewter.
See www.henrykrank.com/lee.html (Lee Production Pot IV 200v - Product Code: 90008) - Costs £57.19 + £4 delivery.
NOTE: Google is your friend! And ALWAYS do your OWN research...
Guy's final demonstration was to turn a natural edged bowl with wings, from a Laburnum branch sliced lengthways. Care had to be exercised to avoid the spinning corners of the blank! The item was finish turned but not sanded due to time constraints.
A good evening was had by all, with lots of hints, tips, techniques and tool use being shown. However, it was highlighted that the Club ought to invest in a better camera with a crisper lens!
 African Blackwood with Pewter insert and chatter tool decoration
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The Show 'n' Tell Theme for the evening was "A Bowl" - here is a selection of the items displayed:
Clearly, this was a popular theme and was the best supported we have had for quite a while!
Competition was strong and the entries were very high quality. Guy Ravine was invited to comment on some of the entries and selected 5 from over 30 exhibits. Avoiding the individual details - Guy used words like: "impressive", "nice piece", "admirable", "good shape", "well finished", "delicate pyrography" etc.
The result after voting by the Members was a 'first' - it was a tie between three of the entries - bowls from Vernon Hughes, Dave Branscombe and Harry Rock. Guy was invited to provide the 'adjudicating vote' - and selected the Spalted Beech bowl entered by Harry as his favourite.
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Unfortunately, not all projects are successful!
Thank-you for sharing Brian.  |
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 Show & Tell Equal Winner - Maple Burr 8 1/2" dia
by 2 1/2" High by Vernon Hughes |
 Show & Tell Equal Winner - Rhododendron
4 1/2" dia by 5" high by David Branscombe |
 Show & Tell Equal Winner - Spalted Beech
10 3/4" dia by 3 3/4" high by Harry Rock |
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