Club Night Report

Wednesday 11th January 2023

Club Night Photos for Wednesday 11th January 2023 - Guest Demonstrator: Bryan Milham

The demonstrator for the January 2023 meeting was a welcome return of Bryan Milham - who last entertained us in March 2022.
Bryan had the dubious honour of being the first demonstrator to be viewed on the Club's new video system. After a 5-minute delayed start, everything worked well - and was seen (no pun intended) as a massive improvement over our previous system.

Bryan's demonstration for the evening was the making of two Christmas decorations - one of a size that could be hung on your front door or in the porch, and a smaller one suitable for hanging on a Christmas tree.

Bryan started with a review of the use of the skew chisel for roughing out square stock to round and went on to demonstrate the basic cuts obtained with the skew. A useful reminder of the mnemonic A, B, C, D - Anchor, Bevel, Cut and Direction was given.
He went on to begin a section of the smaller decoration - 2" square by 2.5" long sapele blank, turned to a cylinder, with square ends and hollowed/ drilled to remove weight. This was then painted with white acrylic paint, and put to one side (to dry), for use later.

The larger decoration was made in two-pieces - the body and a spindle/ finial. The body was made from a 4" diameter by 6" long lime log - turned to round with a spigot for a 4-jaw chuck. This was then turned to shape with skew and spindle gouges. A hole was cut in the base with a Forstner bit to accommodate the finial spigot. After sanding through the grits, Bryan applied a couple of spirit stain colours using a spray diffuser (mouth atomiser) - these are readily available (search via Google) from a large number of sources - for example: Chestnut Products sell them for approx. £7.20 for two.

The finial was also made from sapele - 1" square by 7" long - roughed and finished with skew and spindle gouges - sanded, and a coat of wax applied as a finish. The two parts were assembled with super-glue - along with a hanging eyelet in the top.

Bryan then proceeded to complete the main body of the smaller decoration by facing off the end to leave a 'tube'. He then turned the top and bottom end caps - also in sapele - with fillets, coves, ogees and beads - and spigots sized to fit the main body. The end caps were glued into the main body - along with the addition of a hanging eyelet.

Something we have not seen at the Club for a long, long time was then demonstrated - this was the use 'waterslide decal paper'. This 'special' paper is widely available in transparent and white - suitable for inkjet or laser printer (choose carefully!) - at around £1 to £2 for an A4 sheet - depending on supplier and quantity purchased. It is often used on glass and ceramics.
Basically, it allows you to place a picture/ photo of anything you can print - family photo, logo, copyright notice, instructions, makers mark etc. onto any of your turnings. Bryan showed the technique involved and placed a family colour photo onto his Christmas ornament. Full details of how to use the waterslide decal paper are often supplied with your purchase - and can be found easily on the internet (a huge subject).

Once again Bryan treated us to a wide-ranging demonstration of original projects, hints, tips, techniques and artistic ideas. An entertaining and informative evening. Thank you, Bryan!

The Display Table was supported by just two Members - two of the items were somewhat original and all three items were of excellent design and quality.

Arthur Kingdon showed an elliptical shaped, lidded box made in two colours of Corian - made on his ornamental lathe.  There were 48 fluted/ scallops around the outer edge and the box lid had a brass insert along with an African blackwood rosette in the centre.  Arthur commented that the box took him around 2-days to make.
Bob Wells presented a fine shallow bowl made in olive ash.  Also, a tall candlestick - made from spalted maple. The main body was 5-sided and twisted through 130 degrees towards the top, as it tapered along its length.  The cup at the top was made from rosewood and the 'candle' was made of tulip wood.