CALGARY WOODTURNERS

(LIKE MINDED PEOPLE EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE OF WOOD TURNING)

JANUARY 2004 – NEWSLETTER

GUESTS

YVON SCHAUB who became a new member and CHARLES COSTELLO, KATHY WASYLYSHYN, and, DIANE DOERNTLEIN.

ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS

A slate consisting of WILF TALBOT for President and RON FALCONER for Vice President was presented by President TERRY GOLBECK. A vote was called and it was the unanimous decision of members present that they be elected to serve until the next election of officers.

By Acclamation, Carl Smith continues to serve as Secretary-Treasurer. However, Bob Vergette and Jim Osenton have agreed to help Carl with our newsletter.

DON WEST has joined our Members At Large Committee with special emphasis on orienting members in their turning skills.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/NEW BUSINESS/OTHER

LIBRARY – JOHN SIMARD reported that member BOB MCCULLAGH has donated 130 copies of Woodturning and 50 copies of the American Woodturner magazines, and that these are now available for member’s use. RON FALCONER is taking over as LIBRARIAN.

John SIMARD reported that the library is still missing a video “Turning Projects from Scrap, by Rosand”.

JOHN SIMARD our Exhibition Co-Chairman reported that he is still looking for additional display space besides Lee Valley. JOHN WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MEMBERS AS TO TURNED ITEMS THEY WOULD LIKE TO PLACE ON EXHIBITION. JOHN IS WAITING FOR YOUR CALLS.

SPRUCE MEADOWS FALL INTERNATIONAL CRAFT FAIR: Rent for the same booth we had in 2003 is the same as last year $722.25. John enquired of our members present as to whether we should do this again in 2004 and received an unanimous show of hands supporting this commitment. This rent has now been paid.

TERRY GOLBECK reminded us about the upcoming workshop with Stephen Hogbin designer/sculptor being held at Black Forest January 16 to 18. A number of SAWS members will also be attending. There are 2 places still available. Hogbin is featured in the January issue of WOODWORK.

DAVE BEEMAN held another draw and $107.00 was raised for our Library. Prizes consisted of:

- a Robert Sorby Centre Steady donated by KATHY SOMERVILLE (LEE VALLEY) Won by Ron Olanski.

- wood samples (African Blackwood, African Palm, Mkariti, Grevillea, Baphia Mkuruti, and Baphia Kirkii) by SEFFUDIN REHMANJI. Won by Gordon Davis. (If you want to buy any of these exotic woods from SEFUDDIN, you better contact him this month as he is moving back to Tanzania.

DEMONSTRATION

TERRY GOLBECK, RON FALCONER, AND JIM OSENTON made up a panel to lead us in discussion about finishes. TERRY started off discussing chemistry of finishes. He said that most questions he gets relate to food safe, and informed us that most finishes today, if not coloured, are food safe. Some finishes have ingredients to speed up the drying process and in these cases, turnings should be given lots of time to dry before use. Mineral Oil is not allergic to most of us and it can be purchased at a reasonable price at Farmers Co-Op. Methyl Hydrate, which is very toxic, is used to thin Shellac. The chemistry of waxes is the higher the melting point, the higher sheen to finished piece. Bees wax is from the Animal Kingdom.. Canuba wax is made from a Palm Nut/Plant Kingdom.. Mineral wax is from petroleum/Mineral Kingdom. When choosing a finish, one should consider the end use. ie: it might be best to use lacquer on surfaces that will see high wear such as table legs. Shellac based finishes work well for moderate usage. Items for daily use including placing in dishwashers can be finished with Mineral Oil and wax. They can be easily refinished when they become dull from use. All manufacturers will provide MSDS Sheets which provide product ingredients. A quick survey using a show of hands was done to learn various products used by them. Results were: Cellulose Sealer 12; Mineral Oil 10; Tung Oil 10; Watco Oil 8; Brush-on Lacquer 5; Spray-on Lacquer 6; Shellac 3; Turners Polish (Lee Valley-mainly Shellac) 9; Hut 1; Urethane 12; Super Glue (Accelerator Is very toxic) 2.

Spontaneous combustion can occur with Linseed and Watco oil. It’s best to apply these products with paper towels and after use place the used towels in water.

RON discussed High Gloss Finishes. He uses water based Varathane on top of water based Polycrylic by Min Wax. He applies as a spray or with a foam brush. He also has used Byrnel light 90 by Bell Air Coatings. He showed us a plate that he sprayed, but turning was too shiny on such a flat surface. It was suggested that #60, or #70 would provide less shiny results. The 90 works well on other objects such as vases or ornaments.

NOTE: Do not use automotive finishes on wood as the wood naturally moves and will eventually crack the hard finish.

Bob Vergette shared his recipe as follows: 1 part pure boiled linseed oil, 2 parts Behr Spar Finish and 3 parts Turpentine.

JIM proceeded to demonstrate use of buffing using his One Way System, made up of 3 wheels and abrasives. He placed Triple E abrasive on wheel 1, White Diamond abrasive on wheel 2, and Carnuba wax on wheel 3. He brought a large finished Willow Bowl with Nogal trim sanded to 400 grit, and a finished DBTB (Dave Beeman Thunder Bay) ash bowl which were finished with several applications of Watco oil, and a very large flat Fig Leaf Maple Burl bowl. Members were able to visually see result of applying various combinations of abrasives and wax. He also brought a Bowl Buff and a smaller one which can be attached to an electric drill. He also showed us the result from using Liberon Gilt Cream applied with a small rag and buffed as above. JIM also sands with wet (oil) sandpaper. It was enlightening to visually see difference from applications. Jim suggested a good book about finishing is “UNDERSTANDING WOOD FINISHING BY BOB FLEXNER”.

DON WEST circulated some pieces sanded to 2000 grit with no finish and some finished with Tung oil.

RON displayed a bowl with coloured stain and then finished afterwards. Again this was a water based stain which was watered down to allow more grain to show through.

NOTE: When using cloth in finishing process, use only small strips so that the material won’t wrap around the turning. Better yet, use paper towel.

Editors note: This was an excellent presentation, thoroughly enjoyed by all members present. Maybe this subject should be presented again early next year.

SHOW AND TELL

BOB VERGETTE – A hollowed out turning done from very wet Manitoba Maple. He led discussion on design about this piece.

DALE KEITH – An array of Wine Stoppers mad from various species of wood. (He accepts wood scraps for his work.)

Pat Churchman – A very large (it weighed 30 lbs.) Sphere mad from Baltic Birch Plywood.

DON WEST – Flat lidded bowl from Wenge. He used Tung Oil on the base and it took away the contrast. He prompted discussion as to finishing differently.

JACK WHITWORTH – A large Bowl turned from a Mugo Pine removed from his rockery. He finished it with Deft.

JIM OSENTON brought a bag of older turning tools from the late HAROLD BISWANGER’S workshop and a number of wood samples from TODD in Tacoma, for members to take as desired.

DON WEST brought a tub of wood pieces for members to take as desired.

NEXT MEETING

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3 AT 7:00 PM AT BLACK FOREST WOOD

AGENDA

Members are asked to bring gadgets ie: items which make your life easier in the workshop.

More data may come via E’Mail.

Carl