Summer Day Camp 2018 is TOPS!
The session started out with a Pizza lunch for all. Tom Canada was our top making demonstrator. Tom soon had everyone’s attention with his top making skills, especially when he told everyone to cover their ears and got out his screeching chatter tool.
One of the campers Kaleb Pearson (grandson of club member Jack Kerwood) had colored all and turned some of the tops donated by his grandfather. For this effort Kid vs Wild awarded him their Woodturner of the year certificate. Our part of the event finished with the campers top spinning competition. First a boys competition, then a girls competition. The two winners of each group met head to head. This competition was declared a tie.
Northwest Georgia Woodturners Meeting
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Jimmy Byars presided over his first meeting as co-president of our club. Together with co-president Barry Gable, we had a great meeting, although it was not what was planned. Both our scheduled demonstrator Jess Walls and our demonstrator in reserve, Tom Canada called in sick for the night. We hope they both get better soon so they can join us next month when Jess is re-scheduled to be our demonstrator.
The Show-n-Tell portion of the program displayed many great pieces created by some of our members. One of our newest members even brought a few items to show off. Roy Moon brought several pieces, but the one that was very special to him was a photo book made by his niece, Taya, who visited last month’s meeting and learned to turn a bowl and a pen in his shop.
Several visitors/new members were welcomed to the club.
Terry Brandin, Treasurer, presented a financial report for the club. Plans were announced for a club goal to purchase a full size lathe by the end of the year. Having a larger lathe will broaden the types of turnings that can be demonstrated. Several fundraising ideas were discussed to reach that goal. Other financial items were discussed regarding the recent purchase of a GoPro camera and accessories, that along with a yet to be purchased large screen TV will be used to make demonstrations easier to see for the meeting attendees.
Jeff Slayton, manager of the Kennesaw Rockler store, gave a short talk about the benefits of having a membership in the American Association of Woodturners. The membership offers access to the AAW web site as well as a magazine subscription.
Larry Smith was the first member featured in our new Member Spotlight. Larry got started in woodturning after retiring. He found an old Craftsman lathe on his farm and restored it then began turning. After breaking three gouges in his first attempts at woodturning, he called another member, Phil, who taught him how to safely use the gouge without breaking it. Larry enjoys turning larger bowls on his Grizzly G0766 – 22″ x 42″ Variable-Speed Wood Lathe. For most of his pieces, Larry uses a water based polyurethane. He has attended several craft fairs as a vendor in Alabama, Florida and the Stone Mountain Yellow Daisy Festival.
In the place of an in-person demonstration, we watched a video from the club’s library which offered tips on sanding and finishing pieces on the lathe, once they have been turned.
As always, the meeting was concluded with our monthly raffle of donated prizes.
April 26, 2018
The NWGAWoodturners’ 2018 Annual Business Meeting and Swap-Shop was held on Thursday March 22nd.
Outgoing President Charlie Self called the meeting to order and called on Treasurer Terry Brandin to report. Terry’s Report showed a year-end 2017 total balance of (+) $3343.09. Current checkbook balance (+) $2849.79 and current ($) cash-on-hand $131.00 a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report was made and seconded and by acclamation accepted.
The Next Order of Business Was the Election of Officers for the 2018Year. The Nomination Committee Presented their slate of Candidates. For President Jimmy Byars, and Co-President, Barry Gable. For Secretary/Treasurer Terry Brandin. For Recorder Tom Canada. A Motion to accept the Committee’s Recommendations was made and seconded. and by acclamation accepted.
Outgoing Officers were thanked for their service to the Club.
Considerable time was spent discussing equipment upgrades. A need to improve our video capabilities for demonstrations was discussed. A second camera that would allow overhead views would be a major improvement. A means of adding audio would also be a great improvement. With these additions We could make training videos to loan to our members.
Another need discussed was a larger lathe in the future to allow larger bowl turning Demos.
There was discussion about future programs such as the annual Top Days in conjunction with the Rec Department.
All members should feel free to give their ideas on these subjects to the officers.
We had another great “Show and Tell” display. Many items were sold or swapped. or won as door prizes.
(Jeff I am now the proud owner of four (4) Rockler Stainless Steel Inserts)
Jack Kerwood, ” chairman of the council of elders”
Our guest Demonstrator was Paul Coley an Unique Bowl Turner from Cedartown. Paul is unique in that he turns smoking pipe bowls.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
The 2017 NWGA Woodturners Christmas Social Gathering took place on December 14th at The Donahue’s in Quail Hallow
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Arborist, Terry Paige led a tour of the Marshall Forest Preserve.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
We had several guests, potential members, some outstanding Show and Tell displays.
Our Demonstrator was Charles Jennings From the Tri-State Woodturners in Chattanooga.
Charles gave us a story of Wood Turning from an engineers perspective: “How did the Turner do that, Why did the turner do that, And how can I do that better, faster, or cheaper?”
His slow turned poly finish gives an outstanding finish with 1 coat. The slow drying process is made up for by the quality of the finish. Another great idea was the use of wood and pvc “Pen Mandrels” for turning all parts of a pepper and salt mill simultaneously.
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Wayne Lovelace was our featured Demonstrator. He turned a 2 piece woodcarvers mallet of purpleheart and maple. He showed some interesting Techniques, including the use of a Stebb Center, and showed several tricks for the “Taming of the Skew.”
On July 21 at the Parker Center we were treated to a hot dog lunch by the Sheriff’s Department Campers. Then the Campers were entertained with a top turning demo by Tom Canada encouraged by Charlie Self. We also welcomed back to our activities Phil Ward after his recent surgery. Thanks to our members each of the campers received a top to take home. A top spinning competition was held. A fun time for all.
