Next Meeting: Monday, February 4, 2019
TWG Past-President and Hands-On Leader, Dave Taylor, will be talking about chainsaw use and maintenance. More details below.
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Internationally-renowned Irish woodturner Glenn Lucas using a chainsaw to prepare bowl and platter blanks from a beech log.
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In the world of power tools, few fire the imagination as much as the chainsaw — particularly for people who love speed and power. The first chainsaws were developed in the 18th century by a couple of Scottish orthopaedic surgeons for cutting bone. But a Canadian invented the first portable, powered chainsaw for cutting wood in 1918. Since then, chainsaws have become commonplace and inexpensive. Woodturners have a strong interest in chainsaws, if for no other reason than to get to the lathe more quickly. Some have even used a chainsaw as a turning tool.
Although they are extremely useful tools, chainsaws can also be aggressive and dangerous when not treated correctly. Dave Taylor will be showing us how to work with and maintain a chainsaw, with an emphasis on safety. Don't miss this presentation. Instead of fearing chainsaws, we should appreciate them for what they can do for us.
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For our February 4 meeting, the President's Challenge is: make a spinning top. In fact, make many -- you're not limited to one entry. Rumour is that the Prez could show up with a timer and give the top that spins longest a special prize.
The President will judge the submissions and may award a first prize, second prize, third prize, and honourable mention.
Future Challenges will be announced on the Club's Calendar page. Keep watching that page for updates.
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Left: standard styrofoam wig holder. Right: hand-made, turned wigstand. Which would you prefer to use?
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Guild members responded enthusiastically to the January President’s Challenge: a dozen wig stands were entered in the competition. After ribbons were awarded, TWG’s Director-at-Large Allan Cooper took the wigstands to Sunnybrook Hospital's Odette Cancer Centre, where they were accepted with much appreciation.
Patients who undergo chemotherapy lose their hair and many choose to wear wigs. Wigs usually come with a cheap, Styrofoam wig holder. Allan Cooper was inspired to do better. When his wife was treated for breast cancer, Allan felt it was an indignity for women to receive their new wigs on a flimsy stand that would topple over, so he started turning wood wigstands.
Allan says, “TWG's wigstand makers should be honoured that what they did helps lift the spirits and better the lives of those with cancer. I encourage all other woodturners to do the same.” Join us at our February 4 meeting to hear Allan’s short talk with the full wigstand story and why you should get involved with the wigstand project.
Thank you to all who submitted entries to last month’s President’s Challenge.
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The latest AAW e-Zine is available online. This edition focuses on thread chasing but it includes other tips and articles of interest to woodturners. Editor's pick: watch the delightful video Sam Angelo made in which he teaches two of his granddaughters how to chase threads.
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The Toronto Woodturners Guild encourages all its members to not only attend the Symposium, but join and support the AAW.
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Lee Valley invites you to a
Woodturners Guild Appreciation Event
When: Saturday, February 2, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: Lee Valley Store Vaughan Location - 167 Chrislea Road, Vaughan, ON
Have you ever wished you could try new turning tools before buying? Curious about Lee Valley’s turning products? Make sure you don’t miss this special opportunity where you will be able to try our tools, ask questions of our staff, participate in free hands-on demos, and talk to our Product Team visiting from Ottawa.
Each guild member attending will receive a gift card, and one lucky person will win the door prize draw.
To participate in this event, you must register on or before February 1, 2019, by sending an email to vaughanstore@leevalley.com or by calling the Vaughan store at 905-264-1208. Questions? Call and ask for Arnie or Carman.
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TWG member Neil Haist talked about what he's learned while on his journey into embellishing turned pieces and shared some valuable advice. "After I make a piece and I'm happy with the shape, if the wood doesn't have interesting grain or colour, that's when I think of embellishing," says Neil. Go to the TWG website's Gallery page to see photos of Neil's presentation and get a copy of his tip sheet.
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Bringing your work to the Show & Tell table is a great way to share ideas and meet your fellow TWG members.
Bonus: an entry at the S&T table will get you two tickets for the raffle.
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