Turners Day

Yesterday was a full-on day of turning type experiences . . .

Firstly up to London for the Craft Meeting of the Register of Professional Turners. This is supported by The Worshipful Company of Turners and is a good way to meet up with the Great & Good of the turning world - have a jolly good lunch and a drink and listen to some interesting lectures by some very knowledgeable speakers. The theme was “Turning In Historic London” and the days programme was organised by Robin Wood. Well done Rob.

Traditionally we then repair to the Blackfriars pub round the corner for some ale.

Then it was off back home to pick up Bill Monroe (a local turner) and shoot up to Sawbridgeworth in Hertfordshire for the monthly meeting of the E.Herts Woodturners. Dennis Woodley demonstrated how to use a Sorby texturing tool (only £130!) on a piece of ash then sprayed it black, gold and red. I can never see the point in getting a lovely finish on a piece of wood and then hiding it by doing all that to it - but . . . whatever floats your boat!

There was then a “show-and-tell” about a selection of goblets that the members had tried to make - badly. Bill says he finds it hard to make something deliberately badly just to show what not to do. I think it was decided that the main defect with them was that they were too small - not enough room for much booze!

I did learn quite a bit about different chucking techniques for fixing work on the lathe and bought a small Sorby multi-scraper with which I’m going to have a go at making some lidded boxes on my treadle lathe.

We’re going to be demonstrating and (hopefully) selling at the Chiltern Open Air Museum this weekend - a nice venue and well worth a visit if you’re in the area . . .

www.oakleighfairs.co.uk/coam/