GREATER VANCOUVER

G U I L DWOODTURNERS

C H A P T E R 13 0 O F T H E A M E R I C A N A S S O C I AT I O N O F WO O D T U R N E R S

CONTENTSPresident’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Art Liestman

May’s Main Event: Gerrit VanNess . . . . 2Doug Schop

Are You Turning Too Fast? . . . . . . . . . . 2Larry Stevenson

Instant Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Andrew Forrest, photos by John Flanagan

May’s President’s Challenge Pieces . . . . 5

Thank You Ian Waymark . . . . . . . . . . 6Stan Clarke

GVWG Picnic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7John Bese

Allan Batty Demo and Classes in August 7Art Liestman

Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Fred Baldwin – Education Co-ordinator

Classified Ad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

PRESIDENT’S COLUMNArt Liestman

As we near the end of the guild’s season, I’d like to thank everyone for participating and

making this our best year so far. As our membershipcontinues to increase, new members bring addedvitality to the guild while long-time members addstability and a sense of our history. We needoccasional events to get to know each other better,though, and we have a couple of those planned for thesummer. (In July and August we don’t have regularmonthly meetings. Our next regular meeting will beon September 25th.)

On July 21st, we will have our annual picnic. If youhaven’t been to one before, please put it on yourcalendar for this year. (Those who have been to theprevious picnics don’t really need to be encouraged.)It’s great fun and a wonderful opportunity to get toknow the other club members better. Bring somemoney, too, as there will be lots of items in theauction including pieces made by our visitingdemonstrators as well as guild members, rawmaterials, tools, and possibly other oddities. There ismore info on the picnic elsewhere in the newsletter.

On August 10th, please join us for a demonstrationby one of the great master woodturners – AllanBatty! There’s more detailed information elsewhere inthe newsletter, but suffice it to say that you will notbe disappointed if you attend the demo. Allan willalso be teaching a class on August 11th, a niceopportunity for those of you who want some directhands-on instruction from one of the legends.

Don’t forget your President’s challenge doorstops forthe June meeting!

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9 JUNE 2002

A Reminder for the June Meeting Food Providers.We ask that the following members please provide some

food for the meeting on June 26th:

Phil MacGregor, John Mathers, Robert McConnell, GaryMissenghers, Perry Niehaus, Bill Olsen, Bill Ophoff.(Food is supplied in alphabetical rotation.Your contributions aregreatly appreciated. Yum!)

NEXT MEETING ONJUNE 26, 2002

at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall318 Kearny St., New Westminster

Focus on Fundamentals(Starts at 6:30 p.m.)

LEVEL 1 – ErgonomicsSetting up your work area

to “fit” you

LEVEL 2 – Sharpening IIFree-hand sharpening a skew, roughing

gouge, and scraper

LEVEL 3 – Supplies/SuppliersWhere to get tools and supplies(pen part, brass findings, etc.)

MAIN EVENT:Bruce Campbell

Threaded boxes are the theme and Bruce will turn the lid and bottom of a box then show how he cuts the

threads into both pieces.

ARE YOU TURNING TOOFAST?Larry Stevenson

M y decision to write this article came after viewing a video tape from our library.

For those of you whom would like to review foryourself it is V41 – 2001 AAW Symposium, TechniquesVideo, Volume One. In particular this article was aresult of a discussion by Dale Nish on NaturalEdge Bowls. He was discussing that many turnersare turning, in his opinion, at too fast a speed. Hegoes on to mention that he has been called as awitness at trials involving deaths resulting frominjuries related to “turning too fast”. He mentioneda particular case where a friend of his was turninglarge 24" Lazy Susan, received an extremely badinjury from turning too fast and may have beenbetter off if he hadn’t survived. His injury left himdependent on having medical devices attached tohim indefinitely. The long and the short of it is thatDale Nish recommends that you use the followingformula to determine a safe turning speed.

DIAMETER * RPM = 6000 – 9000

The numbers 6000 – 9000 are just numbers thatare used to determine a range of safe turningspeeds. I thought I’d do a little math and found outthat I have definitely been guilty of exceeding thislimit. So here is a table of speeds using thepreceding formula.

DIAMETER SPEED RANGE DIAMETER SPEED RANGEINCHES RPM INCHES RPM

1 6000 – 9000 13 462 – 6922 3000 – 4500 14 429 – 6433 2000 – 3000 15 400 – 6004 1500 – 2250 16 375 – 5635 1200 – 1800 17 353 – 5296 1000 – 1500 18 333 – 5007 857 – 1286 19 316 – 4748 750 – 1125 20 300 – 4509 667 – 1000 21 286 – 429

10 600 – 900 22 273 – 40911 545 – 818 23 261 – 39112 500 – 750 24 250 – 375

Now I know that most of the lathes out there eitherdo not have a digital RPM readout or do not have allthis range of speeds, however this does provide aguideline for “Safe Turning Speeds”. Next time I havea large platter on the lathe I will probably exerciseon the side of caution as I really enjoy woodturningand would hate to have a delamination or breakagesend me to the hospital. Obviously this doesn’t negatethe need for proper eye and face protection, it is justmeant as another guideline for safety.

MAY’S MAIN EVENT:GERRIT VANNESSDoug Schop

Our demonstrator at the May 22nd meeting was Gerrit VanNess from the Northwest

Wood Turners. He is an admitted wood abuser anda member of the “burn ’em and beat ’em” school.

He told us he doesn’t like to work with an audienceand does his “Dog and Pony” show by exhibitingsome of the vessels he has made.

Gerrit doesn’t like to see people abusing good woodbut he prefers to work with spalted wood and insome cases sets the wood up to spalt so he can getthe type of product he wants.

Gerrit says he is never sure what the finishedvessel will look like, but I suppose a lot of us couldsay that.

He bleaches, steams and paints or dyes (sometimesall of the above) the vessels to get the effect he issearching for and uses very course sanding discs tocreate the texture he wants.

He may use a disc as course as 16 grit or up to 80grit. “I don't like to do much sanding”, he said.After turning the vessel he burns the wood using apropane torch, “0utside to save the shop from thefireworks”, and then removes the charred softerwood with his discs and wire brushes.

Gerrit passed around small desert plate sizedsamples of various textures, dyes and stains thathe has tried, texturing is also applied with leatherpunches and he has used nail sets to dimple somepieces.

Finishes used may vary from spar varnish to justplain floor wax and includes different paints,acrylic finishes and leather dyes. “I tried Minwaxbut didn’t like it,” he said.

In many of his vessels he finishes the top rim withcontrasting wood or a contrasting lid, (nottextured) this contrast of the different colours andtexture is very appealing and makes the vesselstand out.

Gerrit prefers to work in big leaf maple but hastried other species of wood as well. “When I’mworking I want the wood to do what it wants, youcan’t be shy about pushing the envelope,” he said.

Gerrit passed around several of his vessels andthey were of great interest to the members.

Unusual and Interesting work Gerrit. Thanks forthe demo.

GVWG – June 2002 Page 2

Rich Schmidt hasbeen busy lately.A maple bowl withthree carved legsor feet. A peculiarlooking piece,made of a maplecrotch that couldbe any number ofthings and lastbut not least, amaple bowl with arock inlay aroundthe rim

This months President’s Challenge was somethinginspired by Michael Hosaluk. The range of itemsthat turned up was amazing!

Bruce Campbell has been very busy off the lathe.His three pieces were very entertaining. Themeanest looking sea cucumber I’ve ever seen wasfinished with acrylic paint. “Cawford” the cut upand re-glued bowl bird was colourful. The “Happy

INSTANT GALLERYAndrew Forrest

This meetings Instant Gallery was a little lean in the number of pieces that were displayed.

Our June meeting is the last one of the season, let’shave a good turn out.

Stan Clarkebrought in athreaded, liddedbox of figuredwalnut. It wasfinished withlaquer and wax.

David Wagnerhas a friend atthe UBCBotanicalGardens, and gota nice piece ofrhododendron.

(Friends like thatare good to have!)He turned a smallbowl and finishedit with mineral oil.Nicely done. On arecent trip toMexico he found anice little screwtop box ofindeterminatewood.

Al Koehn madetwo fine maplebowls.

Doug Schop made a vaseout of butternut and abowl out maple andfinished both with tungoil.

Sandy Howkins broughtin his first attempt at ahollow form. A ratherlarge enclosed maplebowl. According to Sandyit is unfinished and needsto be jam chucked, forwhich he is getting somepointers from John Bese.It looked great.

Stan Clarke’s Walnut Box.

David Wagner’s rhododendron bowl.

Screw top box from Mexico.

Doug Schop made this butternut bowl.

... and Doug made this maple bowl.

Sandy Howkin’s hollow bowl

GVWG – June 2002 Page 3

A multi-function item from Ted Fromson came withit’s own stand. The hollow “Green Bottle” could berotated on the stand, it can even be taken off thestand.

Ross Pilgrim got in on the action as well. Hishorizontal segmented box of oak was put togetherthat afternoon.

My oak ladle was a very entertaining to turn. I’venever been air cooled by the object I’ve beenturning before! Having that handled wizzingaround whilst I was hollowing the ladle was a newexperience for me. I very much enjoyed it though.

This month’s challenge was outstanding. Thenumber and variety of items that were brought inwas, I think, the best turn out yet. As a club wehave some very creative and energetic people wholike to experiment and that will, in turn, inspirethe rest of the membership to think out side thebox or bowl or whatever.

Next month’s challenge is to make a set ofdoorstops. Square stock with turned ends and bandsawn in half on the diagonal. Let’s see a wholebunch next meeting.

Bubble Bowl Fish” was a hollow form, cut in halfand hinged, sitting on three fins. His spun spoonswere fairly nifty as well. All items were verycreative.

Colin Delory brought in a nutty bowl that wasturned, cut up and re-glued.

Tom Byrom got started early on next monthschallenge and showed off his door stops.

GVWG – June 2002 Page 4

Al Koehn turned this maple bowl.

... and Al made this maple bowl.

Rock inlay maple bowl from Rich Schmid.

Rich turned this piece from a maple crotch.

Rich Schmid turned this piece.

GVWG – June 2002 Page 5

Bruce Campbell’s “Bubble Fish Bowl”.

Ted Fromson’s “Green Bottle”.

...yes, you can try this at home.

Tom Byrom’s door stops (Talk about being proactive!)

Spoons by Bruce Campbell and ladle from Ross Pilgrim.

“Cawford” by Bruce.

PIECES FROM MAY’S PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE

We then started to meet once a month in mywoodworking shop at Yale Secondary School”. So in1988 the Fraser Valley Woodturners Guild wasborn with Bob Burke – President, Ian – Vice-president, Ed Pretty – Secretary, and Ted Lightfoot– Treasurer.

But what we, of that vintage, best remember arethe symposia that Ian produced. These were held inthe Yale Secondary School with the theater beingthe venue for the featured turner and the twowoodshops for the supporting turners. The firstsymposium in the summer of 1990 featured RudeOzalnik and Bonnie Kline with Jason Marlow andDale Rouleau. Although there were only about 12turners in the club over 100 people attended thistwo day event. What a joy it was to watch Rudeturn and to listen to his amusing and enlighteningstories. I fell in love with Bonnie Kline, and Jasonand Dale put on great demos. We were asked toenter a contest with the theme of “Time”. I entereda swinging hourglass which Rude (the jury)rejected, but that’s another story.

The Second Annual Woodturners Symposium washeld March 15-17 1991 featuring Michael Hasaluk,Mick O’Donnell, Jason Marlow and Dale Rouleau.It also featured a tiny lathe that Ian designed andmanufactured which he named “ORCA 1" and ahugh lathe (30" swing in-board, 3HP variable speedmotor, 2" shaft) named “ORCA 4". By this time Ianhad retired from teaching, moved into a new houseand built a large workshop in the back yard. Heinstalled four lathes and ancillary equipment forturning seminars.

The 3rd Annual Woodturners Symposium was heldJune 27 28 1992 and featured Richard Raffan,Michael Hasaluk and Bonnie Kline. The addedattraction with this one was that the participantswere able to do some “hands-on” with the featuredturners. Richard Raffan handed me a 1" skew andinvited me to demonstrate the technique he hadjust taught us. I remember it well; the spinningwood, skew in hand, 16 woodturners watchingevery move and disaster! But that’s another story.A “surprise” turner at this session was Ken Sagerfrom New Zealand who gave a great slidepresentation at the dinner. Each of the symposiahad dealer’s booths selling tools, wood etc. and eachended with a dinner in the banquet hall of a finerestaurant where the presenters gave slide talksand spoke of their latest discoveries, and we pickedup many a good tip from turners around the table.

It was a joy knowing Ian’s wife Jean. Here is whatIan says: “Jean was my right hand in almost allactivities. I think the executive was well fuelled byJean’s hot muffins and she was the perfect hostess

THANK YOU IAN WAYMARKStan Clarke

When I am “hogging” out wood on a big bowl my mind tends to wander. Certain

tools or certain cuts will remind me of something orsomebody; “Chris Stott showed me that cut,whoops! I learned that catch from John Bese. Rudewouldn’t like this shape (Rude Ozalnik). What agreat session that was thanks to Ian”, and I amthinking again of Ian Waymark.

In 1989 I was selling woodturnings at a craft fairin Vancouver when a skinny little guy introducedhimself and handed me his card:“WOODTURNER’S WORLD, Ian Waymark”. Hereis what Ian says:

“I had been a woodworking teacher at Yale School(Abbosford) for 23 years before emigrating to NewZealand. On my arrival in Lower Hutt I noticed alarge banner across high street advertising awoodworking show and sale for the comingweekend. I attended, enjoyed the show and wasshanghied as a potential new member. At the firstmeeting of the Wellington Woodworkers Guild Imet a Maori woodturner by the name of TirongoAmoamo. He was offering lessons on Saturdaymornings in his shop. I decided to attend eventhough I thought myself a half decent turner at thetime. In Ti’s shop I was “scraping” away on thelathe when I felt the handle of my chisel beingpushed down and to one side. Ti had his hand onthe handle and was lowering the tool into the“cutting” position. Magically, the dust disappearedand shavings curled off the tip of the tool. I was“Cutting” rather than scraping and I was hookedon turning. I then attended every class I could,turned every moment I could and attendedseminars with the likes of Richard Raffan. At theRaffan seminar I met Brian Latimar of Teknatooland struck up a friendship and an interest inshipping lathes to Canada”.

In the mid 1980’s Ian returned to Yale Secondary,started a company named Woodturner’s World andbegan selling Teknatool lathes, tools and NZ timberfrom his home in Abbotsford. Again Ian’s words“Bob Burke, Henry Goosen and I met at YaleSecondary and discussed the possibility of startinga guild based on the guild I had been a member ofin NZ. We decided to give it a go. I think we thenplaced an ad in the MSA news to the effect ameeting would be held for any people interested informing a woodturning club. I believe seven oreight showed up and the club/guild was on its way.

GVWG – June 2002 Page 6

ALLAN BATTY DEMO ANDCLASSES IN AUGUSTArt Liestman

We are very pleased to announce that AllanBatty will be here August 10th and 11th.

As you know, the similarly named “Stuart Batty”has twice visited our guild to demonstrate and teachclasses. If you ever wondered how he became such atalented turner and demonstrator at such a youngage, you will now learn the secret. His father, AllanBatty, is an exceptionally skilled turner with greatteaching ability and a razor sharp wit. He bringsalong a lifetime of woodturning experience in bothspindle work and faceplate work and isacknowledged as one of the great experts with theskew chisel and with thread chasers. This is onedemo that you definitely won’t want to miss!On Saturday August 10th at the Evergreen CulturalCentre, Allan will present a full day demonstrationfrom 9:30 am to approximately 4:00 pm at theEvergreen Cultural Centre at 1205 Pinetree Way inCoquitlam. The Evergreen Cultural Centre is on thenortheast corner of the intersection of Pinetree Wayand Guildford Way. To get there, find theintersection of Barnet Highway and the LougheedHighway. Coquitlam Centre Mall is on thenorthwest corner of this intersection. Thenorthbound street is Pinetree Way. Guildford Way isapproximately 4 blocks north of this intersection.Parking is available in a parking lot adjacent to thecentre. We have arranged to prepay the parking, soyou won’t need to plug the meter. The demo will bein the “loading dock” at the back (south) side of thebuilding. Don’t forget to bring a lunch!

In the demo, Allan will cover hand-threaded boxesand deep end grain boxes using hook and ring tools.After that, he is prepared to demonstrate our choiceof several additional projects such as twist work,square bowls, platters, or secret boxes. This will bea great opportunity to see a master at work. Bethere! There is a charge of $25 per participant toattend the demo.

Allan will also offer a class for up to 6 participantson Sunday August 11th. In the class, he is preparedto work around the students’ interests withdifferent students doing different projects. Somepossibilities include thread chasing (cutting threadson the lathe with hand held tools), deep end grainboxes, and platters. (Note: if you wish to do threadchasing, you will need your own chasers.) Theclasses will be held at KMS in Coquitlam from 9:30am to 5:00 pm at a cost of $150 per participant. Ifyou wish to participate, please contact me as soonas possible to be put on the list. (Call 604-939-3843or email artliestman@shaw.ca.)

for many of the big name turners who attended ourseminars”. Then in 1993, DISASTER. Ian becamevery ill, sold Woodturners World to KMS andretired to Mudge Island. He says, “2001 sees mestill quite ill but in good spirits and enjoying life. Istill dabble at woodturning and am pleased to seemy skills with the chisels and gouges are still therealthough a bit rusty”

So with Ozalnik, Raffan, Kline, Hasaluk,O’Donnell, Marlow, Sager and Rouleau thewoodturners of that era got a real kick start thanksto Ian.

GVWG PICNICSunday, July 21, 2002John Bese

The address for the picnic is 18726 Advent Road,Pitt Meadows. Just follow the map below.

The picnic will begin about 2 o’clock. We will needa few members to help set up for this event. Themoney from the auction will be used to hostupcoming events and for club expenses. Donationsof turned objects and wood will be most welcome.

Bruce Campbell will be in charge of setting up thewoodturning competition, so join in the fun andlaughs.

Also, don’t forget to bring your food to cook, plus aside dish to share with the group. The Club will beproviding drinks, buns, butter, etc. for the meal.After we have digested all that good food, BruceCampbell will begin the fund-raising auction. Lastyear, this was the highlight of the evening!

GVWG – June 2002 Page 7

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NEWSLETTER DEADLINEPlease be sure to email me any articles youwould like to see in the next newsletter by July 7th, 2002. Send attachments as text only toGVWGnewsletter@shaw.ca. More!!! MORE!!!SEND ME MORE!!!!!Opps, sorry for yelling. If you want to read it,somebody’s got to write it.

A SPECIAL THANKSTo KMS Tools and Equipment for their support in thepast and in the future!!

UPCOMING EVENTSFred Baldwin – Education Co-ordinator

Guest presenters for upcoming meetings are as follows:JUNE 26 – Threaded boxes are the theme and BruceCampbell will turn the lid and bottom of a box thenshow how he cuts the threads into both pieces.SEPTEMBER 25 – Roger Clapham of ClaphansBeeswax Products will talk about applying variousfinishes to turned worked.OCTOBER 23 – TBANOVEMBER 27 – Again this will be a collaborationof turners (John Bese, Steve Hansen, Marco Berraand Rich Schmidt) who will be demonstrating Xmasgifts or novelty. If you have any ideas and would liketo see them demo please let me know.DECEMBER – Group demonstration to be arranged.JANUARY 22, 2003 – Bowls can have handles –really – and John Bese will take on this challenge. That’s all so far. For future meetings if you have anysuggestions please give me a call – 604-531-9395 oremail me at fbaldwin@shaw.ca.

CLASSIFIEDFOR SALE: Melyvn Firmager tools available.Parting tools, irish grind, nib gouge, scrapey gouge,swept back gouge, angle tools. Call Bob James 604-980-9192 pager 650-3046 oremail plumbbobconstruction@hotmail.com.

GVWG OFFICERS,APPOINTEES AND

VOLUNTEERSPRESIDENT:

Art Liestman, 604-939-3843

VICE PRESIDENT:John Bese, 604-581-8807

SECRETARY:Larry Stevenson, 604-438-3947

TREASURER:Don Hoskins, 604-939-6808

MEMBERS AT LARGE:Ted Fromson, 604-876-0267Andrew Forrest, 604-990-9667Fred Baldwin, 604-224-5788

FOF COORDINATOR:Bob James, 604-980-9192

EDUCATION COORDINATOR:Fred Baldwin, 604-224-5788

LIBRARIANS:Russ Selwood and Michelle Jacobs

WOOD EXCHANGER:Phil Laliberte, 604-936-2995

FOOD CHIEF:Rich Schmid, 604-538-7012

NEWSLETTER:Thom Chadwick, 604-879-1275

or GVWGnewsletter@shaw.ca

DIGITAL PHOTO GUY:John Flanagan, 604-939-0942

WEBMASTER:Mark Bese, markbese@shaw.ca

GVWG – June 2002 Page 8

�DON’T FORGETTHE GVWG PICNICSunday, July 21, 2002

and

ALLAN BATTYDEMO

Saturday, August 10, 2002

CLASSSunday, August 11, 2002