July 2025 Newsletter

Meetings

Sally Ault was here on July 19 and 20 for a Saturday demo on dirty pour lids and a Sunday hands on class on lidded bowls.  The demo on the dirty pour with paint was a lot of fun and the results were amazing to see.  Sally left the demo pieces with us and we will likely include them in a future raffle.  The class participants also had a great time and learned all about making side grain lidded bowls and making interesting knobs for them.

Our next meeting is August 4.  Jon Behnke will be demonstrating pendant turning and using GluBoost versus CA as a finish.  This is the meeting to bring in your turned Beads of Courage vessels as Ron will be delivering them to Children’s Hospital for donation after the meeting.

Upcoming Pen Makers Club Meetings

Sunday Sept 7 Noon at Woodcraft

German Fest

MAWT has three members demonstrating and selling turnings at German Fest this year.   This is a nice opportunity to promote our club. Our new MAWT banner will be on display and our flyers and business cards will be available for visitors.

Wood auction

The Bardenhagen wood auction is live on our website with three batches of items and three end dates.

Beads of Courage vessels

The Milwaukee Area Woodturners has been donating Beads of Courage vessels for many years. I am planning to donate the club’s contributions to Children’s Wisconsin Hospital in August. Please drop off your turned item at the August meeting (August 4th).

For information, you can click on the Beads of Courage link below. The Donation Guidelines button will provide suggestions about size and finishes. Please remember that the vessels should have a Beads of Courage ceramic button. You can sign your turning if you wish.

https://beadsofcourage.org/bead-bowls/

Basic information – suggested interior size: 5″-6″ diameter x 4″-5″ height. I use Minwax water-based varnishes that air dry for several days. You can make a nice lidded vessel or be as artistic as you wish.

Thanks,

Ron Zdroik

New feature of MAWT Newsletter?

Is there interest in adding a tips and tricks feature to the monthly MAWT newsletter?  Members with a tip or trick can submit it to be published in our newsletter.  I will submit the first one and hopefully we get a steady contribution from the membership.

Is your faceshield visor scratched up and difficult to see through when turning?  Mine had large scratches and the visibility through it was fuzzy.  I decided to try to buff out the scratches using my Beall Buffing wheels.  I buffed the visor with tripoli then white diamond just like it was wood.  I did not think it worked since I could still see large scratches.  When I put it on and used it, I was pleasantly surprised.  I could see through it clearly again.  It is not as good as new but is usable until I can replace it.

Kevin Seigworth,

MAWT President