Hi fellow members,
We were all treated to a great demo by Lyndal Anthony describing the basics and the details of gouges and scrapers, their angles and their bevels, and how to use them to your advantage to help make turning easy and smooth. His presentation was helpful for beginners as well as the more experienced turners. I know that I will certainly be using his techniques in my bowl turning. It is never too late to learn new ways to turn – as Lyndal stressed “Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results” – so try something different…and always sharpen!
As I mentioned at the Monday night meeting, the Wisconsin Woodturners club is disbanding. The WWT was a long-standing organization for many turners and it is unfortunate that they cannot continue. But the Milwaukee Area Woodturners club cordially welcomes all members of the WWT and invites them to join our club. The skill and expertise of both clubs will make all of us a much better combined organization. Perhaps some WWT members can share their woodturning talents with everyone – HINT! – contact Tony Rozendaal for doing a demo! I also want to announce that WWT has generously donated all of their tools, equipment and library, as well as the half-ownership in the Powermatic lathe. They will also be transferring their remaining checking account balance to MAWT later this year. This will be beneficial to all woodturners in the southeast Wisconsin area whether they be members of MAWT or WWT, as well as any future members.
I am pleased to note that our club’s local and social involvement projects are doing great. These include Empty Bowls which is now over 100 bowls and the Turn for Troops pen program is over 400! Thanks to everyone who is participating. We still have lots of time, so keep making pens (everything is free from Dave Drickhamer) and bowls for the Empty Bowls program. In September, we will have a presentation for Beads of Courage as well as a demo on turning a lidded vessel. Beads of Courage is a national program helping kids with cancer and operated locally by Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Finally, be sure to attend next month’s meeting (August 5th) with special guest demonstrator, Greg Gallegos, who will be turning his signature “Podlets”. These are really cool turnings and we look forward to Greg’s demo.
Keep turning and stay safe,
Ron Zdroik
President MAWT
See selected photos from the July meeting here – Thank You! to Tom Hipsak for taking pictures of the Gallery. All the photos are on the Gallery Page.
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