Padraig
MacAnFhaillghigh – Jan 2018.
January 20th
brought a very cold and bitter wind to Dromahane but still 30 enthusiasts
struck out for Padraigs workshop. Some arrived early for his tool sharpening
tutorial which proved very popular. Many also stayed on afterwards to avail of
his kind offer to continue with some more hot tips and one to one consults on
issues around sharpening – ‘edge’ ‘edge’ and more ‘edge’ as we say.
Workshop.
Padraig
began by showing a sample of a completed Grole (pronounced Groll). It was
absolutely new to us insofar as it was never demonstrated before at any of our
Workshops. It was pointed out to me later by someone more travelled than myself
that it is common to the Savoy region of France and the Aosta Valley on the
Italian side. It is an ancient wooden vessel with a small lid and several
spouts (as little as 2 and as many as 10) – Padraig did eight spouts (see picture below). It is
sometimes called a friendship bowl because it is designed for one to drink from
the spout and pass it to the person to the right until all imbibed. If it is
put down before the circle is completed it is suppose to bring bad luck.
Traditionally it is filled with coffee, liquors, spices etc to
produce a delicious hot drink. Interestingly the Grole should never be
submerged in water, instead it is wiped down with a warm cloth and stored in
the shade away from direct sunlight.
It’s always
nice to listen to the story behind the artefact but it’s really the woodturning
that gets us salivating. Padraig proceeded to explain the importance of
planning out the stages in a good logical fashion and not to rush at it. A 12mm
bowl gouge (finger-nail grind) shaped the lower two thirds of the bowl leaving
a raised section for the spouts. The top surface was shaped leaving a slight
recess where the lid would fit. Padraig now settled down to shaping the spouts
with a Microplane rasp, a small saw and a ‘Microplane rotary shaper’.
Alternatively, an Arbortech industrial carver and a mini carver could be used
for this and the decorative carving later.
To remove
the material from the inside, Padraig began by drilling the centre out to the
correct depth. It was now a little easier to come back with the 12mm bowl gouge
and draw-cut the bulk of the material. To finish off the inside a shallow grind
bowl gouge was used across the bottom to avoid dig-in. Followed up with a
scraper (inclined downwards) to give a clean finish.
It was brought to our notice that time had
run on as it does when you are having fun so Padraig concluded with a question
and answer session before we all retired to Padraig's sun-room for well-appreciated
sustenance and plenty of hot drinks.
Shortly
afterwards we returned to the workshop to finalise the Competition. This is a
major part of what we do to help maintain and promote a high standard of
woodturning in the Cork area. Once again a big thank you to the judges Brian
Goulding and Leo O’Donoghue for their time and critique. Also, thanks to the
competitors for coming out so soon after a busy Christmas with well-finished
new pieces.
Results.
Beginners. Ken Morey - 1st.
Intermediate. P.J. O'Brien - 2nd. and Kevin Geaney - 1st.
Advanced. John Ahern - 3rd., Hugh Garrett - 2nd. and Ger Hennessy - 1st.
(photographs are shown below).
Next competition is a bowl/vessel “with a difference” Our secretary Mick Boucher will be circulating, shortly, the actual ‘brief’ for the competition.
Results.
Beginners. Ken Morey - 1st.
Intermediate. P.J. O'Brien - 2nd. and Kevin Geaney - 1st.
Advanced. John Ahern - 3rd., Hugh Garrett - 2nd. and Ger Hennessy - 1st.
(photographs are shown below).
Next competition is a bowl/vessel “with a difference” Our secretary Mick Boucher will be circulating, shortly, the actual ‘brief’ for the competition.
It is clear
from Padraigs demonstration that the Grole is an ‘advanced’ project therefore
extra care should be employed and always use a visor for faceplate work. Yet
the skills shown can be adapted for less adventurous items that would suit all
levels so there is no excuse for not using your imagination and not bringing
your pieces along to next months competitions..
Safety
Health and Welfare:
Safety is
always foremost in what we do so remember to (1) plan ahead each stage
carefully, (2) assess the risks, i.e. envisage
what could go wrong and act accordingly.
Finally we
sincerely thank Padraig and family for their hospitality to the Cork Chapter
once again and so soon after Christmas.
And as
always a Workshop Report will never substitute for the real thing – the actual
workshop. So keep the third Saturday each month reserved.