For our January meeting we were back at Padraig Mac An Fheallaigh’s at
Dromohane, outside Mallow. Pádraigh
produced a replica of a large, altar style, candlestick, which he made using,
for the most part, a skew chisel. Some
of the newer members were fascinated by the ease-of-use and dexterity Pádraigh
displayed with that much-maligned implement and several members who had opted
out of its use went away determined to try again.
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| Pádraigh's original |
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| The replica - yet to be finished |
Most
turners, it seems, make pens at one time or another but to see somebody else
making them can sometimes be a great opportunity to reassess our work methods
and practices. When Paddy Lynch decided
to demonstrate how he goes about it there was general satisfaction among the
attendance. Paddy is, of course, one our
most popular demonstrators as he talks his way through whatever project he
undertakes with total, open, honesty and wonderful witticisms. During his continuous soliloquy he told us
that he doesn’t favour cyanoacrylates (super glue) but prefers to
use a two-part epoxy adhesive. Paddy
does, however, use cyanoacrylate for a finish.
Paddy shows his pens |
| It would be impossible not to smile on seeing Paddy's smile. |
There was only a small entry for the
competition, which was an inside/outside candlestick as demonstrated by Charlie
at the December meeting. First place
went to David Lee, Second John O’Shea and third Peter Manning.
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| From left: Peter Manning; John O'Shea & Hugh Garrett (one of the judges) with Dave Lee's winning candlestick |
We have an excellent line-up for our Annual Seminar in
the Midleton Park Hotel, Midleton, on the 18th April next with Mick Hanbury
(U.K.) and Philip Mahon (Sligo) as well as local turners. Full details
are to be found in an advertisement elsewhere in this Journal. The hotel
have agreed an excellent room rate for the event."