The June workshop saw us in Fermoy in Charley McCarthy’s new workshop.  Charley has managed to provide a great space for his hugely imaginative creations and anybody thinking of constructing a workshop would be well advised to consult with Charley – he has issued that invitation – at design stage.

The Max Brosi type turning

The workshop clashed with the Ireland v Italy soccer match and as a result the attendance was a little smaller than usual.

This was a new workshop for us and we were not disappointed.  Our host decided that the topic would be offset or multi-axis turning.  He introduced us to the topic by distributing helpful drawings as well as copies of an excellent article on the subject from “American Woodturner” in the Fall 2007 issue.  He then showed us a “wobbly” rolling pin and then a wooden ‘plumbing piece’ he had made in the Max Brosi style.  Anybody not familiar with Max’s style could see an article on this imaginative craftsman in “Woodturning” magazine for March 2016.

Charley's off-centre barrel lamp

Charley’s main topic was a lamp made in several axes, each one slightly different to the other, with each section made to resemble a miniature barrel.  This he achieved with careful planning and calculating. 

Anxious to make the most of his couple of hours Charley, quite sensibly, didn’t finish out the project once he got beyond the critical stages but very happily referred us to a similar item he had made in preparation for the day.

Instead he went on to demonstrate some very cleverly and attractively designed candleholders that started life as an inside/outside turning project.  For this he referred us to a Barbara Dill YouTube video.  Once he had completed the initial inside/outside part of the project he then parted the four pieces and finished them using the multi-axis procedure.  The result was a couple of very attractive candleholders.

Inside/Outside turning

Completed candleholder

There was a small entry for the competition based on the three-part jewellery box that John O’Shea demonstrated in May.  Joe Kennedy was 1^st in the Intermediate section and Brendan Griffin was 2^nd.  Jim O’Donovan was 1^st in Advanced with John O’Shea 2nd.

Many thanks to Charley for hosting the event, and a special word of thanks to Vanessa for delicious food – without forgetting Neil who demonstrated great skill at the barbeque.

The July Workshop will be held in Kieran Higgins’ Workshop, Skibbereen on Saturday 16^th July at 1.30pm.

Competition: is a Multi-Axis Turning of any form.

Some of the attendance.

We had two of the Chapter’s better turners doing demonstrations for our May 2016 workshop. 

First off was John O’Shea and he made a jewellery box from Ash.  It could be said that he really made 4 pieces; the main box, the insert, the cover and the knob.  He started each piece on a screw chuck and having rounded the pieces then made spigots.  Our attendance was a bit smaller than usual but those who attended were very impressed.  This item is to be the subject of the competition for June.

John O'Shea's jewellery box. Project for the June competition 

After the break David Lee went through the intricacies of turning a tool handle from Ash also.  This “back-to-basics” exercise was very welcome.  Dave can only be said to be “the devil for detail” and without doubt this stood us all in good stead.

With a few minutes left Dave showed us a jig he had made for making spheres and demonstrated it.  Maybe he might decide to patent it and he will have plenty of customers from the Cork Chapter.

David Lee's 'sphere' jig.

The competition was a set of napkin rings on a stand, as demonstrated by John Ahern in March.  David Lee and Paddy Lynch kindly acted as judges.  There was a small entry, just 2 in “Intermediate” and 5 in “Advanced”.  Peter Manning took the honours in “Advanced” and Frank Allen in “Intermediate”.

Dave Lee, judge, congratulates Frank Allen.

Peter Manning with one of the competition judges, David Lee.

The Chapter are planning a days fishing in late June and also a possibility of a day with Glenn Lucas.  If we choose a weekday we can have use of the Scout bus.  Anybody interested should submit his/her name to Mick Bouchier.

Remember: The workshop on Saturday next (21st May) is deferred to the following Saturday, 28th May at 1.30 p.m.

We in the Cork Chapter have had many excellent turners visit us for our annual seminars over the years and we have never been disappointed.  This year was no exception when we had a visit from Colwin Way, well known to many  through Axminster Tools and now also a regular columnist with “Woodturner” magazine.  All the participants at the seminar on Saturday 16th April were delighted with the programme and with the results and many came away commenting that to get back to basics, as Colwin did, was one of the most beneficial days yet.

Our guest started off the day doing a simple bowl and with the hugely noticeable skill of an experienced teacher he took us through the tools, the grinding of them and, most importantly, the use of them.  Even the most experienced among us were heard to say that they had learned something.  

In a lot of the Chapter Workshops we don’t see a lot of sanding and finishing - understandably, we cannot create too much dust at the regular venue, which we are glad to have at our disposal.  This time, however, we set up for it and members were delighted to see the whole process from the initial lower grit sandpaper right through to the finer 400 grit and to sanding sealer or oiling the finished product.

The bowl was followed by a table leg.  Colwin did beads, coves and curves and used his skew chisel with a dexterity that had many of us sitting up and taking notice, determined that we would try and try again to master that very tool that frightens so many.

He moved on then to a candlestick - again the beads, coves and curves just flowed from the end of his gouges and skew - but with a copper top that he shaped on the lathe, using a pre-made former and an old bowl gouge he had ground to suit the purpose.

In between those tasks Colwin made up a couple of pieces of “fruit”, an apple and a pear.  He did the basic shaping between centres and he then made up a jam-chuck that he then used to finish off the pieces.  It was the way he finished those items, however, that intrigued his audience.  He used mostly stitched, as well as  loose, buffing wheels and a couple of different compounds.  He produced a most realistic looking high gloss without any trace of polish marks.  So impressed were we that Des, of The Hut (we are really grateful that he took the time and trouble to set up shop with us for the day - it helps to “make” the event) managed to sell a few buffing kits.

On Sunday we were back at the lathes ourselves in Tony Farrell’s workshop.  We limited the number for this masterclass to 20 so that each participant could get time on a lathe as well as individual attention from Colwin.  We worked on some of the items from the seminar the day before and everybody went home with an almost completed bowl and a candlestick.  Everybody who attended was delighted with the day.  

Tony (and his team, led by Alice of course) were the most excellent of hosts and not only did we hone our skills at turning and sharpening but we were well sated at the lunch table too.

We had an open cocmpetition.  The results were dominated by David Lee 1st & 4th), Gerard Hennessy (2nd & 3rd), Tony Farrell (5th) and Peter Manning (6th).  There was a wonderful display of items and all were to a very high standard.

Thank you, Colwin, for your imparting of your top-class skills, for your friendliness and for your kindness.  Thank you too for bringing your handsome and charming 11 year old son, Charlie, along.  Such a lovely boy; you and his Mum must be very proud of him.  We know your are demonstrating at the National Seminar in October in Maynooth.  For anybody attending that event we would suggest that attending Colwin’s demos is a must.  We hope to see you back here in Cork again in the not too distant future.

Competition Entries

Colwin Way with his demo. bowl

Candlestick with copper top

Table leg

Colwin congratulates Peter Manning, with his pair of candlesticks.

Colwin with Tony Farrell and his winning bowl.

Colwin with Gerard Hennessy and his 2nd prize winning creation

Colwin with David Lee and part of his 1st prize winning item

Most realistic-looking pear and apple.

David Lee's 1st prize winner

Some of the attendance at the masterclass.

Some more of the masterclass attendees.

SEMINAR & WORKSHOP WITH COLWIN WAY FROM AXMINSTER

Remember the seminar is on on Saturday next at THE SCOUT HALL AT TOGHER.  It is just a couple of hundred meters on the city side of where we usually meet.  Parking is probably best found in the Church car park.  
The workshop at Tony Farrell's on the following day, though limited in numbers, still has places left.  Places were initially reserved for Chapter members but whatever places are left at midnight tomorrow night (Tuesday) will be available for non Chapter woodturners who are also attending the Seminar.
Anybody who intends to attend either the Seminar on Saturday or the Workshop on Sunday should contact Mick Bouchier immediately on 086 8520542.  People who are not members of Cork Chapter can book any of the remaining places in Tony Farrell's for the workshop on Sunday from Wednesday morning on.  
The Seminar is €35.00 for the day - bring your own lunch but we will provide tea/coffee - and for the Seminar and Workshop, €60.00.  That includes lunch on the Sunday. 

REMINDER:

Our seminar is now only two weeks away - on Saturday 16th April. If you want to participate get in touch immediately with our Hon. Sec. Mick Bouchier, 086 8520542 or mick.bouchier@gmail.com. It really helps us if we know how many are attending.
Remember too that the workshop on the following day is limited in numbers.
Des from The Hut is setting up shop for the day. This adds greatly to the event and it behoves us all to support him on the day. Every little purchase we make from him helps to cover his overheads in attending.

REMEMBER: Limerick and District Chapter are holding their 25th Anniversary Seminar on
 May 14th 2016, At The Kilmurry Lodge Hotel, Limerick 
Full details on their website: http://www.limerickwoodturners.com.

DEMONSTRATORS:-
 LIAM FLYNN
CHRISTIEN VAN BUSSEL 
DONAL RYAN
TRADESTANDS IN ATTENDANCE 
Donal is already booked to demonstrate at Cork Chapter later this year.
This is one of our neighbouring chapters and we should support them.