Kingston Woodturners October Challenge

Starting with the 2009/2010 season of meetings, the monthly challenges to members will take on a slightly different format. This year each challenge will try to follow the theme of each month's demonstration/presentation with an added feature designed to increase the knowledge and skills of newer and less experience turners, while at the same time challenging the more accomplished turners.

Finishing, materials and techniques, was the theme of the September meeting. The normal challenge would be to have members choose and apply a suitable finish to a project. However, an extra feature was added to the challenge for October. Interested members were given a 6" long piece of unseasoned walnut as shown at right. The pieces provided ranged from 3" to 5" in diameter.

Using one of these pieces, this month's challenge is to design and turn, as well as finish a project using the wood blanks provided. Members were cautioned to be sure their design, execution and finishing procedures are accomplished with due consideration for any shrinkage, warping and checking/shaking problems associated with turning from the unseasoned wood. Members are then asked to offer a short summary of their experience at the October meeting.

Samples of two basic projects were used to provide a starting point for member ideas. The bowl on the left was turned from a piece of magnolia. The one on the right was turned side grain from a piece of walnut similar to those provided to the members. Both were unseasoned, freshly cut blanks. Both were turned to a thickness of 3/16th of an inch.