Willie Creighton did the honours as our guest demonstrator for our March meeting and Willie, a very experience turner and demonstrator kept us focused and attentive for the afternoon. He started by going back to basics showing how various cuts and shapes are achieved, although he said this was aimed at any beginners present it did act as a refresher for me and I’m sure a few more in the chapter. Using a 75mmx75mm blank of pine and various chisel’s he quickly turned a selection of coves, beads, and an ogee moulding, getting a very fine finish even with a roughing out chisel, a very good starter. For the main course Willie showed us a finished bowl, decorated in a diamond pattern of grooves with some panels coloured, (optional) and then proceeded to demonstrate how the pattern was achieved. The setting out is the important part and this, I find it difficult to describe so I will refer to a photo of Willie’s sketch which I have included. The size of the bowl blank is unimportant, the setting out is the same for any size, so first draw a marginal line top and bottom of the blank then a vertical and horizontal line through the centre on the edge of the blank, draw a diagonal line from the bottom corner of the margin to the top of the margin and on this line draw a perpendicular line (90degrees) through the centre point. The point where this line intersects with the bottom and top line and the vertical line gives a measurement which represents the offset radius to find the centres of the weaves, set a compass to this. Then on one face of the blank draw two lines square to each other through the centre point, continue these around to the opposite face. With the compass set and on the centre point, scribe a circle on both faces, then by whatever method you choose, mark, with a bradawl, four points around both these circles, of equal spacing and number them 1 to 4, clockwise on one face and starting with 1 opposite 3 continue anticlockwise on the other face. Mounting the blank between centres Willie cut a bevelled groove around the numbered circle about 25mm wide and 6mm on the deep side, now the bowl is ready to be worked. Cutting the blank to a circle it is mounted between steb centres first on the true centre to shape the bowl edge then from no 1 on one face to no1 on the other which angles it on the lathe, then marking a centre line on the edge it is run at a low speed. Using a fine parting tool, a groove is cut in a few millimetres, then using a wire line this groove is burnt in. This process is repeated on the other three centres, 2 to 2 etc, this creates the diamond pattern which as I said can be coloured in as you choose. The bowl can now be hollowed out and finished to your liking. Thank you, Willie, that was a brilliant demonstration, all aspects well explained, we look forward to seeing you again. Incidentally Willie did mention the he learned this technique and design from John Malone who I believe will be demonstrating at our August meeting when we will also be having our annual BBQ. Now that’s something to put in our dairies lads.
Pat Gannon.
The results of the monthly competition were as follows, 1st Jim Hynes 2nd Chris Hayes and in the novice section 1st Cathal Ryan 2nd Shay Clarke.
That’s all for now, I look forward to seeing you all at our seminar next month, it promises to be a great day. Until then work safe.
Pat Gannon.
