The Monthly Newsletter of Yellowstone Woodturners
Billings, Montana

June 2010                             Vol. 11, No.06

__________________________________________________

From the Editor

With the change in the Meeting format, we are also changing when the News letter is being emailed and mailed out.  With this change all announcements to be placed in the News Letter will need to be in to Paul by the Friday following the Club meeting.  We are making this change so all member can read the minutes from the Business meeting and have a chance to make there opinions known to the club Presidency.  All members are welcome to attend the business meeting that will follow the Regular Club meeting and presentations.

Those who did not attend the business meeting and wish to know the status of the Clubs funds can contact the club Treasurer, Jane Swaby (406)248-7507.

__________________________________________________

We began our gathering at 7:00 pm. with another group of attendees and two guests - Craig Wahl of Billings who was also our guest in April and Chris Simonson from Columbus, MT. Both young men seem very interested in our club and we hope to see them join as members.  Welcome!

Cookies were provided by Ralph Torrence - Thank you Ralph!   Coffee was by club V.P. Stan Lambert.  so blame him not me.  Stan has spent so much time in No. Dakota lately we may have to provide some retaining.

We received mailings from the AAW on symposiums in San Diego, CA. July 17th; Saskatoon. Saskatchewan, Canada,  July 23 ,24, 25th; Honolulu, Hawaii Oct. 16 & 17th; and Fishersville, VA Oct. 23 & 24th.  Se me for details.  The AAW also informed us of a year end drawing at the AAW offices, of a Random AAW members names to include prizes of $100 gift certificates, portable carving stands, DVD's chucks and jaws and a grand prize of five Jet Mini Lathes to that members AAW chapter and a full size lathe for the member.  Sounds like a good reason to have as many AAW members in a local chapter possible.

Under our group discussion we announced the receipt of 80% of the AAW Educational Grant monies.  The check was presented to the Club Treasurer Jane Swaby for deposit.  Committee head Paul Spencer gave a final report on the West High School Educational Program and stated that Shop Teacher and club member Jeff Meide felt most students would return for next years program.  Symposium Director Stan Lambert reported good progress on that project but we still are in need of one committee head - that being the Gallery/Gifts and Silent Auction Head.  Under other A&E Committee projects Club Pres. Martin Robinson announced the date and times for the Hobby Hall Fair Booth.  We will need volunteers for set-up on August 8th and take down on August 22nd,  both Sundays.  We will need to man the booth from Aug. 14 thru Aug. 21st 11:45 AM. until 9:00 PM.  3 shifts a day with at least 2 people a shift.  Even if you are new to woodturning and the club you can still be a big help showing the turnings in the display case and talking to people as well as keeping the booth clean.  We can show you what to explain to the public.  This is also a good time to learn from other club members that are there.  Just fill in the date and time on the sign-up list passed around at the next 3 meeting club meetings.  Remember the August club meeting will be moved forward to the first Wednesday of the month (Aug 4th). 

The church bread bowl open workshop was held on Saturday may 15th and was attended by club members Paul Spencer, Ed and Lu Auker, Mick Hogg, Jane Swaby, George Hoffman and Martin Robinson.  Ed and Lu attended even with Ed's left hand and fingers heavily bandaged and cut from a band saw accident.  Let's hope for a full recovery for Ed - he's a great guy and a great club member and past club president.  Church members were very impressed and interested in the  bowl turning process.  Craig Wahl stopped by for some hands on instruction and Jane baked several batches of cookies for everyone to enjoy.  Thank you Jane and thank you for everyone who helped out.

Show and tell was started off by Dave Torrence presenting a box elder bowl with lots of red and according to Dave, lots of tear out.  Paul was next with a square bowl he turned while teaching at West High.  I'm sure the students enjoyed that.  He also showed a hollow form walnut lamp base and a large lidded bowl of ambrosia and spalted maple.  Dwaine Beckman followed with 2 spruce bread bowls.  I could not believe they were from the church bowl blanks. - so nicely finished they looked like maple!  Great job Dwaine.  That's three club members in a row taking on some very difficult wood and doing an excellent job.  Way to go guys!.  Doc Van showed more pictures from his members workshop series this time focusing (pardon the pun) on Ralph Torrence's shop and his beautiful Intarsia pieces.  Great photography Doc even the picture of Ralph looked good.  An outstanding shop to be sure!  Ralph presented another intarsia piece - just out-standing work as well.  I can hardly wait until September's Presentation when Ralph shows us how it's done.  Bob Orr displayed an old model railroad baggage car which Bob referred to as the "dog catcher".  Don Buska presented another whole bag full of his fabulous creations.  I believe there were 15 vessels in all from 3 Christmas tree ornaments (wishing wells), one solid walnut vase, 2 transitional vessels utilizing solid hardwood with corian segments, another with plywood and corian and about 8 plywood side and end-grain segmented vessels.  They were a real treasure-trough of beautiful pieces. Unfortunately Don then dropped the bomb when he announced that he would be moving to Helena as soon as he could sell his house.  Don's family wants him to be with them and who can argue that.  This is a huge loss to the Yellowstone Woodturners and I don't know how we could ever hope to replace a person of his design  talents, turning skills and woodworking  abilities.  I hope Don can find a turning club in one or around Helena area that can benefit from his talents.  Maybe if Don could honor one of our symposiums with his presence it would be great to see him again.  May we wish you Don the very best!!!!

The presentation was by Gary Slanina on the Three Point Tool, also known as the pyramid tool.  Gary explained that the tool is both a detail tool when using the point and a side cutting tool when using the mid point of the bevel (in this case three bevels).  They can be used to roll over a bead quite nicely.  A wider bevel angle is best for this while a longer bevel is best for detail work.  the tool can be used as a shear scraper held at a 45 degree angle with the handle down.  Catches are rare as long as the turner dose not become to aggressive, however the longer bevel grind can become an unexpected parting tool (oops!).  Gary explained that the tool must be honed rather sharpened by grinding since it needs a very flat bevel to work and the edges of the bevel actually do the cutting.  Gary called for a hands-on from the attendees and got a great response.

New business:  A motion to move $150.00 to the library fund to purchase Mike Mahoney's DVD videos at our symposium this September.  As all Items over $50.00 dollars require a vote from the club members, it will be presented at the June club meeting.

 See Presidents message

June 9th Meeting At Ron Musgrave's Shop; Program By: Dwaine Beckman, Spindle Gouge

July 14th Meeting At Ron Musgrave's Shop; Program By: Doc Van, Air Brush