WE HAD a good turnout (30) for our Nov. 21 meeting which was a bit unusual—the demonstration was put on by an expert turner from Sorby, the English firm that makes fine woodturning tools and accessories. His demonstration using various Sorby products was quite informative and he proved he could take some good natured American barbs and deliver some right back. Good show and we thank Woodcraft for the opportunity to see this demonstration.

AS THE SORBY demo took up most of the evening there was not much time for a business meeting. But a few things did take place.

BOB HOPKINS, our treasurer, reported there was $765.50 in the club’s treasury. He said in order for the club to set up a bank account, it needs an Employer’s Identification Number and this process can be costly. Ken D’Ambrosio, club president, wondered if there are any members in the club who could assist the club in this regard pro bono. Can anyone help us with this?

KEN announced that the club forgot to appoint a nominating committee at the last meeting and so he asked for volunteers. Appointed were Tom Schwab, George Nazareth and Jean Schwinn. They will report back at the next meeting.

IT WAS announced that the Worcester men’s club would pay a fee to have our club bring the steam engine up to that city in the spring for a demonstration and talk.

LARRY DUNKLEE Said the latest idea for the club’s model steam engine is to house it at the famous Slater Mill Museum in Pawtucket. Members thought this was a great idea since the museum is regarded as the first chapter in The American Industrial Age. It was suggested that the club be released of any liability should someone get hurt.

It was moved, seconded and voter unanimously that the steam engine be put into the Slater Mill Museum. It was also noted that the museum could use woodturners for demonstrations on occasion.

IT PAYS TO BE PATIENT: Many members were disappointed at the November meeting that Ocean Woodturners did not get any ink in the fall issue of The American Woodturner, the quarterly magazine that is sent to every member of the American Association of Woodturners. Well it was worth the wait! In the winter issue of the magazine Ocean Woodturners got a two-page spread and two photos on the club’s Corliss engine project that was unveiled at the Providence symposium.. The text was written by George Nazareth and he did such a nice job he should take over this newsletter. Nice job guys—you put the club on the map. By the way, club members might want to consider joining the AAW. The fee is $35 a year. You can join on line at www.woodturner.org or get application forms from Rudi Hempe at the next meeting. The magazine is chock full of woodturning articles and pictures and carries no advertising.

SHOW & TELL: Ken opened up with a broadside –unveiling a huge, three-foot-high, bowl/vase made of black walnut that a lady in Cranston donated to the club. Ken certainly put his big Nichols Lathe to good use on this one. It was finished in Ken’s special finish. Bob Hopkins showed he can do more than count money—he produced a pink ivory egg and an earring tree. Larry Dunklee showed a shallow bowl, George Nazareth produced another superb segmented bowl and once again Ken suggested that someone in the club should document George’s prowess with segmented turnings with a video. Jean Schwinn continues to show up some of the guys in the club by producing a bowl made out of apple—a tricky project since fruitwood is difficult to use. Finally, Angelo Iafrate unveiled a Morrisson pillbox which is used by magicians and made of mahogany and cedar.

A REMINDER!!! It’s the end of the year and time for dues to be paid. The 2003 dues are still only $10 and you can save time and effort by simply bringing a check or cash to the next meeting. Make checks out to Bob Hopkins or to Cash and bring them to the meeting or send it to him at 31 Bethany Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Dues are not really due until January but if you want to pay up before the holiday shopping bills snag you, now is the time. We will assume that members who do not pay their dues are no longer interested and consequently they will be dropped from the newsletter lists. New membership cards will be issued to those renewing and as you know these cards are good for a 10 percent discount at Woodcraft (power tools and workbenches excluded).

A COMFORTABLE TURNOUT of 23 attended the Oct. 11 meeting at Woodcraft including three guests, Mickey Goodman of Mendon, Mass., Tom Powell and Keith Lussier of Exeter. Mickey and Tom both joined after the meeting. That brings the membership to 79.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED that Bill Mershon donated some woodworking books to the club’s library. Likewise, George Snyder, owner of Woodcraft, also donated a book. Thanks guys. Bill Bishop, the librarian, said the club could purchase more videos if someone has some to recommend. He noted that some of the videos in the club’s library are of poor quality.

Rudi Hempe, secretary, reported he received an e-mail from Angelo Iafrate who said that a men’s club in Worcester is interested in having the club make a presentation on the steam engine at a meeting in May. The consensus was the exposure would be a good thing for the club but that unless it was a woodworkers’ club, a fee to cover costs would be expected. President Ken D’Ambrosio asked Rudi to seek more information. Ken also suggested that perhaps a Power Point presentation could be put together on the construction of the engine.

Because humidity affects the operation of the engine when we try to run it by air pressure, it was suggested that a small DC motor could power the machine instead. Ken suggested that that decision be left to the committee that built the engine.

Rudi also relayed another message from Angelo that there is a club in Hampshire, England that would like to enter a twinning arrangement with a US club. Members were quite interested and Ken said he would contact the person who contacted Angelo and see where it will lead. Rudi said their website and their newsletter were quite good..

Ken announced he would like to offer free turning lessons to club members at his home on Sunday mornings. All members have to do is to give him a call to reserve a spot. He will take up to three persons at a time.

THE PROGRAM for the evening was presented by long-time member Tom Schwab who specializes in small turned novelties and other items that he sells. He first showed an old fashioned wooden lantern that he makes out of various woods. He then proceeded to make a wine bottle stopper and members were intrigued with an unusual dowel chuck that he had. He also showed how to make a stamp box. His presentation was a nice contrast to others that we have had in which larger items are turned.

IT WAS ANNOUNCED that in March there will be a Harbor Fair and the planners are looking for things to be auctioned. It was suggested that members make pieces to be auction and present them at the February meeting.

SHOW & TELL: Jeff Mee showed a bowl made of elm which warped when it dried. George Nazareth presented an exquisite segmented bud vase. It was eight-sided and made of lacewood, American walnut, maple and poplar with touches of Ipe. Ken said George’s works are so well done, they should be the subject of a video. Mike Murray presented two bowls made of oak; Jeff presented a bowl made of cedar that was donated to the club. It had several coats of gel varnish. Jean Schwinn, a new member, really showed she was off to a brisk start in turning and showed several tiny boxes and a tiny covered goblet she had made. Nice going Jean.

WE GOOFED—We forgot that the bylaws called for us to appoint a nominating committee at the October meeting. The bylaws state that the committee should produce a slate at the November meeting and that a vote would be held at the December meeting. We can address this whole situation at the November meeting. By the way, any organization needs people to step up and volunteer for jobs otherwise the thing will fall apart. Central New England Woodturners, the first and largest woodturners club in New England is reportedly in trouble, according to its October newsletter, because no one has come forward to volunteer to chair various activities. Let’s not let that happen to Ocean Woodturners. You get out of the club what you put in.

THE MEETING of Sept. 19 attracted 23 members, who it turned out, were in for a surprise treat. A nationally renowned turner, Alan Lacer was in the area and through Angelo Iafrate, he was booked as our demonstrator for the meeting. (Our own Bob Iuliano had been scheduled but he will be rescheduled at a later date).

BUT WHILE we awaited Alan’s arrival, there were a few items of business. President Ken D’Ambrosio read a thank you from the Make A Wish Foundation for the donation made by the club. Ken also said he was disappointed that the latest issue of the AAW magazine did not include a photo of the club’s steam engine but it was pointed out that at times the AAW spreads out photos among issues. Ken also announced the AAW was looking for an editor.

TREASURER Bob Hopkins reported the club’s treasury stood at $1,035.10. Most recent expenses were for $96 to build a safety shield (Dennis Hornik made one out of a portable blackboard with a sheet of plexiglass. Positioned in front of a lathe, the shield will protect onlookers from flying debris. Thanks Dennis!) Another expense was $35 to file the club as a non-profit organization with the state.

IT WAS REPORTED by Rudi Hempe that South County Museum would like to have the steam engine on display at its Harvest Fair. Larry Dunklee said he would make arrangements to get it there. John Chakuroff said the machine should have a compressor to run it and Larry said he could supply one. Rudi also mentioned that the director of the museum would like to have an ongoing relationship with the club and put on a workshop. Ken suggested we invite the director to attend a meeting to explain what might be involved.

SHOW & TELL: New member Ann Danis produced a nice platter of maple burl and a small piece made of ash. David Barwise used apple to make a Christmas ornament with an inserted figure, a bud vase and a small bowl; John Chakuroff unveiled the gavel he made of purple heart and ash as a present to Paul Pederzani (our resident retired judge).

AND THEN our guest, Alan Lacer, a former president of AAW, came in and spent close to two hours giving us a demonstration on using skews. He started off making a top that measured all of ¼ inch and then proceeded to show different skew techniques. He stressed the need to keep skews sharp and encouraged those who are afraid of skews to use them to make miniatures on practice wood. To maintain sharpness, he advocated making a honing wheel out of MDF and using a stainless steel rouge followed by a diamond honer. He also recommended using a dead center cup to minimize catches. The members were truly engrossed with the skew techniques they saw and thanked Alan for being such an entertaining guest demonstrator.

President Ken D’Ambrosio opened the meeting at 7 p.m. with about 45 people present including two guests of Larry Dunklee’s—John Ross and Chuck Burcott and also David Bonneau, Ron Chatterly, Perley and Annetta Dolak from Wildwood, FL, Alice and Robert Joyal of Florida and Ann Danis.

Ken announced that starting in September, he will offer woodturning instructions in his shop on Sunday mornings. He will have three lathes and so will be able to accommodate three persons. If you are interested in taking advantage of this great opportunity, give Ken a call at 295-8494 or e-mail him.

Treasurer’s Report: Bob Hopkins reported that before the last meeting the club had $922 in the treasury.

Old Business: Bob then reported on how the club can become a non-profit organization. It will cost $35 to register with the state and in subsequent years it will cost $25 plus an annual report has to be filed. After discussion, some members thought it would be a good idea to incorporate as a non-profit organization as it would protect the officers from lawsuits if anyone got hurt at the meetings. It was moved, seconded and approved to seek incorporation of the club as a non-profit organization.

New Business: Jeff Mee mentioned that George Snyder would like to have the steam engine model moved out of the store as he needs room for more merchandise. Jules Cohen said he heard the new Heritage Museum in Providence might be interested in the model but the museum is not built yet. He also suggested that Bob Merriman at the Rhode Island Steam Museum could find room for it in the meantime.

Librarian: Bill Bishop reported that the library account has $41. He purchased a Trent Bosch video at the AAW Symposium for $20 and spent $5 on making copies of the list of the club’s books and videos. It was moved, seconded and approved to reimburse Bill for $25 in expenses.

Mail Call: Ken reported that there is an exhibition called “Woodturning in North America since 1930” at the Yale University. The show runs from Sept. 10 to Dec. 1 at the Yale Art Gallery. Also the Fine Furnishings Show will be held in Providence although there will not be any demonstrations.

Richard Raffan Demo: Jeff reported that the Raffan demo at Woodcraft was a big success where participated got six hours of instruction plus lunch and refreshments.

Video in sight? Ken asked whether there would be a video setup for the next meeting . TVs probably will be available and Bob Hopkins said his video camera is being repaired but that he would bring it if it were ready.

Demonstration: Dennis Hornik put on a demo making spindles for a rocking chair. He showed that he puts old golf balls on the tangs of files instead of wooden handles. He also used a small skew to cut 2 grooves where he was going to make the bead, followed by a half-round file to shape the bead. He then used a disk sander to taper and shape the dowel, explaining that he finds that method easier because it eliminates any whipping of the piece. After that he showed how to turn a spindle with a square section, a pommel, and keep it from getting tearout. He marks the location of the shoulder then uses a Japanese cross cut saw and makes three kerfs, one to the deepest cut he wants to make and two that are shallower. He then cuts the surplus with a chisel before turning the round section. His demo ended at 8 when a large splinter of wood separated from the rest of the spinning piece and flew out, hitting Paul Pederzani on the forehead. Luckily Paul’s cap softened the blow. This is a good example of never using a marginal piece of wood. Wood should be checked for knots and splits.

Notice to Members: The club owns a big batch of safety glasses and they will be available for use at each meeting. Members might prefer to bring their own. Also Dennis is going to build a safety shield that can be placed outboard of a lathe during a demo. The shield will be made of plexiglass and mounted on a floor stand to be placed between the lathe and the audience. The club will pay for the materials.

Show & Tell: Mike Murray showed a small turned hollow form from mesquite with a blackwood base and another hollow turning made out of mulberry.

Robert Joyal passed around a pen turned from cherry that has a golf club clip and one made of red oak with a rifle clip. Both were nicely finished.

Greg Drew finished up the show and tell with a piece he turned for the CNEW picnic. It was a rendition of a water skate, an insect that floats on the surface of the water. He told how he tried to balance the floating ability but ended up by putting t on the bank of the pond.