NEXT MEETING: Don Duden, Cedar Key, FL & NC, has been dedicated to woodturning since 1990. He has taken classes from many of the woodturning masters including Rude Osolnik, David Ellsworth, Ray Key, Ron Fleming, Stoney Lamar, Michael Peterson, Al Stirt and Frank Sudol. Don owns a wood and clay gallery in Cedar Key, FL, where he turns daily in a glass-enclosed shop. He is a charter member of the North Florida Woodturners, a member of the AAW, and enjoys teaching and demonstrating woodturning as his schedule allows.

LAST MEETING: Jim Talley, Athens, GA, demonstrated several tool techniques in the process of turning mushrooms, tops and small goblets. One technique is to turn the mushroom between centers, changing the tailstock center point for each off-center section of the mushroom. Starting with a 3" x 1" section of magnolia, Jim turned a mushroom similar to one that he brought for show and is shown in the first photo. With the wood mounted in this manner the bark-edge was retained for contrast as each off-center section was turned. These mushrooms are easy to make and, at craft shows, are given to the kids who are attracted to the lathe during their fabrication. He said that most all fruit, nut and flower trees are good for turning these items.
     The chatter tool was described in considerable detail while working with a 1.5" x 4" piece of maple. The chatter tool had a 1/16" x 3/8" spring steel mounted in its jaws; its end was bent down at about 30° with a 90° point. He defined three areas of this tool for chatter cuts: (1) the center point, (2) the left edge point, and (3) the straight edge between these two points. He further defined two end-grain cutting motions: (1) work from the outside toward the center and (2) work from the inside toward the outer edge. Remember, the chatter tool is only used on the end-grain and he says it works best at a high rpm - typically about 2200 rpm. The quasi-spiral patterns should show opposite directions when the cuts made from in-to-out are compared with those made from out-to-in. By making several end-grain cuts he demonstrated the effect of cutting under these varying conditions. He suggested that practice will be required to master the technique and, even then, the results are not always repeatable nor as perhaps expected. The chatter patterns should always be framed with slight "v" cuts and are best observed with added color. He used a RoseArt pen pack from Walmart and the standard yellow high-lighter. He always paints the center black. These techniques were also demonstrated on a small top. The bottom of the top was completed, chatter cut and painted, before turning the handle to the top. The point of the top was that obtained by turning; no hardened point was added. The handle and upper surface of the top was then completed with a painted chatter-cut pattern on the upper surface. Jim completed his chatter tool discussion by turning a mushroom with the maple cylinder mounted at one-end only in a chuck. A cup was first turned, both outside and inside, in the end of the cylinder. He then loosened the chuck slightly and shifted the cylinder off-axis to an angle of about 5°. By carefully watching the "shadow" he turned this section so that the cuts extended beyond the centerline of the lathe. After turning a short off-axis section, he again loosened the chuck and shifted the cylinder about 5° off-axis in the opposite direction and repeated the effort on a third short section. The result of this type of turning can be seen in the mushroom photo.
     As a final task, he revealed his secrets for the small, i.e. very small, goblets that he enjoys showing at every opportunity. He started with a 1/4" x 1/4" x 12" section of tiger wood. He emphasized that a good, straight-grained wood is required. With only about 1.5" of the wood extending beyond the jaws of the chuck, he turned this section to 1/8" diameter using a 1/8" spindle gouge. Then using a dental tool, the inside of the goblet was quickly turned. The stem and base was turned with the gouge while backing the thin wood with his fingers. The finished goblet was parted-off with a modified hacksaw blade. When parting-off, he says to always cut down toward the center; never up. No finish was suggested. The completed process took only a few minutes. A second goblet was made in a similar manner except this goblet had a captured ring. A nail, ground into a tool shape, was used to cut the ring from the stem.

JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL/SOUTHERN STATED SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS: Richard Byers, Ellijay, GA, Dick Libby, Blairsville, GA, and Bill Welker, Murphy, NC, a past demonstrator at Apple Ridge.

FUTURE EVENTS:
     A SATURDAY SPECIAL AT THE FIRE STATION: Allen Leland and Frank Penta will conduct a special demonstration on Jul 29, 2006 from 10:00am - 4:00pm; there will be a $15.00 door charge for this event.
     * Alan Leland, Durham, NC, spent 19 years making furniture and helped build This End Up furniture company. His interest in the finer points of craftsmanship has led him to develop highly-skilled, detailed turnings most clearly seen in his delicate spindle work, such as Christmas ornaments. Alan is currently vice president of the Woodturners Guild of North Carolina. He is also a member of the AAW and the Furniture Society. He has worked with internationally-known turners, demonstrates at many locations, and teaches at every opportunity. Check out his web site at http://slidingdovetailwoodworks.com
     * Frank Penta is president of the Woodturners Guild of NC. Frank has been involved in woodworking throughout his life. He began to focus specifically on woodturning in 1997. His work integrates function and aesthetics with fine detailing and finishing to enhance the natural beauty of the wood. Frank’s one-of-a-kind designs are exhibited in private collections and sold through museums and galleries. He has been a demonstrator at numerous woodturning clubs and state symposia and has conducted workshops in a variety of settings including John C. Campbell Folk School. Frank’s professional experience in education is reflected in his teaching ability and the high quality of his woodturning classes, demonstrations, and instructional handouts.
     Turning Southern Style XII, Sep 8-10, 2006, Unicoi State Park & Lodge, Helen, GA, and hosted by The Georgia Association of Woodturners (GAW). Featured demonstrators will be Stuart Batty, Judy Ditmer, and Vic Wood. For information.
     Georgia’s Lake Oconee Music Festival: Sherry Lane, 706-454-0151, invites any Apple Ridge Woodturners to consider displaying and selling their woodwork at the Music Festival to be held in Madison, GA on Sep 30 and Oct 1, 2006. This is the 3rd year for this growing festival and we expect 3,000 to 3,500 this year! This year’s festival is featuring only Georgia artisans and musicians. The festival is held in the upscale, gated community called Madison Lakes on Highway 441 about 2 miles south of Exit 114 on I-20 with the festival site overlooking a small lake. See http://www.LakeOconeeFestivals.com for information.

TURNING INSTRUCTION:      Terry Daniel,      Howard Elrod,      Gary Gardner

OUR TURNINGS: May Ann Macy shows how to save a badly spilt spalted sycamore vase by lacing the spilt with leather. The vase was further decorated with the leather lacing and purchased feathers. Zada Jackson shows her impressive burned art on a bleached box elder vase turned by Keith Rueckart.

WHO WE ARE: Each month a brief biographical summary will be included for two or more members of our group. It is hoped that these personal descriptions, provided by the members, will help everyone to become better acquainted with each other.
     Don Foster: After 43 yeas in the Merchant Marine, 13 on ships moving from deckhand to Captain and the final 30 as Ship's Pilot in Pascagoula, MS, I have found my way to the mountains of Georgia. My wife, Mary Ann, and I fell in love with the area 3 years ago and decided that when I retired we would move here - never to run from a hurricane again. We sold our home on the Gulf Coast last June and Katrina took it away in August. About 3-1/2 years ago, Mary Ann decided I would need a hobby after I retired and I decided to try turning and I've loved it. Taking lessons from Gary Gardner has been the best thing I have done to improve my turning. Mary Ann and I, with our Westie Boo, live outside of Blairsville and we are very happy to call this home.
     Richard and Mary Ann Byers: I was born and raised in California, just north of Sacramento. I was a shy, curly-headed boy with golden locks. Boy, have things changed!!!!!!
     After finishing high school, I started college to become a civil engineer. Later, I changed majors to become an architect. Having gone through school on the self-help program, I was working my way through college, when I found out Uncle Sam was going to want me. I had an opportunity to become a Navy pilot under the Navcad program, with two years of college. That sounded a lot better than slinging a rifle in Vietnam! I flew for the Navy for 10 years and was then released to finish college. I received an Environmental Engineering degree at Humboldt State University in CA. All in all, I attended Sierra Junior College, San Jose State College, Sacramento State College, Old Dominion University, and USAFI Institute before getting my degree.
     While at Humboldt in 1976, I took evening woodshop classes at the local High School and became interested in woodturning, as well as other facets of woodworking. All my woodturning looked the same, though, because I never took any lessons.
     After getting my degree, I got a job with ARAMCO Oil in Saudi Arabia, and flew for them for 5 1/2 years. Upon returning to the U. S., my flying career took me to ASA, then Northwest Airlines. I met Mary Ann in 1985 and we were married in 1987. When I neared retirement age, we decided we didn't want to stay in Newnan, Georgia, so we looked around and settled in Ellijay. One day in 2003 we were scanning the Ellijay newspaper and saw a notice about the Apple Ridge Woodturners' meeting. I mentioned my previous interest, so we finally went to a meeting that November.
     The rest is history!!!!!!! I have been hooked on turning ever since, and some day I'll get it right. Until then, it's just a lot of fun practicing.
     Mary Ann and I have now both retired, she from real estate, me from aviation. We have six grown offspring, eight grandchildren (and two on the way), and one great-granddaughter (and another on the way, sex unknown). We really enjoy the club and the camaraderie amongst the members. Every meeting, and every symposium, seems to be another opportunity to buy more tools. Thanks for everything you've taught me.

DUES: Dues, $20.00 per woodturner or $25.00 per family, are now "past due" and can be accepted at the July meeting or mailed to:

YOUR NEWSLETTER: It is hoped that this newsletter promotes our club, provides another source of information for improving our skills, communicates with other woodturners, and assists in the marketing of our product. Your suggestions and input for reaching these goals are desired. Send a brief description of something that you have been doing for use in "HERE'S HOW." This newsletter is distributed by email beyond our membership and input from others is also solicited. With their request, any interested woodturner will be put on the mailing list. To be added or removed from the email list, contact Al Daniel.