Taking Time Out To Dwell & Learn.

Over the months of February and March it is the time of year that special demonstrations for woodwork begin.

Starting with Sturt School of Wood16, 17th Feb 2013 .The open days are free and held at the School grounds in the Southern Highlands town of Mittagong.Demonstrations by Australian world class tool makers

***February 2013***Tools & Techniques Weekend
Sturt School for Wood will host a weekend of TOOLS & TECHNIQUES featuring many of Australia's finest tool makers: HNT Gordon Classic Plane Maker, Colen Clenton, Harold & Saxon Chisels, Michael Connor Woodwork, Jim Davey and others offering you the opportunity to discuss, try and buy their beautifully crafted tools. Plus specialist demonstrations on a range of woodworking techniques presented by Sturt's experienced teachers.
FREE Admission and Parking. 10:00am - 4:00pm both days. Food & drinks available on site.

HNT Gordon & Colen Clenton, Chris Vespa, Japanese Tools , Jim Davey Planes,show their latest creations. Along with such groups as Traditional Tools,  Southern Highlands Woodturners Group.


The main attraction is the various demonstrations each year. This year I got to see CNC operation (well last 20 mins due to late arrival). After lunch Traditional Mortise & Tenon Joints in Box Making. I usually only go for the one day which means I miss out on the second lot of presentations this isn't to bad unless it something I'd really like to see.

 CNC in progress and a completed work.

 Some of the tools on sale  and the man who makes them Colen Clenton.

 

Sturt Gallery always has a range of finished items done by students of all their classes on show. Weaving being another class.

 The Box using Through Mortise and Tenon with Traditional joints and wedges although not done in traditional manner.

February 22nd to 24th
This year saw us book a weekend in Taree for Artisans On The Hill Open Weekend unfortunately on the Wednesday prior we had to cancel due to a weekend of impending torrential rain and storms and flooding. A pity as one of the Ornamental turners who has recently moved to the district was there demonstrating. Still news media had it covered well. Even at home it was wet and windy for almost two weeks.

March 7th to 10th Metal & Wood Show

A new show along with the long running Stitches and Craft Show was held at Rosehill Race Course. The bases not unlike the now defunct Newcastle Wood Show which also ran along side of Craft Fair. This gives hubby something to do while hours were spent with in a separate hall rummaging through all things Crafty by the ladies. We ventured over on Thursday arriving as the crowds of school students did also, we went our separate ways till lunch time. Although the Metal and Wood Show is much smaller than I expected it was still worth a visit and well catered for. I wonder if it will grow?

This is "The Axe" built by a local artisan from Windsor Niel has done an amazing job.

  March 9th & 10th Kiama Woodcraft Group Show
This for us is an annual event a great day out although a small show held in the old Masonic hall the group put on an excellent display every year. I don't mind admitting my weakness in attending this event is to procure some small piece of timber from Boutique Timbers who make the journey from Rollands Plains near Port Macquarie yearly. As well as Jim Davey "The Plane Man", Traditional Tools Group, Steve? and his CNC machine.
This year the Jazz/Blues Festival was also held which is entertainment plus.
We usually meet up with the great fellows from OTGA these fellows are keen as they catch the train down leaving home as early as 6am meeting up as they alight at various stations to join up. We all head down to the Harbour for a fine lunch of Fish and Chips.

 Boutique Timbers just a little bit of wood I will post photos later.

 Some of Kiama Woodcrafters works

 Entertainment plus these guys know how to work a crowd.
Hot Potato is their name.

 A stroll after lunch, I was envious of the swimmers it was quite warm.

 

OTGA mates.

Yet to come is Hare & Forbes Sale 14 to 16th March. 

Trend Timbers sale 22nd & 23rd March.

Oh I forgot to mention Oberon which was on the 9th & 10th February as this is our grandsons birthday we do not go any more. Usually rains anyway.

New Addition Part 2

Almost a Year ago we found this little gem .

Its been a long slow process cleaning it up sanding off the Red Oxide which was hideous on the wheel and top frame. It had to be disassembled as it is very fragile. Repairs to the wheel had to be done, some glue slivers of timber to plug gaps. A ratchet tie down was used as a clamp around the circumference helped bring it back into round.

I hand sanded with steel wool and Danish Oil to put some life back into the wood it is very dry. Then it sat on the bench or parts of it did while the top was over on the tool box etc.  Constantly having to move it to access tools or work on other jobs was beginning to become annoying and possible damage to the whole wheel.

The original (when we bought it) small feet were not even the same sizes let alone shape meant replacing all of them, these new ones will be trimmed down a little yet.

The main legs were all screwed in and were loose these had to be tightened to make the frame more rigid. Photos below of the thread area.

The brace between either side and mount for the footman was broken at one end, a hand whittled dowel glued and fitted. The other end has had a wedge fitted at some stage to tighten it up.

 One of the new feet this is the shape of one of four of the original feet.

Left The peg hand whittled buy Sue to hold the wheel in place.

Right A missing peg replaced again hand whittled by Sue.

 Reassembled and its looking good, much more stable than 10 months ago.

Its still requires a lot of work, further sanding and oiling. I have to make bobbins and the flyer needs repair or total remake. Its one less spinning wheel in the workshop. Two more to go.

Dyeing & Carding of Fleece

 Sue has over the last month or so been dyeing and carding a variety of fleece. Alpaca, Husky/Mallamute and Merino.

This Alpaca was sent up by a good friend Geoff Steer who moved to Port Huon in Tasmania last year. 

 Hair of The Dog
 Carding fleece and Husky/Mallamute.

What a Week its Been

Yes for both of us we have had a busy week all sorts happening, with some time out also.

I spent many hours/days trying to get a decent internal sanded finish on a Tassie Blackwood Ginger Jar I am making with Black Hearted Sassafras lid .

The Blackwood was given to me by Pat Keefe some time ago, 3 years I think. It sat on the shelf looking at me often waiting for the right time and inspiration. I had an idea of shape and design that was to change dramatically.

While working away at another project I noticed a small amount of very fine dust on the shelf and some strange marks in the cambian layer of the Blackwood.

Pests and diseases
Acacia melanoxylon trees are highly susceptible to attack by Lorantheceous parasites and the fungus Armillaria mellea. .
Woodworm was my problem

This was not good.

First line of attack was a large garbage bag sprayed heavily with a can of Pest control spray even though the whole house has been sprayed a few times and the timber storage area. This was left outdoors for some weeks.

Next step a drowning in soapy water solution for about a week or more, then after a few days draining, a twenty minute session in the microwave which we share in the garage for dyeing and drying. 

In using the Microwave process I weigh up the size, weight, density and type of timber for temperature and length of time. I however always do the session in increments opening the door and checking periodically. I then left it for a few days before mounting it on a false tenon.

The original design due to worm holes, dry rot and cambian layer crumberling was not going to happen. During turning I had to change plans three times. 

I had to use some interesting tools for gouging out and turning the internal shape (photos of tools to come)

 Views of all 4 sides, colour change and the grain.

  

Internal 

With the Sassafras Lid fitted a very tight push fit.

In the photos on the right you can see remnants of the worm holes.




 
There was lots of sanding to do with this vessel especially internal.
I had to come up with something cheap and fast as reaching the bottom with fingers was just possible.






I purchased these all from Bunnings with my Christmas Birthday gift vouchers (plus a few other things) as can be seen I only used the battery drill and course grit and the hand held system. 
This I rested on the tool rest while working in an arc and flattening the bottom and smoothing the sides much as you would scrap.


Danish oil applied externally while Walnut Oil internally being its to be used for food (Ginger) awaiting drying before final finish. That will be a few weeks yet. I'll post a final photo here then.

Chinese New Year

Its been a few years since we celebrated Chinese New Year as a family,  often we went out to restaurants. It later became a family thing to do at home Sue cooking the meal. Often having others joins us, either friends of ours or the children's. The last Chinese banquet Sue did (2005 I think) took three days preparation, two days worth of cooking and 26 or was it 29 dishes for 14 of us.

Sue created a  Banquet this year of 10 dishes for the two of us with plenty left over.

Mini Spring Rolls plus Thai dipping sauce
San Choy Bow and Lettuce
Prawn Omelet with a nice sauce 
Fried Rice and Jasmin Rice
Spicy Tofu
Five Spice Vegetables
Garlic and Ginger Chicken 
BBQ Ribs and BBQ Honey Soy Chicken Wings both were cooked on the BBQ outside.


Oh and fresh Lemon Grass Tea

Over & Under 12 Gauge Shotgun Pen

A neighbour Wayne is a pen collector as well as a keen shotgun shooter I made him a Bolt Action Pen last year. He had heard of the Over & Under 12 Gauge Shotgun Pen about the same time it just took a while for them to land here.

This Gold Roller Ball Kit purchased from Pops Shed.

Ian Dorno of Hunter Valley Custom Pens made the acrylic as close as possible to the Red Winchester shell case. Wayne's Stringy Bark was again used for the lower barrel.

 The finished pen weighs approx 16 grams the shell cap end is smaller than the real 12 Gauge shell in diameter.


Updated 5th February to add.

I ordered 2 Gun Metal kits also these were supplied by Mark from 043turning.

I decided instead of a separate post I'd just add this Gun Metal one here.

Acrylic was given to me some time ago I think by Sam, it was very dark almost black a test turn gave a purple colour. It looks very Tortoise shell the reflextion of the brass tube enhances it.

Timber is Stringy bark.