Cruising through April!

 

 

Our Patriot Turners-

@Gordon posted a question about wood identification. Specifically, he scored some really nice pieces but was uncertain about the species.

 

Check out his post and see what our turners thought. If you have a better guess, I'm sure Gordon would love the input!

 

@calabrese55 posted a great little jig in our Turner's Tips Sub-Forum. This neat little device can really help you dial in the correct size for chuck tenons or mortices.

Head on over to the sub-forum and see more images and how it works.

 

@RustyFN got a good start on another "basket weave" vase. These turnings sure do take a steady hand and awesome eyesight!

See Rusty's post for additional images and more progress

 

@Fred W. Hargis Jr gave us a look at his segmented ring, coin holder progress and details about how it is coming along.

 

Fred posted images of his progress and details of how he accomplished the turning

As his turning is nearing completion, Fred wondered if there is a way to burn an embellishing ring on the surface circumference of the turning.

 

Our members offered suggestions as to what worked for them. If you have a technique that works for you, please give Fred a shout.

 

From The Patriot's CNC Forum, @4DThinker posted his work on creating a turning tool handle. It turned out really nice!

More images and the completed handle are shown in his post-

 

What’s Coming Up-

Click on the images for links to more information and registration.

If you missed the live Spring Vendors Showcase, you can watch the replay.

 

Cindy Drozda's Live Tool Talk-

 

For The Newbies-

Not every piece of wood is safe to turn. In this video, Tim Yoder describes a defect called "wind shake" and why you should be aware of the dangers.

 

Sharpening your HSS tools takes practice. In this video, Mike Waldt demonstrates methods of making repeatable sharpening grinds.

 

Richard Raffan explains the importance of knowing the difference between a bowl gouge and a spindle gouge. Personal safety could be compromised and tool damage can occur if used improperly.

 

Expand Your Horizons-

Neat idea, from Sam Angelo, on chucking a turned box without the use of a tenon.

 

Turning Time With Easy Wood Tools-

The Easy Wood Tools "finisher" is an all around turning tool. It can be used to remove material during spindle turning, create coves/beads and even smooth out the tool marks left by other tools.

The finisher is available in every category of the Easy Wood line. Depending on the size of the finisher, the carbide cutter may be different. As with all Easy Wood Tools, the cutter identification is etched into the shaft of the tool so you will always know the correct cutter for that tool.

Using the finisher is straight forward. The tool is held horizontal and the cutter contacts the turning at the horizontal center line of the work. The depth of the cut should not exceed 1/3 the diameter of the cutter to avoid vibration thus creating rough surfaces.

The finisher demonstrated by Craft Supplies USA-

 

Free demonstrations from The EWT calendar 

https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/ok-oklahoma-city-store

https://www.rockler.com/retail/stores/ga-sandy-springs-store?utm_source=local&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=sandy-springs

@Jordan Martindale

New Turning Items-

A new face shield/respirator reviewed by Mike Peace.

The link to the manufacturer-

https://microclimate.com/

Sorta reminds me of the helmets used by the NASA crews.

 

Everything Else-

Safe turning

 

 

Thanks for the post Lew. Found Sam's take on chucking interesting.

I had watched Mikes review of that Air3 filter, it looks a little like a Buzz Lightyear thing. Do any of are memerbs use any of these PAPR devices? They sure get pricey. I'm not downplaying their useful function, they just seem unwieldy.

Thanks Lew.  Another interesting video lineup.

 

5 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I had watched Mikes review of that Air3 filter, it looks a little like a Buzz Lightyear thing. Do any of are memerbs use any of these PAPR devices? They sure get pricey. I'm not downplaying their useful function, they just seem unwieldy.

I considered one a while back but thinking about all the different machines that create dust I thought wearing one would be distracting when say using the table saw or other machines. I went with one of these-

17 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

I had watched Mikes review of that Air3 filter, it looks a little like a Buzz Lightyear thing. Do any of are memerbs use any of these PAPR devices? They sure get pricey. I'm not downplaying their useful function, they just seem unwieldy.

I had a Trend Air Shield Pro for maybe 15 years and it was still going, but sold it to a friend and got a Peke Powercap. I really like it. They do take just a little getting used to but the learning curve is not too badWhatever you do wear the shield and protect your lungs. You will not realize what the dust is doing to your lungs till it is almost too late.

On 4/24/2025 at 5:29 AM, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

Do any of are memerbs use any of these PAPR devices?

I wear the Peke safety power cap whenever I’m using the lathe. Maybe not as cool looking as the Buzz light year look, but the same concept. Mine slips on over my glasses easily and never have to bother with my glasses foggy up. I like it and don’t regret the purchase and it’s helped a lot with my allergies. 

@Gerald  Thank You! And thanks for the response to Fred's question.

 

@Fred W. Hargis Jr  Thanks! And thank you for the question to our turners.

 

@HandyDan  Thank You!

 

@Gordon  Thanks for the response to Fred's question!

Thanks Lew.

2 hours ago, RustyFN said:

Thanks Lew.

@RustyFN  Thanks!