May 2002 Demonstration - by Philip Kerr.

Philip brought along some finished examples of his laminated work and some built up blanks ready for turning. He started by describing the build up of the blank, emphasising the necessity for a perfectly square centre piece with exact centres marked, and the contrasting timbers glued to the 4 sides to be flat, of equal thickness and parallel sides. Philip warned that the slippage which tends to occur during glueing must be avoided and even clamping over all the area is necessary. Veneer between the timbers at glued joints has advantages. Shaping a built blank which was chuck held and supported by the tail stock at speed of 950 r p.m. was then commenced , starting with a roughing gouge. After achieving a rough outline of the desired spherical type shape, Philip switched from the roughing gouge to a smaller gouge and firmer chisel which he skilfully used to get the final shape, frequently stopping the lathe, and checking that the laminations were showing equally on all faces. If they were not, slight adjustment to the tail stock support point achieved the correction. When satisfied with the all over shape and lamination distribution, sanding was completed down to 320 grade, then the application of shellac sanding sealer and friction polish completed this part of the demonstration.

Philip next demonstrated turning a ring, (a section of which could be used for a handle for a vessel, to give one example). A flat piece of mahogany was mounted in the chuck via a dovetail recess, and turned to a circle of 4in dia. and approx. 3/4in. thick. The outside dia centre point was marked with pencil for guidance- often recommended as an aid when cutting beads, the mark should be just still visible when turning is completed. With parting tool and gouge the front and top were quickly shaped, and sanding, sealing, and finish applied before removal from chuck .The remaining work was done after reverse mounting in a wooden jam chuck with a recess cut carefully to hold the ring externally for inside finishing (a loose fit can be made just right with a paper towel in the recess.). The ring must seat properly onto the inside face to ensure it is finished true. So the recess must be square and hold the ring at its highest point. Philip removed the centre using a parting tool and final shaping was soon done . After sanding sealing and friction polishing the ring was removed from the jam chuck to well deserved applause .

Sincere thanks to Philip for a very enjoyable and informative morning as he unhurriedly explained and displayed tool skills and procedures acquired over a career working with wood.

Michael Forde