Fruit
The October 2000 Demonstration By Tom McDonagh
Written by Michael Forde
Tom, who is one of the longest serving members of the Branch, and a dedicated woodturning enthusiast, came well prepared, waiting ready on the rostrum, dressed in a white coverall, ready to get going long before the chairman gave him the all clear.

During his introductory talk he said he would make a pear and apple suitable for inclusion in a bowl of fruit. To improve the appearance of the display different coloured woods are sometimes used, or plain woods can be stained or coloured. However, for this demo. he would use sycamore and would not be colouring. A piece 7" long approx. was turned to the round between centres. One end was turned to a spigot, mounted in the chuck, supported by the tailstock and turned to 2,1/2" dia. approx. He would get two pieces of fruit from such a piece. Speed was approx. 900 rpm- he normally uses a higher speed, 2000-rpm. Using a bowl gouge and small spindle gouge the piece of sycamore quickly took on the "pear" shape with a smooth transition of the curves from the wide to the narrow ends, the sort of pears that grow at the top of tall trees in his native county, Tom informed us. He uses one of two methods for the "pip" at bottom or blossom end of the fruit, (a) a clove or (b) an appropriate shaped "pip" is turned and suitably coloured. Since he was using a clove for this pear, a 1/8" hole was drilled using the tail stock at this time.The pear was then completed except for the small section at the small end.

Sanding was done starting with 180 grade down to 600 grade, and after cellulose sealer had dried, carnuba wax was applied during rotation and polished with kitchen paper. Beeswax applied first and then carnuba wax on top can give very satisfactory results Tom has also found.

The pear was now reversed and driven by a small wood screw onto which the pear was screwed using the previously drilled hole for the clove. The screw was mounted in a home made version of a screw chuck faced with a piece of sponge which came up against the previously finished pear end, and with tail stock lending some assistance, final shaping, sanding, sealing and polishing was carried out. After a hole was drilled for fitment of the stem, which Tom turned to a suitable shape, clove and stem were secured in position to complete the pear.

The apple was next on the agenda, a yew branch about 3,1/2" long 3" in dia.was mounted in chuck and turned down to about 2,1/2"and the apple turned in one operation-no reversing.

The shaping was completed in a similar manner to the pear, the "pip" formed by spindle gouge and skew, and sanding, sealing, and polishing done as for the pear. The stem or narrow end was now gently and delicately worked on with sharp tools until the apple just dropped off -as natural as ripe apples are dropping all over the country about this time of year.

During this demo no measuring rules or calipers were used, just eye and rule of thumb; and two most naturally shaped, normal sized fruit resulted. A very creditable and professional performance, coupled with a humorous commentary that made the morning fly.

Congratulations Tom, and many thanks from us all.
M.Forde.