February 25th 2023:
Prescott Area Woodturners met at the YEI Building, 6708 Corsair in the Prescott Airpark on February 25, 2023. There were 37 of us in person and 11 on Zoom.
President Mark Oglesby called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. He welcomed everyone and told those attending via Zoom that any comments or questions should be submitted via the “chat” function, as the audio was not working.
Mark called upon Membership Chairman Jay Loden, who said that our newest member, Violet Mitchell-Enos, brought our total membership to 89. Mark also announced that Jay Loden is now our Webmaster. Jay brought the website up on the screens in front of the room. When the website is first opened it features three objects created by members. Those objects will change on a regular basis. Jay plans a dynamic website that will frequently contain new information. Jay asked for input from the club. Suggestions for content, pictures of your latest creation, etc. can be sent to jmloden@gmail.com.
Treasurer Dennis Egan reported that we have a healthy bank balance and no major expenses are expected.
Safety Chairman Dan Hall introduced Gary Frank. Dan said that Gary is a long-time member, very skilled, and if Gary can have an accident, anybody can have an accident! Gary told us he had cored a relatively large bowl using high torque, and left it on the lathe. The next day when he turned the lathe on, it was still set at high torque. The bowl sheared off the lathe and split in two. Half shattered the dust collector funnel in his shop. Half hit Gary in the head and went on to take a chunk out of his ceiling. He credits his face shield/helmet with saving his life. More information on his helmet/face shield can be found at https://pekesafety.com/collections/respirators-and-dust-masks/products/powercap-active-particulate-papr?variant=31337357738062. It is the Powercap IP by JSP. Gary wants to emphasize that the helmet is good protection for your head and lungs, but wants to remind people it is better to TURN OFF THE LATHE VIA THE RHEOSTAT and do not count on the hood/face shield to protect your head.
Ric Davis has also had recent accidents. His advice: LISTEN TO DAN HALL’S SAFETY MINUTE. His accidents, as are so many, were preventable. Mark Oglesby pointed out a ding in the ceiling of the meeting site, which happened when former member Ed Jones turned on a lathe left at high speed during a contest at a meeting.
President Mark Oglesby said that he has received a suggestion that meetings begin at 12:00 p.m. rather than the long-time start of 1:00 p.m. He said that clean up at the close of meetings keeps folks on site until well after 4:00 p.m. The hope is that the earlier start time would mean an earlier close. A show of hands revealed that at least 90% of those in attendance were in favor of the earlier start. Accordingly, the April 25 General Meeting will begin at 12:00 p.m.
Ric Davis discussed PAW involvement with the sale of personal tools and equipment. PAW routinely helps members and spouses of members clear out shops, but there have been requests for help with the sale of goods belonging to non-members. Ric said that he is not suggesting that PAW get into the Estate Sale business, but that there are benefits to consider. There might be tools and equipment that our members could use. If we charge outsiders a percentage fee for the service, that could go into club coffers. We could also retain the right to refuse. Dean Humphrey said that such sales are a lot of work, and that he would rather the club earn money some other way. The matter is under consideration.
Ric Davis then discussed creating a club history. Ric would like to create video interviews with long-time members of the club. This would be fact-gathering. Ric also reported that the Prescott Valley Library has canceled our reservation for their display cabinets. Ric and Mark will meet with the Prescott Library to see if we can have a similar display in their building.
President Mark Oglesby mentioned Jay Loden’s work with the PAW website. He said that there is a need for back-up to Jay. He called for anyone with website experience, who would be willing to work with Jay, to contact him or Jay.
Oglesby said that work on the PAW logo is currently in progress.
Events Chairman Dean Humphrey said that the Super Bowl Saturday event at his shop was a success. It was fun, and folks learned new things. A similar event will be held at his shop on Saturday March 11, 2023. It will begin at 9:00 a.m. The program will be a hands-on continuation of today’s demo by Walt Spencer. Spence will discuss sharpening problem tools brought by folks attending the event. This will take the place of the February 28 Tuesday Demo that would have followed today’s program.
Next Dean talked about the MAG sale on Courthouse Square over Mothers Day weekend. MAG wants us back. We can have the same location and free demo space. Dean needs to know by April 1 if you want to sell.
The club has decided not to take part in the August event on Courthouse Square. Instead, we will have a booth at the Prescott Farmers’ Market, at which members can offer their creations for sale. The Market gets a small percentage of the selling price. We will also have a booth at the Farmers’ Market in June and October, offering donated items, the sale of which will benefit the club.
For many, past November PAW has partnered with the Spinners & Weavers for a Holiday Sale. This sale benefits the individuals who create the pieces. Members of PAW have done well at this sale in the past, but Dean would like to know how many members will want to sell this year, to determine if there is enough interest to proceed with planning.
Program Director Bob Zimmerman said he needs to hear from members who are willing to do demonstrations at Tuesday Demos and/or for General Meetings later this year. Kathy Allen will demonstrate on April 22 and John Armstrong will demo on May 20.
Mark Oglesby reported that he has not received any applications for a 2023 PAW Scholarship. Go to the new PAW website (something we should all do, anyway). Bring down the full menu, and click on By-Laws & Policies. Policy 4 gives complete information and an application form. To the question as to ideas for available classes, Craft Supply in Utah has a full schedule of classes, but John Armstrong suggested contacting a turner whose work you admire. Many offer classes.
Kathy Allen reported that the Woodettes luncheon group is going strong. The next luncheon will be at the Back Burner Restaurant on Thursday March 8.
Jerry Shugars requested help with the take-down and storage of the equipment at the close of meetings. He then demonstrated how one’s position affects lighting as the reason people at the front of the room are asked to move around.
Show & Tell at this meeting took place early. When at the end of the meeting, some members would have already left, missing this. Dan Hall showed his bowl with a cliff dwellings scene. Dan said that folks also bring Show & Tell items to Tuesday Breakfast.
Program Director Ric Davis introduced member Walt Spencer. Walt used his PAW Scholarship to take a 5 day class in thread chasing at Craft Supply. Walt felt that previous scholarship winners had covered the process for creating threading with their presentation. Instead, Walt focused the first half of his class on sharpening the tools used in threading. The second half of the class would be on general sharpening. He went over safety rules specifically when using the grinder: ALWAYS use a face mask and safety glasses.
Walt’s assistant for the day was Ric Davis, who relayed any questions to Walt.
Walt suggested practicing, with the grinder off, the angle of the tool to the grinder. When that is satisfactory, step to the side and turn the grinder on.
Walt asked the group, “Why sharpen?” Answers included safety and less need for sanding.
Spence listed three systems: wheel, belt and hand. For wood turning, he thinks wheel is best. He admitted to a bias. He wants to spend less time on grinding and more on turning, and the wheel takes minimal time. Less time sharpening also = less metal off the tool.
Spence demonstrated the use of a block system for use with a grinding jig. The blocks create a repeatable bevel angle of 35º, 40º, 45º, 50º and 60º. The blocks should be made of the hardest wood available. Mark Oglesby has instructions for making the blocks, but will run them past Spence before sending them to the club.
At the end of his demonstration, Spence said that his name badge has the letter “M”, which means he is a Mentor. Spence is willing to come to member’s shops to help with their grinders.
The Tuesday Demo that would normally follow today’s demonstration will instead be held on Saturday March 11, 2023. Look for an email with further information.
The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marge Hunt, Secretary