Thanks you one and all for a brilliant day. Whilst it was no small amount of effort (not least to clear the Garage) it was more than worth it. When I walked into the garage at the end it felt oddly empty. Wonderful banter, excellent demonstrations by Mark, Richard and Chris with George making excellent contributions and asides to Mark and Richard. Also lovely that Peter turned his first bowl (with some tuition from Mark and George).
Some pictures from the day:
Finally got it tidy enough to fit us all in, Mark turned up with some time to spare to install himself in the corner:
Mark showing how his hollow forms are produced including showing a very shear cut (with the bevel rubbing)
One of the nice things about these bashes are the incidental tips you pick up, like this: When you've made a friction drive to turn off the spigot on your hollow form, drill a hole in the bottom to take a sanding pad to enable a rapid sanding of the marks left when you pare off the nub left:
Richard (with some assistance from George) then explored thread turning; before and after the lunch break.
After Lunch Richard moved onto "the mysteries of the Skew"
with audience participation from myself, Nick, Ryan and Paul
All the time mark had obiously been interested and itching to have a go, after some basic tuition
:shock:
the extreemly good natured banter resulted in a challenge being accepted around copy turning a finail (i think the result was Mark 13 mins, Richard 6 mins with fidelity honours also going to Richard!).
meanwhile Chris had been showing how to turn his lovely hazel flowers with many of us having a go (my wife and daughter are enjoying the spoils of the day - thanks!).
Whilst all this had been going on Peter had been receiving some tuition from March and George (with George very kindly sharpening a new gouge in a repeat of his service to me last year!). This resulted in Peter producing his first bowl including buffing after everyone had left (last man standing honors go to Peter)
Mark, George and Nick brought along examples of their work which I added a few bowls to to make a mini gallery (sadly Nick's fantastic boxes are just off shot - sorry!):
All in all a fantastic day. Caroline says that I'm not allowed to host it next year but I can do the year after if we want
Caroline also asked me to pass on her thanks, not only for all the lovely flowers, wine, victoria sandwich but also for the company, thanks and general good humor and camaraderie which was flowing. You all made it a brilliant day and I look forward to the next one!
Many thanks
Miles
PS Also many thanks for all the lovely wood (including some fantastic burs which I will turn on the graduate when it is up and running)
