Category: Meetings/News/Events

Meeting Notes

Our April meeting was held on the 2nd of the month at Jim Cera’s home in Branchville NJ.

Attendees: Steve Ackman, Jim Cera, Joe Kopec, Ed Nikles, Joe Pansini, Mike Peacock, Mark Wallace and Rick Wortman.

Discussion:

Peter’s Valley will be conducting a clean-up weekend on Saturday April 9, 2022. The purpose is to clean up the winter debris and prepare the grounds for the upcoming season. They are looking for volunteers. We would likely be attending to the woodshop area. (This event was subsequently cancelled and re-scheduled for April 23rd)

The May 7th meeting at Patty Jenning’s home will be the last before we return to the Peters Valley Woodshop.

The discussion continued regarding invited demonstrators. Although we have funds enough for one paid demonstrator sometime this year, we voted to stretch our available funds for demonstrations by having members contribute $30-$50 towards each demonstrator’s fees. Woodturners teaching at Peters Valley this summer and will consequentially be in our area are: Jannie Wang (June 10-12), Kimberly Winkle (July 8-12), Matt Monaco (July 29 – August 2), Barry Gross (September 3 – 4), Dennis Fuge (September 10 – 11). Other woodworkers teaching at PV that may be of interest include: Robert Lyons & Douglas Finkel (Wood Shaping Techniques; August 5 – 9) and Kristin LeVier (Powercarving Wood; July 22 – 26). We continue to review these instructor’s works for potential demonstrations.

We discussed Peter’s Valley Craft Fair: September 24th & 25th 2022. Last year’s event was the first that the club participated in, and it was a great opportunity for us to promote the club and demonstrate woodturning to large groups of people. Although we are still several months away, it is time to start planning our display’s and demonstrations. This year we would like to have displays that demonstrate how a log is transformed into a beautiful bowl, vase, candle holder, etc. We’d like to provide more live turning demonstrations. Mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Treasurer’s Report: Rick Wortman reported that our current account balance — 309.35 — includes a $7 refund from overpaid insurance premium.

Show & Tell

Several members brought recent works for critical show and tell.

Jim Cerra: Live edge bowl out of pin cherry from Rick’s demonstration last month. Also a salt cellar with a clever rare-earth magnet hinge.

Rick Wortman: Live edge bowl, pin cherry.

Joe Kopec: 3 live edge bowls, ash, natural and dyed cherry. Delicate container with lid and stand. Three turned eggs.

Ed Nikles: Cedar bowl. Candle mounts. Walnut lamp

Steve Ackmann: Live edge bowl from cherry burl

Joe Pansini: Olive wood bowl-end grain. Maple Bowl

Demonstration

Jim Cera gave an excellent and informative demonstration on the making of elliptical boxes using the lost wood method. Essentially, three pieces of wood are glued together with paper (brown paper, grocery bag, etc.) between each piece. The resulting square blank is then turned round. A lid is parted off and shaped and the container is hollowed. The center piece of the form (the lost wood) is removed — the paper in between sections making this easy — and the resulting container is elliptical in shape.

Jim provided a handout the project steps:

The video of Jim’s demo can be viewed with this YouTube link: https://youtu.be/pA5bz5Rh2a0

Next Meeting. Our May meeting will be held at Patty Jennings home (address to be provided by email). Patty will demonstrate carving techniques for turnings.

Updated

Saturday December 4, 2021

Toy Drive • 10 AM-4 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Saturday January 8, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Zoom (See email for link)

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Discussion Topic: Bowl Gouges: Grinds, Sizes, Specialty

Saturday February 5, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Zoom (See email for link)

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Challenge • Show & Tell

(Video)Demo Topic: Scott Hendricks — The Munro Hollower Tool

Saturday March 5, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Rick Wortman’s Home

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: Rick Wortman will demonstrate the basics for a natural-edged bowl which entails all the cuts for regular bowls with a couple of nuances and procedural differences for the edge, drying and returning.

Saturday April 2, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Jim Cera’s Home

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: Jim Cera Will Demonstrate Turning Elliptical Boxes

Saturday May 7, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Patty Jenning’s Home

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: Patty Jennings Will Demonstrate Power Carving On Bowls

Wednesday June 1, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 7 PM – 9 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: TBD

Wednesday July 6, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 7 PM – 9 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: TBD

Wednesday August 3, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 7 PM – 9 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: TBD

Wednesday September 7, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 7 PM – 9 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: TBD

Saturday September 24, Sunday September 25 2022

Peters Valley Fall Craft Fair • Sussex County NJ Fairgrounds

Saturday October 8, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: TBD

Saturday November 5, 2022

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2 PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic: TBD

Saturday December 3, 2022

Toy Drive • 10 AM-4PM • Peters Valley Wood Studio

Saturday January 7, 2023

Meeting/Demo • 12 PM – 2PM • Jim Cera’s Home

Agenda: Treasurer’s Report • Dues Collection • Critical Show & Tell

Demo Topic:TBD

Meeting Notes

Our March meeting was held on the 5th of the month at Rick Wortman’s home in Lake Owassa NJ.

Attendees: Steve Ackman, Joe Bonelli (Rick’s neighbor), Jim Cera, Joe Kopec, Ed Nikles, Joe Pansini, Carol Paster, Mike Peacock, Mark Wallace and Rick EWortman.

Discussion: The group discussed upcoming meetings with respect to the opening of the Peters Valley Wood Studio. May 6th is the starting weekend for PV woodworking classes and the thought was that the shop might not be ready for a club meeting on the 4th. We decided to extend our members-home meetings to May and start in June at Peters Valley. The meeting schedule for the near future is April 2 at Jim Cera’s and May 7th at Patty Jenning’s home.

Treasurer’s Report: Rick Wortman reported that 11 (of 13) members had paid dues so far and that the insurance premium had been paid. As no one could recall what the liability insurance was actually for — and since the premium takes a large chunk of our budget — Mike Peacock will contact Peters Valley to review the insurance requirement for the club.

Rick mentioned that we had funds enough for a paid demonstrator sometime this year. (Recall that we agreed to stretch our available funds for demonstrations by having members contribute $30-$50 towards each demonstrator’s fees.) A discussion ensued as to who we’d invite. Woodturners teaching at Peters Valley this summer and will consequentially be in our area are: Jannie Wang (June 10-12), Kimberly Winkle (July 8-12), Matt Monaco (July 29 – August 2), Barry Gross (September 3 – 4), Dennis Fuge (September 10 – 11). Other woodworkers teaching at PV that may be of interest include: Robert Lyons & Douglas Finkel (Wood Shaping Techniques; August 5 – 9) and Kristin LeVier (Powercarving Wood; July 22 – 26). Several members agreed to research these instructor’s works for potential demonstrations.

Show & Tell

Several members brought recent works for critical show and tell. Some items were physical versions from earlier Zoom show & tells.

Rick Wortman:

• Large salad bowl and nested serving bowls from ash
• Display bowl with walnut slices embedded in the rim
• Maple Cup

Joe Kopec:

• 2 small maple cups with lids

Jim Cera

• Sapeli Bowl (similar to mahogany)
• Several pens

Ed Nikles

• Cheese and Chips server: Made from an old cutting board countertop with a granite inset
• Walnut bowl with decorated, inlaid rim
• Maple bowl with painted interior
• Cedar bowl

Steve Ackmann

• Rough turned cherry charcuterie plate
• Small cherry bowl with copper fill-ins

Demonstration

Rick Wortman demonstrated his process for turning a live edge bowl. The material was a piece of green pin cherry. Rick took the piece from a log to a nicely proportioned live edge bowl.

Rick showed us an interesting device he uses to hold logs between centers — a Oneway Big Bite Spur.

Rick noted that the spur will fit into 2″ or 4″ jaws. Also that after pounding it into logs over time, the chuck side is eventually flattened which compromises its position in the chuck. Rick will periodically grind down the  protuberance so that it fits.

Mike Peacock recorded Rick’s demo on video. The recording was impromptu and made with a hand held iphone. Mike apologizes for the inevitable bumps, jumps, interruptions (iphone ran out of memory at one point) and folks walking in front of the camera. Nonetheless, the resulting video is essentially complete and provides several tips and pearls of wisdom from Rick. If members find the video useful, recording of subsequent demos will be better (actually) planned.

Mike also created a YouTube channel for the club and uploaded the video as unlisted meaning it is only accessible with the link — no random search of YouTube for “Natural Edge Bowl” or “Rick Wortman” will find it. The link is https://youtu.be/r-SpfSpF4r4. It will also be listed in our Tips and Tricks section.

Our March meeting will be held in-person (Yay!!) at Rick Wortman’s from 12:00 to 2:00 PM.

We think that most of us are vaccinated against Covid at this point, but if you are not, please respect Rick’s home by wearing a mask.

Agenda:

• Remarks
• Treasurer’s Report
• Dues ($40): Please Mail To Rick Wortman If You Haven’t Done So.
• Critical Show & Tell — Send Photos A Few Days Ahead Of The Meeting 
• Demo — Rick Wortman will demonstrate the basics for a natural-edged bowl which entails all the cuts for regular bowls with a couple of nuances and procedural differences for the edge, drying and returning.

Meeting Notes

The February 2022 meeting of the Watergap Woodturners was held over Zoom on the 5th of the month.

Attendees: In attendance were Mike Peacock, Jim Cerra, Scott Hendricks, Rick Workman, Steve Ackmann, Joe Kopec, Ed Nikles, Patty Jennings, Carol Pastor, and new member Joe Pansini.

Opening Disscussion: The opening discussion involved the on-going issue of covid that necessitates our meeting over Zoom. However, with the decline in Covid cases over the last several weeks, the thought was that we may be able to meet in-person again in March. We will continue to watch the covid news and make a determination on an in-person vs Zoom meeting for March as the meeting date approaches. Note that currently, the March 2022 meeting is scheduled to be held at Steve Ackmann’s home, but Steve mentioned that his workshop is in an unheated garage, and it may be better to move his hosting to a later date. An alternate site will also be chosen ahead of the March meeting.

Mike encouraged any members who haven’t yet paid their dues to please do so.

Mike also pointed out that member Harvey Fein has a feature article in this month’s American Woodturner.

Joe noted that he had attended a virtual AAW Woodturning symposium and in the discussion sessions he found that many woodturning clubs have been facing many of the same challenges as we have during the pandemic. Joe mentioned once we get together in-person again, he will share some of the solutions and suggestions he heard during those meetings.

Treasurer’s report: Rick Wortman reported ten (10) of 14 members had paid dues so far. Further, we received some funds from sales at the Peters Valley gift shop, as well as a donation.  The balance in the checking account was $785.00. Our largest expense of $516.00, our liability insurance, is pending. There was some discussion of why this insurance is needed for meetings, and the sense was that it was required by Peters Valley in order to meet in their woodshop. Rick stated that the policy we have has been provided by The Hartford, through the auspices of the AAW. Some thought that individual members homeowner’s policies should be adequate. Mike Peacock will discuss with Kristin Muller, the director of Peters Valley, regarding this requirement.

Rick noted that we have received some income from the sale of members turnings that had been donated to our shelf in the Peters Valley gift shop. Rick also stated that Erika Hewston, director of the PV gallery and gift shop will include club items in their online store.

Demonstration: Scott Hendricks put together a PowerPoint presentation and video of the Munro Hollower 2 Carbide hollowing tool and the details of the associated parts and accessories he has put together to use it. Scott also provided a video of the tool in action. Several minutes of Q & A ensued after the demonstration.

Show & Tell: Several members submitted photos of their recent work to Mike Peacock prior to the meeting. Items shown were:

Rick Wortman:

• Walnut Bowl with actual walnut cross sections epoxied into the rim
• 2 Natural Edge Pin Cherry Bowls
• Ash Bowl with epoxy rim

Joe Kopec:

• Walnut Bowl-reworked
• Cherry Bowl with open metal lid used as a potpourri

Jim Cera:

• Almond Shaped Turnings (something he learned at a recent demonstration)
• Pens (he has fun doing them, they seem pretty easy to do, and people love them)

Coincidentally, this month’s American Woodturner has a feature article on creating an Elliptical Vessel.

Ed Nikles:

• Cheese and Chips server: Made from an old cutting board countertop with a granite inset
• Lamp from maple
• Bud vase with a large check that was filled with CA glue and pigment
• Walnut bowl with epoxy decorated rim

Scott Hendricks:

• Mulberry vase with alcohol stain and gold paste rubbed into the grain
• Large burl bowl

After the show and tell there was a brief discussion of the mechanics of the 1-on-1 skills sessions provided by members. Members can arrange for a lesson on a particular skill or technique from another member with that particular expertise. We agreed that the recipient of the lesson would pay $30 for a 2-hour session that would be donated to the club. It is up to the participants oaf a given session to work out the details — time, place and any time/fee for a lesson that goes beyond 2 hours. between themselves Mike Peacock asked that members contact him with topics they fell confident and comfortable in teaching so that a list of possible sessions could be developed and published.

There being no further business for today, the meeting adjourned at 1:35 PM

We will need to continue our 2022 meetings on Zoom until the covid surge subsides.  The link will been sent by email.

Agenda:

• Remarks
• Treasurer’s Report
• Dues ($40): Please Mail To Rick Wortman If You Haven’t Done So.
• Short Notice Challenge — Rick suggested that everyone try some brand new technique or project that they’ve been thinking about attempting. Due to the short notice of this challenge, work-in-progress is fine.
• Critical Show & Tell — Send Photos And Any Challenge Photos A Few Days Ahead Of The Meeting
• Video Demo? — Scott Hendricks will attempt to share his planned demonstration of the Munro Hollowing toll via video.

Here’s to hoping our need for Zoom is short-lived.

Meeting Notes

The January 2022 meeting of the Watergap Woodturners was held (disappointingly) over Zoom on the 8th of the month.

Attendence. Attending were Jim Cerra, Rick Wortman, Mike Peacock, Joe Kopec, Carol Paster, Scott Hendricks, Patty Jennings, and Steve Ackman.

Treasurer’s Report. Rick Wortman reported a current balance of $267 and noted that timely payment of the $40 dues is needed to cover insurance and Zoom subscription costs. Rick also noted that Janine Wang had not cashed the check for her May 2021 demonstration. He will follow up with her.

Discussion. Attendees agreed to shift winter meeting from the 2nd to the 1st Saturday of the month. We also agreed to postpone planned demonstrations until we are back to face-to-face meetings. Mike Peacock will make the adjustments and post the updated schedule. Finally, we discussed paid demonstrators for 2022 with several attendees agreeing to research potential candidates.

Critical Show & Tell

Jim Cera — Described his recent pen turning activities and the overwhelming response from friends and family for such a relatively easy project.

Steve Ackman — shared a pepper mill he turned.

Rick Wortman — Rick shared a nice red oak bowl with a wide rim decorated with black walnut shell slices and india ink colored epoxy. The design was inspired by Dennis Fuge’s demonstration in October 2022. In the spirit of our new critical show and tell format Rick felt his bowl should have a more sweeping curve shape.

Scott Hendricks — Scott shared a bowl with an egg-shell band that was also inspired by Dennis Fuge’s demonstration.

Patty Jennings — Patty shared several of the turned snow people with hats she’s been turning.

Joe Kopec — Joe provided photos of a fun baseball with Mets cap.

Unfortunately, we have to begin 2022 on Zoom.  The link has been sent by email.

Agenda:

• Remarks
• Treasurer’s Report
• Dues ($40): Please Mail To: Rick Wortman
• Schedule Adjustments
  • Move Remaining Winter Meetings To 1st Saturday of Month
  • Demo Suggestions for March, May and Rest of 2022
• Critical Show & Tell — Send Photos
• Bowl Gouge Discussion

Here’s to hoping our need for Zoom is short-lived.

Below is a thank you letter from Project Self-Sufficiency

Our annual event to turn toys for Project Self Sufficiency’s Season of Hope Toy Drive was held on Saturday, December 4th at the Peters Valley Wood Studio. The “elves” participating in this year’s event were Steve Ackman, Jim Cera, Scott Hendricks, Jenny Hinchman, Patty Jennings, Carol Paster, Michael Peacock, Mark Wallace and Rick Wortman.

The group made spinning tops, magic wands and ball catchers. Members also made toys at home to be included in the donation. Joe Kopec, who couldn’t attend the event, made a number of tops. A total of 80 toys were provided to Project Self Sufficiency.