Silicon Valley Woodturners Newsletters
Silicon Valley Woodturners Newsletters
A woodturners club newsletter can be a wealth of information - a source for interesting turning ideas and inspirations, technical stuff and a great way to show off members' turnings. Scan through each month's highlights, and when you find something that interests you - CLICK ON the BLUE newsletter link to download the PDF file to your computer or view in your browser.
Ever wonder what someone could do with a 10" piece of true 2x4 - of black walnut? Think propeller spinning at 3,000 rpms and turned lidded box? Have a look at the February 2008 newsletter (02-2008.pdf)
Check out three pages on Cindy Drozda's demonstration in the October 2007 newsletter (10-2007.pdf)
or Robert Whitworth's Creatures in the May 2007 Newsletter..
2010 Newsletters - Editor Lloyd Frisbee
01-2010.pdf (2.4 Megabytes download size)
President's Challenge: Plate/Platter: BIG ones and little ones and everything in between
Phil Roybal on Tool Making A Pyramid Point Turning Tool - with a blacksmith's perspective. From tool steels to temperature and corresponiding color you need to know when heat treating the steel, annealing, tempering, quenching methods etc. - Phil covered it in his Tool Making presentation. If you are thinking about making your own turning tools, this is Recomended Reading.2009 Newsletters - Editor Lloyd Frisbee
01-2009.pdf ( 2.5 Megabyte download size)
Want to take better photos of your work? Check out "Picture This", three pages of how to significantly improve shots of your work - by member Jim Gott.
Visitors from Down Under - And To The Right - from Aukland, New Zealand, Pepi Waite & her husband John stop in for a visit. Pepi is a member of the Northshore Wood Turners Club, 60+ members strong. New Zealand seems to have more wood turners/acre than any place else on the planet!
Prez Challenge - "handled" - handled icecream scoop, handled tools, a hand mirror, a lidded box with a hoop handle and even a handled candle snuffer
02-2009.pdf (2.2 Megabyte download size)
Silicon Valley Woodturners has a website?
Prez Challenge - "With Holes" Oh boy did people had fun with this one. How about inlaying small brass tubing and then returning the piece to create brass lined holes? Wormy wood pieces were also popular, as was pieces with lots of voids. And Scott Landon cut, or more accurately - vaporized - holes in the rim of a bow - with a Photonic Chisel (read "laser" engraver/vaporizer).03-2009.pdf (2.1 Megabyte download size)
Dave Davel of San Francisco Woodturning (which does mainly architectural turning) demonstrated turning either a large mallet or a really big gavel. Dave used a clever way to turn tenons to a specific diameter - a turning tool that cuts AND measures - an open end wrench, ground to put a cutting edge on one "jaw". It's as a quick and accurate way of cutting tenons to a specific diameter saves a lot of "turn, check diameter with calipers, turn some more, check the diameter with calipers" time.04-2009.pdf (1.2 Megabyte download size)
Members Dave Fiend and Colin Mackenzie go over Health and Safety Issues turners should be aware of. Save yourself some grief and go over this stuff.
The President's Challenge was "Treen" - all things having to do with the preparation of food - some obvious, some not so obvious
Phil Roybal does it again with another of his HOW TO articles - $5 DIY Sanding Disc Mandrel (with soft backer pad for conforming to the inside of your bowl).
Kent Mosley's review of the MiniMonster captured hollowing system05-2009.pdf (2.8 Megabyte download size)
06-2009.pdf (2.2 Megabyte download size)
Dave Davolt , who specializes in architectural turning demonstrated making a Fat Italian Baluster
President's Challenge - Natural Edge
"Larry" - a cherry hollow form laser engraved for inlaying leather by - who else - Scott Landon07-2009,pdf ( 1.4 Negabyte download size)
Olive Hyde Gallery's Woodturners Invitational. Our club was invited to participate in a gallery show. Sixteen members of SVW and five from Bay Area Woodturners participated with pieces ranging from miniature to six feet tall, natural edge, segmented pieces, hollow forms - a very diverse turnings show. Turners seldom see their work displayed in a gallery setting - and this setting really presented the pieces well. The Annual Club Picnic is also featured.08-2009.pdf (1.8 Megabyte download size)
President's Challenge: "Repaired" How to recover from an OOPS or a $%#@*&^^
Phil Roybal demonstrates jigs and techniques for dots and dashes fluting.09-2009.pdf (2.1 Megabyte download size)
Pesident's Challenge: Craft Item. Bottle stoppers, bracelets, hand mirrors, basting brushes, ring stands . . . .
Visting Bay Area Woodturners Jim Rogers share secrets of segmented turnings.10-2009.pdf (1.7 Megabyte download size)
President's Challenge: Legged. Some of the pieces necessitated the use of a dictionary - especially Kent Mosley's Bowl Legged piece inspired by Lance Armstrong (the piece has two "legs" and only one ball (groan now if you must - but click on the following link to enjoy a simple yet kind of elegant dynamic turning.
(click here to see the piece in action to understand why there was a controversy as to whether it was "legged")
Jim Benson's answer to the President's Challenge - a lidded box - with a frog leg finial - in frog leg green of course. And Phil Roybal's "ironwood" feet for this bowl - the feet actually made of iron. Phil also does blacksmithing.
11-2009.pdf (2.1 megabyte download size)
President's Challenge: Not Footed. Scott Landon made delicate piereced "stands" for his bowl submittals using a "photonic chisel" (laser engraver, piercer)
Metal spinning demonstration by Brandon covered DIY metal spinning tool from stainless steel rod stock, wooden pattern Do and Do Not Do, metals that can be "spun" easily and a method of spinning a piece of flat metal to conform to a wooden form you've made.
Clewes Goes Evil Knievel
12-2009.pdf (1.4 Megabyte download size)
President's Challenge "Seasonal". Tree Ornaments galore - and a Menorah
Jimmy Clewes Demonstrates his magic - a claro walnut bowl - with a nice little detail, Green turned to translucency "vahz" and a candle holder - with a twist.
Club Christmas Party photos
SVW's Annual TOPS Night - Adults behaving like kids - on the floor spinning tops - BIG tops, little tops, simple tops, techno-tops. Contest winners for longest spin time - hand spun:normal 8:38 - hand spun: upside down 0:27 - Unlimited spun 21:17. Prizes awarded for Most Colorful, smallest, BIGGEST, Most Innovative ( a top AND a light show?)
The President's Challenge for Tops Night? TOY. Baby Rattle, Ball & Cup, Cat Toy, a Push Mower with Rattling Turned Balls Inside The Blades, Yo-Yos with one for the practice of Yo-Yoga - and of course - TOPS2008 News Letters - Editor Lloyd Frisbee
01-2008.pdf (1.1 Megabyte download size)
After 20 years of making imaginative Nut Cracker Dolls for Santa, Head Elf Dick Pickering hangs up his elf hat
For more about how he makes them see the January 2004 newsletter (01-2004.pdf)
Reminder of the club's valuable DVD library
Prez Challenge - Starts with a "J" - Juniper ginger Jar, Jar lid of Santos Mahogany (to fit over a plane old metal canning jar lid)02-2008.pdf (1.5 Megabyte download size)
Five pages of "A Saturday with Jimmy Clewes" - inspirations, pragmatic advice, impossible cuts and a terrorizing 2x4 propeller spinning at 3000 rpms!
Prez Challenge - Starts with an "F" - A Fancy Funnel Finely Fashioned From a Fir two by Four with a Deft Finish, Fifty pound Footed end table03-2008.pdf (2 Megabyte download size)
Fire Safety - things you probably don't know - but should - about fire safety in your shop. (Think about it - ankle deep in flamable wood shavings, a spark generating grinder - and flamable finishes scattered about. Where's YOUR fire extinguishers)
Prez Challenge - "M"is for Match - and - Marbeling,, Mullberry, Minature, Mad Hatter?04-2008.pdf (1.1 Megabyte download size)
Turned to stone - OK. Turning stone - HUH!? Steve "Spike" Finch demonstrates turning alabaster and soapstone - on a lathe.
Prez Challenge - "A" is for April - and Kent Mosley's An Aspiring Amateur's Awkward Attempt At An Alphabetically, Alternating, And Almond Accented, Ash And Another And Another Alien Airship, Antenna Attached, Airborne, At Altitude, Above And Around Anchorage Alaska, America (see the following photo)
05-2008.pdf (1 Megabyte download size)
TOPS NIGHT - Big ones, little ones, colored ones, metal and wood ones - and a Spins The Longest Contest.
Prez Challenge - "M" is for May - and - mahogany and metal, mirrors, medallions, myrtlewood bowl with "M" feet
Kent Mosley's manuscript of the Story Of Max and Maria - you MUST see these pieces - and read the accompanying story!06-2008.pdf (1.7 Megabyte download size)
Dave Lambert shares Spiraling Secrets If you've thought about trying spiraling on your next piece - you might want to check this article out.
Two evenings with Graeme Priddle - branding hell - he vaporizes wood - in a flash of light and a puff of smoke. Oh and in addition to turning he does some amazing carving.
Prez Challenge - "J" is for June - and - Juniper. Juglans (walnut) and Kent Mosley's Miniature Motorcycle Helmet for a Monkey* for more on the Graeme Priddle demonstrations - CLICK HERE
07-2008.pdf (1.7 Megabyte download size)
Phil Roybal on making tools. If you've thought about making some of your own turning tools you should check this one out.
Phil Roybal builds a Graeme Priddle style woodburning system you can probably make. This IS NOT one of those delicate, cute little "wood burning set ups you see in the catalogues. Between the text and the photos you have the info you need to make your own!
Prez Challenge - "J" is also for July - and - more Juniper and Juglan.
You've heard of "fur balls". How about a "Fur Bowl"? Scott Landon does it again.
* For more details about Priddle Style woodburning power supply CLICK HERE08-2008.pdf (1.9 Megabyte download size)
Photographer Bob Shimmon shares some of his wealth of knowledge about photographing your work - with a lot about light and that "white balance" feature on your digital camera.
A Sunday with Judy Ditmar - using two part wood bleach and liming wax to kick up the contrast on a piece where the wood is Ho-Hum, and converting turnings to jewelry - with a little creative breaking - and maybe some bandsaw or scroll saw refining.
Prez Challenge - "A_ is for August - and - amboyna, alder, "an amazing array of articfacts", leather dye to color your piece?09-2008.pdf (1.1 Megabyte download size)
Prez Rich Johnson shares his collection of things to hold you piece - scroll chucks, pin chucks, screw chucks, vacuum chucks - and creative uses for a rubber crutch foot. If you can't figure out how you're going to hold your piece to do the next step in your turning you might find the answer here.
10-2008.pdf (1 Megabyte download size)
Jim Gott demonstrates how to turn a hollowed Christmas ornament - with finial. Plenty of tips and tricks to make things easier.
Prez Challenge - "O" is for October - and olive, ornaments, ovals and ONYX?11-2008.pdf (1.5 Megabytes dowbload size)
Member Kent Mosely goes ape turning christmas ornaments - about FIFTY of them.
Bob Rosand's demo covering 6 pieces - great Christmas presents. Six pages of photos and How To, Have a look.
Prez Challenge - "N" is for November - Napkin rings to Natural edged bowls2007 News Letters - Editor Lloyd Frisbee
01-2007.pdf ( 2.5 Megabyte download size)
Trent Bosch Demonstrates His Vessels of Illusion - along with his "patented" balloon trick and his unusual "finish cut grind"
Shop Made Inertia Sander
Prez Challenge - Starts with a "J" for January - Jewelry Boxes, Juglans, Jaws, Jump Rope Handles ....02-2007.pdf ( 3.7 Megabyte download size)
Member Tony Bryhan's BIG turning (600 lbs) Maple Burl - you won't believe this one
Prez Challenge - Starts with an "F" for February - Fingers, Fruit, Fishing, Frankinsense, Fobs . . .
03-2007.pdf ( 2.6 Megabyte download size)
Member Barbara Jones' LITTLE turning - 1/12 to 1/48 scale dollhouse bowls, cups, plates and cups - 1/8" diameter being BIG
Prez Challenge - Starts with an "M" for March - Maple, Mirrors, Mallets, Manequins, Mushrooms and More04-2007.pdf ( 2.6 Megabyte download size)
Club Prez Rich Johnson's Sharpening Primer
Prez Challenge - Starts with an "A" for April - Apricot, Airbrushed, Acorn, Asymetric, Articulated . . .05-2007.pdf( 3.4 Megabyte download size)
Robert Whitworth's Poseable Articulated Creatures, including his shop made teenie-tiny adjustable tension brass swivel joints. Robert thinks WAY "outside the box". If you're tired of bowls and plates and hollow forms and have turned too many spindles - check THIS out!
Lathe Alignment (and other "stuff) - what you don't know CAN cause you grief
Making a Bracelet
Prez Challenge - Starts with an "M' for March - Mushrooms, Mesquite, Manacles,06-2007.pdf ( 672 Kb download size)
Dave Fifield Demonstrates Marquetry - Pictures Using Veneers Not Paint
Prez Challenge - Starts with a "J' for June - Juniper, Juglans, Jigsaw Marquetry, Jalapeno . . .07-2007.pdf ( 2.5 Megabyte download size)
Brit Martin Pidjen's Door Stops & Lamp Pulls.
Member Mike Rude - Turning a Laminated Rolling Pin with Free Handles
Prez Challenge - Starts with a "J' for July - Jacks, Jiggling, Jagged, turned Paralam Joist . .08-2007.pdf ( 1.7 Megabyte download size)
- Mike Rude Turns Bracelets
- Prez Challenge - Starts with an "A" for August - Acer bowl Augmented by Ambrosia beetles. Appetite enhancing Alcohol Aperitif Ash wine glass.09-2007.pdf ( 2 Megabyte download size)
Member David Feind demonstrates the Nova Ornamental Turning attachment
Prez Challenge - "S" is for September - Shallow Sycamore Salad bowl
10-2007.pdf ( 1.4 Megabyte download size)
Cindy Drozda Demonstrated her trademark delicate lidded box with inlay - holly with padouk inlay,a three sided lidded box and a Banksia pod lidded box. Closeups of one of here shop made special tools.)
Member Jim Gott demonstrates turning an ornament
Prez Challenge - "O" is for October - lots of Olive wood pieces
2006 News Letters - AAW Award Winning News Letter Editor Phil Roybal
01-2006.pdf (3 Megabyte download size)
Member Phil Roybal's Laser Tone Transfer (getting a printed image onto your wood).
Prez Challenge - Turned Name Tag02-2006.pdf ( 2.3 Megabyte download size)
Mike Rude Goes Over Bowl Coring Systems (Stewart Slicer, Woodcut Bowlsaver, McNaughton Center-Saver, Oneway Easy-Core).
Prez Challenge - Under Two Inches03-2006.pdf (3.3 Megabyte download size)
Jigs & Fixtures (Now why didn't I think of that!)
Prez Challenge - Treens04-2006.pdf (2.5 Megabyte download size)
3M's Bob Stanek - Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Sanding.
Prez Challenge - "With Bark"05-2006.pdf ( 4.1 Megabyte download size)
Stuart King's Unique Approach To Rustic Turning & Surface Treatments
PREZ CHALLENGE - TOPS, Tops Contest
06-2006.pdf ( 3.7 Megabyte download size)
Bonnie Klein Demonstrates Top Turning, Coloring, Chatter Texturing, the Klein Threading Jig and more.
Member Ard Sealy on Sharpening for Beginners.
Prez Challenge - Something Glued07-2006.pdf ( 4.1 Megabyte download size)
Prez Rich Johnson (a tool phreak) Covers Hollowing Systems & Hollowing Tools,
Dave Smith's Alcohol Drying Protocol with link to his Alcohol Drying Blog
Prez Challenge - With Stem08-2006.pdf ( 4.1 Megabyte download size)
New Zealand's Soren Burger Demonstrates Sphere Turning, Hand Threading with his Prototype Tool,
Warren "The Woodsman" Wise on Figured Wood - Fiding it, how it looks depends on how you cut it, ..., drying
Prez Challenge - Hollowed09-2006.pdf ( 3.2 Megabyte download size)
Member Mike Rude Demonstrates Pen Turning
Prez Challenge - With Lid10-2006.pdf ( 2.5 Megabyte download size)
Josh Salesin & His DIY Vacuum Kiln - Dry to 7% in 3 Days
Member Phil Roybal on Food Safe Finishes
Prez Chalenge - "Altered"11-2006.pdf ( 3.5 Megabyte download size)
Prez Rich Johnson on All Things Bowl Gouge - angles, types, cuts, source of problems
Member Phil Roybal - Replacing Rechargeable Batteries, Save MONEY! - AND the differences between NiCad and NiMH.
Prez Challenge - With Holes12-2006.pdf ( 4.5 Megabyte download size)
Binh Pho Demonstrates His Thin (1/16") Wall Turning, Air Brushing and Piercing Techniques
John Brugo Talks Chainsaws. If you use a chainsaw you MUST read, study and memorize this thorough article! You'll learn things you didn't even know about - and maybe save yourself some grief.
Carolinamountainwoodturner.org's Bob Heltman's How to Make Inexpensive Foam Backed Sanders
Prez Challenge - Gift
2005 News Letters - Editor Phil Roybal
01-2005.pdf (1.7 Megabyte download size)
Sharpening - Grinders, Grinding Wheels, Wolverine Base with Vari-Grind Jig, Uni-Jig, Tru-Grind Jig, Tormek
Get to know member Bob Bowers
Prez Challenge - Turned Name Tags02-2005.pdf (1.2 Megabyte download size)
Alan Lacer, Master of The Skew, Demonstrates His Tool Techniques
Jim Roger,s of the Bay Area Woodwturners Association, Covers Stave Turning (a special branch of segmented turning)
Get to know Phil Roybal
Prez Challenge - Flower Holder03-2005.pdf (1.8 Megabyte download size)
Malcom Tibbets - Mind Bending Segmented Turning - AND How He Does It. You've seen his amazing pieces, learn about how he does what seems to be impossible.
At Class With Mike Mahoney - Ayman Sayed's 3-Day Intermediate Turning Workshop Article
A visit to Phil Roybal's woodworking / blacksmith shop
Get to know member and past newsletter editor Jim Gott
Prez Challenge - Broken & Repaired04-2005.pdf (1.1 Megabyte download size)
Dewey Garrtett's Turning Journey. Start with an idea and take it 'til there's nothing more to try, then find another idea to explore. Check out some of where he's been - so far
Andi Wolfe - Making It To The Gallery Market
Get to know member & Prez Rich Johnson
Prez Challenge - With Bark05-2005.pdf (4.1 Megabyte download size)
TOPS! - Big Ones, Small Ones, Colored Ones, Techno Tops and the Winner of the Longest Spinning Top Contest
Gary Petretti - Making A Competitive Top - The Secrets of a Self Professed Kid At Heart and Rediscovering Isaac Newton
Visit Tony "Big Bowls" Bryhan's 150 SF Shop
Get to know member Dick Pickering
Prez Challenge - SPINNING TOPS (DUH)06-2005.pdf ( 2.3Megabyte download size)
David Vannier's Missing Segments Techniques . Segmented pieces are nice - BUT - if you leave some Negative Space . . .
Neil & Liz Scobie approaches to surface sculpting and decorating - a "finished" turning is just their starting point.
Lathes and Lasers - Leo Lichtman of Bay Area Woodturners Association - Uses for a laser you probably haven't thought of.
Get to know member Ayman Sayed
Prez Challenge = Craft Item07-2005.pdf (2.8 Megabyte download size)
Steve Dahout's Tiny Needle Cases - little turned lidded boxes - special challenges (how the hell do you hold things so you can turn them, how do you drill a perfect hole, etc.) - and - solutions
Geryy Glaser, Glaser Engineering - on Sharpening, with recomendations for grinding wheels
Get to know member Fred Wray
The Utah Symposium
Prez Challenge - Color It08-2005.pdf (4 Megabyte download size)
Phil Roybal's article - Oil, Wax and Shellac Finishes - A half day with Zinnser and Liberon finishes and reps
Silicon Valley Woodturners Annual Picnic and Instant Gallery of members' turnings - great inspirations if you need some
Prez Challenge - Glue Up09-2005.pdf (3.2 Megabyte download size)
Finish LIne - four members go over their finishes and finishing techniques. "Sand like the sand paper is free" is Tony Bryhan's sage advice. Lee Valley Tung Oil, Deft Lacquer Sanding Sealer, Deft Clear Gloss Wood Finish,- cut 50-50 with lacquer thinner - HUT wax, Mylands High Build Friction Polish, Behlan's Master Wodoturner Finish, Shellawax and U Beaut Polish's EEE Ultra Shine - snf Oil finishes
Get to know member Herb Green
Johannes Michalsen turns a Range Rider cowboy hat.
Prez Challenge - WITH HANDLE10-2005.pdf (1.9 Megabyte download size)
Richard Winslow of West Bay Woodturners stacked laminated bowls
Phil Roybal - Getting Around The Corner - that tricky transition from side grain to end grain inside a bowl - the problems and solutions
AAW Questionnaire - Determining if you're a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced Turner
Prez Challenge - DELIBERATELY ALTERED11-2005.pdf (2.5 Megabyte download size)
Member Phil Royball - router inlay techniques - using an XY table and templates and router bushings/collars
Andrew Hilton - Turning A Captured Ring
Chris Stott demonstrates spindle and lidded box turning an mutli-axis turning of a hedge hog and a stylized human figure
Prez Challenge - SERVING12-2005.pdf ( 2 Megabyte download size)
Jim Gott Turns Ornaments
Joe Gorleski - aka joewoodworker - Ebonizing Rust Stain - some vinegar, some rusty nails, a little table salt and tannin content in your wood ...BLACK!
Prez Challenge - GIFT2004 News Letters - Editor Phil Roybal
01-2004.pdf (1 Megabyte download size)
Dick Pickerings Nut Crackers. classic to crazy - how he makes 'em
Prez Challenge - Plates / Platters
02-2004.pdf (1 Megabyte download size)
Rich Johnson - Hold On Tight - Scroll chucks, vacuum chucks, drive centers, screws, faceplates, pin drives and assorted contrivances
Prez Challenge - GLUE UP03-2004.pdf (1 Megabyte download size)
Jerry Decker Plays With Light - Kaliedescopes
Prez Challenge = WITH LID04-2004.pdf (1 Megabyte download size)
Gordon Rockhillof West Bay Woodturners Turns Square - turing a square "winged" bowl.
05-2004.pdf ( 960 K download size)
TOPS. TOPS! SPINNING TOPS!06-2004.pdf (1.3 Megabyte download size)
Bill Small - Putting A Foot On Your Next Bowl07-2004.pdf ( 2.1 Megabyte download size)
Harvey Klein's Colored World - Turn a plain piece into an eye catcher, with alcohol dyes.
Prez Challenge - COLORED08-2004.pdf ( 2.1 Megabyte download size)
Tom Howard, West Bay Woodturners' President on Inside Out Turnings
Neil Scobie Turns and Carves, and his carving stand to which you can thread your chuck or faceplate. Turn a little, carve a little - without unmounting the piece.
Prez Challenge - HANDLED09-2004.pdf (1.9 Megabyte download size)
Member Ace Foster's Throughlay Technique uses veneer layers to add contrasting lines to his turnings
Prez Challenge - CARVED OR ALTERED10-2004.pdf (1.7 Megabyte download size)
Member Rich Dege's Latticework Spheres
Andi Wolfe - Surface Decoration. Add texture and color to your next piece and kick it up a notch.
Prez Challenge - SEASONAL11-2004.pdf (1.5 Megabyte download size)
Member Dick Pickering - Making A Gunlsinging Nutcracker
Scenes From A Swap Meet - One person's "surplus / junk" is another's "treasure"
Prez Challenge - NATURAL EDGE12-2004.pdf (1.6 Megabyte download size)
Member Don Bonnet's Elegant Goblets. SHARP tools essential to turn really really t h i n - and L O N G.
Prez Challenge - DECORATION
If you find any dead links or have questions or comments about our site or suggestions for improving it - please contact our site Webmaster
