10 May 2022 – Hands on Night

Welcome to our May Hands On night round up of the evening’s activities, with a good turn out of 30 people new/old and even some members we have not seen for a while joining us in the hall at West Ashby.

The car park filled up early in the evening with members eager to help in setting up the four lathes setup offering a good variety of options for members to either have a go or get some guidance on different techniques. With four lathes running and spaced out around the hall members seem less self-conscious about having a go and getting ‘Hands On’ as there is not such a big audience at each station.

Alan our Secretary provided a Simon Hope Hollowing Jig to Chris which proved popular with several members trying it for size. This led to general hollowing tips and plenty of banter and wit from ‘you know who’. Moving clockwise around the hall, next we had John M, our Treasurer, on the novice lathe giving guidance on tools and techniques. The third lathe saw Darren B with a small bowl project that he showed newer members the use of his bowl gouges and then some light colouring and they ended up with a finished piece at the end of the evening. John L, as usual turned in yet again on the fourth lathe to offer guidance on various skills of bowl and skew work and even included threading to produce an earing stand.

Stewart was on hand later in the evening to explain the Robert Sorby Pro-edge sharpening system. There will always be someone in the club who is willing to share their knowledge and help others, it seems you just have to ask.

Other members just like to meet up and have a chin wag over a tea or coffee and share stories while others use our shop facility to stock up on timber, other consumables and turning projects. We have something for everyone.

Thanks to everyone who made it a good night and we look forward to seeing you again next month.