Tag: 2018

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December 2018 Meeting

Our December meeting will feature a presentation by club member, Ken Vasko, on Turning Christmas Ornaments.  Ken will demonstrate his technique on a few popular themes that everyone can enjoy on their own lathes.

Join us on December 6, 2018, 7-9 pm at the Mt. Nittany Middle School wood shop, 656 Brandywine Dr., State College.

We will also be having our usual Show & Tell so please bring any items that you want to share.  The club is always available to help with any challenges that you may be having in addition to enjoying the masterpieces.  We will have a few special items to raffle off for the wood auction so bring some extra cash or check book with you.  Also, the $25 annual dues are due this month or next.  Cash or checks will be accepted at the meeting.  Thanks to those who have already paid.

JoAnne Westerhaus will be providing Holiday refreshments to allow for Holiday sharing with one another.  Thank you JoAnne.

It is also time to elect new officers.  If you are interested in helping the club in a leadership role please let us know.  If you are a member please be sure to be there to vote for our next officers

 

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Summer Introduction to Woodturning Class

Each year our club holds a summer Woodturning Class for middle school students.

The Summer Introduction to Woodturning Class was held from July 23 to July 27.  Instructors were members of the Nittany Valley Woodturners and the course was sponsored by the State College Area School District and held at the Mount Nittany Middle School.  The morning class started with 5 students but one student went on vacation, so a total of 4 students completed the week long class.  The afternoon class has 6 students for the entire week.  Coursework included 15 hours of instruction in the equipment, tools, and safe operation of a wood lathe.  Each student turned beads and coves, honey dippers, snowmen, ring holders, and a 3-legged stool.  Other items included eggs and spinning tops.  The major project during the class is turning the legs for a three-legged stool.

The pictures show the final stools for the classes and the Certificate of Achievement each student earned during the class.

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People’s Choice Demonstrations

Each year our club demonstrates turning wood at the People’s Choice Art’s Fest and 2018 was no different. 

Many people stopped by the booth and 27 people added their email to our list.  Thanks to everyone who demonstrated, set up, tore down and cleaned up.  Way to represent the hobby and club.

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June 2018 Meeting

The Nittany Valley Woodturners June meeting will be held Thursday, June 7, 6-? pm at Rock Springs (PSU Ag Progress Days Site)

The meeting this month will be a Potluck and Woodlot Tour. We will have our last meeting of the year before we take the summer off for an all-time favorite – tour of the PSU woodlot given by our resident timber expert, Jim Finely.  Jim will also demonstrate the use of an Ellsworth log cradle for cutting blanks out of logs and perhaps have a few pieces of timber available to take home.  Details on potlok to follow.  Meeting will likely start at 6pm.

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May 2018 Meeting

The Nittany Valley Woodturners May meeting was held Thursday, May 3, 7-9 pm at the Mount Nittany Middle School, 656 Brandywine Dr., State College, PA.  (park in the rear of school second driveway, look for dumpster).

It was a video night with Terry showing us the David Ellsworth video on his Signature Gouge.  This video is a must for new turners and an excellent refresher for the experienced turner.  He had a few gouges on hand to examine and discuss in addition to the usual business meeting, wood auction, show and tell, and general discussion.

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April 2018 Meeting

The April meeting of the NVW featured a Woodturner’s Shop Tour on Saturday, April, 7, from 9:00 am – 1:00pm.

We visited 3 Shops and covered topics including vacuum chucks, sharpening, shop set-up, a Teknatools lathe, network mesh (Wifi), gouges, drying technique, finishes, and lathe set-up, in addition to other questions.

Check out the member shops below, you think they are always this clean??

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February 2018 Meeting

Club’s February Meeting was on Thursday, Feb 1, 2018, 7:00-9:00 PM at the Mount Nittany Middle School wood shop.

Jim Finley, NVW expert turner with 40 yrs of turning experience, demonstrated the basics of turning a bowl. This demonstration covered several approaches for mounting and roughing a bowl blank. How to turn a bowl using a scroll chuck and its influence on bowl design. Shaping and “hollowing” the bowl which involves choosing tools, controlling cuts, and refining the form. Experienced as well as beginning turners had the opportunity to watch a pro at work, ask questions, and have fellowship with the men and women members of the Nittany Valley Woodturners.

 

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January 2018 Meeting

Club’s January Meeting was on Thursday, Jan 4, 2018, 7:00-9:00 PM.  Mount Nittany Middle School wood shop.

Presentation: Mike Lebo, shared his expertise in turning boxes. Learn his techniques for producing a variety of small round boxes.