Dublin Chapter NewsletterIrish Woodturners Guild

June 2020 (Lockdown Edition)

Inside this issue:

The Hornbeam P. 1

May Results P. 3

Demonstrators P. 11

Competition Pieces P. 11

Trade Stands P. 11

Leader Board P. 12

Still Looking for The Pig P. 12

Joe O'Neill P. 13

CNC Router P. 14

Editor's Appeal P. 16

As you are probably aware, due to the outbreak ofCovid-19 all meetings of the Dublin WoodturnersChapter have been cancelled until further notice.

Please check both your email and the Chapter website(http://www.dublinwoodturners.com) regularly for updates.

The monthly competition for June will again be held online.This will be an open competition with all entrants submitting a

photograph of their piece for judging. So get out to the workshopand make something.

Points awarded will NOT count towards the annual awardshowever all items entered WILL be eligible to be entered in the

normal monthly competitions when they resume.

Send a photo of your work by email to Mark Daly atmark@eninserv.com by Friday 5th June. Include the category(Advanced, Experienced, Beginners or Artistic). Also include

something in the photo to show scale (possibly a ruler or pen).

The virrus Continues

The hornbeam ( or as Caesar’s mawould have said “if yousses fallout of that Carpinus Betulus andbreak a leg don’t come runnin tome”!) is known as one of thehardest woods around, oftencalled iron wood. There are about30-40 species that live intemperate regions throughout thenorthern hemisphere. It wasdespised by country estate andforestry owners because ifallowed grow, cutting it downblunted the teeth on saws. It wasused for gears and cogs inwatermills and windmills due toits hardness, said to be as good ascast iron! Other traditional useswere butchers' chopping blocks,piano hammers, wood screws,coach wheels and tool handles.

The Romans used it to build theirchariots to ensure they stood upto the rigors of battle, clash ofthe hornbeam (Concursuscarpinus). The tree has a smooth,grey, 'twisting' trunk, toothed-edged leaves, and three-lobedseeds. It could be mistaken forCommon beech, but its leaves aremore toothed and veiny. It is usedfor hedging and often found inbonsai form.

The interwined trunks of thehornbeam are speculated to havebeen the origin of the Celtic knot.The hornbeam was a relativelylate arrival to Ireland but longbefore our ancestors migrated tothe country.

Who were the winners in June 2010. Recognise any?Answer on page 11.

Advanced BeginnersExperienced

In traditional medicinehormbeam was widely used. Theleaves and bark of the hornbeamare used for medicinal purposesto treat and cure internal as wellas external health issues.Hornbeam has effectiveastringent, antiseptic, antibiotic,and anti-inflammatory that makeit popular in traditional medicine.Also used to alleviate thesysmptopms of hay fever, fluand colds, yer man across theatlantic doesn’t know about ityet! A tea is made of the leavesor the flowers. Hornbeam is alsoused a the base for hair lossproducts. Valuable stuff.

The earliest known examples ofthe Celtic harps, the Queen MaryHarp and the Lamont Harp inthe National Museum ofScotland in Edinburgh are bothmade using hornbeam. Theoldest harp in Ireand, the TrinityCollege Harp (aka Brian Boru’sharp), was probably made by thesame maker from Argyll inScotland and bears the coat of

arms of the O’Neill. They alldate from the 15th century.

The harp was first adopted as anIrish symbol by our good friendHenry VIII!

Next time you’re raising a pint ofplain, look at the guninness harpand remember the auldhornbeam.

P.S. the wood also makes greathandles for gouges.

John O Neill

While the rest of the world isdoing everything it can to ‘Flattenthe Curve’, the aim of the virtual

competition is to steepen thiscurve and see more entries eachmonth. The April competition set

the bar high, however cocooning isworking and we have had anotherbumper entry.

The Beginners section had seven entries from6 members. Liam McGarry has produced anatural finish box, bringing out all the beautyof the grain and finishing to a pin sharp point.The photos sent in, showed the inside alsowhich had mirror image hemisphere cuts tobase and lid. Michael Quinn presented a dishwith crisp straight outer lines and slopinginterior, while Mick Johnston lets the sun bringout the colour in his Purple Heart bowl.

Michael Loughman entered a Walnut platterand a Laburnum bowl. Both pieces werecleanly finished and had nice grain patterns,however the colouring in the bowl, reallystands out. A fine piece indeed. Ronnie Butlerhas turned a very nice chalice. The light anddarker colourations blend very well with theflowing shape. However the winner for me hasto be Mike Sims’ American Black Walnut box.The exterior has a well-proportioned orientalfeel to it, while the interior extends the mysteryof the orient with a nested inner chamber.

1st Beginners: Mike Sims

Ronnie Butler

Liam McGarry

Michael Loughman

Michael Loughman

1st Experienced: Brendan Kelly

John Doran Vinny Whelan

Michael Quinn Mick Johnston

Next up, the Experiencedsection. Vinny Whelan haspresented a candlestick on asquared base. The shapereminds me of the Olympictorch that tours the world,which leaves me wonderingwhat happens the flame inthese uncertain times? I digress;lets get back to John Doran,who has gathered a niceselection of wood cuts, ply andPVA to come up with this finechalice. I really like thecontrasting patternsthroughout. The winner for meis Brendan Kelly with hisshallow bowl on a pedestal. Thewood appears to be an IrishOak, however I will be happyfor an editors comment toconfirm.(Yes it is Irish Oak: ed)

The Advanced category is determined tokeep me busy (and that’s no bad thing).Eleven entries and each a pleasure to theeye. Some of these entries would fit as wellin Artistic as Advance, however I take mylead from the category nominated by theentrant. But where to start?.... last month Ipointed out how difficult it is to choosebetween pieces. This month, the advancedsection really challenges me.

Tommy Harnett has turned this beautifultrinket box with dyed Beech base,Laburnum lid and Chacato finial. Thecolourings both natural and added,provides lots of interest for the eye. Theinside of the box maintains the naturalcolouring of the Beech.

Willie Reville is adding some seasoningwith a very nice Salt & Pepper set. He tellsme that the base is from a piece of scraptimber, the stem is African Blackwood andthe S&P pair is turned from Walnut. Itseems a contradiction that anything thisnicely finished could be called ‘scrap’timber.

1st Advanced: Cecil Barron

Willie Reville

Tommy Harnett

Joe O Neill

Sean Earls has turned a lovely Yew bowlfrom a rough-cut plank. The edge ofthe bowl has maintained the saw marksas a feature. This is a reminder thatmuch of the hard woods were cut inthis way.

Paddy Finn encourages us to reflect onout turning, with this elegant handmirror. If you look closely, you will seethat Paddy goes to great lengths to keephis tools in good shape.

John Duff has turned Christmas intospring with a vase made from aChristmas tree stump. Yes, you readcorrectly. John may be running low onwood stocks, however he rose to thechallenge and this fine vase is what hehas come up with. Forget food parcels,its wood parcels, that some of us needin these challenging times. If we are notcareful, it will be the legs of the chairsnext.

Joe O’Neill has presented a family ofbowls, fruit or salad, they would lookgood on any table. As food is forsharing, Frank Maguire has turned a pairof platters. Franks tool work presentscrisp lines to highlight a beautiful grain.

Sean Earls

Paddy Finn John Duff

Frank Maguire

Brendan Phelan has turned a verywell proportioned and finishedvase. I suspect that if inspectedwith a torch or a prying finger thatthe inside of this vase wouldimpress to the same standard asthe outside does.

David Sweeney yet again presentsa piece of beauty. This TripodVase is turned from Laburnumwith Ash legs. This looks like a

great example of a Catenary Curve(see the May Newsletter).

Jonathan Wigham turns a beautifulnatural edgeburl bowl from Apple.He tells me that it required a lot ofsuperglue and that it was a difficultpiece to turn as some of it wassoft and other parts, hard as nails.Well-done Jonathon on a finefinished piece.

This month, I am choosing CecilBarrons’ fabulous Wall Plaque forfirst place. It is turned from Yewwith a Laburnum insert. Iparticularly like the contrastbetween the turning and the ties,dressing across the natural splittingon the wood.

Brendan Phelan

David SweeneyDavid Sweeney

Jonathan Wigham

Finally the Artistic section. Eight entries, each verydifferent from the next, but each excellent. Sean Earlsbrings us back to the pre-Euro days with two lovelyboxes. One with a schilling, the second with a slightlymore recent penny as Heads and Harps. Both boxesdisplay high contrasting natural timbers.

Brendan Kelly shows both his turning and decorativeskills with a very nice platter with raised centre, whileMike Sims has turned a beautiful burl tea-light. Thispiece has wonderful colouring that I think would beheighted even more with the warm glow of a candlelighting it.

Sean Earls

Brendan Kelly Mike Sims

Tommy Hartnett has been busyturning and texturing. He tellsme that this bowl is based on abowl on display at the NationalMuseum. The centre of his Ashbowl is dyed with a gentlepurple and flecks of gold &silver. The textured surface isebonized with gold cream.

Now I don’t know if its myWaterford upbringing, where the‘large bottle’ is institutional orthe length of time since I haveenjoyed a pint of plain at afriendly hostelry, but CecilBarron has hit a note with hisartistic entry. Like a good pint,this ensemble is perfection. Cecil BaronTommy Hartnett

My Top 3 of the Artistic Section isan impossible pick between BrendanPhelan, Michael Fay and ColumMurphy. This is yet another case ofneeding to hold the pieces in order tonitpick imperfections (if there wereany) between each. Each of thesepieces brings out the geometry thatoften makes a piece of turning lookimpossible to the mere mortal turner.Brendan has turned a beautiful spiralgilded vase while Colum has alsoused gold with very well balancedtexturing to create a wonderful bowl.However, I’m calling Michael Fay asthis months Artistic winner. For me,this piece shows the beauty ofnatural spalting. A bowl within abowl, each with a near sphericalshape and each on different planes.

If this was a football match on thetelly, you might be tempted toshout abuse at the ref. I can’t sayI’d blame you. As always it isimpossible to fully evaluate all theelements that differentiate betweenfine turnings without getting up

close and personal. A big thankyou to all who have entered. Onone side, you have been busy in theworkshop but also you haveprovided some inspiration for therest of us. So even if cocooningrestrictions are being loosened,

don’t forget to help steepen theentry curve for next month.

Stay Safe,Mark.

Colum Murphy: Top Colum Murphy: Bottom

Brendan Phelan1st Artistic: Michael Fay

Advanced: Richard Murphy Experienced: Jack O Rourke Beginners: Mark Daly

I had an email from Jack Hutchinson recently who istrying to find out who carved this pig. He came by itwhen in 1986 he bought the contents of a restaurantcalled Solomon Grundys which operated in SuffolkStreet, just off the bottom of Grafton Street. Fromthere it went to a restaurant in Ballymena Co Antrimwhich closed in 2010.Jack recons that it was carved between 1978 and1986 and is about 4 foot wide by 2 and 1/2 feet highand about 4 inches thick weighing approx 1 cwt orabout 50 kilos. Jack still has the pig in his possessionand would love to get in touch with the originalcarver.If you recognise it please email me with the details atDWT.Newsletter@gmail.com.

Joe O’Neill has been busy in the workshopduring lockdown and has shared a tip on hismethod of securing the nipple of a lampholder to the base.

The photo shows how to fit the nipple to thewood base using a pillar drill but it can alsobe done on the lathe.

The hole left by the long hole borer iswidened with a 10mm bit at the top to aboutan inch in depth. This allows the nipple to beforced into the 10mm for a tight fit.

Using a 6mm bit in the pillar drill to align thenipple will see it straight and accurate into thehole.

I have used this method for years after havingthe usual difficulty putting the nipple in thewood.

Model engineering taps have been used inthe nipple but was fiddly and often went in atan angle.

Treading the hole was the same; very iffy andthe plate type needed screws, which wentinto end grain, which is ok but you will haveto cover up the plate with a cover.

Hope this tip will help anyone making lampholders.

Take care

Joe O'Neill

What is a Router?

A router creates a hole in a chosenmaterial. The old word, rout,means to dig, so a router wasoriginally a hand-held machinedesigned to rout or dig outmaterial. Today’s routers come insmall, hand-held devices for thehome hobbyist, or giant industrial-sized machines intended to carveout patterns in material many feetacross. The earliest routers wereused in woodworking, althoughtoday they are used with metal,plastic, and numerous othermaterials as well.

What is CNC?

A CNC machine is one operatedby Computer Numerical Control, asystem for entering programedmovements based on a Cartesiancoordinate system. X and Y-axisare used to instruct a CNCmachine where to go, what cuts tomake, and when and where to stop.

Put a CNC system on a modern

wood router and youhave a CNC woodrouter, preferred tool oflarge wood workshopsand artisans alike. TheCNC system allows awoodworker to programin the specific cuts he orshe wants made, then letthe machine execute theprogram.

What Does a CNC Wood RouterDo?

A router consists of a cutting heador bit, a gantry, and a bed. Thepiece of wood to be cut (theworkpiece) is secured to the bed,and the head moves along X and Yaxis to execute the CNC program.

How does it work?

The head moves along a Y axis (upand down), while the bed movesalong an X axis. Thanks to theCNC module, quite complicatedshapes and patterns can then becarved out of the wood.

Some higher-end CNC woodrouters come with true three-dimensional movement, with boththe router head and the bed itselfcapable of X and Y movement.

That’s the technical details behindthe router; but what does the CNCwood router produce? Routers canbe used to produce shallow bowlsor spoons or other similar projects,but they excel in one particulararea: relief carving.

Relief carving uses a flat plane ofwood and carves out the negativespace of what image is beingproduced; the wood that remainsshows something in relief, standingout against the flat of the board.Relief carvings don’t stand freely,and can be either high- or medium-relief depending on how muchthey stand out against the board,i.e., how much material has beenremoved.

Pros and Cons of a CNC WoodRouter

Now that you’re up to speed, whatare the pros and cons of owning aCNC wood router? What does itoffer that other woodworking toolsdon’t?

The CNC Wood Router: How Does It Work?

Pros

One of the few tools designedspecifically for woodworking -Routers began as woodworkingtools, and CNC only expandedtheir abilities.

Excels at detail work - Intricateswirls on a carved rose or the loopin the tail of a pig; CNC routersare perfect for adding a depth ofdetail that would be nearly-impossible to do by hand.

Easy to program - You’ll need toprogram your CNC router. It usesa base language called g-code,which can be tricky to master.Fortunately, most new routerscome with computer programsthat vastly simplify the process,allowing you to design a carving onyour computer and export itdirectly to the CNC machine.

Cons

Programming can be complicated.For some items, you might find

that much of the project is easierto do by hand. This is especiallytrue for sectioning or any actualcuts that need to be made.

Flat planes preferred - Woodrouters don’t handle taller 3Ditems particularly well; flat planesare preferred to statues.

Conclusion

A CNC wood router is a greataddition to your workshop. Youcan maximize the use you get outof it by using it for detail work, butleaving the sectioning to othertools. For intricate, elaboratecarvings and adding a whole newlevel of beauty and detail, you’llfind a CNC wood router to be aninvaluable aid.

Bailey Hudson

Chapter Contacts.

I need a constant supply of interestingarticles for the newsletter.

If you come across anything which may beof interest to other woodturners or wouldlike to pen an article yourself please let me

know at DWT.Newsletter@gmail.com

Anything considered, articles, craft showsor demonstration you have visited, turning

tips, funny stories, jokes, cartoons.

Editor's Appeal.