Midland Chapter - Oct 2023
The Midlands Chapter meeting was held on the 16th October 2023. There was a great buzz and excitement on the night. The Midlands Chapter won 1st prize for their concept Lathe in the Chapter Challenge competition at the Irish Woodturners’ Guild Seminar in Monaghan. This is an amazing three in a row win for the Midlands Chapter. Liam Quirke won the Peoples’ Prize Category with his beautifully textured Ash Vessel. Members were delighted to see the motorised working lathe with tools holder and Liam’s vessel on display.
Emmet Kane congratulated Liam on his award and all of those involved in the Chapter Challenge. He also thanked all who entered the competition and those who participated and created a turned piece for the TT40 project. The Midlands Chapter would like to congratulate the members of the Executive Committee for organising a fantastic Seminar.
Vouchers were presented to the members of the Chapter Challenge team by Patrick Fay of the Carpentry Store who sponsored the Chapter Challenge 2023 prize in conjunction with Robert Sorby.
Our demonstrator on the night was Donal Ryan a professional woodturner from Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary. He displayed some of his beautiful bowls and gave an excellent step by step guide demonstration. Donal turned a spalted beech bowl. He took his time to explain his tool preferences and the shape of the tools he feels work best for him when making a bowl. He discussed the pull cut and demonstrated using the scraper as it gives a good finish. Using a sheer cut will give a better result. Donal uses green wood to rough turn his bowls and then allows them to dry for 6-12 months before putting them back on the lathe to complete the bowl.
Donal talked through the drying and storage of wood. He described cutting logs 5-6ft in length and leaving to dry for a year. He illustrated by drawing on a piece of wood. He divided the wood into sections to show the type of cuts you could get out of a log. We would like to thank Donal for sharing his skill, knowledge and creativity with us.
Our next meeting will be held on the 13th November. Our competition will be to make a bowl. We look forward to seeing some lovely turned pieces.
