XPro XP12 Plunging Router. Photos of it can be seen on our facebook page (@broxburnwcc) and the Router itself is on display in the Workshop.
The Router, a set of 0.5 inch bits and accessories is being sold for Charity and we are looking for around £50 but are open to reasonable offers.
If you would like to buy it or if you want to know more about it please give Ian a ring on 0794 1155 790 or send an email to iangraham9@blueyonder.co.uk
The Strathbrock Centre Manager has asked that all members be reminded that entry to and exit from the building is ONLY by the main door, Entrance B, and NOT by any fire escape. We are very grateful to the Centre for all kinds of reasons and we would ask that all members comply with this request.
Visit by Emma Cook, the Tiny Turner
Our November Club Night was a demonstration by Emma in which she turned the shaped spindles for a Christmas ‘bauble’ decoration. Indeed, the song from the 1950s musical Kismet came to mind as she fashioned beads, and coves, on the spindles to attach to a glass globe filled with a bangle of LEDs. Yes, you’ve guessed, ‘Baubles, bangles and beads’ but perhaps didn’t realise that the music was borrowed from the Russian composer Borodin. The evening started unhappily as Emma and her partner were involved in a shunt near Dechmont which wrote their car off. Undaunted and remarkably calm in the circumstances, she gave an accomplished demo, explaining clearly the steps, pitfalls and handy hints of the project as it evolved from a piece of padauk (Pterocarpus soyauxii) about 8” x 1½” x 1½”. The LEDs, glass globe and ribbon can be bought from Emma (see https://www.facebook.com/TheTinyTurner/)
After a visit to St John’s A&E which ended around 1pm, Emma was up bright and early the following morning to run a masterclass in woodcarving. Once again, clear explanations and helpful hints abounded as the group chiselled its way to Celtic knots, fleurs de lis and oak leaves. The group was enthusiastic in its appreciation of the day which ended with an excellent tutorial on sharpening, which made the point that even although new tools appear to be sharp, they generally have not been sharpened properly. Emma left a couple of copies of her course book which covers many aspects of carving, including tool sharpening, and which can be consulted in the workshop.
After another demo to the Scottish Borders club on Sunday 25th, Emma and Roy made it back home safely in their hire car but were both still shaken and very stiff. However, while the Club enjoyed greatly their visit, it is probably one that they will want to forget. Mercifully, no serious personal injury occurred although both are still jolly stiff.
Many of you may already be aware of the changes being proposed in an attempt to limit knife crime, and although these measures are welcome, the current wording of the bill will have a significant impact on our ability as hobby woodturners to purchase tools online.
Please take the time to read & sign the petition at
Plans are progressing for our new dust extraction system. Installation will require a shutdown of the whole workshop for a period of 1 week. Please keep a look out for notices in the workshop confirming dates of proposed closure.
Congratulations to all our winners and a massive thank you to all members who participated in the show, without your entries the show just could not happen.
Congratulations to all our winners in the 2017 annual show, however it is time to return your trophy in preparation for this years show. Please drop them off to the workshop marked fao Ali or Moura Thanks
Due to the popularity of wood turning, we are finding it increasingly difficult to match the small group of experienced members we have that volunteer to mentor, with new members for their first few visits.
We need several new volunteers over the whole range of sessions that are willing to donate a session or two to mentor a new member on their road to independent turning.
Several notices have been placed in the workshop, or you can email the secretary directly if you are willing to have your name added to the mentor list.
The more members we have, and session times where a mentor is available on the list, the easier it will be to reduce the waiting list times for new members, and share the workload more evenly and fairly across our membership.