About Us

 

This page contains:

A potted history of our club

Location of our workshop known as ' The Max Carey Woodturning Trust'

Details of our structured Apprenticeship Training module

Purchase 'An Introduction to Woodturning for Beginners' in hard copy or C.D. format

Hints & tips for those venturing into becoming demonstrators

Rogues Gallery - Our Committee

 

* All this & more for an annual club fee of £20. *

Members please send cheques to Membership Secretary

Peter Oram

Ring for address details Tel. No: 0117 969 9756.

Members also have to be a member of the A.W.G.B.

 

AVON & BRISTOL WOODTURNERS: a potted history

From little acorns.....

It all began on the 15th February 1989, at a cost of just £5.00!

This was the fee required to hire a room at the 'Green Dragon' pub at Downend where 14 people eagerly gathered to further their woodturning knowledge and skill. They gathered in response to a rallying call, sent out by a man whose respect in woodturning circles was already firmly established. Having been a founder member of the Association of Woodturners Great Britain (AWGB) in 1987, he had the foresight to recognise that something was needed for woodturners at a local level in the Bristol area. Moreover, he had the enthusiasm to develop that idea.

The instigator of what was to be the inaugural meeting of Avon & Bristol Woodturners was Don White, now running courses in his workshop in Cornwall.

For the next 5 years, Don's main task was to arrange regular workshops and seminars. These included demonstrations from many now internationally famous woodturners who shared their knowledge and entertained the club, a practice that many are still doing today. The original meetings were held in Don's own workshop, at that time in Bristol, which some feat since as his lathe was in a room about half the size of a small garage! (Bristol woodturners were skinnier in those days!).

Over the years the membership increased and new venues were sought to house the swelling numbers. In January 1995, the club moved to the Fear Institute at Keynsham, but quickly outgrew the room and in June moved to the Baptist Church Hall, Keynsham. In 1997, the ever-increasing membership precipitated a move to the 'Huntsman Inn' at Downend, which quickly the membership filled to capacity resulting in our current venue for our monthly meetings at St. Theresa's Church Hall, Filton, Bristol.. As you can see, fear, prayer and drink play a significant role in the life of an average Bristolian woodturner!

Our monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of the month commencing at 7.30pm, entry is free to all members or free trial visits ( maximum two free visits )to prospective members. During the evening you will be entertained by a demonstration of woodturning which in it self is very instructive to all from novice to expert, the day you stop learning something new about wood is the day you have stopped testing the depth of your talent.

 

The Max Carey Woodturning Trust

Situated at

' The Mill ' at Portishead.

The Mill situated at the rear of 35 High Street, Portishead, is a workshop available for the use of members of Avon & Bristol Woodturners, on every Tuesday and Wednesday of the week. This workshop is the envy of many other woodturning clubs and associations, as we have access to all the equipment required for woodturning, including 20 plus lathes, associated tools and equipment. Courtesy of Max Carey, and to ensure continued training facilities for the future, the Max Carey Woodturning Trust went live in January 2010.

 

' Apprenticeship Training'

Under the instruction of The Trust's staff headed by senior tutor Malcolm 'Tich' Renee, a complete novice can walk through the door and receive free tuition, from the first steps in woodturning, correct method of use of tools and machinery for your future safety, to a completion of a structured apprentice course, and presentation of a certificate upon completion of the course to the required standard. All this at a nominal charge per day to cover billing costs and maintenance of the many machines. The many who attend our courses have many happy hours making new friends, and learning a skill in the process. All this without having to purchase their own tools or lathe until they are competent, and armed with the knowledge of what tools and lathe to purchase later.

' Introduction to Wood turning for beginners'

We have produced a manual and CD covering a program for newcomers to woodturning. This is a comprehensive package consisting of advice on tools and machinery, 10 modules of work including drawings of the items for completion of this training program.

Hard copies are available for sale ( including non members ) in Manual form, or the identical package available on a CD. Anyone wishing to make a purchase should email us ( see link on home page ) for details of where to send a cheque made payable to Avon & Bristol Woodturners, upon clearance of the cheque the purchased item will be dispatched.

Price : Manual £20. - CD £15 ( Including postal costs )

 

Hints and Tips for Demonstrators

Before the day

• Get to know what lathe you will be using.
• Know in advance what you are going to demonstrate.
• Choose something to make with which you are familiar.
• Know how to make it.
• Work within the limits of the lathe.
• Work within your capabilities and to your strengths.
• Rehearse a few lines of patter relating to the item you will be making.
• Prepare plenty of timber and have it ready to be mounted on the lathe.
• Make a checklist of tools, clothing, timber and equipment that you will need for the day. (Don't forget lunch and plenty to drink.).

On the day

• Be on time for your session for the day.
• Be on time for your demo.
• Look the part, i.e. club smock, stout shoes, eye protection, name badge.
• Be attired correctly before approaching the lathe to prevent being flustered before you begin turning.

The Demonstration

• Deep Breathing and Relax!
• Where possible, use your own tools. Have them sharp and ready for use.
• Have all that you need set out neatly and within easy reach.
• Explain in simple terms what you are going to make, how and in what timber.
• Aim for a simplistic approach, no matter how complicated the turning.
• Make as few changes on the lathe as possible. Remember the public want to see you turning not changing chucks, fiddling with tail stock, re-aligning timber and constantly sharpening tools. Nor do they want to hear excuses for you having to do any of the above.
• Do talk to your audience, be positive, don't mumble and don't put your hand in front of your mouth (unless you have been eating garlic!).
• Don't avoid their gaze by looking down all the time.
• Don't be over-confident and don't attempt anything dangerous. It is the mistakes that are remembered long after the wonderful turning has been forgotten.
• Don't make the demo too long.
• Avoid turning your back on the audience too many times.
• Do have a drink to hand (obviously not alcohol) should you need it.
• Avoid covering your admirers in dust.

In addition for open public demonstrations:

• Be prepared to answer questions.
• Avoid embarrassing a member of the audience should they make a mistake. e.g. incorrectly identifying a piece of timber etc.
• Ask questions and use dialogue, it will help to calm your nerves. Do they turn wood? What lathe do they have? Are they woodworkers? What are their hobbies etc.?
• Tell jokes and anecdotes, talk about the item you are making, talk timber.
• Finished items may be given to the public; or better still, charge £1.00 for them! However before giving an item to a child do first ask permission from the adult in charge of them.
• Have paper and pencil handy for notes, telephone numbers etc either for the club use or for the public.
• Be prepared for requests. You might be asked to perform a particular operation or skill. However, should you not wish to do this, don't be bullied into doing something you have no wish to do. Find a man who will!
• Have finished items on display close by to you, similar to that which you are demonstrating.This will add to the picture you are trying to create. You never know; you might pick-up a sale or two or even a commission!
• When you have finished your stint at the lathe, remember to relax have something to eat and drink to replace all that nervous energy you have expended!

 

 

' Our Committee '

 

The Next Meeting Is On Thursday 18th of March 2010.. Click here for information of WHATS ON.