Paul League, November 24, 2018
December 1, 2018 Year End Meeting
PALMETTO WOODTURNERS (PWT),will meet Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be at Mann Tool, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC. We will have a brief session for club business and announcements, followed by our annual Christmas gift exchange.
GOOD NEWS: Highway access to Chris Drive and Mann Tool has been restored. Chris Drive is now open from both US Highway #1 (Augusta Road), and Leaphart Road.
DECEMBER PROGRAM: Annual Christmas Social and Gift Exchange
This meeting will be a very informal affair. Wives, husbands, children, and friends are welcome. Please bring a snack or beverage to share. The Club will provide coffee, plates, and cups.
We will have a gift exchange among the membership. If you wish to participate, please bring one of your turned pieces, an extra tool, or a nice piece of turning stock. Susan Schultz will lead the exchange. She has promised to come up with an interesting way to carry it out.
Year End Raffles
Yes sir! It's December, so PWT is giving back in the form of eight scholarships to be awarded to lucky members by way of raffle. The first raffle will be for a $600 scholarship. Each PWT member attending the December meeting will receive one ticket for this raffle. The second drawing also is for a $600 scholarship; however, this raffle is limited to those members who participated in the President's Challenge during 2018. These two scholarships are intended to help the lucky winners defray expenses to attend a woodturning program such as those offered at Arrowmont and John C. Campbell. Finally, six drawings will be conducted for scholarships in the amount of $100 each. These $100 scholarships are for use to attend one of PWT's Hands-On classes during 2019. You must be present at the December meeting to be eligible for all drawings except for the President's Challenge raffle. PWT's current guidelines for the raffle drawings are posted on the PWT website under the menu heading "Membership." Select "Membership Benefits" in the drop down menu.
Learn to Turn a Christmas Ornament Event – December 8, 2018
PWT’s annual Learn To Turn a Christmas Ornament event is just around the corner. Once again, PWT will partner with Mann Tool, inviting the public to turn a Christmas ornament with the assistance and guidance of PWT. Public participants will be charged the nominal fee of $5.00, and all proceeds will be donated to support Epworth Children's Home. The event is Scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2018, and will be conducted as usual at Mann Tool. The event will run from 9:00 am to noon. David Fellows will take the lead for PWT this year. Volunteers are needed to assist at the event. We will need people to greet and sign in participants, to assist the participants in turning simple Christmas ornaments, and to assist in the decorating of the turned items. Please contact David to let him know if you will volunteer your assistance at this event. David can be contacted at (803) 920-5248 and via email at
American Association of Woodturners
Palmeto Woodturners is an affiliate member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Just under a third of our membership are also members of the AAW. I strongly encourage those of you who have not joined AAW to give it a close look. The AAW website offers a wealth of information on every aspect of the craft; however, much of that wealth is limited to AAW members. Please visit the AAW website and take a look. Recent materials provided by AAW will be available at the November PWT meeting, outlining the benefits of AAW membership. Guest memberships limited to sixty days are available at no charge to individuals who have never joined AAW.
Learn to Turn a Christmas Ornament Event – December 8, 2018
PWT’s annual Learn To Turn a Christmas Ornament event is just around the corner. Once again, PWT will partner with Mann Tool, inviting the public to turn a Christmas ornament with the assistance and guidance of PWT. Public participants will be charged the nominal fee of $5.00, and all proceeds will be donated to support Epworth Children's Home.
The event is Scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2018, and will be conducted as usual at Mann Tool. The event will run from 9:00 am to noon. David Fellows will take the lead for PWT this year. Volunteers are needed to assist at the event. We will need people to greet and sign in participants, to assist the participants in turning simple Christmas ornaments, and to assist in the decorating of the turned items. Please contact David to let him know if you will volunteer your assistance at this event. David can be contacted at (803) 290-5248 and via email at
State Fair Update Addendum
A brief report was given at the November meeting on the demonstrations conducted on the opening day of the fair by members of Palmetto Woodturners. Also mentioned were several PWT members who entered pieces in the craft and fine arts competitions of the fair. Randy Grant, Jim Nelson, and Cameron Porter entered several fine works. Additionally, PWT members David Fellows and Jim Waterbury mentored several budding artists and woodworkers at DOJ, and several of these pieces were on display at the fair as well. PWT wants to recognize these outstanding efforts by publishing photographs of some of the pieces on the PWT website. Hopefully, the photographs will be up on the site within the next couple of weeks. If any other PWT members entered pieces in the fair competition, please let me know. We want to recognize all who participated.
American Association of Woodturners
I want to make one last mention of the PWT's affiliation with the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Just under a third of our membership are also members of the AAW. The AAW website offers a wealth of information on every aspect of the craft; however, much of that wealth is limited to AAW members. Recent materials provided by AAW will be available at the December PWT meeting, outlining the benefits of AAW membership. Guest memberships limited to sixty days are available at no charge to individuals who have never joined AAW. This would be a great time to join the AAW, because the largest woodturning event in the world will be sponsored by the AAW in Raleigh, North Carolina next summer. The AAW's International Symposium will be held July 11-14, 2019. This may be the best opportunity for many in our area to attend an event of this scope and caliber. Please visit the AAW website for details.
No December Displays
There will not be a display of work or a challenge this month. Put that effort into a nice gift for the exchange, and then take the gift you receive and let that inspire you to bring a nice display piece in January.
Paul League, October 27, 2018
November 3, 2018 Meeting and Demonstration: Randy Grant
PALMETTO WOODTURNERS (PWT), will meet Saturday, November 3, 2018at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be at Mann Tool, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC. We will have a brief session for club business and announcements.
Highway access to Mann Tool remains limited. Chris Drive is now closed from both US Highway #1 (Augusta Road), and from Leaphart Road. The primary access is from US Highway 378 (Sunset Blvd.). Access to Chris Drive also is possible from Leaphart Road via Morningside Drive, Hook Avenue, and Klapman Road.
NOVEMBER PROGRAM: Demonstration by Randy Grant
Randy Grant resides in Columbia and is a well known member of Palmetto Woodturners. Randy does not just make coffee and deliver donuts for PWT meetings. He is a very accomplished woodturner and has presented several times over the past few years. He is well known for his love of burls and work to embellish turned pieces. At the November meeting, Randy will share knowledge he gained at John C. Campbell Folk School, which he attended as a recipient of one of PWT’s $600 scholorships last December. The class he attended was lead by well known turner Dixie Biggs and was entitled "Need Some Relief." Randy will demonstrate relief carving on turned objects, including the various stages of carving a leaf. The presentation will demonstrate the use of several different carving tools and techniques, including wood burning or pyrography.
State Fair Update
Palmetto Woodturners put on a very good showing at the recent SC State Fair. We had six lathes set up and in operation on the opening day of the fair; unfortunately, Mother Nature intervened and the Fair was closed on day two due to the passage of Hurricane Michael. The fair goers touring the Moore Building (crafts) really enjoyed the demonstrations. Thanks very much to all the members who helped out with this event. We made a lot of shavings, but the smell of fresh cut wood was topped by the aroma of the chocolate chip cookie vendor nearby.
American Association of Woodturners
Palmeto Woodturners is an affiliate member of the American Association of Woodturners (AAW). Just under a third of our membership are also members of the AAW. I strongly encourage those of you who have not joined AAW to give it a close look. The AAW website offers a wealth of information on every aspect of the craft; however, much of that wealth is limited to AAW members. Please visit the AAW website and take a look. Recent materials provided by AAW will be available at the November PWT meeting, outlining the benefits of AAW membership. Guest memberships limited to sixty days are available at no charge to individuals who have never joined AAW.
Learn to Turn a Christmas Ornament Event – December 8, 2018
PWT’s annual Learn To Turn a Christmas Ornament event is just around the corner. Once again, PWT will partner with Mann Tool, inviting the public to turn a Christmas ornament with the assistance and guidance of PWT. Public participants will be charged the nominal fee of $5.00, and all proceeds will be donated to support Epworth Children's Home.
The event is Scheduled for Saturday, December 8, 2018, and will be conducted as usual at Mann Tool. The event will run from 9:00 am to noon. David Fellows will take the lead for PWT this year. Volunteers are needed to assist at the event. We will need people to greet and sign in participants, to assist the participants in turning simple Christmas ornaments, and to assist in the decorating of the turned items. Please contact David to let him know if you will volunteer your assistance at this event. David can be contacted at (803) 290-5248 and via email at
November Election
November is election month, including at PWT. I promise no speeches or robocalls. At the November meeting we will conduct the election of PWT officers for 2019. The nominees are: President- Mike Weaver; Vice-President - David Fellows; Treasurer - Jim Harle; Secretary - Spencer Brown; First Year Board of Directors - Jim Nelson, John Fastnaught, and Tom Queen.
President's Challenge for November - Christmas Ornaments
Time to get started preparing for the holiday season. One good way will be to turn a Christmas ornament of your choice. This will be a good warm up for PWT's December Learn-to-Turn. Also, PWT supports Mann Tool’s sale of ornaments in support of Epworth Children's Home. So, all items entered in the December President’s Challenge will be donated for sale by Mann Tool.
Display of Members' Work
Bring your latest (or oldest) work for display. Displays are an important part of our monthly meeting and provide inspiration to the members.
Paul League, October 8, 2018
Nominations for 2019 Club Officers and Leadership
I hereby give notice that the nominee for President is Mike Weaver. The nominee for Treasurer is Jim Harle. The remainder of nominees for PWT offices remains the same as previously announced. The full list of nominees for 2019 offices, constituting the PWT’s Board of Directors, is written below. Please note that second year members of the Board are listed for information.
2019
President: Mike Weaver
Vice President: David Fellows
Treasurer: Jim Harle
Secretary :Spencer Brown
Board of Directors:
Jim Nelson (1st year)
John Fastnaught (1st year)
Tom Queen (1styear)
Paul Grover (2nd year)
Clifton Simmons (2nd year)
As specified in the PWT’s by-laws, the election of officers will take place at the PWT meeting on November 3, 2018.
Paul League, October 1, 2018
September 8, 2018 Meeting and Demonstration: Frank Bowers
PALMETTO WOODTURNERS (PWT), will meet Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be at Mann Tool, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC. We will have a brief session for club business and announcements.
Highway access to Mann Tool remains limited. Chris Drive is now closed from both US Highway #1 (Augusta Road), and from Leaphart Road. The primary access is from US Highway 378 (Sunset Blvd.). Access to Chris Drive also is possible from Leaphart Road via Morningside Drive, Hook Avenue, and Klapman Road.
OCTOBER PROGRAM: Turning Demonstration by Frank Bowers
Frank Bowers lives in Stone Mountain, Georgia and is a member of the AAW, the Atlanta Woodturners Guild, Georgia Asso. of Woodturners, and Peach State Woodturners.
Frank began his turning career in 1992 by turning over 2,000 pens on his old Shopsmith. Since then he has instructed over 800 woodturning classes at Highland Woodworking. He has instructed or assisted woodturning classes at John C. Campbell Folk School 7 times. Frank has demonstrated at the Southern States and Turning Southern Style Symposiums. He has demonstrated and held hands-on workshops at many woodturning clubs throughout the Southeast. His beautifully turned wood art is sold through art galleries, by commission and at the Georgia State Fair.
At PWT’s meeting this Saturday, Frank will demonstrate his Poor Man Hollow Form Vase, as well as turning a green bowl and associated finishing techniques. Time permitting, Frank may turn his 3 edge box.
PWT HOC: On Friday, October 5, 2018, PWT will conduct a hands-on class taught by Frank Bowers. Frank will provide guidance on turning a green log into a bowl. Please contact Program Chair Tom Queen to inquire about attending this class. Tom can be reached at:
President's Challenge for October – Turning Small
The challenge for the October meeting is turning small. What you turn is not important; how you turn it is. The may turn any item you choose (e.g., goblet, top, bowl, candlestick, etc.); however, the objective is to see how much you can downsize the item. Yes, Terry Daw may have a head start on everyone, but let his work be an inspiration to you. Each member displaying a turned item in the challenge will be eligible for the December, 2018 President’s Challenge raffle.
President's Challenge for November - Christmas Ornaments
Time to get started preparing for the holiday season. One good way will be to turn a Christmas ornament of your choice. This will be a good warm up for PWT’s December Learn-to-Turn. Also, PWT supports Mann Tool’s sale of ornaments in support of Epworth Children’s Home. So, all items entered in the December President’s Challenge will be donated for sale by Mann Tool.
Display of Members' Work
Bring your latest (or oldest) work for display. Displays are an important part of our monthly meeting and provide inspiration to the members.
Paul League, September 2, 2018
September 8, 2018 Meeting and Demonstration: Jim Duxbury
PALMETTO WOODTURNERS (PWT), will meet Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be at Mann Tool, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC. We will have a brief session for club business and announcements.
Highway access to Mann Tool remains limited. Chris Drive is now closed from both US Highway #1 (Augusta Road), and from Leaphart Road. The primary access is from US Highway 378 (Sunset Blvd.). Access to Chris Drive also is possible from Leaphart Road via Morningside Drive, Hook Avenue, and Klapman Road.
Jim is not a stranger to many PWT members, having appeared for demonstrations on multiple occasions at our monthly meetings. He resides in Graham, North Carolina and is a member of the AAW, as well as Carolina Mountain Woodturners, North Coast Woodturners (Ohio), Piedmont Triad Woodturners Association (N.C.), and the Woodworkers Guild of North Carolina. The AAW website includes the following biographical information on Mr. Duxbury:
"Professional woodturner/inventor. The kind of guy who thinks and creates out of the box. I teach precision woodturning and make it fun. Kaleidoscopes are my signature item. I excel at one of a kind, functional and artistic pieces."
Jim’s informative website can be accessed at: http://www.duxterity.com/ec
Jim also will be teaching a hand’s-on class on Friday, September 7, 2018. Please see Jim Waterbury’s earlier emails for additional information on the class. When I last spoke with Jim last week, two open spots remained.
Pen Turning for Veterans
PWT has wrapped up its 2018 pen turning project for veterans. Please finish up any pen kits that you have and return the finished pens at the September meeting. Thanks to all members who have contributed to this project.
President's Challenge for September – Alternative Materials
Anybody can turn wood; heck, it even grows on trees. The challenge for the September meeting is to turn an item out of something other than wood. For this challenge, wood can be part of the turned item; however, the alternative material should constitute a material and/or significant part of the turning. Whether you turn bone, horn, brass, pewter, plastic, resin, or another material is entirely up to you. Hope to see some interesting work in September.
President's Challenge for October – Turning Small
The challenge for the October meeting is turning small. What you turn is not important; how you turn it is. The may turn any item you choose (e.g., goblet, top, bowl, candlestick, etc.); however, the objective is to see how much you can downsize the item. Yes, Terry Daw may have a head start on everyone, but let his work be an inspiration to you. Each member displaying a turned item in the challenge will be eligible for the December, 2018 President’s Challenge raffle.
Display of Members' Work
Bring your latest (or oldest) work for display. Displays are an important part of our monthly meeting and provide inspiration to the members.